ACE Conference 2026

Beer to Ethanol Fuel

efuelAccording to Green Tech, the inventor of the EFuel100 MicroFueler home ethanol maker has signed on Sierra Nevada Brewing to make ethanol from beer dregs. E-Fuel said that the beer company will start testing EFuel’s refrigerator-sized portable ethanol refineries in the second quarter of this year using discarded beer yeast as a feedstock for ethanol.

E-Fuel last year unveiled its $9,995 home ethanol machine which ferments a mix of water and sugar into ethanol. Sierra Nevada every year generates 1.6 million gallons of “bottom of the barrel” beer yeast waste, which it now sells to farmers as feed. The MicroFueler will be able to raise the alcohol content in that mix to 15 percent and remove water.

Initially, Sierra Nevada plans to use the ethanol in its own vehicles. Once it has excess fuel, it will look to supply employees and distribute through E-Fuel’s distribution network, a company representative said.

In a statement, Sierra Nevada Brewing president and founder Ken Grossman said the MicroFueler has the potential to improve the environment by reducing waste and to make fuel domestically.

Ethanol, News

Ethanol Group to Name Co-Chairman

Cindy Zimmerman

Growth EnergyGrowth Energy has announced that it will name “a major national figure” this week as co-chairman of the recently formed ethanol advocacy group.

According to a Growth Energy announcement, “This individual will bring foreign policy experience, environmental leadership, and political expertise to the organization and will be a strong advocate for policies that will help promote renewable energy and create green-collar jobs.”

The announcement of the co-chairman will be made on Thursday. Growth Energy was formed late last year by POET CEO Jeff Broin and other ethanol industry leaders.

Ethanol, Growth Energy, News, POET

Scientists Declare Biodiesel Support

Cindy Zimmerman

NBB 09 Rob MyersA new initiative was announced at the opening general session of the National Biodiesel Conference Monday – Scientists for Biodiesel.

Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute founder Dr. Rob Myers made the announcement as co-chair of the campaign with Donald Danforth Plant Science Center President Roger Beachy. “Scientists sometimes have differences of opinion, but this declaration is intended to show the broad consensus among scientists about the benefits of biodiesel,” Myers said. “Our goal is to increase awareness and information sharing about the depth and breadth of the scientific research behind biodiesel that contributes to its sustainability.” The declaration also calls for more investment into the scientific needs associated with this vital bioenergy source.

By visiting www.biodieselsustainability.com, scientists can share information about their work and sign the declaration which says in part, “Biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks can meet contemporary needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs for themselves.”

Listen to Myers read the declaration here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbb-09-myers.mp3]

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Biodiesel Awards Presented

Cindy Zimmerman

NBB 09 RandallAwards were presented at the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco Monday to people who have helped the industry grow.

The winner of this year’s Impact Award from the National Biodiesel Board is Dr. Randall von Wedel of CytoCulture International, who has helped San Francisco become a leader in municipal use of biodiesel. NBB CEO Joe Jobe says Dr. von Wedel was being recognized for his “energy, enthusiasm and development work” on behalf of biodiesel.

NBB 09 RandallNational Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer (right) with Renewable Energy Group (REG) had the pleasure of presenting this year’s Industry Partnership Awards to fuel quality program managers in two states – Ronald Hayes (left) of Missouri and Randy Jennings (center) from Tennessee.

“The award is going to two people who have really made a difference in our quality efforts,” said Haer. “These two gentlemen have led their states in ‘best in class’ quality enforcement programs that serve as a model for other states to adopt.”

In addition, Hayes and Jennings have been working with the National Conference on Weights and Measures and ASTM International to develop and enforce standards for biodiesel.

Read more about the activities at the conference on the Biodiesel Conference Blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

REG Expanding Biodiesel in the West

John Davis

regbiodieselIowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) is making more inroads in the Western United States as it has opened a new biodiesel terminal in Southern Colorado.

This company press release says the opening of REG’s 20,000 gallon tank in Alamosa, Colorado comes on the heels of another terminal in Ogden, Utah and will make available the company’s REG-9000TM brand biodiesel in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico:

REG-9000TM brand biodiesel from Renewable Energy Group® (REG®) is available at the location as part of the company’s national infrastructure plan. REG has a strategic agreement with Alta Fuels., a petroleum company and experience biodiesel marketers, to offer blending of petroleum diesel with REG-9000 biodiesel at the site.

Company officials cite the upcoming Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) as one driver of biodiesel demand. “The RFS calls for 500 million gallons of biodiesel to be used in the U.S. in 2009. This biodiesel blending facility allows petroleum distributors in Colorado, New Mexico and throughout the Southeast to make biodiesel blends available now in preparation for implementation of the RFS later this year,” explained Renewable Energy Group’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gary Haer.

Haer noted the Colorado terminal is just one piece of Renewable Energy Group’s strategic plan to increase biodiesel availability. “We are committed to meeting U.S. demand for biodiesel through infrastructure creation,” explained Haer. “REG currently markets biodiesel to all 48 continental states, and with this and other strategic terminal locations, REG is able to extend our biodiesel product offering. We aim to help our petroleum distribution customers more quickly access high quality biodiesel to meet their customers’ demands.”

There are more than 20 Renewable Energy Group biodiesel locations nationwide.

Biodiesel

New Holland Supports Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman

The National Biodiesel Conference is underway this week in San Francisco with the theme of “Leading Change Now.”

NBB 09 Jobe and HemphillOne of the first companies to realize biodiesel’s potential for both farmers and farm machinery was New Holland, thanks to the influence of Gene Hemphill, manager of North American Industry Affairs for the company, pictured here (right) with National Biodiesel Board CEO Joe Jobe.

Two years ago, Hemphill received the Biodiesel Innovation Award at this conference for his foresight and support of the industry, which he says goes back over 20 years. “We became involved with it when they were actually calling it soy diesel,” Gene says. “We were the first company to offer a warranty on all of our engines for 20 percent biodiesel and about a year and a half later to offer a warranty for 100 percent biodiesel in all of our engines.”

New Holland’s support for the National Biodiesel Conference includes annual sponsorship of the media room, in addition to other special treats such as the display of Jay Leno’s Eco-Jet concept car and the appearance of Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who will speak about his support of renewable fuels and entertain at the Tuesday evening reception.

Listen to an interview with Gene Hemphill here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/nbb/nbb-09-gene.mp3]

Follow all the activities at the National Biodiesel Conference this week on the conference blog.

2009 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB, New Holland

Ethanol Leaves Rahal-Letterman in Limbo

Cindy Zimmerman

The loss of ethanol as a sponsor has left Rahal-Letterman Racing (RLR) without a car or a driver for the upcoming IndyCar Series season, but co-owner Bobby Rahal is still looking.

bobby rahalIn a statement responding to media reports this week, Rahal said, “As of this time we do not have any sponsorship that will allow us to compete in the IRL in 2009, but by no means does that mean that we are giving up. We are continuing to search for sponsorship to run the 2009 season and to run in the Indianapolis 500 and we feel that there is still time for us to put something together that will allow that to happen.”

Rahal is still hoping the team, which does have some secondary sponsors, will at least be able to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in May if a major sponsor steps forward. But the tough economy is making it difficult to find a replacement for what amounts to a $6 million commitment.

Team EthanolRahal Letterman’s number 17 Team Ethanol car driven by Ryan Hunter-Reay won its first race last year at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Hunter-Reay was also named Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, but at this point he has no ride for the 2009 season.

RLR is co-owned by television talk show host David Letterman. The team won the 2004 Indianapolis 500 with driver Buddy Rice and brought Danica Patrick to the IRL in 2005 when she was named Rookie of the Year. Rahal himself won the Indy 500 in 1986. Rahal Letterman Racing remains committed to its programs in the Firestone Indy Lights Series as a partner with Andersen Racing, its American Le Mans Series program with BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team as well as its new partnership with Formula BMW Americas.

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Racing

Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum

Cindy Zimmerman

An impressive line-up of national leaders in ethanol production, marketing, co-products, transportation, engineering, financing and environmental issues have been announced for the Ethanol 2009 Emerging Issues Forum, April 2-3 in Omaha.

NE EthanolOrganized by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, the Emerging Issues Forum is an annual regional conference for ethanol producers, marketers and related industries. Special topics this year will include ethanol policy under the new administration, innovations in corn fractionation, financial and legal issues, the blend wall, and the dynamics of RINs.

The event will be held at the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha and the deadline for room reservations in March 3.

conferences, Ethanol, News

Government Announces Biomass R&D Funding

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Agriculture (USDA) today announced up to $25 million in funding for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products.

USDA-DOE“These projects will be among many Obama Administration investments that will help strengthen our economy and address the climate crisis. A robust biofuels industry – focused on the next generation of biofuels – is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing our addiction to foreign oil and putting Americans back to work,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu.

“USDA is committed to research that will support President Obama’s goal of dramatically increasing the production of biofuels in the United States,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “These grants will help support the development of a sustainable domestic biofuels industry by broadening the nation’s energy sources as well as improving the efficiency of renewable fuels.”

Funding is being offered for projects in three specific areas – Feedstocks development; Biofuels and biobased products development and Biofuels development analysis.

biomass, Energy, Government, News, USDA

Latest 2008 Ethanol Production Estimates

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol production for 2008 is still expected to have exceeded the goal of nine billion gallons for the year, but not by as much as anticipated. While the industry was on track to produce about ten billion gallons for the year, the latest figures for November indicate it will be more like 9.1 billion.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), American ethanol facilities averaged 668,000 barrels (about 28 million gallons) per day. That’s about 8 million gallons per day more than November of 2007. Through November, the ethanol industry was averaging 596,000 b/d of production – which would mean about 9.1 billion for the year if December holds up to the average.

RFAThe Renewable Fuels Association reports that demand continued to outpace production for ethanol in November by about 15,000 barrels per day. Average ethanol demand for the year through November 2008 was over 26 million gallons per day.

According to RFA, the recent economic troubles have had an impact on America’s ethanol industry as they have every other sector of the American economy and they estimate that approximately 1.8 billion gallons of production capacity is currently idled.

Ethanol, News, RFA