China Invests in Silverado Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Technology

John Davis

Silverado Green FuelSilverado Green Fuel Inc. has contracted China business development experts to spearhead its “Silverado Asian Business Development Team”. Synergy Management Group Ltd. will serve as Silverado´s portal into North American-Chinese joint ventures.

Synergy represents an extensive network of key China-based contacts. The company’s North America-China, deal-making expertise has assisted a number of other North American companies in successfully accessing the China marketplace. Synergy also delivers ‘Think China’ government and business workshops, and provides corporate mentoring.

Coal represents 90% of China’s primary energy deposits. Experts predict that coal will represent 50% to 70% of China’s primary energy consumption in the coming 30-50 years. China’s total coal reserve is more than one trillion tons.

China’s economic growth represents an insatiable appetite for energy, and creates environmental issues. China’s major coal, oil and energy companies, are turning toward global technologies such as those offered by Silverado Green Fuel Inc. Silverado can respond to enhancing China’s domestic energy output, utilizing China’s abundant coal reserves.

Silverado Green Fuel Inc., the world leader in low rank coal-to-liquid fuel technology, remains committed to America’s energy self-sufficiency, security and domestic energy supply. Silverado is a partner in an upcoming $26 million Demonstration Plant Joint Venture with the State of Mississippi. In the United States, low rank coal represents centuries of domestic energy resources, and is currently a highly under-utilized resource.

Sivlerado says its Green Fuel can be used to power oil-fired power plants directly, or be used as a feedstock for further processing to produce transportation fuels (jet, diesel, gasoline), key agricultural compounds (fertilizers, synthetic petrochemical feedstocks, urea), industrial products (oils, lubricants, synthetics) and even consumer products (plastics, packaging, etc.). The fuel can also be further processed to produce pure, clean hydrogen to power fuel cell automobiles and electric generation (power) plants.

Agribusiness, Energy

Indiana Approves Coal Power Plant

John Davis

Duke EnergyIndiana utility regulators have given Duke Energy the go-ahead to construct a new clean coal power plant. The plant will be constructed in Edwardsport, IN.

If the project proceeds, it will be the first commercial-scale coal gasification power plant built in the United States in the last 10 years. The approximately 630-megawatt plant will use advanced integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology.

“In the Midwest, coal is plentiful and low-cost, and finding ways to burn it cleanly is fundamental to meeting our customers’ demand for power,” said Duke Energy Indiana President Jim Stanley. “The Edwardsport facility could very well be the cleanest coal-fired power plant in the world once it’s completed. It fits Indiana’s energy plan to turn homegrown natural resources into an economic engine and be self-reliant for power. It’s part of our overall plan to meet growing customer needs with cleaner coal technology, energy efficiency, and renewables.”

An air permit is still necessary from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. If that permit is approved, Duke Energy could begin construction early next year and start producing power from the site by early 2012.

Duke Energy says construction of the plant will cost approximately $2 billion. More than $460 million will come from local, state and federal tax incentives. Duke says the plant will provide an average electric rate increase of approximately 16 percent phased in from 2008 through 2012.

Energy, Facilities, Production

Win 30,000 Euro for Energy Efficiency

John Davis

The German EnergyThe Germany Energy Agency wants to promote energy efficiency around the world, so it´s sponoring an international competition for the Energy Efficiency Award 2008.

The award, in its second year, recognizes outstanding projects to increase energy efficiency in trade and industry. A total of 30,000 euros in prizes is available.

The international competition is particularly aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises. If you have invested in innovative, exemplary measures to increase energy efficiency in your company and implemented these measures successfully, then organizers want to recognize you. The deadline to enter is January 31, 2008.

A prize of 15,000 euros will go to the first-place winner, 10,000 euros to the second-place winner and 5,000 euros to third place. The winners of the competition will be announced during the World Energy Dialogue at the Hannover Messe on April 22, 2008.

Energy, Government, International

Toyota Says Fuel-Cell Hybrid a Success

John Davis

Toyota Highlander Fuel Cell HybridThe trek from Fairbanks to Vancouver along the Alaska Highway is more than 2,300 miles long. Toyota says its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle not only logged all those miles in seven days, but it averaged well-above 300 miles per tank.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A, Inc., revealed a significant achievement in its ongoing hydrogen-hybrid fuel cell development program at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. A recent 2,300 mile trek in a Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) from Fairbanks, Alaska to Vancouver, British Columbia along the Alaska-Canadian (ALCAN) highway confirmed substantial progress in reliability and durability, cold-weather operation and extended range capability of Toyota’s hybrid fuel cell system.

“Beyond the single-tank range capability, this new system was developed to deal with two major challenges to the refinement of fuel-cell power-trains. That is, starting and operating in cold temperatures and standing up to the vibration and harshness of rough road conditions … over a long distance … over a long time,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager.

“Equally important, was to show how the development of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell powertrains continue to move forward and mature at an impressive pace, far in advance of an infrastructure that will be necessary to support them,” Carter said.

To add a sense of risk and adventure, Toyota engineers planned to accomplish the feat with no practice runs and no pre-trip evaluations. Just get in the Highlander FCHV and drive. If they made it to Vancouver, great; if not, it would be chalked up to research and development.

Toyota adds that the company just began shipping the second-generation Highlander Hybrid mid-size SUV to dealerships, nationwide. The new Highlander Hybrid will the latest addition to Toyota´s hybrid line-up, which includes the Camry Hybrid and Prius Hybrid. Toyota says its hybrid products account for more than a quarter million hybrid sales for 2007 and more than 275,000 total hybrid sales for Calendar 2008.

Car Makers, Energy, Hydrogen, International, Promotion, Racing, Research

Invenergy Expands throughout North America and Europe

John Davis

Invenergy Wind LLCInvenergy Wind LLC is looking ahead to 2009. The energy company plans to secure 800 MW of wind turbines for 2009 projects in both North America and Europe.

Invenergy Wind LLC announced that it has contracted with General Electric Company to purchase an additional 800 MW of wind turbines for use in projects slated for construction in 2009 in North America and Europe. Along with Invenergy’s previous purchases of 600 MW for 2007 and 700 MW for 2008 from GE, this provides 2,100 MW of wind turbines for Invenergy’s 2007, 2008 and 2009 build programs. These turbines are slated for Invenergy’s projects in the US, Canada and Europe.

Currently, Invenergy projects include more than 1,200 megawatts of wind energy either in operation or under construction at 13 different facilities. Invenergy estimates that these projects will generate more than 3.6 billion kilowatt hours of electricty each year. The company says that´s enough “clean and renewable” energy to power nearly 400,000 homes.

Distribution, Energy, Facilities, International, Production, Wind

Allstate Generates Wind in Texas

John Davis

Allstate Insurance CompanyAllstate Insurance Company is making a “green” donation to 2,000 Texans. The insurere is wiring selected homes into the wind grid in an effort to provide clean, renewable, wind energy for one year. Allstate purchased 24.5 million kilowats of wind energy from the Horse Hollow II wind energy farm in West Texas for its 2,000-home donation.

Allstate has made a significant financial contribution to eco-energy organization Carbonfund.org for the purchase of clean energy credits. These credits are being used to fund wind energy for Texans and reforestation projects in Kansas and Louisiana.

Allstate Texas Region Field Vice President Rich Crist says Allstate will immediately begin to offset a portion of annual energy usage at its corporate headquarters and business miles traveled in vehicles through contributions to the reforestation and wind energy projects.

The purchase of clean energy credits helps offset the company’s current greenhouse gas emissions, but Allstate says this is part of a growing, balanced approach to going green that includes real reductions.

Agribusiness, Energy, Wind

Allegro Gets on Board with Biomass

John Davis

Continental Energy CorporationInvestments in bioenergy are smart investments for Allegro Biodiesel. Allegro is moving to diversify the bio-energy sector and acquire a biomass energy company in Colorado.

Allegro Biodiesel Corporation has announced that it has extended a $500,000 bridge loan to Littleton, Colorado-based Community Power Corporation as a first step in potentially acquiring the company.

Established in 1995, privately-held CPC is a leading developer of small modular bioenergy technology and products, which gasify a wide range of biomass residues for generation of power, heat, and synthetic fuels as a substitute for fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane and diesel. The company’s proprietary gasification system has successfully processed over 30 different biomass feedstocks including wood, nutshells, grasses, paper and plastics. The company has received more than $12 million in R&D funding and technical assistance from the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Defense, the California Energy Commission, and other organizations. Under these R&D projects, since 1998 CPC has built and shipped 24 modular biopower units to product development and demonstration sites in the U.S., the Philippines and El Salvador.

“Our agreement paves the way for Allegro to add biomass conversion to our core competency of biofuels production,” said Allegro Biodiesel Chief Executive Officer Bruce Comer. “CPC is a top player in this space with proven, environmentally-sound modular bio-energy technology.”

CPC develops automated, modular energy systems under the BioMax(R) trade name. These systems are designed for on-site conversion of biomass residues to clean energy for farms, schools, small manufacturing enterprises, communities, military encampments and other on-grid and off-grid applications.

CPC says the potential market for its modular biopower systems is more than $3 billion per year. Comer says Allegro will aim to drive CPC technology to the next level of commercialzation.

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, Cellulosic, Distribution, Energy, Facilities, Production, Promotion, Research

Youth to Take Up Shell Fueling the Future Challenge

John Davis

2008 Shell Eco-MarathonThe future of energy and fuel isn´t just in the hands of Congress. This spring, the 2008 Shell Eco-Marathon Americas will give today´s youth the chance to develop their own technologies for the transportation of tomorrow.

50 student teams from North and South America? Check. Young engineers bringing innovative thinking to the future of transportation? Check. Prototype vehicles that travel nearly two thousand miles per gallon as part of a global effort to change the way the world uses energy? Check, and check. The Shell Eco-marathon(TM) Americas may not be the fastest race you’ve ever seen, but it’s probably the most fuel-efficient. In 2008, the stakes are high as student teams prepare their eco-friendly vehicles to drive the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel and break the 1,902.7 miles per gallon record set by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007.

“Shell is working aggressively to help meet the energy challenge head-on and long-term, and we understand the importance of encouraging technology and innovation in the minds of tomorrow’s leaders and engineers,” said David Sexton, President of Shell Oil Products U.S. “The Shell Eco-marathon promotes fuel efficiency, and we’re challenging students from North and South America to build environmentally friendly vehicles to inspire future transportation.”

Student teams will take up the 2008 Shell Eco-marathon Americas challenge April 10-13 at the California Speedway in Fontanta, CA. The winning team will receive a grand prize of $10,000, which will be awarded to the team´s educational institution.

Energy, Production, Promotion, Racing, Science

Continential Aqcuires Biofuels Corp.

John Davis

Continental Energy CorporationBiofuels is the biz to be in for Continental Energy Corporation. The energy company is expanding to incorporate biofuels in Delaware.

Continental Energy Corporation has announced that it has cofounded a new, partially-owned, special purpose, joint venture subsidiary incorporated in Delaware named Continental Biofuels Corporation. The Company subscribed and purchased 1,000 shares of the 2,500 issued and fully paid share capital of CBC representing a 40% stake, and largest single shareholding, in CBC. The remaining 60% stake in CBC is held by a cofounder group of five private investors led by Casimir Capital Group LLC of New York which includes two Directors of the Company, each of whom purchased a 10% stake.

The Company and its management have a long track record in oil and gas exploration in remote areas of Indonesia. This experience provides contacts, knowledge of local business practices, and long standing personal relationships with Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil plantation owners and local government plantation permit providers. As a result, the Company is in a unique position to act in the role of facilitator and strengthen CBC’s SE Asian operational capability and assist CBC to capitalize on palm oil plantation acquisition or development opportunities.

Continental Energy Corporation describes itself as an international oil and gas exploration company, focused on making major oil or gas discoveries in Indonesia.

Agribusiness, Energy, Facilities, International, Production

New B20 Specifications Could Mean Greater Acceptance

John Davis

New quality specifications for 6-20 percent blends of biodiesel have been unveiled by ASTM, the organization that standardizes specifications for products in the marketplace.

nbb-logo.jpgThis press release from the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) says the standards came during ASTM meetings this week in Phoenix after six years of collaboration by industry representatives and will mean more automakers will approve B20 in their engines:

“This is a huge step forward for the biodiesel industry, as major engine companies and petroleum refiners joined the biodiesel industry in voting for passage of this ballot,” said Steve Howell, chairman of the ASTM Biodiesel Task Force. “We have known for years that B20 made with in-spec biodiesel is a good quality, reliable fuel, but OEMs, regulators and customers have demanded formal ASTM passage of a B20 blend spec in order to broaden their support for biodiesel blends. The biodiesel industry is delivering that.”

The majority of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) view the adoption of an ASTM blended fuel specification as a key component for full, universal acceptance of B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petrodiesel. Chrysler has previously announced the company plans to issue formal support for B20 once ASTM has formally approved B20 specifications.

The measure will still need approval by the ASTM’s Main Committee when it meets in June.

Biodiesel, Car Makers