The Wind Blows in Ireland

Joanna Schroeder

Several companies have signed agreements to work together to co-develop three Irish wind farms valued at euro 18 million. Gaelectric, and XEMC VWEC will first deploy the XV90 turbines at three Gaelectric on-shore sites: Roosky in Co. Roscommon; Leabeg in Co. Offaly; and Crowinstown in Westmeath. Total combined energy produced is expected to be at least 13.6 MW. During an …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Biodiesel Industry Update

Joanna Schroeder

There are some changes taking place in the biodiesel industry. Enervation Advisors has purchased its third biodiesel plant, this one located in Adrian, Michigan. The company has purchased the closed NextDiesel plant and its first step is to update the technology and put the plant back online. When this occurs, the plant will operate as LVA Adrian Biofuel LLC. This …

Biodiesel, biofuels

Biodiesel Board Announces New Capitol Hill VP

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) has announced a new vice president of federal affairs to serve the industry on Capitol Hill. Anne Steckel, who will lead NBB’s Washington office, brings nearly 15 years of Washington experience to the job. Currently chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson of California, she has overseen legislative issues for several members of Congress, …

Biodiesel, NBB

RFA Sponsors Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Joanna Schroeder

Next week the 71st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally kicks off in Sturgis, South Dakota. Once again, thousands of motorcycle riders will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits of ethanol at the Legendary Buffalo Chip through the Renewable Fuels Association’s “Fueled with Pride” sponsorship. Similar to past years, RFA will hand out promotional materials and merchandise. In addition, an …

Ethanol, Promotion, RFA

Wind & Transmission Leadership Summit Announced

Joanna Schroeder

While wind energy is growing exponentially, renewable energy in the U.S. makes up less than 4 percent of total energy use. To increase energy created from wind power, several issues need to be address including transmission infrastructure and advanced energy storage. These very opportunities will be discussed and more during the first Wind & Transmission Leadership summit in Big Sky …

conferences, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Summer of Solar

Joanna Schroeder

This has definitely been a summer of solar – both in terms of oppressive heat as well as dozens upon dozens of new solar power systems going online. Recently Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) along with the Matrix Group, commissioned a 3 megawatt (MW) solar power project in South Brunswick, New Jersey that is part of PSE&G’s Solar …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Solar Project in Greece Features Yingli PV Panels

Joanna Schroeder

I ran into Yingli Green Energy during the InterSolar North America conference a few weeks back in San Francisco. Today Yingli Solar, the brand that the company markets its photovoltaic (PV) products under, announced that its PV modules were installed in the largest solar plant in Greece. Yes, it would be odd if a solar plant did not create its …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Advanced Biofuel Action Plan Released

Joanna Schroeder

A new advanced biofuels action plan for the automotive/light duty truck sector has been released by Advanced Biofuels USA. “The Pathway to a Sustainable “Total Biomass” Advanced Ethanol Industry,” identifies six steps the cellulosic and advanced ethanol producers should take in order to build a long-term higher blend ethanol market (E30, 30 percent advanced biofuel, 70 percent petroleum). Advanced Biofuels …

advanced biofuels, Ethanol, Research

Lufthansa to Begin Commerical BioJet Fuel Flights

Joanna Schroeder

On Friday, July 15th, Lufthansa flew using a biofuel blend produced by Neste Oil. The NExBTL renewable aviation fuel was such a resounding success that now Airbus A321 Lufthansa-operated flights flying between Hamburg and Frankfurt will use this fuel, in both directions four times a day. One engine will run on a 50-50 NExBTL/fossil fuel blend while the other engine …

biofuels, biojet fuel, International

Dominican Republic To Build 2 Wind Farms

Joanna Schroeder

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved two loans totaling $78.3 million to help build two wind farms in the Dominican Republic. Once completed, the renewable energy projects will combined provide 80.6 megawatts to the grid. The wind farms are being developed by private companies, and demonstrate the growing confidence in the Dominican energy sector. The Corporación Dominicana de Empresas …

Electricity, Energy, Wind