First American Cellulosic Plant in Production

Cindy Zimmerman

KL Process DesignCellulosic ethanol is now in production at the first small scale waste wood commercial facility operating in the U.S.

Western Biomass EnergyLocated just 1 mile South of Upton, Wyoming, the plant was engineered, constructed and is operated by KL Process Design Group. This is the result of six years of development efforts between KL and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

“It is now possible to economically convert discarded wood into a clean burning, sustainable alternate motor fuel” said Randy Kramer, president of KL Process Design Group, a design firm that has been working in corn ethanol. “We’re proud of what this small company has accomplished, and believe that our design will be a cornerstone from which we can build our country’s renewable fuel infrastructure providing a better source of motor fuel, starting today.”

Wood ChipsKL’s cellulosic ethanol plant is converting waste wood into a renewable fuel. The current production facility is utilizing soft woods, but successful test runs have occurred making use of waste materials such as cardboard and paper.

KL also announced today that the cellulosic ethanol it will be producing at the Wyoming plant will be used to fuel the American Le Mans Series Corvette Racing team running on E85.

Listen to an interview with Randy Kramer here:
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/audio/kramer-interview.mp3]

American LeMans, Audio, Cellulosic, EPIC, Ethanol, News

Energy Secretary Awards Cellulosic Grants

Cindy Zimmerman

DOEU.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman today announced that DOE will invest up to $114 million over four years for four small-scale biorefinery projects to be located in Commerce City, Colorado; St. Joseph, Missouri; Boardman, Oregon; and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

“These project proposals were innovative and represent the geographic diversity that we strive for when making the widespread use of clean, renewable fuels commercially viable,” Secretary Bodman said. “Spurred by the President’s ambitious plan to reduce projected U.S. gas consumption by twenty percent by 2017, our goal is to aggressively push these technologies forward to get them out into the marketplace as quickly as possible, so they can have a real impact. Advanced biofuels offer tremendous promise for helping our nation to bring about a new, cleaner, more secure and affordable energy future.”

Building on President Bush’s goal of making cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive by 2012, these commercial-scale biorefineries will use a wide variety of feedstocks and test novel conversion technologies to provide data necessary to bring online full-size, commercial-scale biorefineries.

The companies receiving the grants are ICM Incorporated of Colwich, Kansas; Lignol Innovations Inc., of Berwyn, Pennsylvania; and Pacific Ethanol Inc., of Sacramento, California.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Government, News

Cellulosic on the Fast Track

Cindy Zimmerman

CorvetteThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and KL Process Design Group teamed up today to announce the first use of cellulosic ethanol in the 2008 American Le Mans Series. Corvette Racing, sponsored by EPIC, will be the first team to use the cellulosic-based E85 in competition.

“We could really find no greater stage to have the first use of cellulosic ethanol than the American Le Mans Series,” said Reece Nanfito, senior director of marketing for EPIC. “Obviously this is going to be a great demonstration that this fuel is available here and now, it is not a fuel that is five years or ten years down the road. The next generation of ethanol has really arrived today with this announcement.”

Tom Slunecka, Vice President of Business Development for KL Process Design Group, says providing cellulosic ethanol for the Le Mans Series brings it one step closer to consumer use.

“The reason that we brought the very first, very valuable gallons of this fuel to the American Le Mans Series was to demonstrate the power that this fuel has at home with every consumer,” Slunecka said. “Because the American Le Mans Series cars are the closest to production-style cars in the world of racing the relevancy of performance here is immediate and direct to that of consumers.”

Listen to Nanfito and Slunecka make the announcement in a press conference today from Sebring, Florida where during the fuel will be used first during the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 15.
[audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-KL-announcement.mp3]

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

California Biofuels Company Honored

Cindy Zimmerman

PrimafuelCalifornia-based Primafuel was honored at the World Economic Forum meeting in Switzerland last week with a WEF Technology Pioneer Award.

PrimafuelThe biofuels company received the award for its innovative approach to biofuels production and distribution infrastructure. The award recognizes Primafuel’s expertise across the entire fuel supply chain and its commitment to developing new, low-carbon biofuels.

Pictured are Eyal Gutentag, Chief Financial Officer (left) and Rahul Iyer, Chief Marketing Officer. Both of them are also co-founders of the company.

Primafuel was one of thirty-nine companies to receive WEF Technology Pioneer Awards. WEF Technology Pioneer awards were given to companies developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology, health, and IT.

Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, International, News

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