Farmers Eligible for Wind Energy Grants

John Davis

usdaruraldevSome farmers might be eligible for federal grants to cover the cost of putting in a wind energy turbine.

This ZDNet blog entry says farmers and ranchers in rural areas with fewer than 15 employees have until July 31, 2009 to apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants:

The grants can be used to cover 25 percent of the total installed cost of a small wind turbine system, or another renewable energy system for that matter. They can be used in conjunction with the Federal Investment Tax Credit that applies to renewable energy technology investments. Caution, in the information I’m reading about this program, it could take up to two weeks to pull together an application, so you probably don’t want to wait until July 30 to start filling this out.

You can find more information at this USDA Web site.

USDA, Wind

Book Review: Blackout

Joanna Schroeder

51mxonw97cl_sl500_aa240_Coal. Under the surface we seem to have a lot of it. It’s fairly inexpensive but this is changing as demand rises to meet increased energy needs especially in countries like China. So we have a lot, its cheap, let’s use it, what’s the problem? Right? Wrong!

Author Richard Heinberg writes in Blackout: Coal, Climate and the Last Energy Crisis, “In short: two of the defining trends of the emerging century–the development of the Asian economies and climate change–both center on coal. But coal is finite non-renewable resource. Thus, a discussion of the future of coal must also intersect with a third great trend of the new century: resource depletion.”

In the first part of the book, Heinberg takes the reader through a deep analysis of just how much coal is available throughout the world. Keep in mind, forecasts assume that current energy use stays the same, but it is increasing each year, making coal available for a shorter amount of time. Best estimates are that the world will see Peak Coal by 2025 and many believe that the world has already witnessed Peak Oil.

Now, you’re just waiting for me to say there is no such thing as clean coal. So there, it’s out in the open. In the second section of the book, Heinberg talks about the link between coal and greenhouse gas emissions and discusses the technologies to create “clean coal”. They are all challenged to say the least.

At the end of Blackout, Heinberg details three scenarios that involve coal, climate and energy. They are all very disturbing, but Heinberg has a way of tackling issues head on.

Read More

book reviews

Celebrate Energy Independence

Cindy Zimmerman

As Americans celebrate Independence Day this weekend, it is a good time to reflect on our need to increase our energy independence.

Energy IndependenceThe good news is, we are becoming less dependent on foreign sources of oil for our transportation fuel needs. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), ethanol displaced almost 322 million barrels of oil in 2008. The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) notes that is the equivalent of eliminating oil imports from Venezuela for 10 months, or looked at another way, it would mean that the U.S. would not have to import ANY oil for 33 days. It also saved American consumers and taxpayers $32 billion, an average of more than $87 million a day.

Despite well-publicized cases of economic troubles in the ethanol industry, the production and use of ethanol continues to increase. The latest EIA figures show that American ethanol facilities produced 640,000 barrels per day in April 2009, up by 78,000 barrels from last year. Ethanol demand, as calculated by the RFA, continued to strengthen heading into the summer driving season, with demand at 673,000, up 29,000 from March.

Jay Hakes, author of “A Declaration of Energy Independence,” says American Energy Independence means energy security, energy abundance and energy self-sufficiency.

Energy Independence is a civilization changing idea, like freedom, one that should be thought of much like we think of our national independence—our liberty, which is both an ideal and a physical reality. Energy Independence can and should be pursued with the same patriotic spirit that fought for, won and sustains American democracy and freedom.

The phrase “Energy Independence” is a slogan embodying an idea that resonates with the character of America—it is a call for return to economic balance and protection from vulnerability created by over-dependence on petroleum to fuel our cars, trucks and airplanes—it is a public outcry voiced by citizens demanding government leadership in energy production, distribution, security and fuel choice.

God Bless America.

Energy, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Nation’s First Wastewater Biodiesel Plant Being Planned

John Davis

daltonutilIn what’s being touted as a first of its kind for the country, a city in Georgia says it will use its wastewater to grow algae to make into biodiesel.

The Daily Citizen of Dalton, Georgia reports Dalton Utilities plans to build a pilot project to use with its land application system along the Conasauga River:

“We are working on the design now,” said Mark Marlowe, Dalton Utilities’ vice president of water and wastewater engineering. “We hope to start construction in the fall or winter of this year, and complete construction in fall or winter. The startup will take several months. But it should be fully operational by the spring of 2010.”

The pilot facility will be about an acre in size, capable of treating roughly 200 to 500 gallons of wastewater a day with algae that will feed on the nutrients in the water.

The utility has partnered with the University of Georgia in the effort. And K.C. Das, director of the university’s Biorefinery and Carbon Cycling Program, says the facility will be the first of its kind in the nation…

Das said they expect to get about 430 to 450 gallons of biodiesel per acre per year to start. And larger facilities may be able to make even more.

“The target is 2,000 gallons (per acre per year),” Das said.

DU officials say they the algae will eat the phosphorous in the water, removing it from the wastewater… growing fuel while cleaning up the environment!

algae, Biodiesel

Florida to Get Jatropha, Algae Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

A Southern Florida biofuel refiner has plans to build a 15 million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant that will use oil from the jatropha plant and algae as its feedstocks.

This article from the Miami Herald says Ag-Oil, based in Delray Beach, is putting up the $20 million pilot-scale biodiesel production facility thanks to some federal stimulus dollars:

Teri Gevinson, CEO of Ag-Oil, said the company has planted 20 acres of jatropha, a fast-growing plant with seeds that contain oil, to make biodiesel. The biorefinery will use a patented technology to convert jatropha seeds, algae and related by-products into fuel.

The company, the recipient of a $2.5 million state renewable energy grant, is working with United Environment and Energy, Horseheads, N.Y.; Argonne National Laboratory, a federal energy lab in Argonne, Il., the University of Florida and the University of Southern Illinois. It has also applied for federal American Recovery and Investment Act funds.

Once operational sometime in 2011, the facility and plantation on 103 acres will maintain an estimated 128 direct jobs and 915 indirect jobs, the company said.

Other farmers in South Florida will also be growing jatropha for the plant.

algae, Biodiesel

Upcoming Event: Next Generation Biofuels Conference

Joanna Schroeder

42-21052522Update your passport and book your ticket for Green Power’s 5th Next Generation Biofuels conference being held September 28-30, 2009 in Amsterdam. This event will bring together key players from around the world who are pioneering the development of advanced biofuels. The conference will address the latest developments in creating cost competitive, industrial scale production of next generation biofuels technologies.

In past years more than 720 biofuels professionals from 40 countries have participated in the forum. This year the line-up includes:

  • •    Dr. Jos Van Boxtel, Arcadia Biosciences
  • •    Prof. Bruce Dale, Office of Biobased Technologies, Michigan State
  • •    Michael Dennis, Chairman, Enerkem
  • •    Jim Flatt, Developments and Operations, Mascoma
  • •    Bill Haywood, LS9
  • •    Arnold Klann, Bluefire Ethanol
  • •    Joseph Skurla, DuPont Danisco
  • •    Dr. Rick Wilson, Cobalt Biofuels

To learn more about the Next Generation Biofuels conference and to register, click here.

biofuels, conferences

World Bank Issued an “F”

Joanna Schroeder

globe01The World Bank received a failing grade this week for its lack of support to developing countries trying to implement biofuels project. The “F” comes from the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) representing over 65 percent of the world’s biofuels production from 44 countries.

In a letter to Robert Zoellick, President of World Bank, from Bliss Baker, President of the GRFA, Baker wrote, “I am writing to you to express our deepest concern that the World Bank is failing developing countries in their desire to develop sustainable biofuels industries and relieve their crippling reliance on imported crude oil. Your Bank remains on the sidelines without any commitment to investing in biofuels projects while many developing countries look for scarce capital to build local projects.”

The GRFA continues to call on the World Bank to support the development of biofuels in regions that are in desperate need of relief from their dependence on foreign oil. However, despite pleas from various organizations, the World Bank remains indifferent.

Baker noted that, ”Thirty-eight of the forty-five poorest countries on earth are net importers of crude oil yet many of these underdeveloped countries possess vast amounts of biomass and potential for sustainable biofuels production.”

It is estimated that by 2050, biomass theoretically could supply 65 percent of the world’s current energy consumption, with sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America accounting for roughly half of this global potential. Several potential projects have emerged in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Sudan and South Africa looking to attract investment; however, access to investment funds have been scarce.

Andrew Makenete, President of the Southern African Biofuels Association commented, “We see what many western countries have been able to accomplish in terms of energy security and attracting investment into the agricultural sector by building vibrant biofuels industries. We know that with the right support we can replicate this remarkable accomplishment here in Africa.”

biofuels, International

Ethanol Industry Welcomes EPA Comment Extension

Cindy Zimmerman

The Environmental Protection Agency today formally announced a 60 day extension of the comment period on the proposed rule revising the national Renewable Fuel Standard program, commonly referred to as RFS2. The original comment period was to end on July 27, 2009 and will now end on September 25, 2009.

“With the 60-day comment period extension, EPA seeks to provide the public adequate time to provide meaningful comment while finalizing and implementing the standards in a timely manner,” the agency stated in a release.

Growth EnergyTom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, said he was not surprised by the action. “They only had a 60 day beginning comment period and this is between 1000 and 2000 pages of scientific and technical data,” said Buis in an interview this week. “You don’t want to get a bad rule because people didn’t have the time to thoroughly analyze it.”

Buis says he believes the agency will still have enough time to implement the RFS2 rule by the January 1 target date, “even if they have to do what they did when they implemented the original RFS, which was announce the volumetric level for each of the fuels and then fill in the details later.”

More information and instructions on submitting comments on the rule, which was mandated by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, can be found here on the EPA website.

Ethanol, Growth Energy

EPA Official Wrong on Ethanol and Biodiesel Yields

Cindy Zimmerman

A YouTube video of EPA official Margo Oge testifying before a House panel in May reveals her providing radically incorrect information about the amount of corn and soybeans it takes to make biofuels.

epa ogeThe blunder occurred when Rep. Aaron Schock (R-IL) asked Ms. Oge, who is responsible for regulating all emissions within the United States, about the indirect land use issue. “It’s my understanding that the EPA’s Renewable Fuels Standard 2 methodology assumes that for every acre of soybean crop that is used to produce biofuel, an equal acre of ground is used in the Brazilian rainforest to replace that acreage, is that correct?” asked Schock.

“Obviously we know that it takes about 64 acres for a gallon of soy biodiesel,” she begins, and then corrects herself, even more incorrectly. “It’s actually the opposite. It takes 64 acres for corn ethanol and over 400 acres for a gallon of biodiesel.”

Actually, one acre of soybeans makes 64 gallons of biodiesel and one acre of corn makes over 400 gallons of ethanol. This may have been just a simple mistake – or maybe she really doesn’t know – but it is now possible that members of the U.S. House Small Business Committee believe that it takes a huge amount of corn and soybeans to produce biofuels because that is what she told them.

The YouTube video with commentary was posted anonymously by an account called “FreedomIs1st” and no one in the biofuels industry has taken credit for it – but it is very good and should be shared. In fact, it might be good for people in the industry to write to their congressional representatives, especially if they are on the House Small Business committee, to make sure they have the facts.

Biodiesel, corn, Ethanol, Government

YouTube Videos Provide Ethanol Answers

Cindy Zimmerman

Will corn crop meet demand of both food and fuel? Even before the USDA planted acreage report was released this week, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) had the answer to that question posted on YouTube.

Geoff CooperIn one of three recent videos posted by the ethanol organization, RFA Vice President of Research Geoff Cooper says the 2009 corn crop is going to be another huge crop. “Probably the second or third largest crop in history,” Cooper says. “Which will be more than sufficient to meet very strong demand for livestock feed, for exports and what will likely be record demand for ethanol production. All of those demands will be met and there will still be a healthy surplus of corn left.”

In another video, Cooper answers the question, what is international indirect land use and why is it controversial? The video is only two minutes long, which is hardly enough time to even begin to explain the controversial theory, much less refute it – but it does get the main point across. RFA also has another short video with Cooper explaining why ethanol is not to blame for higher food prices.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Farming, Indirect Land Use, RFA, Video