Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Farm Gains Traction

John Davis

Offshorewindmills2A couple of events this week could bring the hope of wind farms off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia … better known as the Delmarva … closer to reality.

The Ocean City (MD) Dispatch reports that on Monday, Bluewater Wind, which already has an offshore wind farm project well underway in Delaware and a conceptual plan for a second one off the coast of Maryland, was taken over by NRG Energy Inc., a major player in energy production and distribution in the region. Then, on Tuesday, the governors of Maryland, Delaware and Virginia signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) to form a tri-state partnership for the deployment of offshore wind energy in the mid-Atlantic coastal region:

Viewed individually, each event represents a gentle nudge in the direction of future wind farms off the mid-Atlantic coast. Together, however, they represent a significant move toward the development of the alternative energy source in the three states that comprise Delmarva. First and foremost, the MOU agreed upon by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine on Tuesday creates a formal partnership that could pull together the region’s significant offshore wind resources.

“No one state will be able to do this independently of the other states in the region,” said Bluewater Wind’s Dave Blazer. “There will have to be some spillover. It’s a pretty exciting development in this effort and should be beneficial for the region as a whole.”

Blazer explained the MOU essentially opens the door for the three states to partner and pool its collective resources on things like economic development, research and development and job training, for example. O’Malley agreed the MOU represents a significant step in the collaborative effort to develop offshore wind resources off the coast of the three states.

The article goes on to point out that Bluewater Wind already has a 25-year, 200-megawatt power purchase agreement with Delmarva Power and Light that has already been approved by the Delaware Public Service Commission as well as other state agencies. Maryland and Virginia are a bit further behind in their wind energy developments, but the new memorandum of understanding between the three states is expected to push their efforts forward as well.

Wind

DOE Official: Algae and Biomass Future of Biofuels

John Davis

DOEOil from algae and the biomass from the green microbes could be the future for advanced biofuels… that word from a top U.S. Department of Energy official.

Biomass Magazine reports that Valerie Reed of the U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy said at the Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy held this week in Honolulu, Hawaii the her agency will develop advanced biofuels faster than cellulosic ethanol:

“We learned a lot over the past 20 years, and we believe we can apply that to a faster deployment phase,” Reed said, adding that biomass-based liquid transportation fuels are going to be the only adequate displacements for jet fuel. “This is now becoming a priority fuel we need to consider, and that’s why we’re moving into the advanced biofuels arena,” she said.

Algae has the potential to fit in our advanced biofuels scenario and has been a topic of great attention over the past couple of years, Reed said. “Why is this important to us? It’s an extremely diverse feedstock that comes from several kingdoms—this broad scope of diversity is something that we’d like to tap into and capture.”

Reed highlighted the high productivity of algae and it’s massive presence in the ocean, pointing out that if each algal cell were lined end to end there would be enough algae to reach the moon and back 15 billion times. She also pointed out that a troublesome algal bloom near the Olympic Stadium in China yielded more than 3 million tons of biomass in a three-month period. “Their nightmare is our opportunity,” she said. “If we can harness that type of productivity, and do so in a sustainable fashion, we can look at this in a different scenario.”

The article goes on to say that a DOE study from a few years ago shows the U.S. has 1.3 billion tons of sustainably available biomass. And Reed believes about 60 billion tons of cellulosic ethanol could be produced from that … about one-third of what is anticipated that will be needed for transportation. She says that doesn’t even count for what algae could produce, possibly 100 percent of U.S. fuel needs.

Reed admits there are some barriers, but that’s where research would come in and help overcome those obstacles.

algae, BIO, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

California Town to Get Two New Biodiesel Plants

John Davis

AdelantoCATwo new biodiesel plants are slated for opening in a Southern California town just outside of Los Angeles.

Canada-based Sunx Energy and San Diego-based Dynasty Energy will open 3.5 million-gallons-per-year and 15-million-gallons-per-year facilities, respectively, in Adelanto. The Victorville (CA) Daily Press says city officials see the two plants as paving the way for more green industries:

“It’s always good to have green industries coming to town because it encourages other green industries to come into town,” Adelanto City Manager Jim Hart said.

The plants will likely require about 5 to 50 employees each, but Hart said the companies will likely bring in some of their own workers.

No word on when either of the plants will be operational.

Biodiesel

EPA Decision of E15 May Be Delayed

epa2Thousand of Americans and ethanol industry groups may have to wait longer for a response from EPA on whether they will allow an increase in the blend of ethanol in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent (E10 to E15). On March 6, petitions were filed by industry groups and supporters of industry groups, that will allow for the increased blend. EPA has 270 days, or until December 1, to grant or deny the request. Rumors have recently circulated that EPA will not meet this deadline.

This week, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson told Reuters that the agency still has has work to do and may have to do this past the December 1 deadline. EPA must review tests on how E15 will affect engines and evaluate emissions.

“We are concerned about any delay in acting on the Growth Energy Green Jobs waiver to raise the blend wall from 10 to 15%,” said Growth Energy spokesman Chris Thorne. “Every day that EPA delays the decision is another day of preventing our nation from reducing our dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs here in America and delaying the development of next generation feedstocks like cellulose. The lack of a decision creates uncertainty, and without certainty of a market, investment in cellulose ethanol production is put on hold. Our nation has been held hostage to foreign oil for too long. It is time to move forward,” he continued. “We could wait forever for more tests, which will only prove what we have known for a long time – it is time to raise the blend wall,” Thorne added.

“We do believe the data will ultimately support the waiver. We also think EPA can act now to approve E12, based on existing authority and tolerances,” said Bob Dineen of the Renewable Fuels Association through a Twitter chat.

Ethanol, Growth Energy, News, RFA

Future of Algae-Biodiesel Could be in Open Ponds

John Davis

NAALogoThe future of algae-biodiesel could come in catfish ponds that have lost their fish. That’s the topic of discussion for the National Algae Association Mid-South Chapter’s workshop next week.

Experts in open pond production of algae will talk about the challenges and opportunities their industry faces in making biofuels and biomass for animal feedstocks, bioplastics, fertilizers, and other bioproducts, Nov. 18-19 at the Holiday Inn Express-Downtown Memphis, TN:

“This workshop is designed to bring the top experts in open pond production together with catfish pond owners, investors and entrepreneurs to learn from each other and fast-track algae open pond production for energy, animal feedstock, organic fertilizer and many other products,” says Tamra Fakhoorian, president of the NAA Mid-South Chapter.

Pete Moss, president of Frazier, Barnes and Associates, LLC observes, “Open pond production of algae holds great promise for the widespread production of renewable energy and fuels. However industry and project risks that have accompanied renewable alternatives in the past will certainly be present in the development of algal production. Managing and minimizing this risk will be the key to the success of this industry. This workshop will be instrumental in addressing these risks.”

For more information and registration, click here.

algae, Biodiesel

Canadian Biofuelers to Ask for Bigger Mandates

John Davis

Ethanol and biodiesel producers in Canada will ask their government early next year to increase the amount of the green fuels produced and added to fossil fuels… even as there are doubts the industry can meet current mandates and production incentives.

Reuters reports that the industry has not decided what those levels should be:

Canada has given annual incentives for up to seven years to 24 biofuel producers, including Husky and Suncor, from a C$1.5-billion ($1.4 billion) program. The government considers biofuel attractive because it reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

CRFA1The biofuels industry will also ask government to set Canada’s first mandate for advanced biofuels, such as those made from algae, wood and grasses, which are not yet in commercial production, [Gordon Quaiattini, president of the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association said.

“We want to see the commercialization of that technology here in Canada, have those plants built in Canada and obviously have a market for that fuel here in Canada.”

Canada’s current biofuel supply will fall short when the first federal government mandate of 5 percent renewable content in gasoline takes effect in September 2010 and a 2 percent federal mandate for renewable content in diesel takes effect in 2011.

Quaiattini admits that Canada will need to import about 40 million to 80 million gallons of ethanol in 2010 and 2011 just to meet current mandates. And some of that ethanol will need to come from the U.S.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, News

Founder and CEO Out at Denver Biodiesel Firm

John Davis

BlueSunThe man who founded and served as the CEO of one of Denver’s first biodiesel firms is out.

This article from the Denver Business Journal says Blue Sun Energy Inc.’s Jeff Probst, resigned from the company at the end of October… but offers few details about the split:

Probst, who couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday, also left the director position but remains a part owner of Blue Sun, [company spokesman Steve Bond] said.

“It’s a strategic change for the company,” Bond said. “Jeff had done a lot with launching the company, now it’s entering a different phase.”

Bue Sun was founded in 2001. Probst had been Blue Sun’s CEO and president the past six years, according to the company.

The company expects to fill the CEO position but the board hasn’t met about the subject yet.

The company seems to have kind words about Probst’s time … of course, he still is one of the owners. But does anyone have any info about what happened? Sure would like to know.

Biodiesel

Food Deliveries in Georgia to Ride on Biodiesel

John Davis

usfoodserviceOne of the country’s premier foodservice distributors has converted another one of its delivery fleets to run on biodiesel.

This press release posted on the EarthTimes.org Web site says U.S. Foodservice-Atlanta is running its 185 tractors and 210 trailers on B5, joining U.S. Foodservices’ Streator, Ill., and Plymouth, Minn. divisions burning the green fuel:

“Utilizing biodiesel is a continuation of our ongoing environmental strategy,” said John Leake, president of U.S. Foodservice-Atlanta. “Improving our overall impact on the environment – while helping our customers find effective ways to do the same – not only makes good business sense, it’s the right thing to do.”

The biodiesel fuel costs on average about a penny more per gallon. Its use is expected to reduce the U.S. Foodservice-Atlanta fleet’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by nearly 788,000 pounds – or about 4 percent – annually. That’s roughly the equivalent of taking 65 cars off the road or of planting more than 3,150 trees every year.

The company will get the biodiesel from a local company, S.A. White Oil Co. of Marietta.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Gets Boost from Palm Oil Genome Project

John Davis

MPOB-OrionA joint American-Malaysian effort has completed an important oil palm genome sequencing project that could unlock even more potential from this oil-rich feedstock for biodiesel.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that the Malaysian Palm Oil Board and St. Louis-based Orion Genomics have led a consortium that has sequenced three oil palm genomes from two oil palm species:

Oil palm plantations on average produce 3.9 tons of oil per hectare per year, nearly 10 times more than other productive oil bearing crops. Therefore, it has the potential to meet growing demand for food and renewable fuel. Used in cooking oil, margarine, baked goods and other foods, palm oil is the most consumed edible oil in the world as well as a common ingredient in soaps and cosmetics and an important biodiesel feedstock globally.

The oil palm family has two species, the E. guineensis which originates from Africa and the E. oleifera, which is native to South America. Because of its high productivity, the E. guineensis is the commercial variety planted in Malaysia. However, the E. oleifera has many interesting traits such as a low height increment that would increase the life-span of harvestable plantings, increased resistance to disease and production of higher quantities of unsaturated fats – traits that will add value if incorporated into commercial E. guineensis lines.

Researchers believe this knowledge of the genomic sequence will help them produce bigger yields to meet food and fuel needs.

Biodiesel, International

Largest Wind Energy Project in Utah Begins Operations

John Davis

firstwindThe largest wind energy project in Utah has started operations, generating enough power to keep the lights on in 45,000 homes per year.

This article from the Deseret News says First Wind’s Milford Wind Corridor project has 97 wind turbines capable of producing 203.5 megawatts of electricity:

Milford_Wind_Turbine2Eventually, the $400 million project will include 159 turbines across 40 square miles of public and private land.

“We’re looking forward to expanding it in the months and years to come,” Paul Gaynor, chief executive officer of First Wind, said in the release. “This project is a great example of the kind of development that helps create jobs and helps stimulate the economy.”

The project’s power will go to the Southern California Public Power Authority, on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the cities of Burbank and Pasadena, Calif. In December 2007, First Wind signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with the authority.

“We’re pleased to see this project go online and begin delivering clean power to our customers,” said Bill Carnahan, the authority’s executive director, said at Tuesday dedication ceremony.

The article goes on to say that the Milford Wind Corridor is the first-of-its-kind project under a new Bureau of Land Management program to develop wind energy on federal lands.

Wind