Major U.S. pipeline company Colonial Pipeline is using geographic information system (GIS) technology to study the feasibility of shipping ethanol by pipeline.
According to a press release from ESRI, a mapping and software company, Colonial is using GIS to find the best ways to get ethanol from the production areas of the Midwest to pipelines and terminals and retail gas stations on the coasts.
Working with GIS technology, Colonial has been able to build business models for shipping ethanol via pipelines. Within the business model, Colonial can weigh the costs associated with various railroads, the production capacity for each ethanol plant, and the various transit times from producer to pipeline. Colonial engineers map and model possible scenarios of transporting ethanol from producer to train, barge, or truck and pipelines and terminals, then back to trucks. Concurrently, the company can analyze population data within the GIS to determine where the greatest demand for ethanol exists.
As some folks call for more offshore drilling of non-renewable petroleum, a place known for its beautiful beaches is looking to biodiesel as an alternative to drilling platforms breaking up that breath-taking views.
The world’s leading producer of camelina… a non-food oilseed… is teaming up with the University of North Dakota to produce biodiesel jet fuel from the grain.
Here at Davis Debate Central once again tonight… OK, so it’s just my couch as I blog with my laptop on my lap and watch the Vice Presidential debate… as Democrat Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Gov. Sarah Palin duke it out.
POET became the largest producer of ethanol in Ohio this week with the grand opening ceremony for their second ethanol production facility in Fostoria. POET Biorefining – Fostoria is POET’s 25th ethanol plant.
“It is always an exciting day when we can open another facility such as this that helps expand the ethanol industry,” said Ryan Hunter-Reay. “The industry has made great strides in the last few years and I am proud to be associated with it.”
Not only is the fuel they sell green, but a new biodiesel and ethanol station near Lake Tahoe, Nevada will be good for the environment as well.
The fueling station is unique in that it has applied for LEED silver certification, a prestigious green building designation. Features include outdoor lighting that uses LED bulb technology, which reduces energy consumption up to 70 percent and reduces light pollution in the night sky. Solar tubes were installed in the restrooms to eliminate the need for daytime lighting along with flush toilets that reduce the amount of water consumed per use. Furnishings include cabinets made of fast-growing bamboo plywood and recycled countertops.
“My administration will reduce the price of food by eliminating the subsidies for ethanol and agricultural goods,” McCain told an invitation-only group at the Harry Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. “These subsidies inflate the price of food, not only for Americans but for people in poverty across the world, and I propose to abolish them.”
A hot rod built to run on hydrogen is expanding its horizons to run on another green fuel… ethanol.
The nation’s first intrastate public offering for the development of a wind project has had a successful completion… just four months after it was made available to the public.
“Growing Innovation – America’s Energy Future Starts at Home” is the theme for the 
Registration is now underway for the event which promises to be bigger and better than ever in the big state of Texas with over 2500 attendees expected.