Positive Ethanol Plant News

Cindy Zimmerman

Despite the tough economic climate for all industries, including ethanol, there are still some plants moving toward production.

Biofuel EnergyBioFuel Energy Corp. of Denver has reached a debt repayment plan with Cargill and two other debt holders to help the company get two plants on-line in Nebraska and Minnesota. According to a release from BioFuel Energy, “Despite the significant hedging losses incurred and announced in August, the Company’s operating subsidiaries have remained financially sound and continued to meet all their obligations” with the exception of Cargill and the two holders of its subordinated debt. The company hopes to have its Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota plants certified and running at capacity by year-end.

BioEnergyThe first ethanol plant under construction in Pennsylvania opened its doors to state officials and members of the media this week. Construction of the BioEnergy International plant in Clearfield is set to be complete late next year and once online it will produce 100 million gallons of ethanol annually.

Finally, a Missouri state appeals court upheld a judge’s ruling in favor of a company with plans to build an ethanol plant in southern Webster County. The Appeals Court ruling agreed that a group claiming that construction of the plant by Gulfstream Bioflex Energy (GBE) would reduce groundwater supplies in the region and harm property values failed to prove their case. However, it is not yet known whether GBE will continue on with the project which has been delayed more than two years by legal challenges.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Making Biodiesel and Feed on the Farm

John Davis

One of the big knocks against biodiesel (and other renewable fuels made from grains) is that production of the green fuel takes away from feed for livestock (and for people). Well, a college in Canada is trying to break that image that livestock producers and biodiesel producers can’t work together.

This story from Biodiesel Magazine says the Centre for Agricultural Renewable Energy and Sustainability at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus in Guelph, Ontario, is building a model farm-scale oilseed processing and biodiesel production plant on campus to show how soybean and pork producers can work together to produce biodiesel and feed hogs:

The project is being funded through a CAN$938,000 (US$734,000) grant from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food program, part of Ontario’s Agricultural Adaptation Council.

According to Art Schaafsma, director of the Ridgetown Campus, the facility will help researchers to understand the correct scale for an on-farm biodiesel operation, including how many acres of oilseed crops would be needed to supply feedstocks for biodiesel production and how many hogs would be needed to consume the resulting meal…

Schaafsma said researchers ultimately want to know how much farmers might gain by crushing oilseeds, and making meal and biodiesel on the farm instead of transporting the oilseeds to be sold elsewhere, or purchasing meal and biodiesel elsewhere and transporting it to the farm. Furthermore, the farm-scale, closed-loop model of farming has its detractors. “It doesn’t garner a lot of favor with the folks that argue that you have to have huge scale to be profitable,” he said. “We’re somewhat going against the stream on this.

The article goes on to say that even the glycerin from the biodiesel production could be used for heat or electricity. Since it is being set up by a college, it will be used to teach students as they help run the facility.

Biodiesel

KFC Turning Waste Oil Into Biodiesel

John Davis

They’re back to calling it Kentucky Fried Chicken, and frying is certainly key to the tasty delight with those magical herbs and spices. And now that leftover waste oil from the thousands of fryers in the thousands of KFC’s around the world… about 500 gallons each month per restaurant… could be turned into biodiesel.

This story from the Louisville, Kentucky Courier-Journal says Louisville’s Yum! Brands… the world’s largest restaurant company which also owns Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Long John Silver’s and A&W… is putting out a report detailing the company’s green eforts, including the biodiesel ventures:

The vegetable oil idea is still being explored for KFC’s 5,300 restaurants in the United States, and company spokesman Jonathan Blum said yesterday that the campaign likely would be tested first — possibly in Kentucky — before being expanded market by market. In some regions of the country, he said it might not make sense to convert waste oil, especially if a partner couldn’t be found nearby.

KFC produces the most waste oil of Yum’s chains, but Blum said Taco Bell also could be a candidate for the program.

The story goes on to say that Yum is building its first “green” restaurant… a KFC-Taco Bell… in Northampton, Mass., that uses solar energy , recycled building materials and evens harvests rainwater to use for irrigation.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Conference to Feature Rock Icon Etheridge

John Davis

As if you didn’t have enough reason to go to the 2009 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Feb. 1-4 in San Francisco, CA, there’s something for music AND biodiesel lovers.

This NBB release says Grammy- and Oscar-winning rock icon Melissa Etheridge will offer her sweet, strong voice to help raise awareness about biodiesel… a green fuel that has been inspiring her for the last three years:

Etheridge said she first began using biodiesel in her tour vehicles in 2005, and liked it so much that she sold her personal cars to buy a diesel SUV.

“We call it the Bio-Beast,” Etheridge laughs. “I live in Los Angeles, so I have to drive all the time. The feeling that I’m not using any fossil fuels just thrills me to no end.”

Etheridge is known for such original songs as “Bring Me Some Water” and “Come to My Window,” which brought Etheridge her second Grammy® Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1995.

“Biodiesel inspires me and I believe it will inspire others, especially once they get that you don’t have to make any changes to the engine to use it,” Etheridge said. “I think America is going to come back as an energy leader through renewable, sustainable fuels like biodiesel.”

So, besides the great sessions that give you valuable information about the state and future of biodiesel, the conference will offer you some great networking opportunities with a focus on sustainability in just about every session. And now with Melissa Etheridge, you’ll also get some world-class entertainment.

For more information and registration, visit the conference web site: www.biodieselconference.org.

Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference

Downstream of Mighty Mo Could Become Power Generator

John Davis

A downstream portion of the Missouri River could join the upper part of the river in becoming a major power generator in this country.

This story from the Columbia (MO) Daily Tribune says a Massachusetts-based company is hoping to harness the hydrokinetic energy the river produces… without the massive dams seen in the Dakotas and Montana:

Free Flow Power Corp. wants to plant thousands of small turbines underwater and use the rotation of turbine blades to produce clean energy. It has requested preliminary permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study 25 regions of the river for the feasibility of generating electricity.

Nationwide, the company has requested permits to study more than 100 spots along the Missouri, Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

The river segment nearest Columbia, a stretch of about 10.5 miles, is proposed as the site of as many as 6,300 Free Flow turbines that could generate enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes.

Additional sites along the Missouri River could be home to hundreds of more turbines.

Regulatory challenges and characteristics of the river could be the biggest hurdles the company would have to clear to make the project a reality. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers… among others… would have to sign off on the project. And there’s lots of debris in the river that could damage the turbines, and, of course, ice in the winter could do some real damage unless the blades are far enough under water… a tough proposition in a river known for varying depths. But the upside is one turbine could replace 147 tons of coal a year.

Miscellaneous

Biomass to Fuel CT Power Plant

John Davis

Biomass will be the fuel of choice for nearly half of the energy produced by a Connecticut power plant.

This story from Biofuel Review says NRG Energy’s Montville Generating Station in Connecticut is developing a a new biomass project that will produce 30 MW of the unit’s 82 MW generating capacity:

According to John Ragan, President of NRG’s Northeast Region; “Montville marks NRG’s fourth RepoweringNRG project in Connecticut. We are committed to developing new and environmentally responsible power generation, and to helping the state meet its increasing demand for cleaner alternative energy sources.”

“Using biomass, together with fossil fuels, in our existing fleet is one of the quickest and most efficient ways to reduce carbon intensity. When this biomass project comes online, it will be another step in helping Connecticut reach its goal of creating 20 percent Class 1 renewable power generation by 2020,”said Michael Liebelson, Chief Development Officer–Low-Carbon Technology, NRG Energy. “In addition to providing clean, renewable energy to Connecticut residents, we are obtaining the biomass from nearby foresters and saw mills, which will provide economic benefits to the region.”

biomass

NJ Gets First Commercial Biodiesel Pump

John Davis

New Jersey has its first retail biodiesel pump. Located in Maplewood, NJ, it’s operated by Woolley Fuel Company, and Sprague Energy Corp. is providing the biodiesel.

The move gained the praise of the National Biodiesel Board:

“While a number of fleets in New Jersey, including the Department of Transportation, have used biodiesel blends for many years, this pump opening marks the first time biodiesel will be sold directly to consumers in the state,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “We commend Woolley Fuel and Sprague Energy for their leadership in making this retail pump a reality and fully expect it to be well-received by the community.”

In October 2008, New Jersey’s Medford Township School District celebrated ten years of using B20, a 20 percent blend of biodiesel, in school buses. The retail pump will sell B5, a 5 percent blend of biodiesel. The company has plans to increase the blend to B20. Nationwide, there are more than 1,200 retail pumps selling biodiesel.

The two companies in this venture have a combined more than 220 years in the energy business. Woolley has been supplying Maplewood homeowners with coal, ice and wood since 1924. Sprague Energy, around since 1870, was the first petroleum company to become a BQ-9000 Marketer of biodiesel.

Biodiesel

Automakers Submit Loan Plans-Reaffirm Commitment to FFVs

Reported from the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, the Detroit 3 automakers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors) submitted plans to the Congress which seek bridge loan funds in order to sustain business operations during a period of unprecedented decline in demand for new motor vehicles. As part of each of their business plans, the Detroit 3 restated their previous commitments to the production of 50% of their fleet as Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) by 2012. The following statements are part of the plans submitted to the Congress.

Ford Motor Company Business Plan (complete plan can be found here): Support bio-fuels such as ethanol as an important long term solution to our energy needs, especially as second generation fuels become available. Ford has committed to doubling the production of flexible fuel vehicles by 2010 and to producing 50% of our products capable of running on E85 by 2012. In addition, we are operating demonstration fleets of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles capable of running on E85.

General Motors Restructuring Plan for Long-Term Viability (complete plan can be found here): The Plan includes further increases in flex-fuel and hybrid-equipped vehicles. In 2012, over 50% of GM‘s new vehicle sales will be flex-fuel capable.

Chrysler’s Plan for Short-Term and Long-Term Viability (complete plan can be found here): The company has more than 1.7 million Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFV) on the road capable of running on 85% ethanol and is on target to meet our commitment of 50% of our fleet being flex fuel capable by 2012.

Car Makers, E85, Ethanol, News

Iogen Provides Cellulosic Ethanol for Race

Cindy Zimmerman

IogenFor the second year in a row, Iogen Corporation of Canada fueled Green Alternative Motorsports’ (GAM) high performance race vehicle with cellulosic ethanol for the 25 Hours of Thunderhill endurance race in Willows, California.

Iogen manufactured and provided 300 gallons of cellulosic ethanol for the GAM LeMans Prototype (LMP3) car #87 for the 25 hour race in which the car finished fourth in a field of 68.

Iogen CarGAM team member and driver Steve Zadig says, “For two years in a row, Iogen has been the only firm actively producing cellulosic ethanol and able to reach into its inventory to provide us with the volume we need – enabling us to ‘go green’ again.”

Formed in 2007, Green Alternative Motorsports developed two LMP3 cars for competition in endurance auto racing, specifically to run on cellulosic ethanol. Last year, GAM ran two vehicles in the field and Iogen provided the required 800 gallons of cellulosic ethanol. One of last year’s cars had the fastest overall lap time, while the other finished second out of a field of 70 vehicles.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Racing

ACORE Forum Urges New Ethanol Policies

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) held a two day forum on Capitol Hill last week with hundreds of renewable energy executives, financial experts, and policy makers who remain optimistic about the industry’s future.

ACOREThe 2008 Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum featured Policy recommendations on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable development, the environment and green jobs.

“There has never been a more opportune time to instill the philosophies of Phase II into federal policy,” said Michael Eckhart, President of ACORE. “There is a pressing need for policy stability so that companies have a reasoned basis for making long-term investments in factories and the financial community has confidence making investments in new projects.”

Among those who spoke was POET CEO Jeff Broin, who says the government needs to act within the next six months to increase the amount of ethanol that can be added to gasoline.

Broin warns that the ethanol industry will run into the so-called “blend wall” at 12.5 billion gallons because of the Environmental Protection Agency’s 10 percent ethanol blend limit.

Another speaker, former Senator Tom Daschle, spoke about the progress on biofuels noting that the United States must continue to turn to biofuels and next generation ethanol to reduce our dependence on oil.

Ethanol, News, POET