E85 Challenge Deadline April 3

Cindy Zimmerman

RFA e85College students work best under pressure – so here’s your deadline to enter and win a MacBook Air laptop in the E85 Challenge – 11:59 pm EST April 3rd.

All you have to do is answer the question, “What does renewable mean to you?” Put your answer in the form of a video or photo, and submit it to the E85 Flex Fuel Challenge team.

Once submissions are closed – again, at noon eastern on April 3 – the next step is an on-line voting period with prizes for the voters! So, even if you miss the deadline for submissions, be sure to go and vote for your favorites for a chance to win one of eight weekly drawings for a Passport hard drive.

The contest is sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association to get college students engaged in the debate surrounding issues that impact their future: the economy, energy and the environment. Contest details are available here.

E85, RFA

CEO Robert Friedland Wins Service Award

Joanna Schroeder

rob-friedland4Robert Friedland, President and CEO of Proton Energy Systems, will  be honored today with a coveted service award from the National Hydrogen Association (NHA) during its annual national conference being held in Columbia, SC. The 2009 Award for Meritorious Service is presented annually to three individuals who exhibit exceptional leadership and contributions that further the development of the hydrogen industry. Proton Energy Systems designs and manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrochemical systems to convert water to hydrogen.

In a company press statement released early today, NHA President Jeffrey A. Serfass was quoted as saying, “Mr. Friedland’s remarkable record of achievement over the years cannot come at a more critical moment, as energy security and green energy are major issues confronting our nation. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient for this award.”

Friedland, co-founded Proton Energy in 1996, is also being commended for his role and mentorship in providing smaller emerging hydrogen technology companies with examples of solid financial and marketing business models.

“I am honored to accept this National Hydrogen Association award on behalf of Proton Energy Systems,” said Friedland.  “Proton’s mission has always been to develop hydrogen technology in creative and practical ways that can benefit our customers and advance green energy possibilities and potential throughout the globe.”

Miscellaneous

INEOS Bio Developing Cellulosic

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Foundation Mark DietzenCommercializing Gasification/Fermentation Technology was the topic of comments made by Mark Dietzen, INEOS Bio, at the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy Conference.

He says that they have a practical technology that they’re in the process of implementing to be online by 2011 to produce cellulosic ethanol. He thinks that it will help bridge the gap between what’s possible with crop based ethanol and allow the substitution of a larger percentage of gasoline with a bio based fuel.

You can listen to my interview with Mark here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-foundation/ff-global-09-dietzen.mp3]

You can download the interview with this link (mp3).

You can find photos from the conference here:
Transition To A Bio Economy Conference: Global & Trade Issues Photo Album

Audio, Cellulosic, Farm Foundation

Biofuels From Biotech Developing

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Foundation Paul WillemsI spoke with Paul Willems, BP Energy Biosciences Institute, one of our speakers at the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy Conference. I had met him previously at an earlier conference in the series.

Paul says the BP Energy Biosciences Institute was created as a place to apply modern biology to energy problems. He told us that from their perspective, the turbulant times we’re in right now are temporary and that the fundamental trends for the future are unchanged. Those being the supply of oil and gas and the growth and demand for energy products. He says that their CEO likes to say that, “the future has been delayed, it hasn’t been canceled.”

I think he made a good point in my interview with him that we shouldn’t panic. He says there are numerous technology efforts going on in the alternative fuels industry and that it would be a mistake to see that work evaporate because we live in a world of crisis. He urges a steady course toward the future. He also talks about the benefits of biotechnology in developing more efficient alternative fuel production but points out that the industry is still just in its infancy.

You can listen to my interview with Paul here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-foundation/ff-global-09-willems.mp3]

You can download the interview with this link (mp3).

You can find photos from the conference here:
Transition To A Bio Economy Conference: Global & Trade Issues Photo Album

Audio, Biotech, Farm Foundation

Doubts About Meeting Cellulosic Ethanol Goals

Cindy Zimmerman

Experts are expressing doubts the U.S. will meet targets for cellulosic ethanol production required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, but the need remains to make it happen as soon as possible.

The legislation calls for the production of 4.3 billion gallons by 2015, but during a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing this week, Dr. Howard Gruenspecht with the Energy Information Administration said, “It seems unlikely to us that you would get to those kind of levels by 2015, 2016.”

Gruenspecht says there are cellulosic ethanol plants opening up. “They will learn things from the initial plants and it will take some time for the standard to be developed,” he said. “It’s more complex than a corn ethanol plant.” He also noted that the industry needs additional funding for continued development.

Cellulosic ethanol company representatives were in Washington DC this week for the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)‘s annual fly-in and one of their top issues in meeting with members of Congress and the administration was getting additional federal investment for advance biofuels. However, during a telephone press conference on Tuesday, BIO executive vice president Brent Erickson also admitted that the ambitious goals of the EISA for cellulosic ethanol will probably not be reached. “I think given the current economic turndown, the progress toward commercialization has slowed, and it is probably unlikely,” said Erickson in response to a reporter’s direct question as to whether the 2010 target for 100 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol will be met.

Still, the companies who are trying to make it happen remain optimistic about the future. “Given the long-term fundamentals for liquid fuels, the need is there,” said John Howe with Verenium. “This is not a discretionary activity. We have no choice but to pursue biofuels from cellulosics. We just need to do it the right way.”

Representatives from eight different advanced biofuels companies – Verenium, Aurora Biofuels, Abengoa Bioenergy, Gevo, DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol, Amyris, Mendel Biotechnology, Coskata, and Novozymes – all participated in this week’s fly-in and press conference.

Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol, Government

Ethanol Plant Looking to Use Wastewater

corn-plusCorn Plus, an ethanol plant producing 49 million gallons annually in Winnebago, Minnesota, is looking at using wastewater instead of fresh water for its production process. The plant uses up to 350,000 gallons of fresh water daily and sees an opportunity knowing that the city discharges a minimum of the same amount of wastewater into the Blue Earth River daily.

“It’s a wonderful reuse of water that otherwise would just be discharged in the river,” said Mary Fralish, a deputy director of Public Works in Mankato. “And that kind of use is catching fire across the country.”

Corn Plus’ General Manager Keith Kor asked lawmakers for assistace and Senator Julie Rosen and Representative Bob Gunther sponsored legislation that will help finance pipe to transport the wastewater to the plant. The bill seeks between $250,000 and $300,000.

“They want to eliminate some of the controversy about using water in ethanol plants,” Gunther said.

Corn Plus began production in 1993. It’s new fluidized bed is one of its kind in the world.

Environment, Ethanol

NBB Formally Responds to Europe’s Biodiesel Sanctions

John Davis

nbb-logoIn March, the European Commission imposed tariffs of 26 euros ($34.51) to 41 euros ($54.42) per 100 kg (220 lbs) on American biodiesel, virtually shutting the Yankee green fuel out of the European market.

Today, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) turned in formal written comments to the EC’s decision to impose those provisional antidumping (AD) and countervailing duties (CVD) on U.S. biodiesel entering Europe, citing procedural and factual shortcomings in Europe’s decision:

feraci“The comments we have filed highlight that arbitrary procedural conclusions and inaccurate market assumptions were used by the EC as the basis for imposing provisional duties on U.S. biodiesel,” stated Manning Feraci, NBB’s Vice President for Federal Affairs. “The rationale used to impose AD and CVD duties – which clearly benefit the interests of European biodiesel producers – runs afoul of the EU’s WTO commitments.”

The NBB’s comments plainly illustrate that the European industry has not been harmed by U.S. competition, a fundamental fact that must be proven before duties can be finalized later this year. The comments filed by the NBB also note the faulty procedural assumptions that are utilized in the EC’s ruling, specifically relating to the arbitrary decision to change the definition of the product under investigation. In addition, the provisional ruling also appears to omit key information from significant EU biodiesel producers that would be detrimental to the European Biodiesel Board’s (EBB) claims in the investigations. Strikingly, the EU producers that are alleging harm in the complaints have increased their market share by 5.8% and posted a 5.7% profit, which is quite healthy by industry standards.

Feraci adds that he hopes the EC will recognize the value of the NBB’s comments and meet its WTO obligations.

Biodiesel, NBB

Wind Farming For Electricity

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Foundation Mark WillersBiofuels like ethanol and biodiesel weren’t the only energy alternatives on the program at the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy Conference. We also had a presentation on wind energy from Mark Willers, Minwind Energy.

Mark says Minwind Energy was formed by a group of local farmers and businessmen in southwest Minnesota. He’d like people to understand that the electrical grid in the United States needs to be upgraded due to continuing increases in the use of electricity and how that is accomplished and funded is going to be an important issue. He thinks Americans want and need an energy policy that’s focused on efficiency. He says that Congress has extended production tax credits for wind turbines and that’s been helpful.

I thought he made some interesting points about how much news and discussion focuses on liquid fuel like gasoline when the largest energy use in America is from electricity. This is the sector of energy use that wind makes its contribution into.

You can listen to my interview with Mark here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-foundation/ff-global-09-willers.mp3]

You can download the interview with this link (mp3).

You can find photos from the conference here:
Transition To A Bio Economy Conference: Global & Trade Issues Photo Album

Audio, Energy, Farm Foundation

NEVC Forms Foundation

nevf_logo1The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition (NEVC) has formed the National Ethanol Vehicle Foundation (NEVF). This foundation was introduced to provide Americans with an opportunity to contribute to advancing the nation’s use of renewable transportation fuels such as E85 and other high level blends of ethanol.

“The proceeds of funds contributed to the NEVF will solely be used to increase awareness of the benefits of using domestically produced ethanol as a form of alternative transportation fuel,” noted NEVC Executive Director Phil Lampert. “The NEVF strongly supports ethanol produced from both agricultural feed stocks and cellulosic materials.”

The NEVF’s mission will be to continue to promote a domestically produced fuel that: Advances jobs for Americans; reduces greenhouse gas emissions; and promotes American energy independence.

To make a 100% tax deductible contribution to the NEVF, click here.

E85, Ethanol, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, News

Biodiesel According To Feraci

Chuck Zimmerman

Farm Foundation Joel VelascoThe legislative guru for the National Biodiesel Board is Manning Feraci. He was on the Farm Foundation Transition To A Bio Economy Conference program.

He gave us an update on the current state of the biodiesel industry and the need for stable policies coming out of DC. He says that he sees some real opportunities now as some of the energy bill mandates are being implemented. He says it’s also a good time to get some structural reforms to the biodiesel tax incentive that will make it work better. I asked him about the carbon issue and he says that biodiesel is such an efficient fuel that it makes the product a good fit in helping obtain green house gas emissions reductions.

You can listen to my interview with Manning here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/farm-foundation/ff-global-09-feraci.mp3]

You can download the interview with this link (mp3).

You can find photos from the conference here:
Transition To A Bio Economy Conference: Global & Trade Issues Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Farm Foundation