Ike Idles US’s Biggest Biodiesel Refinery

John Davis

The nation’s largest biodiesel refinery, the GreenHunter Energy Renewable Fuels Campus in Houston that is capable of cranking out 105 million gallons of biodiesel a year, will be shut down for the next six to eight weeks because of the damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

This information from the company’s web site has details:

Structural losses at the facility include damages to offices, piping between some reagent tanks, some small and intermediate tank foundations, two bulk storage tanks – one vegetable oil feedstock tank and one methanol tank. The vegetable oil tank contained edible canola oil and the facility released some canola oil off-site due to high water. The release of canola oil to the environment was estimated at less than 50 barrels. In response to the release of the vegetable oils into the environment, the Company promptly notified all appropriate local, state, and federal agencies, as well as the Company’s third-party oil spill response organization.

GreenHunter Energy’s Renewable Fuels Campus is currently without power or utility service, and will likely be out of operations for six to eight weeks. This estimate includes the expected timeframe in which the Company’s local utility in Houston, Center Point Energy, is able to restore electricity and natural gas service to the location. In the short term, temporary interruptible power will be provided by diesel and gasoline-powered generators with 600 kW and 5 kW capacities, respectively. Over the weekend, the Company was able to procure from the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, these generators which previously had been shipped there as backup power supply in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.

The good news: company officials say the damage to major process equipment is minimal. Something else to keep in mind is that since there are biodiesel refineries all over the country… and more opening every day… it’s not like the petroleum industry that has most of its eggs in one, hurricane-prone, no-new-refinery-in-more-than-35-years basket.

Biodiesel

GM Officially Unveils Electric Car

John Davis

While pictures of it might have leaked out last week (and whether that was an accident or not was the subject of my Sept. 9, 2008 post), officials at General Motors officially unveiled their new Chevrolet Volt… touted in this press release as “a vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, with the extended-range capability of hundreds of additional miles.”:

“Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century,” said Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO. “The Volt is symbolic of GM’s strong commitment to the future … just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges.”

The Chevrolet Volt is leading a new era of electrification of the automobile by creating a new class of vehicle known as the Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, or E-REV.

The Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 40 miles, the Volt is powered only by electricity stored in its 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery. When the battery’s energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the Volt’s electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range of the Volt for several hundred additional miles, until the vehicle’s battery can be charged. Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Volt eliminates “range anxiety,” giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.

GM officials say the Volt will cost about 2 cents per mile to run.

Car Makers

Wisconsin Celebrates E85 in Beaver Dam

The United Cooperative Cenex Convenience Store at N7160 Raceway Road in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, is giving away free gift cards this Saturday with qualified purchases of E85 fuel. This is part of a statewide celebration recognizing ethanol’s contribution to the state’s economy and improved air quality.

During the Beaver Dam event, the first 85 Flex Fuel Vehicle owners who purchase 8.5 gallons or more of E85 between 10 a.m. and noon at the Cenex Store on September 20 will receive a $20 Cenex gift card. The card is courtesy of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association. This is the latest in a series of events celebrating E85 and marking the 100th anniversary of the American Lung Association of the upper Midwest.

“E85 fuel is recognized as a Clean Air Choice by the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, so it is very appropriate that we celebrate our organization’s anniversary – and 100 years of better breathing – at the same time the state is marking its 100th E85 fueling station,” says Dona Wininsky, Director of Public Policy and Communications, for the Lung Association. “Using E85 can reduce ozone-forming pollutants by 20 percent and evaporative emissions by 25 percent or more. A typical flex-fuel driver can prevent as much as four tons of lifecycle CO2 and other pollutants from entering our air every year simply by fueling with E85 instead of gasoline. That helps make the air cleaner and better for everyone to breathe, which is the heart of our mission.”

Currently, there are 116 E85 fueling outlets in the state of Wisconsin.

corn, E85, Ethanol, Facilities, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News, Promotion

Alt-fueled Cars Get Sales Tax Break in Washington

John Davis

New car buyers in the state of Washington are going to get a break on their sales taxes when they buy some vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

This story from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says it’s expected to save them $18.6 million over the next couple of years and is designed to get people to trade in their old gas guzzlers (although, high gas prices ought to be enough incentive, right?):

The tax break, which takes effect Jan. 1, applies only to new vehicles. It also only covers cars and trucks getting at least 40 highway mpg, which includes the Prius and hybrid Honda Civic, but not the Toyota Camry or hybrid SUVs.

“What this law does is it helps people save some money to get them to choose a car that’s more fuel efficient — and that’s a good thing,” said Don Fahnestock, an owner of The Green Car Co., a Bellevue business that sells extra fuel-efficient vehicles.

The tax break (9.3 percent in the Seattle area) covers vehicles that run on natural gas, propane and hydrogen, as well as “neighborhood electric vehicles” or “medium speed vehicles” (street legal, but can’t go faster than 35 mph).

The incentive is for all vehicles purchased in and out of state between Jan. 1, 2009 and Dec. 31, 2010. Washington residents can take still buy a car before the end of this year to get the sales tax exemption. They just have to wait to register and title their vehicles until after the first of the year.

Government, Hydrogen, Propane

Biodiesel Bus Coming to ISU

John Davis

Last week, I told you how a group of students at Washington State University had formed a biodiesel club to make their own green fuel to run a bus around campus. Well, it must either be the high cost of tuition or the realization that regular gas is just too much of a drain on the wallet (most likely, both), sprinkled in with some environmental consciousness, because there’s another school looking at a similar program.

This story in the Des Moines (IA) Register says students at Iowa State University in Ames have formed the ISU BioBus organization to turn reclaimed vegetable oil into biodiesel to fuel a bus on campus:

ISU Biobus President David Correll, a graduate student in economics, said the idea came late last spring.

About 15 students in the group brainstormed converting waste oil into biodiesel themselves using a simple chemical process.

Member Joe Fuller, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, said the students are still deciding on whether to produce the biodiesel themselves or outsource the process…

The students estimate the bus runs on approximately 25 gallons of fuel per day. Because they don’t plan on replacing all the fuel, they estimate they would make about 55 gallons of biodiesel every week.

The students had wanted to use waste cooking grease from the campus dining facility, but Dining Services has other plans for that waste (hmmm… wanna bet someone else is buying that to make biodiesel?). So, the students will probably have to look to the many fast-food places typical of the college town… not a problem in my opinion.

Biodiesel

Hydrogen Car Gets Real-World Test at EPA

John Davis

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is practicing what it preaches as the agency in charge of keeping America clean is testing a hydrogen fuel cell car that is part of its green fleet of vehicles.

This press release from the EPA says the Chevy Equinox Fuel Cell Car is the latest in American technology:

“EPA is turning the key on an engine of change, by turning fleet emissions from CO2 to H2O,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “EPA supports new technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells that are good for our environment and good for our economy.”

The vehicle, the forth generation Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell, is an electric car enabled by General Motors’ advanced fuel cell propulsion system and is tested and engineered for 50,000 miles of driving life. With hydrogen as its only fuel, this vehicle emits no greenhouse gases and serves as an alternative to traditional, petroleum-dependent vehicles that emit carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and other air pollutants. Featuring the latest advancements in fuel cell technology, the vehicle can travel up to 150 miles per fill-up, and is expected to meet all applicable 2008 federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The project has been made possible through cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy in the form of a grant from the DOE to pay for a six-month lease on the vehicle.

Hydrogen

Wal-Mart Donation to Fund Ethanol Research

Cindy Zimmerman

Ark State Walmart DonationWal-Mart Foundation recently donated $369,000 to the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at Arkansas State University to help fund biomass to ethanol research.

According to a university news release, the donation will be used to meet the cost share requirement for a U.S. Department of Energy grant awarded to the university. The Arkansas Biosciences Institute is researching the commercialization of biobased product development built upon the state’s agriculture and forestry resources. The Wal-Mart grant will support research focused on making ethanol from plant stalks and leaves, agricultural residues and forestry residues.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Research

Discounted E85 in Jackson and Danube, MN

E85 will sell for a discounted rate at two fueling sites in the state of Minnesota on September 18. These are two of 357 facilities in the state.

Cenex-212 1-Stop at 101 East Highway 212 in Danube, Minnesota will offer E85 for 85 cents off per gallon from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Other in-store specials will also be offered during this time. Supporters for this event include: Renville County Corn & Soybean Growers, MN Corn Growers Assoc., General Motors Corp., National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, US Dept of Energy Clean Cities, American Lung Assoc. of MN and The Minnesota Clean Air Choice Team.

To celebrate the FCA 100th anniversary, E85 and B2 will be offered at a special rate at FCA Co-op Cenex at 113 County Road 23 in Jackson. E85 will sell for 85 cents off per gallon and B2 will be offered for 20 cents off per gallon from 3 to 6 p.m. Supporters for this biofuels promotion are: Jackson County Corn & Soybean Growers, Chamberlain Oil Co., MN Corn Growers Assoc., General Motors Corp., National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, US Dept of Energy Clean Cities, American Lung Assoc. of MN and The Minnesota Clean Air Choice Team.

Biodiesel, corn, E85, Ethanol

USDA Crop Forecast and Ethanol Demand

Cindy Zimmerman

USDAThe latest crop production forecast out Friday from the U.S. Department of Agriculture slightly lowered the production estimate of the 2008 corn crop from 12.288 billion to 12.072 billion bushels, which would still be the second highest on record.

“We were expecting to see the numbers decrease a little, but we remain optimistic about this year’s crop,” said National Corn Growers Association President Ron Litterer of Greene, Iowa. “After such a bumper crop in 2007, we were faced with a number of challenges as the 2008 season began. Our nation’s corn growers have done a terrific job dealing with colder spring temperatures and Midwest flooding, and we salute them for their hard work.”

RFARenewable Fuels Association (RFA) President Bob Dinneen agrees that farmers are delivering an excellent crop despite unprecedented challenges. “All indications continue to point toward a remarkable harvest this fall and further evidence of American farmers’ capacity to continue feeding the world and helping to fuel this nation,” Dinneen said.

In the new World Supply and Demand forecast, feed and residual use for corn was lowered by 100 million bushels compared to the August report, to 5.1 billion bushels. Ending stocks were also be lowered, by 115 million bushels, to 1.018 billion bushels. However, the estimate for ethanol use of corn is unchanged at 4.1 billion bushels.

RFA believes that USDA may be overstating gross demand for corn for 2008/2009. According to RFA, Based on USDA’s calculations, American ethanol biorefineries will produce approximately 11.3 billion gallons of ethanol between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 (the corn crop marketing year). Given current ethanol market dynamics and the requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard (which calls for 10.5 billion gallons of starch-based “conventional” ethanol use in calendar year 2009), it is unlikely that ethanol production will reach the levels estimated by USDA in that time frame.

RFA also points out that the USDA estimate of gross usage of corn for ethanol does not take into account the fact that one third of every bushel processed returns to the feed market in the form of distillers grains.

corn, Ethanol, Government, News, RFA

POET Opens Third Indiana Ethanol Plant

Cindy Zimmerman

POET opening VanguardEthanol-powered planes flew in formation in the blue Hoosier sky Thursday to mark the opening of Indiana’s newest ethanol plant in North Manchester.

POET hosted a grand opening event for POET Biorefining – North Manchester, the company’s 24th production facility and the third in Indiana.

POET opening Mitch Daniels“With its third Indiana facility, POET is quickly becoming a household name in our small towns,” said Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. “This new North Manchester facility means more good jobs and an important market for our Hoosier farmers.”

Jeff Broin, CEO of POET, said. “The ethanol that will be produced in this facility will displace over 60 million gallons of fossil fuels annually – decreasing our dependence on foreign oil and saving consumers money at the pump.”

POET Biorefining – North Manchester will utilize 22 million bushels of corn from the area to produce 65 million gallons of ethanol and 178,000 tons of Dakota Gold Enhanced Nutrition Distillers Products™ per year.

Ethanol, Facilities, News