ACE Conference 2026

Award Winning Minnesota Solar Home for Sale

Joanna Schroeder

Looking for a unique green home? Look no further. The University of Minnesota (U of M), who built an all-solar home for submission in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon, is up for sale. The 550-square-foot-home house took fifth place out of 20 international entries in October’s Solar Decathlon. Interested buyers are required to submit a purchase proposal by April 12, 2010.

The home has been dubbed the ICON Solar House due to its classic gabled roof design, and was designed by a ensemble of professionals and students in U of M’s Institute of Technology, College of Design and College of Continuing Education. The home placed well is several categories including first place for engineering, first in lighting design and third in appliances and fifth place in market viability.

This green baby won’t come cheap, however. The minimum bid is $200,000 and the appraised value is listed over $550,000. As part of your purchase, you will receive $20,000 consulting and assistance allowance from the university on assembling the ICON House on site. In other words, you will be able to select where to “build” your new home.

You can take a virtual tour of the solar home here.

Miscellaneous, Solar

Ohio Pols Look to Increase Lake Erie Wind Turbines

John Davis

A pair of Ohio politicians is looking to advance offshore wind energy projects in Lake Erie.

This press release from Gov. Ted Strickland says the governor was joined by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown(D-OH) and Cleveland leaders to unveil Brown’s legislation to advance offshore wind turbines in freshwater bodies like Lake Erie and to hear Strickland’s update on state efforts to advance wind energy:

“Lake Erie is ready to be home to the first offshore wind turbines in fresh water,” Brown said. “The Lake is shallow enough to support offshore wind turbines and is also surrounded on land by Ohio’s rich industrial base. With the right priorities in Washington, Columbus, and Cuyahoga County, we will not only make this project a reality, but we’ll also revitalize Ohio’s manufacturing base and create new jobs. Wind energy will not only lower costs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but will also create new demand for components produced by Ohio?s supply chain.”

“Ohio’s greatest potential for creating wind energy is offshore in Lake Erie. Offshore wind, in particular, offers opportunities for our manufacturing sector and for Ohio shipyards. Ohio can build the installation vessels needed in all the Great Lakes; Ohio can build the towers; Ohio can build the turbines and the blades; Ohio can build all the component parts,” Strickland said. “Senator Brown’s legislation will strengthen the federal government’s partnership with Great Lakes states as we make sure the wind energy industry grows in Ohio. This legislation will also provide grants to our universities that are already focusing innovative research on solving the unique challenges of offshore wind in fresh water.”

Brown’s bill, the Program for Offshore Wind Energy Research and Development (POWERED) Act of 2010, would encourage research and require the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop a comprehensive plan for offshore wind. Regional efforts include the four-year-old Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force looking at the potential for wind energy in Lake Erie.

Wind

Researchers Check “Green-ness” of Algae-Biofuel

John Davis

The assumption is that algae-based biofuels are better for the environment. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. And researchers are all about proving things.

This article from the Fort Collins (CO) Coloradoan says a pair of mechanical engineering professors from Colorado State are testing to see what gases come from burning algae oil:

“What are the consequences if we were to suddenly go from zero to 20 billion gallons of algae-based biofuel per year over the next 20 years?” [Anthony] Marchese said. “Are there going to be any consequences that we may not have thought about? Recent history is littered with examples of where we’ve moved too quickly with the technology without understanding the risks.”

Marchese and [Azer] Yalin have received a $325,000 National Science Foundation grant to conduct a study of emissions from algae-based biofuels, during which they’ll look at how pollutants are formed when the fuel burns.

The article goes on to say that locally-based Solix Biofuels, which produces biofuel from algae, is anxiously awaiting the results of the testing.

algae, biofuels, Research

Petroleum Industry Files Suit Over Renewable Fuel Standard

Cindy Zimmerman

The petroleum industry has filed a legal challenge over the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2), which was just finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Both the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) filed the lawsuit Monday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging the EPA rule, officially published in the Federal Register on Friday.

Both organizations issued similar statements regarding the legal action, which focus on the retroactive provisions of the rule. “We believe this rule unlawful and unfair, and we filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to challenge the legality of EPA’s actions,” said the API statement. “EPA made the rule effective on July 1, 2010 while setting unreasonable mandates on refiners that reach back to 2009 for bio-based diesel and to January 1 for the other advanced biofuels.”

“The petition NPRA filed today does not challenge the overall RFS2 program and does not call into question the important role renewable fuels play in our nation’s transportation fuel mix,” NPRA President Charles T. Drevna said. “Simply put, the fact that EPA failed to meet its statutory obligations under current energy law does not give the Agency license to impose retroactively additional compliance burdens on obligated parties. At the least, such action calls into serious question the fundamental fairness of EPA’s RFS2 rulemaking process.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Cellulosic Ethanol Fuel in 12 Hours of Sebring

Cindy Zimmerman

Cellulosic ethanol from Iogen Energy was part of the 58th running of Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring earlier this month.

It was the first time Iogen Energy’s cellulosic ethanol was blended into an E85 fuel for the demanding American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón. The 500 gallons of cellulosic ethanol supplied were produced from wheat straw at Iogen Energy’s world leading demonstration facility in Ottawa and fueled the Drayson Racing “Lola-Judd” prototype in the race.

According to ALMS, Drayson Racing was riding a wave of momentum entering the race with two-time Sebring winner Emanuele Pirro who had the No. 8 Lola Coupé in second place early. However, at three and a half hours into the 12 hour race, the alternator failed and eventually the team finished fourth in Le Mans Prototype One (LMP1) class and twelfth overall in a field of thirty-four.

“In the critical Michelin® Green X® Challenge, the team finished as the highest non-diesel powered entry. Taking third in this important environmental award was the result of the team’s use of second generation, cellulosic E85 ethanol and its efficient combination of Judd V10 engine and Lola’s closed cockpit chassis.”

The second round of the ALMS season will be April 17 in Long Beach, California.

American LeMans, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Racing

RFA Offers RFS2 Information for Producers

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Fuels Association LogoUnder the expanded Renewable Fuels Standard, or RFS2, all producers of ethanol regardless of feedstock will be required to register with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an effort to help ethanol producers understand what they need to do, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has created two documents intended to provide producers with information they need to comply.

First, there is a comprehensive 29-page summary that includes detailed explanations of the steps necessary to help guide both grain ethanol and cellulosic ethanol producers through the process. RFA has also developed a shorter registration checklist that includes all the key steps and deadlines for ethanol producers to register and begin generating Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) necessary to track the required use of ethanol.

Many of the dates for compliance are approaching quickly and RFA officials encourage producers to review these documents for information as soon as possible and to consult with legal counsel for specific questions related to individual operations.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Record Global Ethanol Production Forecast

Cindy Zimmerman

Global RFAThe Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) has released its 2010 production forecast for ethanol which indicates a positive trend for growth in the industry.

Total ethanol production for 2009 was 73.9 billion litres (19.5 billion gallons) according to data assembled by F.O. Licht. The GRFA predicts global production will reach 85.9 billion litres (22.7 billion gallons) in 2010, up more than 16 percent over last year. GRFA notes that level of production would displace the need for 370 million equivalent barrels of oil globally.

According to the organization, the United States is still the world leader in ethanol manufacturing with more than 45 billion litres (12 billion gallons) of ethanol production projected for this year. At the other end of the spectrum, many developing countries including Nigeria and Malawi are turning to ethanol to boost their economies and secure their future energy needs.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Company Promotes In-Field Production of “Sorganol”

Cindy Zimmerman

An Iowa inventor and entrepreneur is promoting a harvester he developed that can produce ethanol from sweet sorghum right in the field.

Lee McClune of Knoxville, Iowa invented the SORGANOL® Process (PatPend) and Sor-Cane Harvester after studying research done at Iowa State University in the 80s on the potential of producing ethanol from sorghum. According to McClune, the harvester acidifies and filters the juice from the sorghum stalks as they are harvested. “The appropriate yeast agents are added or metered in as the juice is pumped from the transporter into the storage containers,” he explains in a promotional brochure. “A few hours later the sugar conversion to ethanol is complete.” McClure claims some varieties of sweet sorghum can produce as much as 1000 gallons of ethanol per acre and he calls it “America’s Sugarcane Ethanol.”

Oklahoma State University started studying the process a couple of years ago and found some merit to the concept of actually fermenting the juice in the field to make ethanol. McClune believes the process can be utilized to make ethanol production more sustainable and potentially even carbon-neutral.

For more information, contact McClune at leemcclune@hotmail.com.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, sorghum

Growth Energy Offers Brochure on Pumps for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth Energy has introduced their new 2010 E85/blender pump brochure. The six panel brochure includes frequently asked questions on E85, blender pumps and flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). The entire inside of the brochure includes a matrix-like listing of FFVs offered since 1995.

Although many newer model FFVs are labeled on the back of the vehicle, these brochures are the marketing tool Growth Energy recommends for a retailer to inform customers of which vehicles are E85 compatible. They assist with the problem of consumer “misfueling” at the pump. Currently there are over eight million FFVs on American roads. They include newer models by General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota and Mercedes. Older models include Mazda and Isuzu.

To order the 2010 E85/blender pump brochure, click here. Growth Energy also offers various other items for ethanol fuel retailers, such stickers, banners, pump toppers and marquees. In addition, there’s some just for fun stuff available on the website, including bumper stickers, key chains, hats and decals.

E85, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Daryl Hannah Promotes E85 in California

Cindy Zimmerman

Actress/activist Daryl Hannah went on the road for ethanol in California this week with her “Kill Bill” 1979 Pontiac Trans Am, which was converted to run on up to 85 percent ethanol.

Hannah was in Santa Cruz Tuesday to appear on a local Community TV live call-in show called “Eco-Review” and then traveled to Sacramento for a promotional appearance at Flyer’s fuel station. She appeared with ethanol advocate David Blume, author of “Alcohol Can Be a Gas” and founder of the International Institute for Ecological Agriculture (IIEA).

Together they presented a briefing on emissions test results from a study conducted at a California certified smog station using Hannah’s 1979 Pontiac Trans-Am, which appeared in the movie “Kill Bill.” The testing compared exhaust emissions of the vehicle using unleaded gas with E-10, E-15, and E-85 fuel blends and found significant reductions of carbon monoxide, hydro carbons and nitrous oxide as the ethanol blends increased.

Sacramento biofuels correspondent Paul Wikoff reports, “Hannah and Blume expressed the virtues of ethanol fuel, as well as stressing the importance of E15 being accepted by the EPA this summer as an allowable fuel blend for all vehicles. As their 1979 Trans Am demonstrates, higher ethanol fuel blends can be safely and successfully used in older vehicles. Blume stressed that he and thousands of other U.S. citizens have been filling their fuel tanks of such older vehicles for years without trouble, while reducing air pollution and dependence on foreign oil.”

Thanks to Wikoff for the photos and information.

blends, E85, Ethanol, Ethanol News