POET Aquires Indiana Ethanol Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

POET announced today the purchase of a 90 million gallon-per-year ethanol plant located just outside Cloverdale, Ind. and previously operated by Altra Biofuels.

Making the announcement from the Renewable Energy Finance Forum in New York, POET CEO Jeff Broin said this will be POET’s fourth ethanol plant in Indiana and 27th facility nationwide, bringing the company’s annual ethanol production capacity to 1.7 billion gallons per year. “We have been looking at potential acquisitions for some time,” Broin said. “This plant, in this community, will be a perfect fit for what we do at POET.”

This is the first acquisition for the company since their original plant back in 1987, the rest were built by POET from the ground up. POET will install the company’s proprietary process technology and improve the original plant design. The approximately $30 million in upgrades include BPX, POET’s patent-pending fermentation process which uses enzymes instead of heat, reducing energy use by 10-15 percent. In addition, POET will install a water recovery system and new pollution control equipment. POET expects to reopen the plant in 8-9 months.

Listen to the press conference with Jeff Broin here: POET CEO Jeff Broin on Indiana Ethanol Plant Acquisition

Audio, Ethanol, POET

Grassley: Funding Key to Bill with Biodiesel Measure

John Davis

The bill that would renew the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax incentive could pass right… if Democrats would just fund the entire bill. That’s according to a key Republican senator trying to renew the tax break.

This article from the Minnesota Independent says U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) believes the jobs bill, which has an extension of unemployment benefits that is weighing down the entire measure, could pass with the right funding:

“Ninety percent of the bill isn’t controversial,” Grassley said, concluding that the big problem is that he and many other lawmakers don’t want to add to the federal deficit. He chided Democrats for refusing to fully pay for the legislation with offsetting savings, revenue increases or using the money left in the federal stimulus.

Even though Democrats repeatedly cut the bill in an effort to win Republican backing, the latest version would have added $55 billion to the nation’s $1.4 trillion deficit over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Grassley said he’s heard from his constituents that they are tired of the government running up huge debt, and that the message is starting to get through to Democrats as well.

“It wasn’t just Republicans who voted against the bill in the U.S. House,” he said. “There were plenty of Blue Dog Democrats who don’t agree with this type of spending either.”

Grassley pointed out that he Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) put together a fully funded unemployment and biodiesel package back in February that would have easily passed… until Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid killed the measure.

Biodiesel, Government

Three Algae Biofuels Consortia to Share $24 Mil Funding

John Davis

Three groups researching algae-based biofuels will get a big boost from $24 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Biofuels Digest reports that Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cathy Zoi made the announcemet at this week’s BIO World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing in Washington, DC:

According to Zoi, the selections will support the development of a clean, sustainable transportation sector – a goal of the Department’s continued effort to spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs.

At the same time, Zoi announced the release of the final version of the National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap, a draft of which was released last June, based on workshop results from a meeting in DC that attracted 200 stakeholders. The final report reflects the substantive comments received during the public comment phase and, according to the DOE, “is intended to guide future work and investments in algal biofuels.”

The three consortia selected for funding are:

Sustainable Algal Biofuels Consortium (Mesa, AZ)
Led by Arizona State University, this consortium will focus on testing the acceptability of algal biofuels as replacements for petroleum-based fuels. Tasks include investigating biochemical conversion of algae to fuels and products, and analyzing physical chemistry properties of algal fuels and fuel intermediates. (DOE share: up to $6 million)

Consortium for Algal Biofuels Commercialization (San Diego, CA)
Led by the University of California, San Diego, this consortium will concentrate on developing algae as a robust biofuels feedstock. Tasks include investigating new approaches for algal crop protection, algal nutrient utilization and recycling, and developing genetic tools. (DOE funding: up to $9 million)

Cellana, LLC Consortium (Kailua-Kona, HI)
Led by Cellana, LLC, this consortium will examine large-scale production of fuels and feed from microalgae grown in seawater. Tasks include integrating new algal harvesting technologies with pilot-scale cultivation test beds, and developing marine microalgae as animal feed for the aquaculture industry. (DOE funding: up to $9 million)

The article goes on the say the projects will take place over three-year periods.

algae, biofuels

DF Cast: Flying at 200 MPH on Ethanol

John Davis

Indy cars recently tore up the track running on clean-burning ethanol, right next to the Iowa corn fields where the feedstock for the green fuel is grown.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we bring you some of the sounds and interviews from the Iowa Corn Indy 250 presented by Pioneer, and the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Our own Chuck Zimmerman had the chance to talk to Ron McQueeny, director of photography for the Indy Racing League and a nearly 40-year veteran photographer of the sport, who says the clean, green fuel has made a world of difference in clearing the haze that used to accompany the start of each race. In addition, we catch up with farmer and President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Don Elsbernd, and Todd Frazier with Pioneer Hi-Bred. They see the Iowa Corn Indy 250 as a great showcase for the green fuel and are glad that so many corn farmers are able to see the fruit… a very high-performance fruit… of their labors in corn-based ethanol in these fantastic racing machines.

It’s a great conversation, and you can hear more of it in the player below.
Domestic Fuel Cast

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

Audio, corn, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol, Ethanol News, IA Corn Indy, Indy Racing

Flying Car Landing In A Driveway Near You

Joanna Schroeder

Apparently the FAA works much faster than the EPA – the FAA has just approved the “Flying Car,” also known at the Transition Roadable Aircraft. While the flying car, developed by Terrafugia (ter-ra-FOO-gee-ah), doesn’t currently run on an alternative fuel such as ethanol or biodiesel, it is an “alternative” way to get yourself around town.

So here is how it works….You jump into the cockpit and back your Flying Car out of the garage and head to the airport, driving on the same roads as FFVs, electric cars and hybrids. You pull up to the airport, head out to the runway, drop your wings, which are controlled from the cockpit, and take off. Sweet. No more three hour commutes in rush hour traffic!

The Flying Car, classified as a personal aircraft, has been in development by several MIT visionaries since 2006. Here are a few interesting specs. the plane can safely reach up to 100 mph on surface roads and boasts 30 miles per gallon – better than any conventional SUV or truck on the market. In the air, it burns 5 gallons per hour of fuel and the tank holds 20 gallons. For you mathperts, you can fly about 4 hours before needing to fill up the tank with high-octane unleaded gas at your local gas station.

Now that the FAA has approved the Flying Car, the company expects its first delivery in 2011. While there is currently a Flying Car prototype, the next graphical version of the personal plane will be unveiled at a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on July 26, 2010 at Terrafugia’s exhibit at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI.  Oh, and Terrafugia, could you please make your next version of the Flying Car be a flex-fuel personal plane? Thank you.A

biofuels, Miscellaneous, News

2010 California Propane Road Show Kicks Off

Joanna Schroeder

The 2010 California Propane Road Show kicked off today in Sacramento, California where people could take a test drive in a truck powered by propane. The three-city tour is sponsored by the Western Propane Gas Association as well as the Propane Education & Research Council. In addition, ROUSH, a leader in developing liquid propane engine technologies, is also participating in the tour. Currently the company’s technology can be found in the Ford F-Series pickups as well as the E-Series vans and they state that the vehicles have no loss of horsepower, torque or towing capacity.

For many years, California has been the leading state for environmental policies, thus driving their vehicle emission target levels. ROUSH states that many fleets are struggling to meet state emissions requirements and propane offers an immediate and cost-effective solution.

“Propane is a here-and-now choice for fleets who want to achieve state and federal emission requirements and save money over traditional gas and diesel options,” said Lesley Garland, president and CEO of the Western Propane Gas Association. “Test driving the propane vehicles shows fleet and transportation managers how well the vehicles perform while running on a fuel that will help them reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs immediately.”

Each stop begins with a brief presentation on the benefits of using propane and ends with a participant ride-and-drive. The events start at 9:00 am Pacific time.

June 30 – Meeder Equipment, 3495 S. Maple Ave., Fresno, CA 93725
July 1 – Irwindale Speedway, 500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale, CA 91706

For more information about the tour, visit www.switchtopropane.com.

News, Propane

World Economic Forum Sees Bright Biofuels Future

Cindy Zimmerman

A new report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) concludes that converting biomass into fuels, energy, and chemicals has the potential to generate upwards of $230 billion to the global economy by 2020, most of that in the United States. The report, produced in collaboration with Royal DSM N.V., Novozymes, DuPont and Braskem, says that the biorefineries industry could supplement demand for sustainable energy, chemicals and materials, aiding energy security.

The report on the Future of Industrial Biorefineries was unveiled today during a keynote address at the BIO World Congress conference by Steen Riisgaard, CEO of Novozymes. “We need an energy replacement that comes at oil’s low price, but without its high environmental cost,” said Riisgaard. “Over time, cars, trucks, and even airplanes are going to run on sustainable low-carbon fuels derived from biomass. Plastics and chemicals will be made from plants rather than petroleum. As a result, biorefineries will infuse billions of dollars into the economy and create more than 800,000 new jobs.”

Riisgaard highlighted the U.S. as the world leader in developing biorefineries, accounting for more than 40,000 jobs. “While the U.S. has a head start, the race itself is only at the beginning,” said Riisgaard. “America’s competitive advantage cannot be taken for granted. If the U.S. wants to be a leader in developing these new clean energy technologies, it must build on the progress it’s already made. Congress and the Departments of Energy and Agriculture must ensure that the U.S. has a coherent and comprehensive strategy for the bio-based society and not just fragments of measures here and there.”

The report concludes that the development of the bio-based economy is at an early and high-risk stage and that government has a key role to play in providing seed support to the emerging bio-based sector and creating the market to ensure that it becomes established and successful as quickly as possible.

Read the full report here.

biofuels, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News

New Ethanol Fact Book is Out

Cindy Zimmerman

The sixth edition of the Ethanol Fact Book highlights benefits of the U.S. ethanol program, underscoring 30 years of bipartisan support in Congress.

ethanol-across-americaPublished by the Clean Fuels Development Coalition and distributed through the Ethanol Across America campaign, the latest edition of the Ethanol Fact Book outlines how producing fuel ethanol in the United States generates jobs and wealth by processing domestic resources into clean burning transportation fuels.

The publication addresses issues regarding the ethanol tax incentive, energy security and oil import reductions, economic impacts and benefits to the U.S. Treasury, greenhouse gas reduction and environmental benefits, and advancements in cellulose conversion technologies. In addition, developments in flexible fuel vehicle production and high level blends are addressed.

U.S. Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) Co-Chair of the Ethanol Across America campaign said, “As Congress continues its work on an energy bill it is essential that it will continue to support and enhance our nation’s use of renewable fuels. Ethanol supports our efforts to create jobs, stimulate the economy, reduce the use of oil, and improve the environment. Through the Ethanol Across America education program, we are getting the facts out and believe when people understand the wide range of benefits ethanol provides they will continue to support it. The Clean Fuels Development Coalition has done a tremendous job in educating the public about this issue through this fact book.”

Ethanol, Ethanol News

METRO Helps NY

John Davis

Recently, I told you about how New York loves biodiesel, using the green fuel to run many of the city’s parks and recreation department vehicles and heat the agency’s buildings. One company that’s helping parks and rec keep their buildings warm with biodiesel is Brooklyn-based METRO Fuel Oil Corp.

“Our initiative is to help New York become a cleaner, greener city,” says Jason Abrams, a marketing communications specialist with METRO. He says besides the city’s parks and rec department, they provide the biofuels, biodiesel and bioheat in fleets, buildings and homes.

Abrams points out that diesel fuel burners don’t need any kind of conversion to run biodiesel. In fact, it can even help a motor or boiler run better, and of course, cleaner … even to the point of actually cleaning a burner.

“I remember one [superintendent] I was talking to telling me that he could actually see the metal, where before he was using such dirty oil, he could just see the black of crude oil.”

METRO has been around since 1942, using petroleum to replace the even dirtier fuel, coal. He sees the company continuing the tradition of finding a better, cleaner burning fuel by now distributing biodiesel. Right now, they get that biodiesel through a pipeline from the Midwest. But soon, they’ll have their own refinery scheduled to open in 2011 that will use a variety of feedstocks, including soy oil, canola oil and even waste grease. And even the grease collection will be something that gives back to the community. They’ve teamed up with The Doe Fund, Inc., operator of New York City’s largest socially-conscious collector of used cooking oil, to get waste grease picked up and delivered to METRO’s soon-to-be-completed refinery.

“[Doe] employs formerly homeless people to pick up the grease from restaurants across the city,” giving needed jobs to those who desperately need them.

Abrams says when they go to trade shows they give out green apples to reinforce their message of “Greening the Big Apple.”

Listen to more of my conversation with Jason in the player below.

Jason Abrams METRO interview
Biodiesel

ASTM Voting on Biodiesel Standards at KC Meeting

John Davis

Biodiesel could be divided into two different grades, if some backers of a new grading system at the ASTM meeting this week in Kansas City, Mo.

Biodiesel Magazine reports there are several ballots up for a vote that would have biodiesel graded as No.1 and No.2, much like regular diesel … a proposal backed by the National Biodiesel Board’s technical director Steve Howell:

“The specs we currently have work just fine for 99 percent of the people. The philosophy is like with No.1 and No.2 diesel—No.2 works fine for about everybody, but if for some reason it doesn’t work for you, try premium diesel fuel.”

Not everyone, however, agrees that a No.1/No.2 biodiesel spec would be good for the industry. One source told Biodiesel Magazine that this approach could drive down the price of most biodiesel, what would be No.2, while placing a premium on No.1. It could also discourage use of feedstock with less than desirable cloud point and other properties.

Howell said as diesel fuel and engines change, the biodiesel specification will have to adapt.

The article goes on to say that a new test method allowing the Cognis QTA system to be used for analysis of multiple biodiesel properties is also being considered. NBB officials say, if adopted, it would be the first time an American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) test method would be adopted into an ASTM method. The benefit would be that it allow suppliers and users to simply put a drop of fuel on the analyzer and get instant analysis for several properties, making the process cheaper and quicker.

Biodiesel, NBB