Cellulosic Ethanol to Debut at Sebring

Cindy Zimmerman

LeMansIn a technological breakthrough for both renewable fuels and racing, cellulosic ethanol will be used for the first time in motor sports this year, paving the way for the biomass fuel to be used commercially.

KL Process DesignKL Process Design Group of South Dakota will supply the American Le Mans Series with cellulosic E85 racing ethanol for the 2008 season. The fuel, produced from waste wood, will be used for the first time during the season opener — Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15. Corvette Racing will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based flex-fuel ethanol in competition.

Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. “The American Le Mans Series was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the only motorsports entity to meet the criteria for ‘green racing’. Introducing cellulosic E85 racing ethanol to our series with one of our most noted championship teams does nothing but reinforce our commitment to be the global leader in green racing.”

EPIC E85Through the marketing partnership with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC), the American Le Mans Series will drive awareness of ethanol among consumers through its use of both E10 and E85 ethanol.

“This is an exciting time for the ethanol industry,” said Reece Nanfito, senior director of marketing for EPIC. “Consumers want more choices at the pump, and although challenges remain, cellulosic ethanol is no longer a dream, but a reality.”

American LeMans, E85, EPIC, Ethanol, News, Racing

Renewable Fuels Have Place in State of Union

Cindy Zimmerman

In his final State of the Union address to the nation, President Bush once again acknowledged the importance of domestic fuels for energy security and the environment.

Bush State of Union 08To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next decade, and you responded. Together we should take the next steps: Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Energy, Ethanol, News

Corporate Express Switching to Biodiesel

John Davis

corporateexpress.jpgThe U.S. branch of Dutch-based Corporate Express is converting its delivery trucks to biodiesel.

bluesun.gifCNNMoney.com reports that the corporate supplier will run most of its delivery truck fleets in Colorado and Kansas on B20 from Colorado’s Blue Sun’s Biodiesel:

This strategic step will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the Company’s Colorado and Kansas fleets — a total of 45 trucks. The use of B20 fuel, as compared to using regular petroleum diesel, reduces carbon monoxide by 24%, hydrocarbons by 29%, particulates by 18% and nitrogen oxides by 4%, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

“We already have an extremely efficient US distribution model with advanced technology such as systems to map out highly streamlined driver routes,” said Jay Mutschler, President of Corporate Express US. “Using biodiesel in our trucks will advance our distribution while decreasing emissions and further reducing our Company’s carbon footprint.”

This move is part of Corporate Express’ plans to reduce environmental impact through goals for facilities, distribution operations, sustainable forestry, environmentally sustainable products and social responsibility. These plans are outlined in the Company’s US Sustainability Policy.

Corporate Express officials say the move will reduce wear and tear on their trucks and improve mileage.

Biodiesel

Dole Harvesters Running on Biodiesel

John Davis

dole.jpgFresh food giant Dole has a fresh idea about how it is fueling its fresh vegetable harvesters in the western United States: use biodiesel.

This company press release says the fresh vegetable division has switched its harvesters in Salinas, California and in Yuma, Arizona over to B20:

Kevin Fiori, Dole’s Senior Vice President Agriculture Operations said “being good stewards of the environment is very important to Dole and this includes reducing emissions and using alternative sources of energy.” Dole has been testing B20 Bio Diesel since August in farm equipment and off road vehicles with very positive results.

Mr. Fiori also commented that “those of us in agriculture, who depend on the environment, land, water, and air quality to grow foods, are keenly aware of the importance of applying sustainable agricultural practices.”

Dole is the world’s largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and fresh-cut flowers, selling $6.2 billion a year.

Biodiesel

New Approach to Cellulosic Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

ZeachemA California company claims to have a new way to convert biomass into ethanol.

According to an article in the San Jose Mercury News, ZeaChem’s technique uses a proprietary combination of biotechnology and chemistry.

Zeachem’s “secret sauce,” according to co-founder and research executive vice president Dan Verser, is both how it breaks down biomass – waste wood from poplar trees at first – as well as how it uses wood residue to produce the hydrogen it mixes with acetic acid to make ethanol.

One key: A bacteria commonly found in the gut of a termite or in pond scum helps convert the trees to fuel. “Our bug is very tough,” said Jim Imbler, Zeachem’s president and chief executive officer.

ZeaChem has reported started designing a small-scale production facility in Oregon where they hopes to start making cellulosic ethanol using the process next year.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Corvette Racing on E85

Cindy Zimmerman

Corvette will continue its legacy of being a platform for introducing and developing new technology this year as Corvette Racing will be powered by E85 in the 2008 American Le Mans Series.

E85 CorvetteDuring the announcement at the North American International Auto Show earlier this month, Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper said, “Like the Corvette Z06 E85 concept car that will pace the 2008 Indianapolis 500, the use of E85 ethanol fuel by America’s premier production sports car racing team in a high-profile, high-tech racing series like the ALMS shows that Chevy is continuing to lead by example.”

“By showcasing the capabilities of E85 ethanol before an audience of knowledgeable and technically astute race fans, we can demonstrate the benefits of a renewable fuel that helps to reduce dependence on petroleum, helps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, and helps to create greater diversity in energy supplies,” Peper said. “Of course, performance is what counts in racing, so E85 ethanol’s higher octane rating than gasoline wasn’t overlooked by the Corvette Racing engineers.”

Corvette Racing has formed a technical partnership with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) to spotlight E85 in the ALMS.

American LeMans, E85, EPIC, Ethanol, News, Racing

Illinois to Consider Ethanol Blends

Cindy Zimmerman

Illinois SchockLegislation is being proposed in Illinois for ethanol blends between 10 and 85 percent.

According to the Peoria Journal Star, State Rep. Aaron Schock said at a news conference Thursday that he would like to see the current 10 percent ethanol blend in gasoline increased to 15 percent and, eventually, 20 percent.

“Throughout the 20-county (18th Congressional) District, farmers have had relatively good years with high prices and high yields, but a number of them are concerned about what the future may hold with any type of dip in yields and prices,” Schock said. “There are things we can do as a government and policy makers to keep prices strong, the markets strong for agriculture and lessen our dependency on Mideast oil.”

Ethanol, Government, News

New Clean Fuels Blog

Cindy Zimmerman

With the new year, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition (CFDC) launched a new blog on its website: http://blog.cleanfuelsdc.org.

CFDCThe goal of the new CFDC blog is to create an informative and ongoing public discussion about the numerous facts, myths, and highly emotional issues which will coattail the development and expansion of the nation’s increased RFS in the years to come.

“The internet in general and blogging specifically are transforming the way researchers, activists, voters, consumers, the media and policy makers learn about many subjects, including ethanol and alternative fuel vehicles. It levels the historically one-sided consumer outreach playing field, draped with full-page advertisements in the nation’s top newspapers, to a level playing field which is fair, interactive and provides access to the majority of people who care to learn more about issues,” said Burl Haigwood, director of program development and author of the new Clean Fuels Development blog.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

Iowa’s Oldest Ethanol Plant Completes Expansion

Cindy Zimmerman

SELCSiouxland Energy and Livestock Cooperative (SELC) has completed a major expansion of its ethanol plant in Sioux City, increasing production capacity of the corn-based fuel to 60 million gallons annually.

The larger plant can now process more than 20 million bushels of corn. In addition to 60 million gallons of ethanol, the factory produces 400,000 tons of wet distiller’s grains and 140,000 tons of condensed distiller’s solubles (syrup) annually.

The plant, Iowa’s oldest operating farmer-owned ethanol plant, had an annual capacity of 25 million gallons when it opened in 2001.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Arkansas Biodiesel Plant Soon to Open

John Davis

A biodiesel plant in Eastern Arkansas near the towns of Helena-West Helena on the Mississippi River is set to open April 1st… after nearly two and a half years of planning and building.

This story in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette says the plant will be able to produce 40 million gallons a year… making it Arkansas’ largest biodiesel plant:

“We started researching the project in late 2005,” Crowley said of the venture, which is being undertaken by Patrick Burks, Crowley’s grandfather, and David Griffin, a Phillips County farmer.

The last two-and-a-half years have been a roller coaster, Crowley said, as the price of soybean oil — the most commonly used raw material for biodiesel production — has skyrocketed. Soybean oil for March delivery on the Chicago Board of Trade reached a record 54. 36 cents a pound on Jan. 14, up 67 percent during the past year due to increased demand for alternative fuels made from oilseeds.

Although Delta American had not planned to do so, it will begin by making biodiesel from animal fat because that remains profitable, Crowley said.

“We’ve got a long way to go before [soybean oil ] is affordable again,” he said.

The plant will join to smaller refineries in the state… FutureFuel Chemical Co. near Batesville, able to produce 24 million gallons a year, and Patriot BioFuels Inc. in Stuttgart, producing three million gallons a year. Another 7.5-million-gallon plant run by Arkansas SoyEnergy Group will also start up on April 1st.

Biodiesel