ACE Conference 2026

Ohio State Students Win EcoCAR Competition

Joanna Schroeder

20090612-_3rf60831A team of students from Ohio State University are in the lead after the first phase of the three-year EcoCar: the NeXt Challenge that took place last week in Toronto, Canada. The actual challenge was to convert a Saturn VUE into an electric vehicle with increased fuel economy and lower tailpipe emissions.

The team from Ohio State utilized a battery pack and E85 to power a 1.8 liter Honda engine which a rechargeable battery pack. The team’s engineering achieved a 300 percent increase in fuel economy.

09may14_090514004Launched in late 2008 by the Government of Canada, General Motors, the U.S. Department of Energy, and others, 17 university teams from the U.S. and Canada competed. Approximately half of the teams, including the Ohio State team, designed extended-range electric vehicles, six teams utilized plug-in hybrids, two teams experimented with fuel cell plug-in hybrids using renewable resources, and one team designed an all-electric vehicle. Every team used lithium-ion batteries and then retrofitted them to become plug-in batteries.

GM provided the vehicles, parts, seed money, mentoring, and operational support. The DOE’s Argonne National Laboratory research facility provided team evaluation, technical and logistical support, and competition management.

The first step in the challenge was to design the vehicles using advanced software and computer modeling tools given to the teams by GM. In years two and three, students translate their design into reality and develop a working vehicle that meets the competition’s goals. The teams come together at the end of each academic year to compete against the other university teams in more than a dozen static and dynamic events.

Car Makers, E85, Electric Vehicles, Miscellaneous, technology

Landfill Methane to Help Power Tulsa Cement Plant

John Davis

tulsacementplantA landfill is now one of the sources of power for a the Lafarge Tulsa Cement Plant.

The Tulsa World reports that an 8,000-foot pipeline will bring methane, produced from the rotting garbage, from the Waste Management landfill where the city’s residential waste is taken:

By substituting methane for coal, a renewable energy source is tapped and reliance on fossil fuels is decreased, said Jim Bachmann, the Lafarge plant’s manager.

“We’ll use at least 80 percent of it; we’ll take 100 percent when we can,” Bachmann said.

Mayor Kathy Taylor was one of many officials at the dedication who applauded the companies’ partnership, which she called an “innovative step” toward reducing greenhouse gases.

Michael Patton, executive director of the Metropolitan Environmental Trust, said the pipeline is good for Tulsa and the environment.

“This landfill now can produce a product that can be used,” he said.

The methane is estimated to reduce carbon dioxide output by 200,000 tons each year.

biomethane

Imperium Founder Argues for WA Biodiesel Mandate

John Davis

johnplaza2The state of Washington has missed its goal of having biodiesel and ethanol make up at least 20 percent of its state vehicle fuel use. And that has prompted the founder of one of the nation’s biggest biodiesel facilities… which just happens to be located in Washington… to make the case that it didn’t have to happen.

John Plaza, the CEO of Imperium Renewables, writes in the Seattle Times that a recent Washington General Administration document that recommends postponing the biofuels target for another year is a sad report on biodiesel in the state… and sends a flawed mixed message:

First, let me address the GA’s wonderfully bureaucratic justification for why the state will fail to hit its goal: “limited supply.” Since January, Imperium has been storing 2 million gallons of biodiesel at our Grays Harbor facility. (Ironically, the state included this volume in its calculations to determine that the state’s Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was being met.) For the GA to say there is “limited supply” of biodiesel is both wrong and misleading.

Our facility is capable of producing 100 million gallons per year. But we need buyers. As long as the state chooses not to buy biodiesel from us, it is hypocritical for the GA to turn around and blame us for not making more. If the state commits to a contract, my company will happily supply the best fuel in the nation, produced by Washington state workers.

Second, the report hints that there are quality issues with biodiesel. Our fuel has been independently tested and consistently meets or exceeds the highest standards of the biodiesel industry, such as BQ9000 of the National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission.

Third, the report blames a lack of infrastructure for problems in accessing fuel. Shell, Sound Refining and Exxon/Mobil have collectively invested millions of dollars into biodiesel infrastructure, including terminals, tanks, blending racks and truck/rail loading facilities. I’m puzzled as to how GA overlooked these facts.

Plaza goes on to say the postponement of the biofuel requirement is most shameful part of the document. He says the answer is not to buy less biodiesel… more will help everyone involved.

Biodiesel, Opinion

Energy Secretary on Ethanol in Iowa

Cindy Zimmerman

During a visit to Des Moines Monday, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu gave some hope to ethanol supporters hoping that the federal government will approve a waiver that would allow up to 15 percent ethanol blends for standard vehicles.

iowa chu culver“I don’t want to prejudge what they’re going to find, but if the existing automobile fleet can handle 15 percent, I would say let’s make that a target and go to 15 percent,” Chu said. “This is very important for decreasing our oil independence.”

Chu was in Des Moines Monday to announce more than $16 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in Iowa during a news conference with Governor Chet Culver.

“Energy independence is more than simply an Iowa initiative, it’s something of national importance,” said Culver. “We are well on our way to making Iowa the renewable energy capitol of the United States and the Silicon Valley of the Midwest.”

Secretary Chu also suggested that car manufacturers ought to make all new automobiles able to run on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. “I’ve been told it costs about $100 in gaskets and fuel lines to turn a car so that it can go all the way to E85,” Chu said. “But a new car , it would only cost $100 out of $15,000. Wouldn’t it be nice to put in those fuel lines and gaskets so that we can use any ratio we wanted. It’s just a thought, I don’t think you’re going to get any objections in this audience.” He said that requiring companies to make all vehicles flex-fuel is “beginning to be discussed” but first “we’ll see about whether the current fleet can take 15 percent or 13 percent ethanol.”

Chu spoke optimistically about making cellulosic ethanol commercially viable in the near future and said the agency is doing all it can to make that happen. “Department of Energy is funding three biofuels research institutes,” he said. Once it becomes a reality, Chu says agriculture could provide about half the transportation fuel needed for the nation. “The United States has incredible potential so we want to push this as hard as possible.”

However, Chu avoided direct comment about how EPA may choose to determine indirect land use changes that could be detrimental to biofuels when asked by a reporter about concerns that it could impact the future of corn ethanol. “It’s out for peer review and we’ll see how it plays out,” he said.

Listen to audio of Chu’s answers to some of the questions posed.

Cellulosic, E85, Environment, Ethanol, Government

MN E85 Promotions

cleanairchoiceMinnesota is the place this summer for biofuel promotions! The state that boats the most E85 fueling locations will offer E85 at a discounted rate at a handful of sites within the next couple of months.

The Meeker County Corn Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers Association & MN Clean Air Choice Team will be sponsoring a promotion at the Valley Quick Stop in Eden Valley, MN on Thursday, June 25 from 2 pm – 5 pm. The station will offer E85 for 85 cents off per gallon. Also, the Renville County Corn & Soybean Growers, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association & MN Clean Air Choice Team will offer the same discount at the Bird Island Handi Stop in Bird Island, MN from 10 am – 1 pm on June 26. This fueling site will also offer B5 at a discount of 10 cents per gallon.

In July, promotions will take place at:

July 8, 2009
Fairfax Mobil Mart in Fairfax, MN
10 am – 1 pm
E85 85¢ off per gallon, B5 10¢ off per gallon

July 9, 2009
Consumer’s Coop Cenex in Litchfield, MN
2 pm – 5 pm
E85 85¢ off per gallon

July 24, 2009
Cenex C-Store in Glenwood, MN
2 pm – 6 pm
E85 85¢ off per gallon

July 31, 2009
Jack’s BP in Watkins, MN
2 pm – 5 pm

For more detailed biofuel promotions, go to www.CleanAirChoice.org.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E85, Ethanol, News

Five Steps to Becoming an EcoDriver

Joanna Schroeder

guide-for-discount-rental-carsSummer is officially here and with it summer driving season (and high gas price season). As people pack their bags and head to the gas station to fill up for summer vacation,  EcoDriving USA, a campaign from the Auto Alliance, is encouraging people to become “EcoDrivers.” EcoDrivingUSA claims that practicing “green driving” produces the highest miles per gallon, regardless of size or age of your car–and can reduce gas use and carbon emissions by as much as 15 percent or more.

You can be on your way to better fuel-efficiency and a smaller carbon footprint by following three simple steps from EcoDrivingUSA and two simple steps from me.

1.  Turn off the engine when waiting at a curb. This can save more than half a gallon of fuel for every hour that the car would otherwise have been idling.

2. Maintain proper tire pressure. Tire pressure changes an average of one PSI for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in temp. By keeping your tires properly inflated, you can improve gas mileage by approximately 3 percent earning drivers a “free” tank of gas every year.

3. Avoid rapid starts and stops. This can save more than $1 per gallon according to the EPA while improving fuel economy by up to 33 percent.

4. Use biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel when available. Not only are biofuels less expensive at the pump and can save an average family up to $500 per year, but using a 10 percent ethanol blend (E10) can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 20 percent over traditional gasoline and it can increase to more than 80 percent reduction if you use an 85 percent ethanol blend (E85).

5. When your travels require renting a car, choose a vehicle from the rental company’s “green collection.” The green collection features flex-fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicles and in some locations electric cars. These technologies help reduce your carbon footprint and can help increase your fuel economy.

And remember, by following the driving green tips, you can save also save some green.

biofuels, E85, Electric Vehicles, Environment

Seattle Stops Buying Soy Biodiesel, Waste Grease OK

John Davis

city-of-seattleConcerns about the impact that soy-based biodiesel might be having on the environment (and, I know, that’s another story and debate of its own), Seattle officials have stopped buying biodiesel for the city’s fleet.

But the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that they could start buying biodiesel made from local waste grease:

“Not all biodiesels are the same,” [Brenda Bauer, director of Seattle’s Fleets and Facilities Department] said.

She said Mayor Greg Nickels directed her department to stop buying soy-based biodiesel fuel about a month ago. That was after the Environmental Protection Agency released a report that said ethanol production was potentially worse for the environment than gasoline.

Increasingly, critics say the production of crop-based alternative fuels — ethanol made from corn and biodiesel made from soy — is detrimental because of the amount of land needed to grow crops and greenhouse gas emissions.

So the city is testing waste grease-based biodiesel to see whether it meets local and national standards.

“Fuels are really complex,” Bauer said. “We are trying to stay ahead of the curve in terms of finding fuels that are responsible fuels that will help us reduce our petroleum consumption. We’re looking for a fuel source that has a good greenhouse-gas profile — ultimately it’s not going to be petroleum.”

Seattle uses about 73,000 gallons of biodiesel a month in its fire engines, pickup trucks and diesel vehicles. Officials say the waste grease option will also help keep that out of the city’s landfills and sewer system.

Biodiesel

Cool Weather Jatropha Plant for Biodiesel

John Davis

jatrophaJatropha is one of the promising non-food feedstocks for biodiesel. However, the tropical plant is not well-suited for the cooler climes of some parts of the U.S. But Biomass Magazine reports that an American company is working on a variety of jatropha that could grow in colder areas:

California-based SG Biofuels has identified several strains of cold-tolerant jatropha and has initiated a breeding program to develop them as an oil-producing crop in colder U.S. climates. The company has been working to develop several traits of the plant for the last three years, including increasing oil content, seed size and decreasing input requirements, among others. “Anything that will increase the quality of biomass,” said Kirk Haney, president and CEO. The firm has collected a range of jatropha curcas from various climates and geographies around the globe and has the largest and most diverse collection in its recently launched Genetic Resource Center, Haney said, adding that the center has garnered a lot of attention.

The cold-tolerant strains were collected from various sites in Central America at elevations ranging from 1,600 meters (5,200 feet) to over 1,800 meters (about 6,000 feet). The average daily low temperature there between December and February is around 45 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures at night fall below freezing, according to SG Biofuels. Jatropha is typically seen in climates where the average minimum temperature is 60 degrees or more.

With oil yields of 200 to 300 gallons per acre and the ability to grow in poor soils, the non-food biodiesel feedstock could soon be coming to an area a little north of the border.

Biodiesel

Top Guns Could Soon Fly on Top Biofuels

John Davis

fa18Some of the world’s best and brightest fighter pilots soon might be headed off to war running on a fuel that used to be reserved for green peaceniks.

This article in the Navy Times says the U.S. Navy could be testing non-petroleum based fuels in F/A-18E/F Super Hornets as early as next year:

A team of chemists at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., is testing alternative fuel formulas using items such as algae, weeds, animal fats and liquefied coal.

Their goal is to create an alternative version of today’s jet fuel, known as JP-5, which could be easily transported and burned by today’s fleet.

“If we have done our job properly, the sailor will not notice the difference,” said Rick Kamin, the fuels lead for the Navy Energy Coordination Office. “It’ll all be JP-5 when it gets to the ship, and they’ll only know it as JP-5m.”

The Navy says it has a dual goal in instituting the green energy initiative: to reduce environmental concerns and to reduce the need for foreign oil. Maybe, then, some of those warriors won’t have to go off to fight after all.

biofuels

NREL & Google Launch Alternative Fuel Map

John Davis

nrelmap2Don’t know where to buy your biodiesel? Un-enlightened about ethanol’s whereabouts? Perplexed about propane? Well, a new tool from the National Renewable Energy Labs and Google could help you be a more active alternative fuel buyer.

Ecogeek.org reports that the two have launched TransAtlas, an interactive map that shows all existing and planned alternative fuel stations across the country:

The mapping tool allows you to view each type of fuel station as a layer, so you can view one at at time or all fuel types simultaneously. The seven alternative fuels mapped are hydrogen, propane, electric, liquified natural gas, compressed natural gas, E85 and biodiesel.

The tool also allows you to view vehicle density layers for hybrid-electric, flex-fuel and diesel cars. Electric and hydrogen stations are far behind fuels like E85 and biodiesel, but their locations correspond pretty neatly with the areas where those cars are being driven. I’d like to think that if more of those types of stations are built in more areas, the corresponding vehicles will follow.

This should help solve the problem that too many well-intentioned, potential alternative fuel-using people are having: not being able to find their favorite green fuel.

Biodiesel, E85, Ethanol, Hydrogen, News, Propane