ACE Conference 2026

John Deere Developing Corn Cob Harvest Options

Chuck Zimmerman

POET Project LIBERTY EquipmentThere were 16 different equipment manufacturers involved with POET’s Project LIBERTY Field Day. One of them was John Deere, represented by Dean Acheson, Manager, Solutions Development. Dean says that what they’re working on is completely customer based. He says they don’t want to be slowed down during harvest and they want to keep up a high level of productivity.

The prototype equipment they had on display was a one pass, two stream cob collection system. On the back of their combine they have a new prototype piece of equipment that allows the grain to follow a normal path and the cobs then flow out of an attachment on the back of the combine. He says the equipment allows you some flexibility in how you choose or handle what is being harvested. A wagon is pulled by a tractor alongside the combine to collect the cobs. They’re currently not endorsing the towing of equipment behind their combines but this is equipment that is in development for the future.

You can listen to my interview with Dean below and watch a video clip of their equipment in action.

POET Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, biomass, Cellulosic, corn, Equipment, Ethanol, John Deere, POET, Video

POET CEO Talks About Future Of Ethanol

Chuck Zimmerman

I know I posted an interview I did with POET CEO Jeff Broin this week but I also recorded his speech to the attendees at their Project LIBERTY Field Day. I thought you would enjoy hearing what he has to say. He starts out pointing to the RFS as a huge opportunity for the ethanol industry and agriculture. He says that legislation is solid and “there’s no risk of that legislation going away.”

He says there is almost a billion tons of ag residue available as biomass to convert to ethanol. That’s the largest source of biomass available for this purpose. He says it’s a little known fact that “over the next 20 years ethanol can almost replace gasoline.” This can be attributed in part to the projected increases in corn yields in the next 10 years.

POET Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

biomass, corn, Ethanol, POET, Video

Renewable Fuels to be Focus of Minnesota Conference

John Davis

E32009Mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 17th, for what’s being billed as the Midwest’s premier energy, economic and environmental conference. E3 2009 is sponsored by the University of Minnesota and will be held at the St. Paul RiverCentre:

NREL’s Larry Kazmerski, a pioneer in the field of solar photovoltaics, will offer the keynote presentation for this year’s conference. Other highlights include a super panel discussion with national experts, track sessions focused on the big questions of the 21st century, and a series of Green on the Ground workshops.

Hosted annually by the University of Minnesota’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, a signature program of the Institute on the Environment, the E3 conference showcases current technologies, environmental benefits and market opportunities in renewable energy.

And for those who have an extra day to spend in the Twin Cities, there is also a separate session on how to build a smart grid coalition on Nov 18th.

conferences

Biodiesel to Haul Capitol XMas Tree from Arizona to DC

John Davis

CapitolChristmasTree2A green fuel will be used to haul the nation’s foremost evergreen cross-country.

This story from The Explorer newspaper out of Tuscon, Arizona says this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will be hauled from Arizona’s White Mountains to Washington, D.C., all on a truck running on biodiesel:

“We are thrilled to be a part of history, and bringing biodiesel as the fuel of choice into that history,” said Mike Monfred, compliance officer of Southwest Industrial Rigging [the company hauling the tree] in Phoenix.

ARIZONA'S TREE“We are honored to be the first state to deliver the tree in a clean, green manner,” said Richard Davalos, coordinator of the Capitol Christmas Tree. “We are also honored to help promote reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil.”

The Tucson Regional Clean Cities Program at Pima Association of Governments, the National Biodiesel Foundation and Southwest Industrial Rigging are helping Arizona officials in plotting the route to Washington, D.C.

The route will allow for refueling with biodiesel, and public education is planned along the way about the benefits of biodiesel.

“This is a great undertaking, and one that Arizona should be proud of,” said Tom Verry, executive director of the National Biodiesel Foundation.

If you want to be part of this historic biodiesel moment and help pay for the green fuel to haul the tree across the country, contact Clean Cities Manager Colleen Crowninshield at ccrowninshield@pagnet.org.

Biodiesel

BP Looks to Start Ethanol, Biobutanol Production

John Davis

bplogoA major oil producer is looking to get into the biofuels business.

This story from Reuters says BP could start ethanol and biobutanol operations next year:

BP could launch commercial production of grass-based ethanol in the United States in 2010 with partner Verenium, which already has a demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, Philip New, Chief Executive of BP Biofuels, said.

BP is also planning to launch in 2012/13 commercial output of biobutanol at future biofuel plant in the UK, he said.

The oil company is building a wheat-based ethanol plant near Hull in eastern England in partnership with British Sugar and chemicals group Dupont that is due to come online next year, and plans subsequently to retrofit the facility to convert it to biobutanol output.

The article goes on to say that the plant in England is part of a $200 million BP-Dupont joint research venture.

biobutanol, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, News

Book Review – Green Guides

Joanna Schroeder

I’m writing this review as I fly on a plane and I’m feeling guilty about the amount of CO2 that is emitted when flying – on average, flying contributes about 10 times as much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as a similar journey by train. And no, I didn’t buy carbon offsets for this trip….

399The guilt is being fostered by this week’s read, a Green Series, published by Chelsea Green Publishing. I read four in the series, all co-written by Jon Clift and Amanda Cuthbert: Energy; Water; Greening Your Office; and Climate Change. Also in the series: Reduce Reuse Recycle; Composting; and Biking to Work.

I liked how easy the series is to read, many bullets points and quick facts, as well as their, “If you do one thing” pointers and the way they have the, “spend nothing save less,” and spend little, save more.” On the negative side, the books don’t have any real background on the issues, but the authors do have a list of resources at the end of each book.

I’m going to leave you with this thought, since many who are pushing environmental responsibility often go to far as they live further and further off the grid. (Let’s get a grip. It is not in our country’s best interest to revert back to the pioneer days).

“We can take control of the situation and reduce our energy and reduce our consumption. We don’t have to live shivering in an unheated room with no modern appliances; we’re just talking about being more energy efficient – reducing the need for so much power.”

To read these books or any I review, click here, and if you have a book you’d like me to review, email me at jomschro2071@gmail.com.

book reviews

Project LIBERTY Receives Significant Support From IOWA

Chuck Zimmerman

IA Lt. Gov. Patty JudgeCorn growers heard from Iowa Lt. Governor Patty Judge at POET’s Project LIBERTY Field Day. She said, “We are seeing for ourselves that cellulosic ethanol is here, that it is viable and that it will transform renewable fuel as we know it today”. It was a cold, breezy day and she talked General Wesley Clark out of his jacket.

She reminded attendees about how they tried to hold meetings like this back in the early 1990’s to promote ethanol and how it was a slow process but she said they knew it would become a viable reality. So as a farmer and Lt. Gov. she says a lot of work has gone in to making a day like this happen. She says this POET project is helping keep Iowa at the forefront of renewable energy production. She says the state has made a total investment in this project of $20 million and that the funds will make the project a reality and help create new jobs. She pledged that she and the Governor would do all they can to increase the demand for ethanol.

POET Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

You can listen to Judge’s speech below:

Audio, biofuels, corn, Energy, Ethanol, POET

Zenergy Buys Greenlight Biofuels

John Davis

zenergyChicago-based Zenergy International has bought the Greenlight Biofuels biodiesel plant near Lubbock, Texas.

This Zenergy press release says the deal should be finalized in the next few weeks:

Greenlight Biofuels Ltd. has developed a robust, proprietary, and proven technology capable of processing a variety of feedstock. In alignment with the corporate strategy, having technology that can use flexible feedstock is particularly advantageous, as upon market pricing fluctuation the feedstock sources can be changed in accordance with where the best value lies.

Zenergy International has recently embarked on a biodiesel facility acquisition strategy. With Greenlight Biofuels, Ltd. the company has invested in an operation capable of producing five million gallons per year, with 40 acres of land, providing considerable room for expansion.

The release goes on to say the Greenlight Biofuels plant is on a transport corridor, close to a number of transport fueling depots, that should help it provide significant local revenues.

Biodiesel

Solid Catalyst Saves Biodiesel Makers 19 cents/gallon

John Davis

CatilinA new solid catalyst could save some green fuel makers some green in their wallets.

Biodiesel Magazine reports that a study of Catilin Inc.’s new T300 solid catalyst process saves biodiesel producers 13 cents a gallon over a traditional catalytic process… and up to 19 cents a gallon if you figure in capital expense savings:

“This thorough analysis validated our T300 catalyst as a real breakthrough in current and future biodiesel production for use with first-, second- and third-generation feedstocks,” said Larry Lenhart, president and CEO.

CatilinT300Catilin is commercializing the research done in developing the new catalyst at Iowa State University in Ames and the U.S. DOE’s Ames Laboratory. The T300 heterogeneous catalyst is nontoxic and can be a direct replacement for conventional catalysts used in biodiesel production. The drop-in solid catalyst operates at industry standard pressures and temperatures and is removed with filtration. As a result, current producers can retrofit their plants in a matter of days at very low cost. Another key advantage is that the glycerin coproduct has purity greater than 98 percent and qualifies as technical grade, which significantly enhances its overall value.

Someone interested in the potential this new solid catalyst holds is biodiesel giant Renewable Energy Group. Officials at the Iowa-based company say they have been closely following the development of the catalyst since work began by a team led by Victor Lin at ISU and the Ames Laboratory.

Biodiesel

Work Is Not Done To Develop Ethanol Industry

Chuck Zimmerman

Wesley ClarkOne of the stars on hand to address the crowd at POET’s Project LIBERTY Field Day was former four-star General Wesley Clark. He spoke about the important role they would play in providing more homegrown fuel for the nation.

“We are involved in something that is historic,” Clark said. “We are going to significantly reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, and we will strengthen America’s national security.” He says it’s a big step for American agriculture but the work is not done and encouraged attendees to get involved and join Growth Force to help influence what is being done in Washington, DC. Clark told me after his speech how much he enjoys getting out and interacting with farmers. I think he really likes “the field” although he excelled in a different one than you’ll find here in Iowa.

Clark is Co-Chairman for Growth Energy, a ZimmComm sponsor.

POET Project LIBERTY Field Day Photo Album

You can listen to Clark’s speech below and special thanks to Ken Anderson, Brownfield Network, for helping me out with the audio:

Audio, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Growth Energy, POET