USDA Small Wind Turbine Grants Due July 31st

Joanna Schroeder

photo_06331There has been speculation as to when some of the funds dedicated to developing renewable energy will come to fruition. It looks like this is finally happening. Farmers, ranchers and rural business owners have until July 31, 2009 to apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. The grants provide funds to purchase and install small wind turbines (or other renewable energy systems). These grants will cover 25% of the total installed cost of the small wind turbine system, and   when used in conjunction with the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), can help a farmer install a small wind turbine system for roughly 50% of the normal cost.

These incentives, when coupled with the cost savings from generating your own electricity, can result in impressive investment prospects. For example, according to David Shirkey of Renewable Options & Investments (ROI), in locations with 11 mph average wind speeds and with utility rates of $0.12 per kWh, a farmer could realize a 12 percent annual rate of return on his investment and a payback of eight years. In addition, some local utility cooperatives are also offering rebates to its members installing wind power.

Applications must be submitted to local USDA Rural Development offices by July 31, 2009. You can get more information on the grants by visiting www.rurdev.usda.gov or you can contact the American Wind Association.

USDA, Wind

Tri-State, Duke Energy Ink Colorado Wind Deal

John Davis

tristateduke2A power company that serves portions of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming has inked a 20-year deal to sell power from a 51-megawatt wind energy farm that will be built in East Central Colorado.

This company press release says Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association and a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp. signed the deal that will help Tri-State meet the requirements for its 44 member distribution cooperatives:

“This wind power project is an important part of our near-term strategy to diversify our portfolio with renewable resource that complement our fleet of baseload generation,” said Ken Anderson, Tri-State’s executive vice president and general manager. “It also keeps us ahead of targets to meet renewable energy standards on behalf of our member co-ops.”

tristatewindturbineThe Kit Carson Windpower Project, named for the county in which it will be sited, will be comprised of 34 1.5-megawatt General Electric turbines to be erected on a 6,000-acre site northwest of Burlington, Colo. – within the service territory of Tri-State member co-op K.C. Electric Association. “We are glad that Tri-State has chosen this site for its new wind farm,” said John Huppert, general manager of K.C. Electric. “It calls attention to the fact that areas served by the region’s electric cooperatives are ideally suited for the development of renewable resource projects.”

“Duke Energy is pleased to be able to help Tri-State bring clean, renewable wind power to the customers of its member cooperatives,” said David Marks, senior vice president for wind energy at Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a business unit of Duke Energy that owns and develops renewable energy assets.

Tri-State officials say no new transmission facilities will be needed for the project.

Wind

Brown Uses Biodiesel to Go Green

John Davis

upslogoThose guys and gals in those brown delivery trucks seem pretty efficient (especially when they get your order to you on time!). But UPS is making its whole operation even more efficient and greener… and biodiesel is playing an important role.

This story on FastCompany.com says the delivery giant today announced a new goal of cutting its entire airborne fleet’s carbon emissions by an additional 20 percent by 2020 by making its planes run more efficiently. But efforts once those packages are back on the ground will play a big role for the company as well:

When planes reach their destinations, a variety of biodiesel-powered ground support equipment will help the aircraft dock and unload swiftly and efficiently. While parked at UPS Worldport, planes are powered with electricity rather than fuel-burning auxiliary generators common at many airports. Loading and unloading equipment will run on electricity as well, further cutting the diesel bill for UPS.

As you might remember from my post last October 28, 2008, UPS is already testing a delivery vehicle that uses a hydraulic hybrid system to power the truck.

Biodiesel

Europe Slaps American Biodiesel with Duties

John Davis

useuflagsThe fight between the Europeans and Americans over U.S. biodiesel continues as the European Commission now proposes to impose anti-dumping duties on the yankees’ green fuel.

Hoosier Ag Today reports that the 27-country bloc recommended the punitive final duties at a meeting in Brussels today:

The Commission suspects U.S. biodiesel is heavily subsidized. The duties will come into force by July 12 and range from 23 Euros to 41 Euros per 100 kilogrammes or about 160 pounds. The duties would last for up to five years.

The stakes are high as biodiesel represents around 80 percent of the total production in Europe of biofuels, which have become an important pillar of the EU’s efforts to fight global warming. While both the United States and the EU support the use of biofuels, the group claims that US biodiesel is being sold at below US producers’ costs thanks to generous subsidies.

National Biodiesel Board Vice President of Federal Affairs Manning Feraci was quick to respond, calling the decision “unfortunate:”

feraci‘Throughout this case, we have constantly put data on the record that clearly shows the European biodiesel industry was not being harmed by U.S. competition. In fact, some EU companies have fared quite well. For those that have not, it is factors unrelated to U.S. competition – bad business models; high feedstock costs; and detrimental EU member state policy- that are to blame. The decision to ignore these fundamental facts has yielded a protectionist result that is detrimental to all parties involved.

“Moving forward, the U.S. biodiesel industry will certainly reserve our right and ability to further address this flawed outcome.”

Biodiesel, International, NBB

Ethanol Promo for Governors Ethanol Challenge

ala-mnAn E85 promotion will lead off the Governor’s Ethanol Challenge event at Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo, MN on July 10. According to the American Lung Association of Minnesota, the Cenex C-Store at 2402 E. Highway 7 in Montevideo will offer an 85 cent per gallon discount on E85 from 1-5 p.m. Biodiesel will also be discounted by 10 cents per gallon during the promotion.

The Governor’s Ethanol Challenge races are part of the Wissota Auto League’s Midwest Modified class competitions. Racing begins at the Fiesta City Speedway in Montevideo at 7 p.m. A race car will be on display at the Cenex C-Store during the promotion.

mn_corngrowers_assnThe event is supported by the Cenex C-Store, Chippewa County Corn Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, The Minnesota Clean Air Choice Team and the American Lung Association in Minnesota.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol

Freightliner Introduces 1st Natural Gas-Powered Truck

Joanna Schroeder

freightliner-trucks-busclass-m2-112-pg31Natural gas is not just for cars and buses. Today, Freightliner Trucks introduced its first natural gas-powered truck tabbed the Freightliner Business Class® M2 112 NG. The truck was designed for use in port operations, natural gas utilities, and municipalities. The truck is powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G.

With the price of gas a continual challenge to profitability for truck companies, and companies requiring truck fleets, the natural gas technology found in the M2 112 could save an estimated $6,000 in annual fuel and operating costs per truck. While finding natural gas filling stations may be a bit of a challenge, for business in states such as California, this may not be so as they have been adding natural gas stations throughout the state for several years.

Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks said in press statement, “Natural gas technology has come a long way. Buses have been using it for years, but the next generation natural gas powertrains have more power because less air is needed for combustion. The technology simply burns cleaner.”

The Cummins Westport ISL G, an 8.9 liter stoichiometric cooled-exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engine, offers the lowest emissions available in the industry. Available in rating up to 320 hp, the ISL G already meets EPA 2010 standards with 85 percent lower NOx emissions than the C Gas Plus engine, and features the highest power-to-weight ratio in class with an optimized turbocharger. The ISL G also features a maintenance-free exhaust system with a three-way catalyst. No further technology or after-treatment will be required to meet 2010 emissions.

In 2009, Freightliner Trucks will also offer a CNG version of the M2 112, followed by a CNG single axle tractor, 4×2 and 6×2 truck, and vocational configurations.

Company Announcement, Natural Gas

Climate Bill Debate Begins in Senate

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee began debate on the so-called climate bill Tuesday with testimony from four top members of the Obama administration – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson.

VilsackSecretary Vilsack testified discussed the importance of engaging farmers and ranchers in crafting the solution to this critical issue, and highlighted many potential economic benefits to rural communities in a cap and trade program.

“Rural landowners can benefit from incentives in climate and energy legislation that reward production of renewable energy such as wind and bioenergy,” said Vilsack. “A number of renewable energy technologies such as anaerobic digesters, geothermal, and wind power can reduce farmers’ reliance on fossil fuels. In cooperation with the Department of Energy, USDA will contribute to promoting these technologies and our outreach and extension networks will need to help make them available to farmers, ranchers, and land managers.”

One of the most contentious moments of today’s testimony came when Administrator Jackson confirmed an EPA analysis showing that unilateral action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions would have no effect on climate without action by China and India. Secretary Chu disagreed with EPA’s analysis.

Energy, Ethanol News, Government

Is There a Link Between Climate Change and Poverty?

Joanna Schroeder

3659752199_8831062b10Oxfam International released an interesting report yesterday called, “Suffering the Science: Climate Change, People and Poverty”. The crutch of the report is to demonstrate how the effects of climate change are impacting people in poor communities much harder then in developed regions. Issues that are linked to poverty and development include access to food and water as well as health and security. The report warns, “without immediate action 50 years of development gains in poor countries will be permanently lost.”

The study was released in tandem with the G8 Summit being held in Italy beginning tomorrow. Climate change and poverty issues are expected to be high on the list for discussion.

“Climate change is the central poverty issue of our times,” said Jeremy Hobbs, Oxfam International Executive Director. “Climate change is happening today and the world’s poorest people, who already face a daily struggle to survive, are being hit hardest. The evidence is right in front of our eyes. The human cost of climate change is as real as any redundancy or repossession notice.”

Another issue the report focuses on is the impact of erratic weather on agriculture. Without the ability for poor farmers to rely on seasons, they are losing multiple crops due to sudden heat waves or heavy rains. The report also accusess “rich countries” of creating the climate crisis. Oxfam wants these countries to fund more aid programs as well as adopt tougher climate policies. It will be interesting to see what “calls to action” come from the G8 Summit relating to climate change and poverty.

Environment, Farming, global warming, International

Register Now for Alcohol School

Joanna Schroeder

textbook-51Don’t miss out on the 29th annual Alcohol School, being held in Montreal, Quebec September 13-18, 2009. The course is designed to educate students on proven technology and advances in fuel ethanol and distilled beverage production. Students have the opportunity to attend either Fuel or Distilled Beverage lectures taught by leading industry scientists and academics, as well as Ethanol Technology Institute experts.

The European and North American programs are designed for lab, plant, and management personnel and during the week classes will be taught in both the classroom and the lab. With a rapidly changing industry, Alcohol School can help you keep you apprised of the latest ethanol and distilled beverage technology. You also have the opportunity to network with other experts in your field.

There are early bird registration rates through Augusst 17. Register now and receive a free copy of  “The Alcohol Textbook, 5th edition” which is a detailed guide to fuel and distilled alcohol production . Can’t attend the school? You can order your copy of the textbook here.

conferences, Ethanol

Canada Plans Advanced Energy Research Center

Cindy Zimmerman

EnerkemEnerkem, a leading waste-to-biofuels and green chemicals technology company, today announced that it will jointly form an advanced energy research center with the City of Edmonton and the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI).

The research center will focus on the development and demonstration of novel catalytic conversion processes to produce advanced biofuels and green chemicals from non-hazardous industrial waste (generated by the oil and gas, agricultural, forestry and other industrial sectors), as well as from municipal waste. It will be adjacent to the planned commercial waste-to-biofuels production facility, which is ready for construction and has already been announced by Enerkem.

biofuels, Energy