Renewable Energy Investments Up 50% in 2007

John Davis

Venture capital (VC) investments in renewable energy sources, including solar, biodiesel, and ethanol (among others) hit $3.4 billion… up a whopping 50 percent over investments in green energy ventures in 2006.

This story from RenewableEnergyAccess.com has more information:

Investment in solar was more than $1.05 billion in more than 70 financing rounds. Investment in battery technology came to $433.9 Million and the energy efficiency/smart grid sector received $419.1 million in investments.

greentech.gifAccording to Greentech (Media), venture firms also continue to invest in biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel, with more than $750 Million directed towards these new feedstocks and technologies. Notable alternative energy VC funding rounds in 2007 included HelioVolt’s $101M for thin film photovoltaics, Great Point’s $100M for coal gasification, Amyris’ $70M for synthetic biology and biofuels, and A123’s $70M for innovative battery technology.

The story goes on to say the entire renewable energy spectrum saw more than 220 funding rounds.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News, Solar

Dakota Wind Announces Start-Up Plans

John Davis

dakotawind.pngDakota Wind Energy, LLC, has announced plans to form South Dakota’s first utility scale community-owned wind project. The project has the potential of generating 750 megawatts of energy and will spread over 700 square miles of farmland in Roberts, Marshall, and Day counties.

This press release from the company says it will take advantage of the under-used wind power South Dakota offers:

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), South Dakota ranks 4th in the nation with the greatest wind potential. However, when compared to other states, South Dakota‟s current installed wind power capacity is very low.

The Dakota Wind Energy LLC was conceptualized by South Dakota landowner, Gerry Fisher. National Wind, the project’s manager, local landowners and community leaders have capitalized the company. Dakota Wind Energy, LLC has formed a members advisory board which includes nine of the South Dakota landowners/co-founders. These board members are, Donald Erickson, Dennis Fagerland, Gerry Fisher, Blair Healy, Tim Hofer, Walt Johnson, Bob Metz, Don Ogren, and Curt Sampson. Additional landowners and local community members will become owners as the project develops.

“For community-wind projects, such as Dakota Wind Energy, size does matter. Utilities and institutional investors prefer large community-owned wind projects because they have the local support needed to move smoothly through permitting, site control, and power line siting,” says Patrick Pelstring, co-chair of National Wind. “This increases their likelihood of completion and gives projects such as Dakota Wind Energy, a competitive advantage. Large community wind projects also have the capital available to afford the high costs related to wind developments of any size, including building a private transmission line, which can cost millions of dollars,” says Pelstring.

The project could produce enough energy to power more than 200,000 homes.

Wind

Green Grocer Goes with Green Fuel

John Davis

safeway.gifSafeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the nation, has announced it will fuel its entire U.S. fleet of trucks with 20 percent biodiesel.

The move to run more than 1,000 trucks on the green fuel is being applauded by the National Biodiesel Board in this press release from the group:

“Safeway is proud to lead by example to help protect the environment,” said Chairman, President and CEO Steve Burd. “Using biodiesel to power our transportation fleet will prevent millions of pounds of carbon emissions from being released into the environment. Our biodiesel program is just one of many initiatives underway that will make a positive impact on the environment.”

Biodiesel is made from renewable resources such as fats and vegetable oils. Blends of up to 20 percent can be used in any diesel engine with no need for modification.

nbb-logo.jpg“We commend Safeway for showing leadership in true corporate sustainability,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “The company is also reducing its dependence on foreign oil and helping to stimulate a domestic energy economy. We encourage other large retailers to follow this example.”

Safeway has been already using biodiesel in some of its regional fleets as it now transitions all of its trucks to the more environmentally-freindly fuel.

The NBB points out that Safeway has been recognized for using solar power, alternative fuels, and building styles to reduce its carbon footprint.

Biodiesel

Ethanol Boosts Bottom Line for Farmers

Cindy Zimmerman

ReutersAccording to a Reuters poll done this week
U.S. farmers overwhelmingly said they have benefited from the demand for corn to produce ethanol, with 71 percent of those surveyed saying the renewable fuel has helped boost their bottom line.

The poll also showed that 90 percent of those farmers said they would not reduce their corn plantings this year because of an increased supply of ethanol in the Midwest.

In addition, 54 percent of farmers were interested in growing a biomass crop. They were willing to embrace the crop because it required less management than traditional crops while allowing them to diversify their plantings.

The survey was done at the American Farm Bureau Federation‘s annual meeting in New Orleans, where the 686 farmers sampled were responding voluntarily from about 5,000 in attendance.

Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, News

2008 Could Be Year of E85

Cindy Zimmerman

e-podcast 2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles.

The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or you can listen to it by clicking here (6:30 MP3 File):

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3?http://www.zimmcomm.biz/epic/epic-podcast-1-17-08.mp3]

The Fill Up, Feel Good theme music is “Tribute to Joe Satriani” by Alan Renkl, thanks to the Podsafe Music Network.

“Fill up, Feel Good” is sponsored by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council.

Audio, Car Makers, E85, EPIC, Ethanol, Fill Up Feel Good, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News, Racing

Biomass Conference Slated for April

John Davis

biomass08.jpg
Minneapolis, Minnesota will play host to the International Biomass ’08 Conference and Trade Show… a three-day gathering on April 15th-17th to look at the potential and future of biofuels produced from biomass.

Biofuel producer and consultant BBI International is the host for the event that includes:

Conference Features
International Panel
This panel will cover the opportunities and challenges of biomass utilization around the world. Invitations for this panel have been sent to key individuals in Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, and South America.

Technical Workshops
Attend educational panels on new technologies, government policies, alternative feedstocks, and financing as they relate to the biomass utilization industry.

Trade Show
Experience a world class trade show featuring over 100 exhibiting companies, two lunches, two networking receptions, and endless business development and networking opportunities.

Industry Tour
See biomass utilization first hand. Spend the day and tour District Energy St. Paul and a number of facilities affiliated with the University of Minnesota’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE). Additional fee applies and includes shuttle from the conference site and lunch.

Green Event
BBI International understands that environmental stewardship is an integral part of the biomass industry. We are dedicated to operating our entire company and all of our events with a zero waste and carbon neutral mission. Our focus is on the 4R’s of Sustainability – Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Early registration is by January 23rd, 2008 and can be done by clicking here.

Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Ethanol, News

Romney’s Stance on Renewables

John Davis

romney.jpgIt looks like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win the Michigan primary. So, as I have done for other candidates as they have won caucuses and primaries, I’m posting some of the winner’s thoughts on renewable energy.

From the Romney campaign web site:

Invest In Research. Dramatically increase federal spending on research, development, and demonstration projects that hold promise for diversifying our energy supply and increasing our energy efficiency, such as:

* Bringing clean energy technology to market through commercialization of large-scale renewables and advanced nuclear technologies…

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: “This kind of energy independence will also mean pursuing ample domestic sources of energy: more drilling offshore and in ANWR, nuclear power, renewable sources, ethanol, biodiesel, solar, wind, and full exploitation of coal – both solid and liquid.” (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The George Bush Presidential Library Center, 4/10/07)

On the Democratic side, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton won the Michigan primary. However, since Michigan is holding its primary to early, national Democratic Party leaders have decided the delegates won’t count… and so most of the top Dems had their names pulled from the ballot. But just in case you feel like I am favoring the GOP, here’s a link to an earlier post on Clinton’s renewable energy stance.

In the future, I plan to only post the renewable energy stances of new winners… I don’t want us to become repetitive. One thing I will repeat, though, is that it is up to you to do the homework to choose the best person to lead this country, especially when it comes to renewable fuels.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

MO Governor Calls for Biodiesel Standard

John Davis

blunt.jpgMissouri Governor Matt Blunt wants a 5 percent biodiesel standard for his state.

In his State of the State address before the Missouri House of Representatives, Blunt called on lawmakers to approve the standard:

To further grow alternative fuel production, I support a B5 standard for biodiesel sold in our state. Biodiesel from soybeans has proven much more environmentally-friendly and better for air quality than regular diesel. Research has shown that it cuts carbon dioxide and cancer-causing emissions by more than 75 percent. Adopting a B5 standard will reduce particulate matter emissions by 15.4 million pounds and carbon monoxide emissions by 168 million pounds. A B5 standard will improve our air quality and makes sense for Missouri.

mosoy.jpgBlunt’s announcement was welcomed by the Missouri Soybean Association, which pointed out that in 2008, biodiesel production in the state is expected to reach at least 125 million gallons… more than enough to meet the 60 million gallon mark a 5 percent biodiesel mandate would produce. If passed, Missouri would be the first state to pass and implement a B5 standard. Minnesota has a 2 percent mandate already in effect, while Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington are waiting for production targets to be met before implementing their 2 percent biodiesel standards.

On January 1st, Missouri became one of just three states in the country to put in a 10 percent ethanol mandate.

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation

Iowa to Hold 2nd Renewable Fuels Summit

John Davis

iowarfa.jpgThe Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is inviting everyone to its 2nd Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, January 31st, 2008 at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, Iowa.

Activities begin at 1:00 p.m. and run through 5:30 p.m. and include:

* Keynote speaker Governor Chet Culver will share his vision for maintaining Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status in renewable fuels.
* Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will outline his goals for expanding the adoption of biofuels among all consumer groups.
* Â Renowned economist, John Urbanchuk with LECG, LLC, will release a new study detailing the impact of renewable fuels production on Iowa’s economy.
* A Sustainable Renewable Fuels Future: Will corn sustain the U.S. ethanol industry or will dedicated energy crops become a popular choice? A panel of experts will discuss the feedstocks of the future in addition to the synergies of ethanol and biodiesel in the marketplace. And, learn about the advancements in technology that further reduce biofuels’ environmental footprint on the nation. Â
* Future Fuels Need Future Markets: The possibilities of breaking away from traditional fuels to using higher levels of ethanol and biodiesel will be explored. The viability of using a 20% ethanol blend, how to achieve success with E85 and the opportunities for 20% biodiesel blends will be shared by a panel who is committed to replacing oil with friendly, renewable fuels.

The summit is free, and registration is available by clicking here.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News

New Office for National Wind

John Davis

nationalwind.jpgLarge-scale community-based wind power generation company National Wind has opened up a new office at the company’s corporate center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

And according to this company press release, National Wind is adding four new staff members to help the “company meet its rising external customer demand for wind services”

Fred Romuld and Debbie Jacklitch-Kuiken, join the Grand Forks location.

jacklitch-kuiken.jpgDebbie Jacklitch-Kuiken is a graduate meteorologist and mechanical engineer and will serve as a senior wind analyst. She has conducted wind resource assessments on over 100 projects and has taught six courses on wind assessment.

romuld.jpgFred Romuld is a graduate mechanical engineer with an extensive construction background. Romuld has analyzed wind data and supervised the erection of meteorological towers in seven states and Canada. Two additional employees were added to National Wind Assessment’s Minneapolis location, Ryan Jakubov, a graduate meteorologist and wind analyst and Ben Ransom, a renewable energy business analyst.

“With the addition of Debbie, Fred, Ryan, and Ben, we are one of the larger wind assessment firms in the region and provide services for met tower installation and wind resource assessments,” says Kevin Romuld, President of National Wind Assessments. “Our wind assessment business is growing rapidly and with a new office and experienced staff, we have the resources necessary to properly service our clients.”

The company helps consult on a variety of wind energy projects across the country, concentrating efforts in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Wind