Texas Company About to Offer Rooftop Wind Turbines

John Davis

buildturbinesAn Austin, Texas company says it is about ready to offer wind turbines that can be installed on top of buildings… not just open fields.

This story from KVUE-TV in Austin says Building Turbines hopes to cash in on the need for alternative energy, while making use of urban areas and high-rise buildings:

“The blades are UV-protected, sail-type material that you would walk on like a catamaran,” said John Graham, company owner. “We can actually engineer it to tear in high winds. So if there is a hurricane or tornado you could engineer it to tear at 59 miles per hour if you want.”

Graham has been working with his two sons to perfect the turbine. They can monitor the energy the wind turbine produces from their offices below.

The final prototype was finished in early 2009, and it costs around $23,000. Graham says it should pay for itself in about five years.

The turbines are also built low to the roof surface. “They have yet to kill a bird, and it’s quiet. Our offices are right below it and it doesn’t bother anybody,” he said.

This isn’t the first rooftop wind turbine to hit the market. As you might remember from my post back on August 13, 2008, JCPenney installed BroadStar’s unique wind turbines at its massive 1.6 million-square-foot distribution center in Reno, Nevada. But in my opinion, the more in the wind energy business, the merrier.

You can see a short clip of how Building Turbines wind turbines work here:

Wind

Obama Nominates EPA Deputy

Cindy Zimmerman

cannonPresident Barack Obama on Monday announced his intention to nominate Jon Cannon for Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, a position that will play an important role in implementing the Renewable Fuels Standard.

Cannon is currently a professor of environmental law as well as the director of the Environmental and Land Use Law Program at the University of Virginia. He also served at the Environmental Protection Agency during three previous administrations – Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Clinton – eventually rising to general counsel.

Cannon must still be confirmed by the Senate.

Government

Texas Plant Ramps Up Waterless Biodiesel Process

John Davis

gafgreenline1El Paso, Texas-based biodiesel producer Global Alternative Fuels, LLC will triple its output using a production method provided by Greenline Industries, the world’s largest producer of small-to-medium scale biodiesel production equipment.

This Greenline press release says its waterless method is a natural for the dry conditions of West Texas:

“El Paso is in a desert area, so we chose Greenline’s waterless biodiesel platform for our initial 5 million gallon plant,” said Carlos Guzman, Co-founder, President & COO of Global Alternative Fuels, LLC. “Once we discovered that 5 million gallons would not be enough to meet demand in our area, we asked Greenline to add another 10 million gallons of capacity. Our experience with Greenline has been excellent with top-notch customer support, so expanding with Greenline makes sense.”

Global Alternative Fuels was founded by Guzman and Larry Walter. Both veterans of foreign wars, Guzman and Walter were philosophical about what they wanted to do next to contribute to America’s strength and security. Energy and environmental concerns motivated them to produce American grown, sustainable biodiesel, doing their part towards energy security while creating a profitable business.

Global Alternative Fuels started producing biodiesel on January 3rd of this year and already has a need to increase capacity. “We have a buyer for every drop of fuel we make,” said Guzman. So, Greenline has begun work on increasing plant capacity to 15 million gallons and adding a feedstock blending unit. “The Greenline feedstock blending unit allows us to utilize multiple sustainable feedstocks including locally sourced animal tallow and Iowa soybean oil,” said Guzman.

Global Alternative Fuels officials believe they could expand again in the near future.

Biodiesel

Governors Urge Immediate Biofuels Action

Cindy Zimmerman

The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition is calling on President Obama to tap the job growth potential of the biofuels industry.

Governors Biofuels CoalitionAccording to the 35 member coalition, the nation’s biofuels industry is poised to provide immediate job growth, generate economic activity and prepare the nation for the next increase in world oil prices and they are urging the president to capitalize on the opportunity.

Coalition chairman Governor John Hoeven of North Dakota says biofuels are helping to transform communities, broaden the tax base and provide solid job growth. “Help from the federal government in terms of fiscal support and policy leadership could revitalize this critical industry, create jobs, spur investment and strengthen the ability of biofuels to address the economic, energy and environmental challenges that face our nation,” said Governor Hoeven.

During a Washington press conference today, the coalition urged President Obama to take specific actions to advance the contribution of the biofuels industry to the nation’s workforce, economy and energy security including the establishment an interagency task force on lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and transportation fuels, involving the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They are also requesting an immediate ruling from EPA approving 13 percent ethanol blendss, which are already within EPA’s allowable variance.

In addition, the coalition called for a grassroots effort to strengthen and broaden public awareness and support for biofuels development and market availability, acknowledging support and cooperation from a number of organizations including the American Coalition for Ethanol, Growth Energy, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Renewable Fuels Association, National Biodiesel Board,
Clean Fuels Development Coalition, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition and 25x’25.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News, RFA

Willie to Play at Carl’s Corner Biodiesel Truck Stop

John Davis

willienelsonThe Red Headed Stranger is at it again, as country music legend and biodiesel advocate Willie Nelson performs at the Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner Truck Stop tomorrow and Wednesday (Feb. 24 & 25) for the opening of the Texas biodiesel facility.

earthbiofuelsThis press release posted on MarketWatch.com has details:
The truck stop, which is 50% owned by Earth Biofuels, Inc., launched a “soft opening” last December and has increased sales of blended biodiesel fuel since that time. The state-of-the-art truck stop features 12 diesel/biodiesel fueling lanes for tractor-trailers plus a wide load island. There is a separate fueling island for cars and trucks.

williesplaceIn addition to the truck stop fueling facilities, “Willie’s Place at Carl’s Corner” features two restaurants, a convenience store, a saloon, a gift shop featuring official Willie Nelson merchandise and memorabilia, and the 500 seat “Night Life” theater that will feature regular live music performances. Additionally, this destination for travelers features wireless internet access, clean restrooms, hot showers, laundry facilities, and plenty of parking.

Asleep at the Wheel will join Willie for the show, and if you weren’t one of the lucky ones who snapped up tickets to these sold-out performances or aren’t going to be in the Carl’s Corner, Texas area, you can still get updates on the concert on the satellite radio show, “Willie’s Place,” XM channel 13 and SIRIUS channel 64. The broadcasts originate from the SIRIUS XM studios at the truck stop.

Biodiesel

TDOT to Give Money for E85 and B20 Infrastructure

tdotIn 2006, Tennesse Governor Phil Bredesen allocated $1.5 million to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to develop a Biofuel Green Island Corridor network along Tennessee’s interstate system and major highways. TDOT has recently opened a solicitation for grant funding to assist in converting or installing fuel storage tanks and equipment to dispense B20 and E85 to the public.

The goal of the Green Island program is to help establish readily available “green island” refueling stations for B20 biodiesel and E85 ethanol no more than 100 miles apart along these corridors. This competitive grant program seeks to identify partner retail stations in areas where reasonably accessible and convenient retail biofuel stations are not in place. A minimum of 20 percent in nonfederal matching funds is required.

A statewide network of biofuel stations will encourage and expand the use of biofuels in Tennessee, which in turn will stimulate rural economic development, increase farm income, reduce vehicle emissions, help protect public health, and reduce dependence on petroleum.

Potential E85 and B20 retailers can view the solicitation by clicking here. Sumission is due by April 17, 2009.

Biodiesel, E85, Facilities, Government, News

New Report Outlines Ethanol’s Economic Impact

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite difficult current economic conditions, the ethanol industry is poised to meet the production targets of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), according to a report released today by LECG LLC, a prominent economic consulting firm.

UrbanchukThe report, “Contribution of the Ethanol Industry to the Economy of the United States,” was prepared by John M. Urbanchuk, Director, LECG LLC for the Renewable Fuels Association.

“As this report points out, these are unquestionably tough times for the economy and the ethanol industry,” said LECG Director and report author John Urbanchuk. “Nevertheless, it also finds that ethanol capacity continues to expand and that the industry is in position to meet the 36 billion gallon renewable fuels goal set for 2022. Through additional investment in both grain and cellulosic ethanol capacity, the industry will not only create new green jobs and provide increasing tax revenue to federal, state and local governments, but will continue to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

The report notes that the net benefit to the federal government, after for ethanol related tax credits, was more than $7 billion in 2008, providing a return on every dollar invested of 2.5 to 1.

Read the report here.

Ethanol, News, RFA

RFA Chairman Previews National Ethanol Conference

Chuck Zimmerman

Chris StandleeThe 2009 National Ethanol Conference is underway in San Antonio. Cindy and I are on location and will be bringing you as much of the activities as we can courtesy of the Renewable Fuels Association. We’ll also be posting content onto The Ethanol Report site for RFA.

Today, one of the main activities is the annual golf tournament which is being played at The Club at Sonterra. It’s a beautiful sunny morning and we have a good crowd out having a good time. I’ll be here with them through lunch at their awards before heading back to the hotel. This evening we’ll have an opening reception and then tomorrow the main conference programs get started.

Just prior to the start of the golf tournament I spoke with RFA Chairman, Chris Standlee, Abengoa Bioenergy Corp. Chris is expecting this to be a great conference and said that not only are we in oil country but that there are more attendees this year from the oil business than usual. Chris says that he’s very optimistic about the health of the ethanol industry even in light of the challenging year we just completed.

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

Keep an eye on our conference photo album which we’ll be adding to throughout the event: 2009 National Ethanol Conference Photo Album

Audio, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Solar Panel Array Backdrop for Stimulus Bill

John Davis

obamasolarWhile Pres. Obama’s signing of the nearly $800 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act… better known as the Stimulus Bill… attracted lots of attention, especially for the billions that will be going to alternative energy, a Colorado company in the renewable energy field just was glad to help provide the backdrop for the event.

Denver based Hybrid Energy Group owns and operates the solar array on the roof of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden toured during the bill-signing ceremony:

“It was a spectacular event for Colorado and the renewable energy industry, and we are pleased that our solar array was the backdrop to this important moment in history,” said HEG President, Woody Beardsley. “The stimulus package will double the amount of renewable energy produced over the next three years and that bodes well for clean energy projects across America.”

The $720,000 museum array includes 465 solar panels generating 134,500 kilowatt hours of electricity on average—enough to power 30-35 homes. Under the terms of a twenty-year agreement, Hybrid Energy Group owns and operates the photovoltaic array, selling the solar electricity it generates to the museum. Namaste Solar was the installer on the project.

“We structured the development and ownership of the array so that an investment in solar energy was much more attractive to the museum,” said Beardsley. “By working with HEG, the museum was able to acquire renewable energy for less than if it had purchased the array on its own.”

This particular array at the museum is the first in a broader program HEG has unveiled to provide solar power to non-profit institutions and governmental entities.

Solar

Biodiesel Board Moves to Set Record Straight on Deforestation Issue

John Davis

nbb-logoThe National Biodiesel Board is attempting to set the record straight and debunk some research the NBB sees as faulty.

The research in question comes from Holly Gibbs, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford’s Woods Institute for the Environment. Gibbs contends that the biodiesel production is contributing to deforestation.

But NBB CEO Joe Jobe argues the biodiesel industry is built on sustainable practices that produces “a fuel proven to lower greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy from a renewable resource.” Jobe also challenges Gibbs’ methodology:

“Holly Gibbs’ research measured deforestation based on images spanning the eighties and nineties, long before biodiesel became a viable alternative to foreign oil. Agriculture expansion is spurred mainly by the demand for food and feed, particularly in developing nations. The solution to reducing deforestation is improving global sustainable agriculture practices and addressing the major causes of deforestation, such as logging and infrastructure development. Biodiesel is a part of that solution, driving research that increases crop yields, and improves supplies of protein and higher outputs for food and feed on the exact same acres of land.

“Biodiesel is also among the most powerful tools to fight carbon emission, chipping away at the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions-fossil fuels. In fact biodiesel has a 78 percent life cycle carbon reduction according to the USDA/DOE.”

Biodiesel