Oilman Makes Major Wind Investment

John Davis

A man entrenched in the oil business is looking to the wind for the future.

This story from Engadget.com says billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens is investing $2 billion in a 667 turbine wind farm in Texas:

That would translate to roughly 1,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power about 300,000 homes, but Pickens says that is only the start of what he has in mind. As he tells CNN, Pickens says he plans to expand the wind farm to a full 4,000 megawatts by 2015, which would likely make it the biggest wind farm in the world. What’s more, in addition to pumping out electricity, the wind turbines would give a boost to the pocketbooks of anyone willing to put ’em on their property, with Pickens estimating that each turbine will generate about $20,000 a year in royalty income, although they apparently won’t get electricity straight from the turbine in their backyard.

Wind

Challenge X Approaches D.C.

John Davis

Teams participating in Challenge X, a multi-year engineering competition with 17 university teams from across North America developing GM vehicles, is getting ready to pull into the nation’s capital.

They’ll be finishing up a 400-mile road rally from New Jersey to Washington, D.C. with the finish line at U.S. Department of Energy Headquarters tomorrow (Wednesday, May 21st).

This YouTube video has some more information:

To see a little bit more about what Challenge X is all about, check out this from the competition’s web site:

Since 1987, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sponsored more than two dozen competitions challenging thousands of engineering students to achieve better fuel economy and lower emissions while maintaining the safety, performance, utility, and consumer appeal of a variety of vehicles.

Now, General Motors Corporation (GM), DOE, and other government and industry leaders have developed a new competition called Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility. This ground-breaking, three-year competition will give engineering schools an opportunity to participate in hands-on research and development with leading-edge automotive propulsion, fuels, materials, and emissions-control technologies.

Car Makers, Miscellaneous

Driver Justin Wilson Says Ethanol Makes IndyCars Go Fast

John Davis

Joanna Schroeder Newbie IndyCar Driver Justin Wilson (pictured 2nd from left) says race car drivers want to go as fast as technology will let them. He says ethanol helps IndyCars do just that. Justin is referring to the smaller tank size and the improved torque when burning 100 percent ethanol fuel. When the IndyCars operated on methanol just a few years ago, the gas tanks held 34 gallons. But now, drivers see the same kind of mileage while burning just 22 gallons of ethanol. Justin says that amounts to extra performance and higher speeds.

Justin began driving in the Indy Racing League this year when Indy and the Champ Car World Series merged in February. He pilots the No. 2 McDonald’s car for Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing.

I spoke with Justin at today’s pump promotion sponsored by EPIC and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. You can listen to Graham talk about his experience with driving on ethanol here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/wilson-justin-pump.mp3]


2008 Indy 500 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Promotion, Racing

National Wind Building Major Nebraska Project

John Davis

Wind power builder National Wind Assessments is putting up a major project in Nebraska.

This company press release says National Wind will put in 10, 60-meter meteorological (met) towers for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), which serves about one million customers in the state:

Nebraska ranks sixth in the country in wind power potential, but currently ranks 19th in installed capacity, with just 73 MW of existing projects. As the primary owner and developer of a 60 MW wind energy facility in Ainsworth, NPPD has led the charge for wind power development in Nebraska.

Meteorological towers are becoming a crucial component of every wind development project. Typically a minimum of one year, on-site wind data is needed to effectively site a wind farm.

“We are pleased to provide our wind assessment services to Nebraska’s leading utility company,” says Kevin Romuld, President of National Wind Assessments. “We are excited NPPD chose us to help capture Nebraska’s wind resources and we look forward to working with them on this project,” says Romuld. “I think being chosen as part of the RFP process, validates National Wind Assessment’s expertise and efficiency in met tower installation and wind resource analysis.”

The towers will be installed in two phases with the first one to begin this month.

Wind

Hythane Gains in Popularity

John Davis

,A new fuel made by mixing natural gas and hydrogen is gaining in popularity. Eden Energy owns the technology to “Hythane” purported to reduce greenhouse gases and particulates that affect air quality.

In a company press release, Eden Energy says Hythane® was developed to help make a practical and affordable transition from petroleum-based fuel to hydrogen:

“Like Xerox, Hythane has entered the language to describe both our original product and all the others following in its footsteps,” said Greg Solomon, CEO, Eden Energy Ltd. “What remains unique about Hythane® is our optimized blend hits a ‘sweet spot’ with hydrogen that results in a 95% reduction in emissions compared to petroleum diesel. Even compared to cleaner natural-gas powered vehicles, Hythane reduces harmful nitrogen oxides by half.”

New projects using Hythane® and Hythane derivatives in truck and bus fleets are being reviewed for funding in many U.S .cities such as New York, Syracuse, Albany, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, Barstow, Santa Monica, and Sacramento. National programs are also underway in India and China.

Eden Energy officials add that their company has been tapped to put in the first public hydrogen fueling station in New Delhi, India. That country wants 20 percent of all the vehicles in the country to run on hydrogen by 2020.

Hydrogen, Miscellaneous

Graham Rahal Says Ethanol is Sweet…

John Davis

Hank FM interviews Dallara No. 06 IndyCar driver Graham Rahal…sweet-smelling that is. Graham Rahal, driver of the No. 06 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Dallara was one of three IndyCar drivers at the Crystal Flash pump promotion in Carmel, IN this afternoon. The Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council sponsored the event.

This is Graham’s first season racing with an engine that runs on 100 percent ethanol fuel. The switch to an ethanol-fueled car also proved to be rather sweet for the 19-year-old Indy competitor. Graham won his first ever Indy race in St. Petersburg, becoming the youngest driver to win a major motorsports victory. Graham snagged the 13th pole position for his biggest race to date, the Indy 500.

I managed to snag some face time with Graham in between radio spots and autograph requests during today’s pump promotion. You can listen to Graham talk about his experience with driving on ethanol here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/rahal-graham-pump.mp3]


2008 Indy 500 Photo Album

Audio, EPIC, Ethanol, Indy Racing, News, Promotion, Racing

Hunter-Reay Says Ethanol Pump Promos Fight Negative Propoganda

John Davis

Ryan Hunter-Reay autographs a replica of the Team Ethanol No. 7 IndyCar for a race fanTeam Ethanol Driver Ryan Hunter-Reay says pump promotions help emphasize what ethanol is all about: giving consumers a break at the pump as fuel prices continue to spike. Ryan drives the No. 17 Rahal-Letterman Racing IndyCar in the Indy Racing League and he and two other IndyCar drivers were out at the pumps in Carmel, IN today educating consumers on a fuel that’s become the focal point of controversy.

The Indianapolis Star featured a cover story about the recent spotlight on ethanol, fuel prices and food prices. The local newspaper quoted Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller saying Congress’ proposed reduction or even end to federal ethanol subsidies “would be a major blow” for his state.

And that’s what Ryan wants to point out: that ethanol would be a considerable blow for consumers too… in every state. Ryan says, in some cases, ethanol helps keep gas prices down by as much as $0.50 a gallon. He says consumers have many questions about ethanol and its negative propaganda, wondering what’s true and what’s false. That’s where pump promotions help. Ryan says filling up on E10 or E85 helps open consumers’ eyes and gives them an opportunity to ask both ethanol experts and IndyCar drivers questions. “It’s worked for the IndyCar Series at 240 miles per hour, it can work for these folks driving at 35,” Ryan said.

I spoke with Ryan about how pump promotions are still a relevant tool in getting out the facts about ethanol. You can listen to my interview with Ryan here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/hunter-reay-ryan-pump.mp3]


2008 Indy 500 Photo Album

Audio, E85, EPIC, Ethanol, Food prices, Indy Racing, News, Promotion, Racing

Consumers Save Nearly a Dollar Per Gallon on E10 Ethanol Fuel

John Davis

2008 EPIC and Indiana Corn Marketing Council ethanol pump promotion at Crystal FlashIt was a record-breaking event for the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council. It was also record-breaking for the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. Consumers pumped just under 3,600 gallons of ethanol-blended fuel at the Crystal Flash pump promotion this afternoon. Customers were able to fill up on an E10 blend for $2.97 and E85 for just $1.85. Minutes before the promotion started at 4 p.m. E10 was going for $3.84 while E85 was going for $3.29.

EPIC has been hosting pump promotions for three years. The Indiana Corn Marketing Council has worked with EPIC at Indianapolis metro area pump promotions for two. Both organizations agree that the events are a great way to promote ethanol while also highlighting the prestigious Indy 500 race, which is scheduled for this weekend. The Indy Racing League made ethanol the official fuel of its series when it switched to burning 100 percent ethanol fuel in its Indy race cars last year.

EPIC and Indiana Corn had expanded their ethanol pump promotion program this year, offering discounted fuel on three separate occasions this month. This third and final promotion during race week set records for both organizations. IndyCar drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay, Graham Rahal and Jim Wilson greeted ethanol consumers with smiles, autographs and a rare opportunity for face time with IRL stars. Customers also got to check out a life-size Team Ethanol IndyCar replica and a 2008 Corvette Indy parade car. One lucky Hank FM listener will win a 2-year lease for the corvette during a special giveaway at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway tomorrow morning.

I’ll have interviews with the drivers, the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and Crystal Flash posted shortly.


2008 Indy 500 Photo Album

E85, EPIC, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Indy Racing, News, Promotion, Racing

Author to Keynote Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman

2008 Fuel Ethanol WorkshopThe author of “Energy Victory: Winning the War on Terror by Breaking Free of Oil” will be the keynote speaker at the 2008 Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Nashville next month.

Robert ZubrinIn his book, Dr. Robert Zubrin shows how we could be using fuel dollars that are now being sent to countries with ties to terrorism to help farmers here and abroad. As the FEW keynote speaker, Zubrin will offer his vision of how switching to alcohol fuels could help safeguard homeland security and provide solutions for global warming and Third World development.

FEW 2008 will be held June 16-19 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. The international event features speakers, workshops and an industry trade show with more than 800 exhibitors. Last year’s FEW attracted over 5,000 attendees.

conferences, Ethanol, News

Hoosier Ethanol Opinions

Cindy Zimmerman

Hoosier ethanol interviewThis week is the biggest week of the year for Hoosiers in Indianapolis with the 92nd Indy 500 coming up and since it is also the second year that the race will be running on 100 percent fuel grade ethanol, it’s a big week for the corn and ethanol industries in the state.

The Indiana Corn Marketing Council has been gearing up for the race with various ethanol promotions, including special discount fuel events at local fuel stations and a drawing to win a pace car Corvette. “But the real focus of this campaign is to educate the consumer about ethanol,” according to Mark Walters with the council. “What we are finding is that many consumers in Indiana are still on the fence about ethanol. They think its a good thing but they don’t know all the facts.”

Hoosier Ag TodayIndiana’s Hoosier Ag Today (HAT) radio network decided to find out just what consumers do know about ethanol by interviewing motorists at a recent ethanol pump promotion. Farm broadcaster Gary Truitt says he found that there is definitely a need for ethanol education.

“Our consumer sampling seemed to support Walter’s assertion that most Hoosier motorists still have an open mind about ethanol,” said Truitt.

Among the comments Truitt heard is that ethanol is a good idea and that anything that helps reduce our energy consumption is wonderful.

Listen to Truitt’s report here or read more on the HAT website.
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/audio/hoosier-ethanol.mp3]

Ethanol, Indy Racing, News