Georgia Innovations Focus on Bioenergy

Cindy Zimmerman

Georgia’s Agriculture Innovation Center (AgIC) recently received nearly $200,000 for matching research grants to help support six agricultural-based businesses. Five of those six are focused on bioenergy.

GeorgiaBill Boone, director of the AgIC, says the focus on bioenergy is not surprising. “Georgia is among the leaders in the bioenergy revolution. In order to stay in the forefront, we must continue to expand our bioenergy research, especially in the areas of alternative feedstocks.”

Companies receiving the grants include Alterra Bioenergy, a biodiesel manufacturer headquartered in Macon which is researching the dry land weed, camelina as an alternative biodiesel feedstock.
Also researching an alternative biofuel feedstock is AgStrong, a small, family-owned agricultural engineering firm in Watkinsville.

US Ethanol, a company that currently uses the waste sugars from recycled cola products to commercially produce ethanol in its Cordele plant, wants to expand its feedstocks by using waste sugars from Florida and Louisiana sugar plants.

Fram Renewable Fuels, headquartered in Savannah, is studying the use of wood pellets to heat poultry houses.

Finally, Synergy Parametrics, an Athens-based engineering firm, will use the grant to identify a more efficient fermentation process for cellulosic ethanol while simultaneously reducing the amount of acetic acid from the process.

Listen to an interview with Bill Boone by Randall Weiseman of Southeast AgNet: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/audio/GAIC-Boone.mp3]

Audio, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol, News

POET Plant Increases Capacity

Cindy Zimmerman

POETPOET Biorefining – Chancellor started producing ethanol last week at its expanded capacity of 100 million gallons per year.

The company reports that it took the South Dakota-based plant less than 24 hours to achieve its new nameplate capacity. The $100 million construction project started 12 months ago and doubled the plant’s production capacity. With the expansion completed, the annual production capacity of POET’s 22 ethanol plants is 1.25 billion gallons per year.

Construction continues at the plant on a solid waste fuel boiler, which will burn waste wood to produce more than half of the expanded plant’s power needs Waste wood from pallets, construction sites and area landfills will be the primary fuel source for the solid waste fuel boiler.

POET Biorefining – Chancellor started operations in March, 2003.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Biodiesel from Tropical Paradise

John Davis

Abundant Biofuels CorporationAmericans might soon be fueling up with biodiesel from the Phillipines. Abundant Biofuels Corporation has received the green light for developing 300 million gallons of biodiesel fuel from the island of Mindanao each year.

The Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong has reached agreement with Monterey, CA-based Abundant Biofuels Corporation to develop more than 1.2 million acres of ancestral domain for production of biodiesel from Jatropha curcas in underused Lumad lands on the island of Mindanao.

Dr. Rene Q. Lacsina, president of Abundant Biofuels Philippines, Inc. and an agronomist-scientist, sees this jatropha or tubatuba global venture as a golden opportunity for indigenous Filipinos to show the rest of the nation ” … the way to be productive citizens contributing to genuine freedom essential for restoring the nation into justice, righteousness and peace while participating in the lucrative global biofuel industry.”

Abundant Biofuels CEO Dr. Charles Fishel stated, “Jatropha is the only biodiesel feedstock that does not divert agricultural land from food production. It has the added advantage of producing 20 times more energy than the energy required to produce it.” Fishel adds that, “Most other feedstock consumes almost as much energy in production as the energy it is supposed to supply as fuel.”

Under its groundbreaking agreement, Abundant Biofuels will deploy part of its profits for infrastructure development on the island of Mindanao, including improved housing, medical care programs, better schoolroom facilities and resources for people to affirm cultural identities such as music, dance, food, attire and drama.

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Energy, Farming, Government, International

London Slated to Fuel Up on Hydrogen

John Davis

Air ProductsLondon roadways could be supporting hydrogen fuel technology soon. Air Products and Transport for London have signed an agreement to introduce hydrogen to London drivers and passengers by 2010.

This agreement includes the supply of hydrogen fuel and a dedicated fueling station for the 10 hydrogen powered buses, which form a central part of London’s hydrogen transport program. The hydrogen powered buses will be operating on London’s roads by 2010.

Air Products will provide Transport for London and the bus operator with access to the latest technology in hydrogen production, transportation, storage, compression and vehicle dispensing technology.

Air Products is the world’s largest supplier of merchant hydrogen, including distributing and handling hydrogen at Air Products’ own facilities, on the road, transported via pipeline, and at customer facilities. The company safely operates over 60 gaseous and liquid hydrogen production plants and seven hydrogen pipeline systems totaling over 300 miles. Air Products provides all modes of hydrogen supply — gaseous, liquid and onsite generation, as well as providing engineering expertise in hydrogen application integration.

Air Products has placed over 75 fueling stations on-stream in 12 countries, including for mass transit fueling in Beijing, China for buses to be used to shuttle athletes and visitors for the 2008 Olympic Games. In Europe, Air Products supplies hydrogen fueling equipment to various automotive companies as well as the Hellenic and German navies to regularly fuel their submarines.

Energy, Facilities, Hydrogen, International, News

Wind to Power Entire School District

John Davis

eriehs.jpgThe Erie School District in Illinois is set to become the first school district in that state, and possibly the nation, to be powered entirely by wind energy.

This story on the Quad-Cities Online web site says construction could start next week after nearly two years of delays:

The most recent delay came last fall from a property owner who didn’t want the wind turbine blades traveling over his farm’s airspace.

The school district decided to move the location for its wind turbine. Mr. Ryan said it’s about 60 to 70 feet away from the original site. It remains on the middle school property.

“Progress is being made,” Mr. Ryan said. “They started digging a new foundation just the other day. The rebar and foundation material is scheduled to be in next week sometime.”

Mr. Ryan said the 230-foot tower will have 95-foot blades. He said Johnson Controls, Moline, is still overseeing the project. He said Johnson Controls agreed to assume the costs of moving the turbine. Once the turbine is up and running, officials estimate it will save the district an estimated $4.5 to $5.5 million in energy costs over the next 30 years.

Wind

Florida Keys Hosting Biodiesel Rally, Green Expo

John Davis

glee_logo_2.gifFlorida is once again the focal point for alternative fuels and green living.

Tomorrow (March 22nd), the Florida Keys Green Living & Energy Education (GLEE) group hosts a rally that runs throughout the Keys:

gleerally.pngStarting in Key Largo and ending at the BioDiesel facility at Key West High School, the Biodiesel Rally will make 5 total stops to show local individuals, businesses and policy makers how easy, affordable and self-sufficient it is to use BioDiesel over Dino-Diesel.

The day has been set, but the details need your help. All diesel vehicles and vessels are invited to help determine where the rally should stop in the following communities.

Then, on May 9th-11th, the area will have the third GLEE Expo at Marathon High School:

GLEE is a three-day event offering practical solutions for people to learn about sustainable living, water and energy conservation, renewable energy, and green building, so they can lead healthier lifestyles, reduce business costs, improve their community and save energy, water and the earth.

The expo will include continuing education classes for professionals, as well as information for consumers and an exhibits (what would an expo be without exhibits?) area.

Biodiesel

CaseStack Running on 99% Biodiesel

John Davis

casestack.jpgCalifornia-based CaseStack, which offers logistics and supply shipping to small companies, is offering their services running on 99 percent biodiesel.

The company explains it’s part of their Green Initiative, put together because over-the-road trucks account for 5 percent of the country’s greenhouse emissions:

CaseStack founder and CEO Dan Sanker has made it his personal mission to help contribute to making the supply chain a little greener. Offering trucks running on ninety- nine percent biodiesel fuel (made from vegetable oils or animal fats) and building his business on diesel fuel-saving truckload consolidation programs, CaseStack is taking steps toward building a sustainable supply chain.

The company estimates that its retailer-driven consolidation program, which combines as many as 2-3 separate deliveries heading to the same distribution center into one truck, helps drastically reduce CO2 emmissions, road congestion and dock congestion. The consolidation program:

* Saves 5,800 pounds, per truck of CO2 from entering the atmosphere
* Cuts 268 gallons of diesel usage per consolidated truck
* Eliminates more than $536 in diesel fuel costs per consolidated truck

The company’s efforts are being recognized. Its Green Consolidation Program was a finalist in the 2007 American Business Awards.

Biodiesel

Florida Plant Seeks Zoning Change

Cindy Zimmerman

A Florida sugar company is seeking a zoning change in Palm Beach county to allow it to produce cellulosic ethanol.

Florida CrystalsAccording to an article in the Palm Beach Post, Florida Crystals Corp needs a zoning change that would allow cellulosic-ethanol plants – factories that produce ethanol from plant waste rather than corn – to be built in areas already zoned for industry.

“There’s an ethanol train coming,” said Gaston Cantens, vice president of sugar producer Florida Crystals Corp.

“Without language in the county’s zoning code that allows ethanol to be an end product, we are not even in the game,” Cantens said Tuesday during a meeting with the Palm Beach Post editorial board.

A demonstration cellulosic-ethanol plant is slated to be built by the University of Florida at Florida Crystals’ Okeelanta mill and refinery south of South Bay. That doesn’t require a zoning change, Cantens said. The plant, which is expected to produce 1 million to 2 million gallons a year, is being funded by a $20 million state grant awarded to the University of Florida this past June.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

POET Prepares to Open Plant 23

Cindy Zimmerman

POETPOET is preparing for the grand opening of its 23rd production facility next month in Alexandria, Indiana.

On April 17, POET will host a grand opening event for POET Biorefining – Alexandria which will include addresses from Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Andy Miller, Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

POET Biorefining – Alexandria will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year from more than 22 million bushels of corn from the area and provide around 40 jobs with an annual payroll of approximately $2 million. It will be the second ethanol plant opened by POET in Indiana while one additional plant is under construction near North Manchester. Once the Alexandria facility is operational, POET’s annual production capacity will be 1.33 billion gallons.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Half-Baked Ideas

Cindy Zimmerman

Bakers are blaming ethanol for higher wheat prices and demanding changes in the ethanol policy to “Save Our Wheat,” but their claims are “half-baked,” according to ethanol industry officials.

“The idea ethanol production is the driving factor behind high wheat prices is half-baked,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen. “American farmers increased their wheat production in 2007 at a time of poor harvests and surging demand around the globe. To single out the American ethanol producer ignores the facts.”

wheatLynn Schurman, president-elect of the Retail Bakers of America, was one of the “Band of Bakers” who marched on Washington last week urging agriculture officials and members of congress to take action against rising wheat prices that are straining small bakeries.

She is quoted by Minneapolis media as saying, “Right now less acreage is going into wheat because more people are growing corn and providing corn for the ethanol market.”

That statement is patently false. In fact, farmers planted more than 60 million acres of wheat last year, up more than 3 million acres from 2006. According to the year-end crop production report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2007 saw the highest number of wheat acres planted in the past four years.

The American Bakers Association is calling on Congress and the Bush administration to implement it’s Three Point Plan to “alleviate the commodity crisis,” one point of which is “Elimination of the ethanol import tariff and temporary waiving of ethanol production limits.” (What they actually mean here is waiving the yearly renewable fuel standard requirements for ethanol production.)

However, that action will do nothing to address the two major factors driving the wheat market today, which are the consecutive droughts in Australia, a leading wheat producer and exporter, and growing global demand. A recent article in the New York Times noted, “Now [wheat] prices have more than tripled, partly because of a drought in Australia and bad harvests elsewhere and also because of unslaked global demand for crackers, bread and noodles. In seven of the last eight years, world wheat consumption has outpaced production. Stockpiles are at their lowest point in decades.”

It is true that wheat prices are higher, but it is incorrect to place the blame on ethanol causing farmers to switch from planting wheat to corn.

Ethanol, News, RFA