Honda to Build Cellulosic Ethanol Research Facility

hondalogoHonda has announced that they plan to build a new R&D facility in Japan that will focus on producing biofuels from non-food feedstocks. The 1,050 m2 lab is expected to be completed and operating by November of this year. Honda has been working with the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth since 2006 and began operating an experimental production facility in 2007.

The new Kazusa-branch facility of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Fundamental Technology Research Center, will be built within the Kazusa Akademia Park (in Kisarazu, Chiba). Honda plans to build a single 1,050m2 building (approximate gross floor space) as a testing facility on the 5,000m2 lot. The construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009, with the goal to begin operations in November 2009.

At this time, Nissan is the only foreign automobile manufacturer that offers a flexible fuel vehicle (FFV). There are over seven million FFVs currently on American roads.

Car Makers, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Obama’s Budget Calls for $15 billion for Renewables

John Davis

obamaportrait1After alluding to putting $15 billion in renewable energy development during his State of the Union Address (see my post from last Tuesday night), Pres. Barack Obama has officially called for the money in his first budget.

From his statement posted on the White House Web page:

Because our future depends on our ability to break free from oil that’s controlled by foreign dictators, we need to make clean, renewable energy the profitable kind of energy. That’s why we’ll be working with Congress on legislation that places a market-based cap on carbon pollution and drives the production of more renewable energy.

And to support this effort, we’ll invest $15 billion a year for 10 years to develop technologies like wind power and solar power, and to build more efficient cars and trucks right here in America. It’s an investment that will put people back to work, make our nation more secure, and help us meet our obligation as good stewards of the Earth we all inhabit.

The $15 billion is just part of the $3.5 TRILLION 2010 federal budget.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, Solar, Wind

New Report Shows Biodiesel, Ethanol Roles in Job Growth

John Davis

In a time when we constantly hear about rising unemployment, there’s some good news for the U.S. job sector… thanks to ethanol and biodiesel. A new report says advanced biofuels could directly create nearly 200,000 jobs in the next 13 years, with indirect and direct effects accounting for more than 800,000 new jobs and nearly $150 billion in economic activity during that same period.

The report by Bio Economic Research Associates, U.S. Economic Impact of Advanced Biofuels Production: Perspectives to 2030, analyzes the growth of an advanced biofuels industry and how it will impact four areas critical to U.S. economic recovery, including job creation, economic output, energy security and investment opportunity.

bioThe report earned praise from The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO):

Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, said, “The advanced biofuels industry could create 29,000 new jobs and create $5.5 billion in economic growth over the next three years, as companies continue to deploy the
technology. As the advanced biofuels industry grows to the levels established in the Renewable Fuel Standard, it will create more than 800,000 new jobs throughout the economy. These new jobs will be in sectors of the economy that have experienced the highest rates of job losses over the past year, including agriculture and construction.”

The new study’s results include:
• Direct job creation from advanced biofuels production could reach 29,000 by 2012, 94,000 by 2016, and 190,000 by 2022.
• Total job creation, accounting for economic multiplier effects, could reach 123,000 in 2012, 383,000 in 2016, and 807,000 by 2022.
• Direct economic output from the advanced biofuels industry is estimated to rise to $5.5 billion in 2012, $17.4 billion in 2016, and $37 billion by 2022.
• Taking into consideration the indirect and induced economic effects, the total economic output effect for the U.S. economy is estimated to be $20.2 billion in 2012, $64.2 billion in 2016, and $148.7 billion in 2022.
• Advanced biofuels production under the RFS could reduce U.S. petroleum imports by approximately $5.5 billion in 2012, $23 billion in 2016, and nearly $70 billion by 2022.
• The cumulative total of avoided petroleum imports over the period 2010–2022 would exceed $350 billion.

And BIO officials say by 2030, a modest target of 45 billion gallons of biofuels could produce nearly 2 million jobs and $300 billion in economic activity… plus the savings the country would see by not importing the oil to cover that fuel. They believe that advancing technology will help meet those goals.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Farm Foundation to Host Food-vs-Fuel Analysis Update

John Davis

farmfoundationforum2Last summer, crude oil prices were skyrocketing to around $150 a barrel, and we were all sweating the $4-$5 a gallon fuel prices every time we pulled up to those gas pumps. It was during this time of anxiety that the debate around the role biodiesel and ethanol were playing in food price spikes that were also hitting everyone hard in the pocketbooks. Our friends at Farm Foundation took on this debate when they released in July 2008 the report, What’s Driving Food Prices?

What a difference eight months make, as oil prices have fallen back below $40 a barrel, and gas is a lot closer to a buck-and-a-half per gallon than the summer’s highs. Funny… food prices seem to have remained high… hmmmmm.

Well, in their never-ending quest to continue the conversation, the Farm Foundation folks have asked the report’s authors, Purdue University Economists Phil Abbott, Chris Hurt and Wally Tyner, to update their analysis of the drivers of food prices. Their findings will be the subject of a March 11th Forum at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, in Washington D.C. The forum runs from 9 to 11 am, and they’ll even serve up a cup of joe starting at 8:30 am.

Contact my friend, Mary Thompson, Farm Foundation Director of Communications at mary@farmfoundation.org to RSVP by noon CST, Monday, March 9th. The forum is free.

Farm Foundation

America’s Destiny: An Eco-Sustainable City

John Davis

df-logoThis edition of the DomesticFuel Cast… and yes, we have returned on a regular basis… we look at Destiny, Florida… a community striving to be the nation’s first eco-sustainable city.

We talked to Roz Gatewood, the Vice President of Business Development for the 41,000-acre community founded in 2005 in South Central Florida… less than an hour from the attractions of Orlando and Disney World and less than a day’s drive from anywhere in the Southeastern United States.

destinyShe explains Destiny was founded by South Florida land developer Anthony V. Pugliese, III and Fred DeLuca, co-founder of Subway restaurants based on the principles of being sustainable on an agricultural, environmental and economical basis. When it is fully operational, the city will operate an energy park that produces power from biodiesel, ethanol, solar and wind sources for companies that contribute to sustainable industries, such as building solar panels. In fact, she says they hope there will be 16,000 green tech jobs in the city one day.

It’s a fascinating concept, and I think you’ll be interested in what she has to say. You can check it out here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/domesticfuel/DFCast-2-26-09.mp3]

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast by http://www.zimmcomm.biz/domesticfuel/domestic-fuel-cast.xml”>clicking here.

Biodiesel, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol, News, Solar

National AF&V Conference Keynote Speakers Announced

2009afviThe Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute (AFVi) have announced that General Wesley Clark, T. Boone Pickens, and Jeff Schuster will be their keynote speakers for their 2009 conference. Their fifteenth annual conference will be held in Orlando, Florida on April 19-22, 2009.

Keynote speakers will be joined by 200 experts presenting topics in thirty-five concurrent sessions. Information will focus on evolving transportation policy and funding changes during created an opportunity for alternative fuels. Session topics will include legislation, air quality, plug-inhybrids, fuel cells, heavy-duty hybrids, biofuels updates, electric driveadvances, and in-depth workshops on federal funding, biofuels, vehicle conversions, and natural gas trucking.

An estimated 2,000 people are scheduled to attend the conference. For more information on the conference, go to http://www.afv2009.com.

News

“2008 an Anomaly Year”

Joanna Schroeder

john-urbanchuk

“When the  history books are written, 2008 most likely will go down as an anomaly year, ” began John Urbanchuk, Director of LEGC, LLC. Housing market crash. Financial market crash. Global recession. Commodity boom and bust. Wave of bankruptcies. “We slipped into a recession in December 2007, ending a seven year run of economic growth.” But, he continued, President Obama, in his address last night, brought back his primary message: hope. 

There are several economic factors that affect the ethanol industry, says Urbanchuk. They include: corn supply and price; economic growth; consumer spending and gas demand; credit availability; oil and gas prices; and inflation. With the recent passing of several economic stimulus packages, along with the consumers driving more and oil prices back on the rise, the economy should see a turn-around by the end of 2009, early 2010.

Ultimately, Urbanchuk says, “The worst is behind us.” That’s great news for the ethanol industry.

 You can listen to Urbanchuk’s comments at the conference here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/nec-09-urbanchuk.mp3]

RFA recently released Urbanchuk’s latest economic report, “Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States.” Click here to download the full report.

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

NRDC’s Take on Indirect Land Use

Joanna Schroeder

Nathaneal GreeneIndirect land use has been a hot topic at this year’s 14th annual National Ethanol Conference.

The ethanol industry has been working closely with many organizations on this issue including the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC). I caught up with Nathanael Greene, Senior Policy Analyst–Air and Energy, after he participated in the panel: The Impact of Lifecycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Ethanol Use. He spoke with me about why indirect land use is so important to the ethanol industry.

You can listen to my interview with Nathaneal here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/rfa/nec-09-greene-joanna.mp3]


See photos from the National Ethanol Conference here.

Audio, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Dell’s Oklahoma Facility to Run on Windpower

John Davis

dellDell Computer officials have announced their 240,000 square-foot campus in Oklahoma City will be powered entirely by wind energy.

This story from PC Magazine says the move boosts Dell’s renewable energy use by 35 percent nationwide and is part of the company’s overall goal of becoming the greenest technology company on Earth:

The Oklahoma City facility is gearing up to its part in a partnership with Oklahoma Gas and Electric company that aims to prevent 5,100 tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. By 2015 Dell expects to cut its worldwide operations’ emissions by 40 percent. This will be achieved via on-site renewable-energy generation, purchasing renewable energy certificates, and further collaboration with local utilities.

“Integrating green power into our operations wherever and whenever possible is a key environmental and business strategy,” said Dane Parker, director of environment, health and safety at Dell. “It’s critical that our industry take a leadership role in the transition to a green economy. Aggressive energy efficiency and renewable-power targets are essential.”

Wind

Biodiesel Making Fast, Clean VWs Faster, Greener

John Davis

vwtdi2Volkswagen will be running B5 biodiesel in all its race cars, transport vehicles and generators during the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup season.

This press release says they’ll be using the green fuel provided by Houston-based HYPERFUELS:

“We are extremely pleased to have HYPERFUELS as a partner for the 2009 Jetta TDI Cup series. SynDiesel(R) B5 biodiesel has been fully approved for use in all Volkswagen TDI powered vehicles that are available at local Volkswagen dealerships today,” said Clark Campbell, Motorsport Manager, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “The addition of SynDiesel B5 biodiesel in the Jetta TDI Cup race cars further demonstrates the feasibility of biodiesel as an alternative fuel source for American consumers and supports the clean and green racing of the Jetta TDI Cup series,” added Campbell.

Performance testing has proven that diesel powered vehicles offer more low-end torque than traditional gasoline engines, providing quicker off-the-line acceleration that’s well suited for the race track. In addition, the Jetta TDI engine’s use of a “common rail” direct injection system improves fuel economy over gasoline engines and reduces sooty emissions by 95 percent, even under demanding race conditions. During the 2009 season, the Jetta TDI Cup cars will consume approximately two tanks of B5 biodiesel during race conditions and overall carbon emissions produced by the series will be reduced by 2,583 pounds as a result of the new fuel. These environmentally-friendly characteristics classify all Volkswagen TDI models as Advanced Lean Technology Vehicles, qualifying consumers for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit.

“HYPERFUELS is excited that the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup and SCCA Pro Racing acknowledge that the addition of biodiesel creates a clean performance racing fuel,” said Jess Hewitt, President, Gulf Hydrocarbon, the parent company of HYPERFUELS. “If we can help take biodiesel awareness and performance to the next level, then everyone wins. It’s cleaner burning, yields a faster burn, produces less emissions and is easily accessible. I can’t imagine a better fuel or better cars to showcase the performance and benefits of biodiesel,” added Hewitt.

Officials say this brand of biodiesel has 20 percent more BTUs than petroleum diesel. No wonder they’re using it in racing cars.

Biodiesel