AFVI Discontinues Annual Conference

According to School Transportation News, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVI) announced that it will no longer hold their Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo (AF&V), a four-day annual conference that brought together groups interested in advancing alternative fuels. The conference, which was formally called the annual Clean Cities Conference and Exposition, held 16 years of consecutive conferences.

“Over the past 20 years, we’ve seen alternative fuels go from the obscure to the mainstream,” said Annalloyd Thomason, Executive Director. “Federal Recovery Act funding puts the alternative fuels and vehicles industries in extremely good positions for the future. While the Conference once served as a tool to foster the further development of the industry, we see that role shrinking…and that’s a good thing.”

Thomason added that she sees alternative fuels not being an “alternative” for much longer. With strict federal emission and fuel economy mandates coming into effect soon, fleets will increasingly use alternative fuels and vehicles to meet the new standards.

“It’s a bittersweet ending,” she said. “We so appreciate the support of our sponsors and exhibitors throughout the years, and we’ll continue to work with them in the future on other projects.” Thomason doesn’t rule out resurrecting the Conference in the future. “If the marketplace demonstrates a need, we’ll re-evaluate it at that time.”

AFVi will continue its efforts to develop the alternative fuels market and continue to brand itself as “The Answer Place for Fleets” through market development and consulting.

Biodiesel, conferences, E85, Electric Vehicles, Environment, Ethanol News, News

Sea Green Project Accelerates Algae for Aviation

Joanna Schroeder

Renewable aviation fuel was a hot topic during the recent Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva. During the event, the Sustainable Use of Renewable Fuels (SURF) consortium was announced with the intention of accelerating algae for aviation fuel. SURF was developed to support Cranfield University’s Sea Green project that will harvest algae to produce jet fuel at commercial scale. SURF is comprised of Airbus, British Airways, Rolls-Royce, Finnair, Gatwick Airport, IATA, and Cranfield University.

Cranfield currently has a pilot facility on campus that is growing and processing algae for biofuels. However, the long-term the goal is for Sea Green to be an ocean based facility and producing commercial scale levels of bio-jet fuel within three years. According to a press release, Sea Green’s ocean based facility, “will be designed to use the expanse of the world’s near-shore waters to rapidly grow microalgae at a faster rate than any other initiative and capture CO2 from the atmosphere and seas at the same time”

Researchers argue that this is a more sustainable method of biofuel production because it does not compete with agricultural land, doesn’t require fresh water, doesn’t result in deforestation, and doesn’t damage the environment.

“Many biofuels compete with agricultural land and fresh water which results in the price of food being pushed up. This project and consortium aim to see how algae could benefit the aviation industry,” said Professor Feargal Brennan, Head of Cranfield University’s Department of Offshore, Process and Energy Engineering.

Brennan continued, “It will look at ways to grow and harvest naturally occurring species of algae in large volumes and to process these into fuel. Algae grows naturally in sea water and with over 70 percent of the surface of the earth being water, Cranfield’s Sea Green project is a logical and potentially high yield solution. Few replacement options to kerosene for fueling commercial aircraft have been identified but jet fuel produced from algae produced in this way, could be a major break-through.”

algae, biofuels, transportation

Biodiesel Vaporized into Substitute Natural Gas

John Davis

A Maryland company has found a way to vaporize biodiesel into a natural gas substitute that can be turned into renewable electric power.

LPP Combustion, LLC announced it has installed the hardware on a demonstration unit in Columbia, MD to get some operational experience:

Generally, combustion of biodiesel in gas turbines requires extra refinement of the fuel due to impurities that can be harmful to gas turbine components. However, by vaporizing the biodiesel into nitrogen before introducing it to the gas turbine as LPP Gas™, the LPP Combustion hardware substantially reduces operational problems associates with conventional burning of biodiesel in gas turbines. Emissions from the C30 gas turbine, operating at full load on LPP Gas™ derived from biodiesel, are 5.6 ppmv NOx and 9 ppmv CO, at 15%O2, improving on the baseline natural gas emissions.

The fuel tested was a canola-based biodiesel provided to LPP Combustion, LLC by Northern Biodiesel, an Ontario, NY company. The C30 gas turbine was on loan from Harbec Plastics, an Ontario, NY based plastics manufacturer. Harbec Plastics intends to convert all 25 of its Capstone C30 gas turbines to operation on biofuels using the LPP Combustion technology, thereby eliminating the CO2 footprint from its plastics manufacturing.

The company has already successfully tested the same gas turbine using this technology on naphtha and on ethanol

More information is available at the company’s website, www.lppcombustion.com.

Biodiesel, Natural Gas

Opportunites for Biorefineries Symposium Just Around the Corner

Joanna Schroeder

The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois, is hosting a symposium on Near-term Opportunities for Biorefineries on October 11-12, 2010. Among the topics discussed will be the impact of technology improvements and utilization of value-added co-products of corn ethanol production. Attendees will also learn about the political and economic considerations that affect the development of improved technology as well as the proposed Renewable Fuels Standards (RFS2) requirements and implications.

“Modest tweaks in technology can reap substantial economic and environmental benefits for current corn ethanol plants. This symposium will address near term technologies and utilization of co-products that can add another revenue stream,” said Dr. Hans Blaschek, Director of CABER. “We’ll also discuss biochemicals, including butanol, which is considered a next generation biofuel as well as feedstock chemical that can add to the portfolio of products being produced in a biorefinery.”

University of Illinois researchers, along with staff from the USDA, Argonne National Laboratory, and biofuels industry leaders will share their views of the current and future status of corn ethanol.

Topics for the symposium include:

  • • Potentials for a biorefinery and a portfolio of products
  • • Co-product utilization and conversion
  • • Overcoming impediments to scale-up and commercialization
  • • Technologies to make ethanol and butanol an advanced fuel
  • • Economic advantages to diversification of products produced in a traditional corn ethanol plant

The early-bird registration fee is $249; after October 1 the registration fee is $299. Click here to learn more about the symposium and to register.

biobutanol, conferences, corn, Ethanol

REG Buys New Mexico Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Renewable Energy Group has acquired a New Mexico biodiesel plant in an agreement that will see a California company invest in the Iowa-based biodiesel maker and distributor.

REG has announced that ARES Corporation will become a strategic investor, putting in an additional $8 million into REG in return for control of ARES’ 15-million-gallon-a-year Clovis, New Mexico plant:

“In support of RFS2, REG continues to expand its national footprint of production facilities and related logistics to better serve our growing customer base of regional and national businesses. We consider this position in the Southwest to be a long-term, strategic move for our company,” said Daniel J. Oh, President and Chief Operating Officer of Renewable Energy Group. “ARES’ strategic investment provides REG access to ARES’ world class engineering, risk management and government contracting expertise.”

“REG has proven its leadership in the biodiesel industry and is exceptionally well placed to lead the industry recovery,” said Richard (Dick) Stuart, ARES Corp. Chief Executive Officer.

“Renewable Energy Group has shown strong biodiesel industry leadership when it comes to creating green collar jobs at its industry leading biodiesel production facilities,” said Clovis Industrial Development Corporation Executive Director, Chase Gentry. “We look forward to REG’s involvement in this ongoing green economy project as the City of Clovis, State of New Mexico and the Southwest region look to reduce our dependence on imported oil and improve our air quality.”

REG is the nation’s largest largest biodiesel producer and marketer.

Biodiesel

Next Gen. Biodiesel Scientists Holding Virtual Conference

John Davis

They’re some of the newest and brightest scientific minds in the country, so it just makes sense that the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel would choose one of the most cutting-edge formats to hold the first interactive virtual conference on biodiesel for students.

These biodiesel champions will join one of the nation’s foremost biodiesel researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and National Biodiesel Board staff in leading the online event on September 28, 2010 from 7 – 9 p.m. Eastern time.

Higher education students and faculty interested in the future of biodiesel – from emerging research, to the state of the industry and career trends to environmental attributes – are invited to register for this one-of-a-kind virtual conference.

Participants will learn the latest on how biodiesel is the nation’s only commercially available, domestically produced advanced biofuel. NREL’s Dr. Bob McCormick will cover research on storage stability, compatibility with emissions control technology, and cold temperature performance. Participants will also learn about the biodiesel industry itself, including employment opportunities, and hear from other students leading biodiesel efforts on their own campuses.

The virtual conference comes on the heels of the launch of the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative. This new group formed to demonstrate and grow support for biodiesel among tomorrow’s scientific leaders. The campaign launched with 28 founding members of an on-line declaration of support for biodiesel, America’s only domestically produced commercially available advanced biofuel.

Participants will have a chance to ask questions of the virtual conference presenters, who are:

* Don Scott, NBB Director of Sustainability
* Dr. Bob McCormick, Principal Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, Colo.)
* Jason Strull, Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel Co-chair (University of Nevada -Reno)
* Lucas Ellis, Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel Co-chair (Dartmouth College)
* Bernardo del Campo, Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel Co-chair (Iowa State University)

The NBB is hosting the event with support from the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff.

Biodiesel, NBB

United Farmers Coop Installs 2 Blender Pumps

Joanna Schroeder

It’s always a good day for ethanol when we hear about new E85 or blender pumps opening. Today, the United Farmers Cooperative (UFC) has installed two new blender pumps in Shelby, Neb. with the help of Growth Energy’s 2010 E85 and Blender Pump Program. The pumps are located at 600 East Hwy 92. This Friday, UFC will host a Blender Pump Open House from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm CST where they will be holding drawings and offer fuel discounts for E10, E20, E30 and E85.

“UFC’s decision to install blender pumps versus upgrading with traditional pumps and adding E85, is all about giving our customer the ability to support the ethanol programs and still have the flexibility to chose based on his or her blended preference,” said Dick Munn, United Farmers Cooperative Vice President of Energy.

UFC became a member of Growth Energy’s E85 and blender program for the assistance they offer with fueling infrastructure as well as for financial assistance. This year has been a good year for retailers to install E85 and blender pumps since the federal government is currently offering a tax credit that gives station owners a 50 percent tax credit, up to $50,000, for installing E85 infrastructure.

“Every blender pump we install gives consumers a choice at the pump that includes domestic, renewable ethanol,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “Growth Energy is pleased to have been able to assist in the United Farmers Cooperative in their efforts and we remain committed to assist with the addition of more blender pumps across the nation.”

blends, E85, Ethanol

All You Need To Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies

Joanna Schroeder

Ever wonder what would happen if the ethanol subsidy disappeared? Well, today UNICA answers that question in their new video, “All I Need to Know About U.S. Ethanol Subsidies,” that explains to taxpayers how Congress could save them $6 billion per year and help lower prices at the pump. For consumers to reap these savings, all lawmakers have to do is let 30 years of ethanol tax credits and trade protection expire on December 31.

According to UNICA, current U.S. ethanol policies include an interlocking system of subsidies and tariffs that cost taxpayers $6 billion per year for a total of $45 billion since 1980. These subsidies contribute to fluctuating gas prices and make sugarcane ethanol practically unavailable in the U.S., although sugarcane ethanol is favored in some areas such as California because it has a lower carbon intensity than other current forms of ethanol.

The video explains these policies as well as discusses the environmental, economic and energy security benefits of opening up the market to foreign sources of ethanol.

“Americans are increasingly writing and calling Congress to urge that it’s time to allow clean, renewable energy sources like sugarcane ethanol into the U.S.,” said Joel Velasco, UNICA’s Chief Representative in North America. “Their letters and phone calls all echo one thing: they are tired of having their tax dollars used to keep these options out of reach and to support a thriving industry that’s already the world’s largest.”Read More

corn, Ethanol, Legislation, UNICA, Video

States Scale Back RPS’s As Senate Ramps Up RES Efforts

Joanna Schroeder

As several senators make one last push for a federal Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) to be enacted before the close of the 111th Congress, several states are considering scaling back their current Renewable Energy Portfolios (RPS). At the federal level, groups such as the bipartisan Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition cite an RES as a way to give the country an economic jolt and regain a leadership role in development and manufacturing. At the state level, organizations against the RES support moves to scale back renewable efforts claiming that the economic cost of moving to wind, solar and biomass will in fact cause more economic turmoil, not economic prosperity.

An increase in the debate regarding a federal RES has come from two sources. Last Monday the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition sent a letter to Senate Democratic and Republican leaders saying, “A strong RES is the most economically-efficient way to advance clean domestic energy and immediately create jobs in renewable energy manufacturing, construction of new projects and associated transmission, and ongoing operation and maintenance of these facilities.”

The letter was addressed by Govs. Chet Culver (D-Iowa) and Don Carcieri (R-RI), who lead the Governors’ Wind Coalition and early this year released a report detailing wind opportunities throughout the country.

The letter continued, “We wish to work with you and with the Administration to help shape federal energy legislation this year. The economic stakes are high for our states, and we see a narrow window of opportunity for Congress to enact a long overdue reworking of federal laws governing renewable energy.”

The letter was followed up by a press conference yesterday held by several bi-partisan senators who introduced a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) bill. Read More

biomass, Commentary, Electricity, politics, Solar, Wind

Algae Biofuels Focus of Session at Delaware Conference

John Davis

Just got a quick note from my friend Tamra Fakhoorian with the National Algae Association letting me know that she will be one of the speakers at the 2010 Energy & Sustainability Conference Sept. 23-25 at the Trabant Center in Newark, Delaware.

Tamra will be presenting on Thursday afternoon during the Carbon Abatement session of the conference with a talk entitled, “Algae for Energy: The Long Road to Fuel Independence.” I’ve talked to Tamra many times before, and I can assure you that it’s a session you won’t want to miss!

She’s pretty busy, too. I know right after she gets done talking at that conference, she’ll be hot-footing down to The Woodlands, Texas (just north of Houston) for the NAA’s national conference at the Sheraton North Houston hotel near George Bush Intercontinental Airport (see my post from Sept. 16 for more details).

algae, biofuels, conferences