ACE Conference 2026

GE Inks Deal to Build U.S.’s Biggest Wind Farm

John Davis

GEWind1GE has signed a $1.4 billion deal to deliver more than 300 wind turbines for a 845 megawatt wind farm to be built in Oregon.

The Earth2Tech blog says, when built, it would be the largest wind farm in the U.S.:

Independent power producer Caithness Energy will develop the wind farm, called Shepherds Flat, and under three power purchase agreements will provide clean power for utility Southern California Edison (meeting one-tenth of SCE’s state renewable portfolio standard). Caithness Energy says the entire project will cost $2 billion, will create 435 local jobs and is ready to be built now.

The wind industry is pretty much the most mature clean power sector in the U.S. and is being driven in California partly by the state renewable portfolio standard, which says utilities must have 20 percent of their electricity come from clean power by 2010. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said that in the third quarter the U.S. wind energy industry installed 1.6 GW of new power generating capacity, bringing the year-to-date total by the end of the third quarter to 5.8 GW.

Experts are hoping that the tough economy, which hit the wind turbine particularly hard this past year, will turn the corner to free up some of those markets to provide more capital for construction.

Wind

Copenhagen Seen as Good for Biodiesel, Ethanol

John Davis

CopenhagenlogoThe Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, which started this week in Denmark, could be good for biodiesel and ethanol.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that while not everyone agrees exactly on what the political negotiations will bring, an expected deal … if not a full treaty … outlining a carbon pricing or cap-and-trade system that puts a price on carbon will be a boon biofuels:

The combined GHG emissions reduction from global ethanol and biodiesel production of 123.5 million tons represents an average reduction of 57 percent compared to the emissions that would have occurred from the production and use of equal quantities of petroleum fuels, [Global Renewable Fuels Alliance] said. “This is equal to the national GHG emissions of Belgium or Greece, as well as the combined emissions of Monaco, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and Croatia.”

Because of biofuels companies’ carbon reducing capabilities they might be able to sell credits under a carbon pricing or cap-and-trade system, which of course would boost the economic viability of the biodiesel industry and its counterparts. “This would add to any benefits the biofuels industries would see from increased use and sales,” Baker said.

While it’s not so sure if there will be a concrete agreement, it is expected that most parties will at least agree to keep talking. And everyone is watching to see what the biggest players, the U.S., China and India are going to do.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, International, News

Biodiesel Tax Credit Passes House, On to Senate

John Davis

USCapitolA crucial tax break for the biodiesel industry has passed the U.S. House but is still a ways from being renewed.

The Hill.com reports that the $1-per-gallon tax credit for biodiesel, set to expire in just a few weeks on Dec. 31, won House approval, 241-181, but the $31 billion package still must make it through the U.S. Senate. The approval comes on the heels of the National Biodiesel Board’s warning that letting the incentive die would be disastrous for an already troubled industry.

The report notes that the industry is already producing far below its capacity, and has been hit hard by volatile commodity prices and weakened fuel demand caused by the economic downturn.

Total sales this year are projected to be 31 percent below 2008 levels, the trade group said. “Elimination of the tax credit will essentially erase all profitability in the biodiesel industry leading to a complete decline in output, expenditures, and jobs,” the report states.

You can read the NBB’s report here.

Biodiesel

Movie Review – Gas Hole

Joanna Schroeder

gashole_poster_small-301x454My eyes are still a bit fuzzy from all the reading I did last week so last night in honor of all of those snowed in in the Midwest, I watched a documentary – Gas Hole. As the title indicates, this movie is about America’s dependence on oil. Beginning in the 1970s during the first oil crisis to now, it details our country’s attempts to unsuccessfully shed itself of its addiction to foreign oil.

It baffles my mind, as I’m sure it does your mind, that with all our alternatives and technology, we can’t seem to make any headway towards a country not dependent on fossil fuel based energy. “We do not have a national energy policy that fits the 21st century,” said Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-California.

The movie is ripe with conspiracy theories as told by politicians, celebrities, alternative energy enthusiasts and witnesses. One of the main threads of the film is the invention of the “Oglemobile,” a car that could achieve nearly 100 miles per gallon (mpg) on vapor. The inventor was a man by the name of Tom Ogle who lived in El Paso, Texas. This feat was achieved in 1977. Ultimately he sold the patent, was told he could never produce another vehicle using the technology, and then died shortly thereafter under mysterious circumstances.

According to the movie, Shell was behind another of the conspiracies to keep fuel economy technology out of the marketplace. A former shell researcher noted that fuel economy testing began in 1939 with a car that could achieve 40-50 mpg and by 1977 and broken the 1,000 mpg barrier. The narration asks, “What have we been doing while scientists have been getting 1,000 miles per gallon?”

That is a good question. Although this movie is a little slow-moving, for those people who want to know the answer to the posed question, this is a film to be reckoned with.

I’ll leave you with the words of Eshoo, “It’s not enough to say something. We have to do something.”

book reviews, Energy

Ethanol Producer Emerges from Bankrupcy

prairielandcoopGood news for a Steamboat Rock, Iowa ethanol plant! As a follow-up post from last week, the bankruptcy court has authorized a Plan of Reorganization of Pine Lake Ethanol Corn Processors and will allow Prairie Land Cooperative to take ownership of the plant.

Last month, the ethanol plant prepared this Plan of Reorganization that and was approved by their creditors last Friday. According to Pine Lake’s press release, the creditor Prairie Land Cooperative will take equity in the plant in lieu of a payment which totaled more than $14 million dollars. Prairie Land Cooperative will own approximately 85% of the reorganized company. Subsequent negotiations with the plant’s secured lenders, its largest unsecured creditor and its ethanol marketing company, resulted in a consensual plan, with all classes who were entitled to vote approving the Plan by the confirmation hearing. Pursuant to these negotiations, Pine Lake’s secured lenders agreed to a restructuring of their debt, which totaled approximately $14.5 million dollars. The smallest creditors will be paid in full and the remaining creditors will be paid thirty cents to the dollar over the next five years.

Pine Lake filed Chapter 11 Bankrupcy just one year ago. Scott Zabler, General Manager, stated, “We are very pleased that we were able to turn the plant around in exactly one year and are very optimistic that with the terms worked out with our major lenders that the plant will be profitable and on a solid financial footing. I am especially proud of our employees who stood by us through some grim months in 2008 and pitched together to make this turnaround a success.”

The turnover in ownership will take place on December 23, 2009.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Novozymes & PRAJ Partner on Advanced Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Novozymes and PRAJ Industries Ltd have signed a contract to collaborate on the development of advanced biofuels. Together the two companies will optimize the enzymatic hydrolysis processes and use of enzymes in the production of advanced biofuels. The two companies have a history or working together and for several years have been focusing on conventional biofuels.

According to Novozymes, India and other countries that have been working to develop and deploy biofuel will see clear benefits – from job creation in rural areas to improved energy security. And the world as a whole will benefit from significantly reduced CO2 emissions in the transport sector, which is currently the second-largest and fastest growing source of CO2 emissions.

The collaboration agreement was signed in Copenhagen by Pramod Chaudhari, Chairman of PRAJ, and Steen Riisgaard, President & CEO of Novozymes A/S, to mark the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen. On Monday, Novozymes announced that 150 VIP limos were running on ethanol produced from straw.

“

biofuels, Company Announcement, News

World Biofuels Reduced Global GHGs 123.5M Tons

Joanna Schroeder

grfa_logo_bgA new study shows that world biofuels production in 2009 has reduced GHG emissions by 123.5 million tons. The figure represents an average reduction of 57 percent compared to the emissions that would have occurred from the production and use of equal quantities of petroleum fuels. The report was prepared by (S&T)² Consultants Inc.

Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance who commissioned the report noted, “This landmark report proves yet again that biofuels production and use is already playing a vital, yet too often overlooked, role in reducing harmful GHG emissions around the globe. In light of the ongoing United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, today’s report is evidence that biofuels are and must continue to be on the front line of the Climate Change fight.”

The report also discovered that worldwide biofuels produced in 2009 is displacing 1.15 million barrels of crude oil per day, which creates around 215 million tonnes of GHG emissions annually. In addition, worldwide production of approximately 19 billion gallons reduces GHG emissions by 87.6 million tons.

Forecasted global production of biodiesel of approximately 4 billion gallons will reduce GHG emissions by 35.9 million tons. When you combine the worldwide production numbers of both ethanol and biodiesel, the fuels are estimated to reduced GHG emissions by 123.5 million tons.

The study utilized a “life cycle assessment” (LCA) approach to estimate global GHG emissions reduction achieved through the production and use of biofuels from “cradle-to-grave”, including the acquisition of raw materials, manufacture, transport, use, maintenance and final disposal. You can download the full report here.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, global warming

Biodiesel Giant Awards Scholarship

John Davis

herobxlogo1The nation’s biggest biodiesel is making a student’s Christmas a bit greener.

HERO BX has awarded Erie, Pa. native Katherine Tarr, a $1,000 scholarship. This company press release says the award was given in conjunction with the Erie movie premier of the Sundance Film Festival award winning film, FUEL:

HeroBXLKosarKTarr1“I’m really grateful for the scholarship,” said Tarr, who will graduate from Gannon University next spring with a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. She noted that the film had a major impact on her, especially as an educator. “It’s interesting. I’m in education and didn’t realize that you could put biodiesel in your car if you have a diesel engine. This just demonstrates the need for more information, especially targeted at students. I don’t think they realize we’re running out of fossil fuels and I want to be able to tell my students that biodiesel is an available option.”

Last December, as part of the Energy Bill, the federal government dedicated $125 million dollars per year to funding green job training programs. Of that, $20 million is allocated for renewable energy and energy efficiency research.

“HERO BX is on the forefront of developing new technologies to efficiently and affordably produce biofuels,” said Leonard Kosar, HERO BX CEO. “Having team members trained for these types of green jobs is an essential component of HERO BX’s success and to the success of our country’s efforts to become energy secure and sustainable. That is why we understand that supporting educational efforts are critical.”

Tarr says she’s considering a diesel as her next car so she can fill the tank with locally produced biodiesel.

Biodiesel

World Biofuels Markets Announces Speakers

Joanna Schroeder

WorldBiofuelsConfLogoIt’s never too early to start planning your 2010 conference schedule and here is one to consider: World Biofuels Markets. This is Europe’s largest biofuels conference and so far, 20 of the 50 companies who were named to Biofuels Digest’s “Top 50 Hottest Companies in Bioenergy” will be participating.

Last year several hundred people were on hand and this year more even more are expected due to the recent policies passed in the U.S. including the announcement on Monday that the EPA has designated greenhouse gas pollution as a threat to society.

In part, the conference will consist of a series of focused sessions that cover topics from energy crops, to algae fuels, biofuels for aviation, policy, sustainability, biofuels from waste, and more. More than 200 people will be presenting during the conference. Keynote speakers include:

  • • Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, former Head of the World Health Organisation
    • Nobuo Tanaka, Executive Director, International Energy Agency
    • Philip New, Chief Executive Officer, BP Biofuels
    • Jan Ernst de Groot, Managing Director, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
    • Suani Coelho, Executive Director, CENBIO, UN Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change & IRENA
    • Karl Watkin, MBE, Bioenergy Pioneer & Founder, D1 Oils & former Chair Bioenergy Advisory Board, UN Foundation
    • Peder Holk, Nielsen, Executive Vice President, Novozymes
    • Andrew Owens, Chief Executive Officer, Greenergy

Registrations incentives are available. Click here for more information about the World Biofuels Markets conference.

algae, Biodiesel, biofuels, conferences, Ethanol

Are You Biotech?

Joanna Schroeder

The biotech industry would like you to become ‘biotech’. Biotechnology has been responsible for bringing many things to the world including vaccines, cures for cancers, and better ways to grow our food. It is also responsible for developing the natural enzymes that are being used to help spur the growth in the biofuels industry. Enzymes are better for the environment, more efficient and help to lower the costs of producing biofuels, this according to an Industrial Enzymes video segment I just watched that featured the biofuels work of Novozymes. Apparently, this is to be a topic of interest during the Copenhagen Climate Conference.

Today, the Biotechnology Industry Association is asking people to join their “I Am Biotech” movement.  If you join the online biotech community, you will be entered for a chance to win free roundtrip airfare and a complimentary registration to the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago.

The site offers insights on the direction of the industry from top CEO’s and thought leaders, networking opportunities, legislative updates, research updates and more. To learn more go to: www.IAmBiotech.org/join.

biofuels, Biotech, conferences, Video