Biofuels Dominating Renewable Energy Patents

John Davis

patentofficeseal.jpgPatents for biofuels dominated renewable energy patents in 2007… outdistancing patents for solar and wind combined.

According to this article on cleantech.com, since 2001, nearly 2,800 biofuel patents were published in the U.S. with 1,045 of those coming in 2007 alone. That compares to 555 for solar and 282 for wind power last year. Overall, the number of patents for biofuels jumped by 150 percent over the last couple of years:

From the biofuel related patents published in 2006 to 2007, we have analyzed the following technologies: agricultural biotechnology, biodiesel, biomass, ethanol and other alcohols, and enzymes.

The number of patents published in these technologies in 2006 – 2007 was biodiesel (299), agricultural biotechnology (110), ethanol and other alcohols (42), enzymes (35) and biomass (41).

We also assessed the number of cellulosic related patents published in 2006 to 2007 and found the following distribution: biodiesel (1), agricultural biotechnology (1), ethanol and other alcohols (4), enzymes (5) and biomass (5).

Broken down by ownership entity, the patents published in the selected technologies in 2006 to 2007 were 57 percent owned by corporate entities, 11 percent owned by universities or other academic institutions and 32 percent undesignated, where the patent applications do not list the patent owner.

This follows a worldwide trend of the number of biofuel patents rising. The greatest growth in the U.S. was, not surprisingly, in the Midwest.

With venture and government funding expected to increase in the future, the authors believe the number of biofuel patents will continue to grow with the largest growth coming in the cellulosic area.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News, Solar, Wind

Old Dominion Making New, Green Fuel

John Davis

olddominion.gifResearchers at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia are looking at a new way of turning algae into biodiesel.

While the algae-into-biodiesel process is still relatively new, this article from the Virginian-Pilot says the latest twist is that the green fuel is made from sewage:

In this era of clean and renewable energy development, researchers at other universities are conducting similar experiments with algae and biofuels. But ODU is on a slightly different and potentially important path, using municipal sewage to generate its slimy fuel supply.

Their first experiment is being conducted atop a sewage treatment plant run by the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, next door to ODU.

The timing could not be better. Virginia, like its neighboring states, is under pressure to reduce nutrient pollution now choking the Chesapeake Bay, and much of the excessive nitrogen and phosphorus comes from sources that include factories, slaughterhouses and sewage plants.

So, conceivably, the ODU technology could kill several birds with one stone. Nutrient-rich wastewater from agriculture, industry and municipal sewage could be piped to and purged at algae-growing stations. Biofuels could be produced. And less nitrogen and phosphorus would enter the Bay.

Add one other side benefit: a reduction in greenhouse gases. Algae love to eat carbon dioxide.

Officials believe the project could produce up to 200 gallons of biodiesel a day-a small quantity at this point, but if the project works, it could be expanded to make much more while getting rid of even larger amounts of sewage. Take that times all the sewage plants in the country, and you would have a significant chunk of renewable energy.

Biodiesel

“Fields of Fuel” Debut at Sundance

Cindy Zimmerman

Fields of FuelA documentary about biofuels makes its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah this week.

Fields of Fuel“Fields of Fuel” is directed by Josh Tickell, who also wrote “Biodiesel America,” which was introduced at the 2006 Biodiesel Conference. Tickell is a long-time advocate of biodiesel who became known for his “Veggie Van” tours in the late 1990’s. While his main focus is on biodiesel, he is also a fan of ethanol – especially the cellulosic variety.

“Fields of Fuel” is a natural for Robert Redford’s Sundance, which has become the greenest of all film festivals since former U.S. Vice President Al Gore premiered “An Inconvenient Truth” there in 2006. Tickell has been busy doing media interviews all week with the likes of Dan Rather, NPR, and the American Movie Channel, getting lots of good press for biofuels.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

WIREC Speakers Announced

Cindy Zimmerman

WIREC 08Keynote speakers for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, or WIREC 2008 in March will include international leaders throughout the field of renewable energy.

Among the confirmed speakers are Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Olofsson, and Lady Mayor of Bonn Baerbel Dieckmann, who serves as President of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change.

Other renowned speakers include Director of National Renewable Energy Labs Dan Arvizu, Harvard professor Millie Dresselhaus, Mohamed El-Ashrey, Chairman of Renewable Energy Network-21, Christopher Flavin, President, WorldWatch, Wolfgang Palz, Chairman of the World Council on Energy, and Michael Liebreich, CEO of New Energy Finance. Business leaders from around the world who also plan to contribute to the discussions include Peter Robertson, Vice Chairman of Chevron and Tony Hayward, the Chief Executive Officer of BP.

WIREC 2008 is the third global ministerial-level conference on renewable energy, following events in Beijing in 2005 and Bonn in 2004. The conference will take place March 4-6 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

conferences, Energy, News

England Co. Gathers Biogas from Animal Waste

John Davis

McCain FoodsMcCain Foods Great Britain is enlisting Eco-Tec for its new venture in capturing biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons. The project is the latest effort meant to promote energy efficiency from McCain Foods.

As part of its energy efficiency projects, McCain Foods in Great Britain implemented a waste process that includes the capture of biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons, and purifying the gas to produce electricity. McCain Foods hired Black & Veatch to conduct an evaluation of available technology and manage the integration into the planned process.

Compared to competing technologies, Eco-Tec’s patented biogas purification system, BgPur(TM), was designed to accommodate McCain’s specific requirements regarding flow rate variations, changes in pressure, and the system’s overall flexibility. With simple operation and lower operating costs, Eco-Tec’s biogas purification technology was selected.

Agribusiness, Energy, News

Georgia Power Fires Up Wood Biomass Plant

John Davis

Georgia PowerWood-burning isn’t just great for pizza. It’s great for power. Georgia Power is using energy from wood biomass as part of its commitment to use independent renewable power producers.

Georgia Power and Yellow Pine Energy Company, LLC, a biomass-fired facility to be located near Fort Gaines, Ga., recently signed a 20-year contract for electricity that will be generated from environmentally-friendly wood waste. The material will come from timber harvesting residuals and collection of non-commercial tree species, tree-thinnings, lumber scraps and wood waste reclaimed from landfills.

The Yellow Pine facility is scheduled to go into operation in 2010 and will produce 110 megawatts of renewable energy. Under the contract, Georgia Power will purchase almost half of the plant’s capacity, or about 50 megawatts. One megawatt is enough energy to supply a Wal-Mart shopping center or 250 Georgia residences.

Georgia Power provides energy for 2.3 million consumers throughout the state.

Agribusiness, Biotech, Energy, News, Production

Virgin Atlantic 747 Soars on Biofuel

John Davis

Virgin AtlanticIt will be a first-ever feat in commercial air travel… Virgin Atlantic is planning to fly one of its Boeing 747s on biofuel next month.

The Virgin Atlantic 747 will fly from London Heathrow to Amsterdam on a demonstration flight, with no passengers on board, using a truly sustainable type of biofuel that doesn’t compete with food and fresh water resources. The flight, in conjunction with Boeing and engine maker GE Aviation, is part of Virgin Atlantic’s drive to reduce its environmental impact wherever possible. The demonstration forms part of Virgin Atlantic’s vision for what the aviation industry can achieve by using clean-fuel technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Sir Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, said:

“This breakthrough will help Virgin Atlantic to fly its planes using clean fuel sooner than expected. The demonstration flight next month will give us crucial knowledge that we can use to dramatically reduce our carbon footprint. Virgin Group pledged to invest all its profits from its transportation companies towards developing clean energy and with this breakthrough we are well down the path to achieving our goals.”

Virgin Atlantic has not set an exact date for the flight, but expects to conduct the biofuel run in February.

Energy, News

Minnesota Trying to Lure Danish Wind Company

John Davis

vestas.jpgMinnesota might already be the home of the NFL’s Vikings, but lawmakers in that state are trying to lure some modern-day descendants of the marauders to set up a wind energy research center.

This story from Forbes says they’re coming up with money to lure a major wind turbine producer to the state:

kelliher.GIFHouse Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and several other Democrats said they’re considering a package of unspecified incentives – possibly bonding dollars, or tax breaks – to draw Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems to the state. Vestas, the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, plans to build a U.S. research center, but hasn’t picked a location.

Minnesota is already the third-largest producer of wind energy in the nation, behind Texas and California. Kelliher and her colleagues, DFL Reps. Aaron Peterson and Jeremy Kalin, said the Vestas research center would create 80 high-paying engineering jobs and put Minnesota on the leading edge of green power.

“A big part of our economic future can be these green-collar jobs,” Kelliher said.

Bringing Vestas to the state is “a great idea,” (Gov. Tim) Pawlenty said, adding that his administration is holding talks with the company. He said he would support state help if the turbine maker would commit to Minnesota for its research center.

Last year, Minnesota put in one of the most aggressive renewable energy standards in the country, as lawmakers decided to require 25 percent of Minnesota’s electricity to come from wind and other clean sources by 2025.

Wind

Petroleum Terminal Goes Biodiesel

John Davis

magellan.gifA new biodiesel blending facility located at a petroleum terminal in Aurora, Colorado is seen as key to improving the availability of biodiesel in the area while helping integrate the green fuel into the nation’s petroleum infrastructure.

Pipeline company Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P., is the owner of the facility. The ceremony was attended by industry and legislative leaders and gained the praise of the National Biodiesel Board in this release:

salazar.jpg“Today we are witnessing a renewable energy revolution in our state and in our nation,” said U.S. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), who spoke at the opening ceremony. “This revolution is fueled by innovative firms like Magellan and CHS who understand that the production of clean, renewable biofuels not only strengthens America’s national and environmental security, but offers an unprecedented opportunity to spur economic growth and job creation in our rural communities as well. I commend them for their work and urge other firms to follow suit.”

The recently passed federal Energy Bill includes an expanded Renewable Fuels Standard, which for the first time will require more renewable fuel to be incorporated into the U.S. diesel market. Biodiesel and other renewable fuels depend on petroleum infrastructure such as the Magellan terminal for easy distribution.

“We are celebrating the opening of our 10th biodiesel distribution system inside one of our petroleum distribution terminals,” says Don Wellendorf, Magellan CEO. “We view renewable fuel distribution as a growth opportunity for our company and we are a trailblazer in this area. Our investment in biodiesel blending infrastructure at our Aurora facility is underpinned by our customer CHS, and the renewable fuel policies passed by Congress.”

Right now, more than 40 terminals nationwide provide biodiesel. Increased numbers of these biodiesel terminals are seen as key to getting biodiesel more widely used.

Biodiesel

Promoting Biofuels in Indiana

Cindy Zimmerman

IN Corn BillboardIndiana corn and soybean growers are helping to promote biofuels awareness in their state in a number of ways.

For one, the corn growers have partnered with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) on a billboard and radio campaign in major Indiana cities aimed at informing consumers that all automakers approve the use of 10 percent ethanol-enriched fuel. The campaign will also urge consumers to ask retailers if they are selling ethanol and make a push for E85 and flex-fuel vehicles.

IN Biofuels Car TagIndiana Corn and Soybean is also working to gain support for a Biofuels special recognition license plate to be made available through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The Biofuels license plate will promote both ethanol and soy biodiesel as Indiana-grown renewable fuels helping to move the state forward and will cost drivers between $25 and $40.

Biodiesel, corn, Ethanol, News