E-85 Fuelfinder iPhone App

Chuck Zimmerman

The Renewable Fuels Association just announced a new iPhone app – E-85 Fuelfinder (opens iTunes) to help flex-fuel drivers access the latest, most accurately geo-coded E85 stations throughout the United States. Can you say, E85 fuel? There’s an app for that! Hurry to get yours since it won’t be free for long.

This application will also work on the iTouch and iPad. The RFA will sponsor a free download for the first 500 users.

The E85 FuelFinder allows iPhone and iPad users all over the country to map out E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) stations most accessible to them, no matter their current location or destination. With the database embedded in the iPhone itself, this application is useful, even if the user is in a no-service zone. In addition, users have the ability to add a station as a “favorite” for quick and easy accessibility, view or update the price per gallon of E85 fuel at specific locations, access driving directions through Google maps, and directly contact a specific station via telephone. The cost of the application is $1.99, which you can download here, and is also available on the App Store. Read More

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

BP to Acquire Verenium’s Cellulosic Ethanol Business

Cindy Zimmerman

BPAs BP struggles to stop the oil gushing out into the Gulf of Mexico, an announcement comes today that the company is making a major investment in cellulosic ethanol, as BP Biofuels North America is acquiring Verenium’s cellulosic biofuels business – which includes facilities in Jennings, LA and San Diego, CA – for $98.3 million.

BP and Verenium have been working together to accelerate the development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol since August of 2008, in a partnership that has been extended on a month-to-month basis several times this year. Under the agreements, BP was funding Verenium’s cellulosic ethanol program as they continued negotiations for a longer-term collaboration.

Under the new agreement, Verenium will retain its commercial enzyme business, including its biofuels enzymes products, and have the right to develop its own lignocellulosic enzyme program. Verenium will also retain select R&D capabilities, as well as rights to access select biofuels technology developed by BP using the technology it is acquiring from Verenium through this agreement.

VereniumVerenium President and CEO Carlos A. Riva says the agreement “should give both companies the flexibility to pursue the growth opportunities in the respective businesses and achieve goals in the near-term. As a result of this transaction, Verenium will have the resources to grow our commercial enzyme business while maintaining strategic access to the emerging cellulosic ethanol market in a manner that better fits our resources.”

“This acquisition demonstrates BP’s intent to be a leader in the cellulosic biofuels industry in the U.S. and positions us as one of the few global companies with an integrated end-to-end capability, from R&D through commercialization to distribution and blending,” said Philip New, CEO of BP Biofuels. “Our partnership with Verenium has been very fruitful, enabling the companies to develop a leading cellulosic ethanol technology package, driven forward by the skills and expertise of people from both companies. By acquiring Verenium’s cellulosic biofuels technologies, BP Biofuels should be well placed to accelerate the delivery of low cost, low carbon, sustainable biofuels, at scale.”

BP will become the sole investor in Vercipia Biofuels, a 50-50 joint venture formed by BP and Verenium in February 2009, and will independently manage all of Vercipia’s activities going forward. Similarly, Galaxy Biofuels, a 50-50 joint development company owned by BP and Verenium, will be owned 100% by BP. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2010.

Verenium is hosting a press conference on the agreement this morning.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Oil

Biodiesel Willing to Make Up Cellulosic Biofuels Shortfall

John Davis

While the cellulosic ethanol industry is worried that it won’t be able to meet the U.S. EPA’s proposed advanced biofuels production volumes for the new Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2), the folks who make biodiesel believe they could pick up any slack.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine points out that biodiesel plants in the U.S. have the ability to produce 2.2 billion gallons of biodiesel, which is considered an advanced biofuiel – enough to make up for any shortfalls other biofuels might have in making the EPA goals:

“The biodiesel industry stands ready, willing and able to produce the wet gallons required to comply with the program,” said Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board CEO. “By 2011, much of the uncertainty that has accompanied the start up and transition of the program in 2009 and 2010 will have been eliminated.”

Advanced biofuels will total 1.35 billion gallons and cellulosic biofuels, according to the EPA, will total between 5 million and 17.1 million gallons in 2011. “Based on analysis of market availability, EPA is proposing a 2011 cellulosic volume that is lower than the EISA target,” EPA said.

The EPA believes, however, that it may be appropriate to allow excess advanced biofuels to make up for the shortfall in cellulosic biofuel, including excess biomass-based diesel. “If we were to maintain the advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel volume requirements at the levels specified in the statue, we estimate that 125 million to 144 million ethanol-equivalent gallons of additional advanced biofuels would be needed, depending on the standard we set for cellulosic biofuel.”

“Biodiesel is well-positioned to meet volumes in this category relative to other advanced biofuels, and will likely play a significant role in meeting them,” Jobe said. The markets, he added, will ultimately decide how much biodiesel is used to fulfill the generic category of advanced biofuels.

EPA officials point out that biodiesel’s 800 million gallon volume for 2011 actually counts equivalent to 1.2 billion of ethanol toward the advanced biofuel standard of 1.35 billion gallons.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, News

2010 FedFleet Conference Kicks Off in Phoenix

The 10th Annual Federal Fleet Conference kicked off in Phoenix, Arizona this week offering attendees the chance to attend sessions and have the opportunity to visit with exhibition vendors on fleet management and automative procurement.

Over 1,300 participants from all levels of fleet and aviation management within the Federal Government are in attendance. Workshop sessions began on Sunday with a Basic Fleet Class which educated new Federal Fleet management on how to function with the their agency, learn about fleet policies, procedures, mandates, new programs and more. Many workshops followed throughout the week.

The exhibit hall opened on Monday to over 180 companies who can network with other vendors, Federal, State, local government and private sector fleet menagers. Exhibitors included automobile manufacturers, alternative fuel and alternative fuel vehicle promoters and more.

The 2011 FedFleet conference will be held in Orlando, Florida from July 26-28.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E85, Equipment, Ethanol, Fleet, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

2011 Chevy Caprice to be FFV

Chevrolet has released the technical manual for the Holden-based 2011 Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) and it includes an E85 compatible platform.

The new 2011 Caprice will be powered by a 265kW/521Nm 6.0-litre V8 and include Active Fuel Management. General Motors (GM) says its 0-100km/h time of less than 6.0 seconds will make it the police service’s fastest-accelerating and highest-top speed vehicle. This FFV will be included in GM’s extensive line of E85 compatible vehicles available in 2012, but this vehicle will not be offered at the retail level.

In 2010, GM offers as flexible fuel:
Buick Lucerne
Buick Terraza
Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet Avalanche
Chevrolet Express
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Savana
GMC Sierra Pickup
GMC Sierra Denali

Recently, the 2011 Buick Regal was announced to be flexible fuel.

For a complete listing of flexible fuel vehicles, click here.

E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

What Role Will Sugarcane Ethanol Play in the US?

Joanna Schroeder

I have my eye on California. They are leading the way in “green” policies; yet they make it difficult for companies with “green” products to get permits. They are also in the middle of a new Governors campaign and I can’t help but wonder if a new Governor will undo or improve any of the state’s current policies. One in particular that I’m watching is the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (CARB) which is currently under fire by the petroleum industry, trucking industry and corn ethanol industry. Each of these groups has filed a lawsuit against the California Air Resources Board (ARB) over various pieces of the policy.

One organization not filing suit is the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA). To date, sugarcane ethanol has received the lowest carbon life-cycle rating of all forms of ethanol and seems to have become the ethanol darling among politicians. Recently, President Obama, who is afraid to utter the word “corn” in conjunction with ethanol, touted the benefits of sugarcane ethanol.

UNICA has repeatedly called for these organizations to drop their lawsuits against ARB. In this light, I spoke with Joel Velsco, the Chief Representative of North America for UNICA, and asked him to weigh in on what is happening in California. In terms of the LCFS, he said that they were hoping for a different decision from Judge O’Neil but it wasn’t a surprise – meaning after a review, the lawsuits have not been thrown out.

“California’s LCFS can help break our dependence on fossil fuels, protect us from market price volatility and provide consumers with cleaner and more abundant fuel choices,” said Velsco. Read More

Ethanol, Legislation, News, politics

Ethanol Exports Down 58% in May

Joanna Schroeder

The high volume of ethanol exports plummeted in May by 58 percent from April’s totals. U.S. producers exported just 17.1 million gallons in May, while they exported 40.8 million gallons in April and 48.3 million gallons in March. Despite the drop, May exports were still above the five-year monthly average. In addition, to date in 2010, the U.S. has exported 25 percent more product than in the entire 2009 calendar year.

Additionally, at 141.4 million gallons, 2010 U.S. exports are still on track for a record year. In 2008, exports totaled 157.8 million gallons and in 2007, they were 150.2 million gallons. Prior to this year, it is believed that the highest export year was in 1995 when 197.5 million gallons of denatured and undenatured ethanol were exported. Since January 2005, the monthly average for total ethanol exports has been 10.2 million gallons.

“Fluctuations in unpredictable ethanol export markets highlight the need for America to focus more attention on increasing its consumption of domestically produced ethanol,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “America must stop dragging its feet and move aggressively to open up more domestic markets to ethanol. This starts with a full and complete waiver for the use of E15 by EPA. Bifurcating the market or limiting E15 use by vehicle model year aren’t real solutions. Exports and the use of mid and higher level ethanol blends, such as E30 or E85, are important markets for ethanol, but they cannot expand fast enough to absorb increasing production and use of ethanol as called for by federal law. It is time for the Obama Administration to back up its rhetoric with action and increase the amount of ethanol American consumers can use.”

The past month, the majority of denatured ethanol exports, topping out at 11.2 million gallons and down from 24.9 million gallons in April, went to Canada and the Netherlands. After importing significant quantities in April, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) imported virtually no U.S. denatured ethanol in May.

Undenatured, non-beverage ethanol exports totaled just 5.9 million gallons in May. Top destinations were the Netherlands, UAE and Mexico. Those three nations accounted for more than 95% of U.S. exports of undenatured, non-beverage product.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Senators Introduce Domestic Energy Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

amy klobuchar amy klobucharSenators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tim Johnson (D-SD) introduced legislation yesterday that “focuses on developing and deploying safe, reliable domestically grown and produced energy.”

According to the senators, the Securing America’s Future with Energy and Sustainable Technologies Act (SAFEST) establishes strong renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, incentives for developing biofuels and biofuel infrastructure, and targets for the availability of advanced vehicle technologies.

Specifically, the legislation would:

* Establish a strong renewable electricity standard of 25% renewable energy by 2025
* A strong energy efficiency resource standard (1 percent per year)
* A long-term extension of tax credits for ethanol and biodiesel
* New incentives for biofuels infrastructure and deployment
* Targets for the availability of advanced vehicle technologies

Ethanol organization Growth Energy praised the bill, which would provide incentives for blender pumps and pipelines, as well as flex fuel vehicles (FFVs). “Legislation that requires automakers to produce flex fuel vehicles and retailers to install blender pumps would provide more drivers with a choice of mid- and high-level ethanol blends and create thousands of good-paying green collar jobs that can’t be outsourced,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. He says the legislation also addresses the controversial concept of Indirect Land Use Change and provides equity by allowing all feedstocks that meet the 50 percent Green House Gas reduction requirements to qualify as an advanced biofuel.

Biodiesel, bioenergy, biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Oahu Gets First Utility-Scale Wind Project

John Davis

Paradise just got greener as ground was broken on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu’s first utility-scale wind energy project today.

This press release from First Wind says the wind energy company has begun construction on its 30 MW Kahuku Wind project on Oahu’s famed North Shore and could provide power for up to 7,700 homes each year:

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle led the celebration, as she, officials from First Wind, community leaders and others conducted a traditional groundbreaking ceremony using o’o (Hawaiian digging sticks).

“The Kahuku Wind project brings Hawaii another step closer to reducing our state’s dependence on imported foreign oil and increasing our energy security,” said Governor Lingle. “These wind turbines will provide another source of clean energy for Oahu’s power grid, further building on the progress Hawaii has made in becoming a world leader in clean energy.”

Construction of the Kahuku Wind project, which was spurred along by an expected $117 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will create immediate economic benefits for Oahu such as employment opportunities during design, engineering and construction including approximately 200 construction jobs. The loan guarantee is expected to close soon.

The project is part of Hawaii’s plan to have 70 percent of the state’s energy come from clean energy by 2030.

Wind

Biodiesel Innovators Could Clean Up Gulf Oil Spill

John Davis

Leave it to biodiesel to fix another problem caused by non-renewable petroleum.

This article from Biodiesel Magazine says the same people who produce the green fuel could be formulating methyl esters, the chemical yielded in biodiesel production, into a biobased solvent safe for cleaning up shorelines impacted by the oil:

The process starts with crews spraying the biosolvent from shallow draft boats onto oil-covered marsh vegetation or small beaches normally unreachable by land, said Randall von Wedel, founder and principal biochemist of CytoCulture International, a company that pioneered the method in the 1990s.

After the biosolvent is applied, it is followed with a gentle “rain” of seawater to rinse the dissolved petroleum mixture off the plants and shoreline for recovery on the water, using small mechanical skimmers.

“Unlike other clean-up techniques, the beauty of this is that it is a green process that is nonaggressive and won’t do any more damage to the oil-covered marshes and other sensitive habitats,” von Wedel said. “We’re growing concerned that the approach will be to slash and burn, which is incredibly damaging to the environment and will kill wildlife. They don’t need to do that.”

Later, mechanical skimmers can pick up the mixture of dissolved petroleum oil and CytoSol and actually recycle the recovered oil at local refineries. Other clean-up methods end up with the oil being dumped in landfills.

CytoCulture is now awaiting word from BP and the U.S. Coast Guard if they are interested in trying this out. Von Wedel points out that it’s already been successfully used in California.

Biodiesel