MYCOGEN Ramps Up Ethanol Production

John Davis

Mycogen SeedsDow AgroSciences is promoting a product that it says will drive higher production of ethanol. The seed company says it’s MYCOGEN® brand corn hybrids will help corn growers meet the increasing demand for ethanol.

The Mycogen Seeds ethanol product lineup features superior yield protection technologies such as HERCULEX® XTRA Insect Protection and the latest in weed control options.

“As industry projections predict the demand for corn for ethanol to more than double in the next decade, growers need to arm themselves with high-yielding and highly fermentable corn hybrids. We have a full lineup of highly fermentable corn hybrids with powerful traits to protect growers’ yield all season long,” says Dave Schumacher, Marketing Specialist, Mycogen Seeds.

Growing MYCOGEN brand highly fermentable corn hybrids can offer growers many potential benefits including competitive agronomics and increased yield. The MYCOGEN brand ethanol product lineup provides growers with more ethanol production per acre and access to superior in-plant traits including products stacked with HERCULEX XTRA.

In addition, many of the corn hybrids in the ethanol lineup also meet the Processor Preferred® standard for ethanol production.

Ethanol, News

Biodiesel Jet Flies Into History

John Davis

biojet.jpgA Czechoslovakian-made jet has made history when it became the first jet to fly on 100 percent biodiesel. The L-29 military aircraft flew over the high desert near Reno, Nevada piloted by C.

This press release from Green Flight International says it was a joint project with Biodiesel Solutions… a maker of community-scale biodiesel equipment:

greenflightbiodiesel.JPGThe experimental test flights were conducted starting with a blend of jet fuel and biodiesel. The engine data was measured and the performance was evaluated and found acceptable for continued use, eventually resulting in the landmark flight using 100% renewable biodiesel fuel. According to Chief Pilot Carol Sugars who wrote and conducted the test program, “As we gradually increased the amount of biodiesel in the fuel blend, the data confirmed that the aircraft continued to perform well, giving me the confidence to transition to 100% biodiesel.” Flight tests were conducted up to an altitude of 17,000 feet showing no significant difference in performance compared to conventional jet fuel.

“This test program between Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions was a unique and exciting opportunity to show what can be done in renewable fuels.” said Rudi Wiedemann, president of Biodiesel Solutions. “The very idea of using 100% biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of renewable energy and a healthier planet.”

Green Flight has plans for another record-breaking aviation event… and the company is inviting other flyers to take part. For more information contact Doug Rodante at (407) 880-2501 or doug@greenflightinternational.com.

Biodiesel

Americans Buying Record Numbers of Alternative Fuel Autos

John Davis

Americans bought nearly half a million alternative fuel automobiles (AFAs) during the second quarter of 2007… a record and good news for the alternative fuel industry and the environment.

rlpolk.gifThe Missouri Soybean Association lists the story in its “Bean Briefs” and says the numbers from R.L. Polk & Company are a 27 percent increase from a year ago:

Sales of clean diesel vehicles were up 16 percent from 93,012 to 108,044. Sales of E-85 capable vehicles and hybrids were also up significantly. High fuel prices and increasing availability were likely drivers of this upward trend, said Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. “Yet even though more AFAs are being sold, we still need more gas stations to offer biofuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel.”

The article goes on to say that a recent study conducted by R.L. Polk and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers found that while about three-fourths of consumers were familiar with AFAs, availability of biofuels was still impacting actual purchases.

Biodiesel, Car Makers, E85, Ethanol, News

Advanced Bioenergy Finances SD Operations

Cindy Zimmerman

Adv BioEAdvanced BioEnergy, LLC has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Heartland Grain Fuels, L.P., has closed on a $118 million financing package for its South Dakota ethanol production facilities.

According to the company, the financing will be used to refinance Heartland Grain Fuels’ existing debt, complete construction of a 40 million gallons nameplate per year expansion facility at Heartland’s existing Aberdeen plant, and pay for operating costs at both the Aberdeen and Huron production facilities.

Advanced BioEnergy CEO Revis L. Stephenson III said, “We believe that this financing provides us with sufficient debt financing to complete construction of our 40 million gallon nameplate capacity per year Aberdeen expansion facility. Together with our third facility in Fairmont, Nebraska, which we expect will come on line in October of this year, and our existing operating facilities in Huron and Aberdeen, South Dakota, Advanced BioEnergy’s ethanol production capacity when fully operational will approach 200 million gallons per year.”

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Blencoe Throws Down Hydrogen Gauntlet

John Davis

hydrogendiscoveries.jpgGreg Blencoe, the CEO of Hydrogen Discoveries, Inc., an alternative energy research and development start-up company based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has issued a challenge to hydrogen energy skeptic Joseph Romm to debate the merits of hydrogen power.

Romm is the author of a book titled “The Hype About Hydrogen: Fact And Fiction In The Race To Save The Climate,” and on his blog, Blencoe is taking exception with six myths he says Romm is perpetuating:

blencoeromm.JPGMyth #1 – Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are decades away because fuel cells are 50 times as expensive as they need to be

Reality – If they are mass produced, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be competitive with gasoline-powered internal combustion engine vehicles beginning in three or four years

Myth #2 – Hybrid vehicles are as efficient as fuel cell vehicles

Reality – Fuel cells are twice as efficient as internal combustion engines

Myth #3 – Plug-in hybrids are better than hydrogen fuel cell cars (for whatever reason)

Reality – Plug-in hybrid technology can be used in hydrogen fuel cell cars, so any benefits of plug-in hybrids will also be realized by hydrogen cars

Myth #4 – Hydrogen fuel is three times as expensive as it needs to be in order to be competitive

Reality – The cost of hydrogen will be $4 to $6 per kilogram, which is equivalent to gasoline at $2 to $3 per gallon, due to the efficiency of fuel cells

Myth #5 – Making hydrogen for use in cars is not a good use of renewable energy

Reality – There is more than enough renewable energy to produce both electricity for homes and businesses and hydrogen for cars

Myth #6 – The high cost of building a hydrogen infrastructure means hydrogen should not be pursued

Reality – The cost of building a hydrogen infrastructure will be high, but far less expensive than the costs that will have to be paid if the current path is maintained.

Blencoe admits he’s being a bit aggressive in his approach, but he says it’s too important to dismiss without proper debate. No word on whether Romm will agree to debate. You can read Blencoe’s challenge by clicking here.

Hydrogen

UL Announces E85 Pump Certification

Cindy Zimmerman

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has announced the establishment of safety requirements for E85 fuel dispensing equipment and is now ready to start certification investigations, according to a UL news release.

The establishment of safety requirements follows the completion of UL’s comprehensive research program to investigate potential safety concerns associated with dispensing highly concentrated ethanol-blended fuels. The research included extensive gathering of technical data, field studies of existing E85 installations in the U.S. and Brazil, analysis of material compatibility for dispenser components, and a co-sponsored technical forum with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) that brought together 32 national experts from automobile and petroleum companies, ethanol producers, dispenser and component manufacturers, industry associations, government agencies and university researchers.

EPICThe Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) welcomed the news, calling it “a major victory for the ethanol industry and efforts to expand availability of E85 and increase demand for this renewable fuel.”

EPIC Director of Operations Robert White says the announcement removes a major barrier to many companies that have been waiting to offer E85 at their fueling stations. “Pump equipment manufacturers are standing by at the ready and will submit their dispenser for approval very soon,” said White. “UL’s efforts to complete their evaluations and develop the safety requirements for E85 dispensing equipment in just under a year are tremendous, and this development will move the ethanol industry to the next plateau in helping improve air quality and reduce dependence on foreign fuels.”

Currently there are more than 1,300 E85 fueling stations open across the United States. With UL’s announcement, projections are that number will double in the coming year.

E85, EPIC, Ethanol, News

Agriculture’s Role in Cellulosic Ethanol Production

Chuck Zimmerman

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck ConnerThe Cellulosic Ethanol Summit is underway in Washington, DC. It’s an interesting mix of people who want to learn more about how we’re going to build this new segment of the fuel ethanol industry.

On hand at lunch time was our Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner. He addressed the group on the subject of what agriculture’s role is in building a national cellulosic industry. I caught up to him outside as he was leaving and asked him what his department is doing in this regard.

He says that USDA has several ongoing research projects involving enzymes and the plants that will be needed to use in the production of cellulosic ethanol. However, he says more needs to be done. That’s why the Administration has asked for $1 1/2 billion more in the proposed farm bill for new research in this area. He says the House has supported it and they’re hoping the Senate will too.

You can listen to my interview with Acting Secretary Conner here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/ethanol/cellulosic-summit-07-conner.mp3]

Audio, Ethanol, Government, News

Volkswagon Sponsoring Dieselution Revolution

John Davis

Volkswagon Dieselution TourAn interactive Volkswagon trailer has hit the road, making its way across the country in a four-month campaign to highlight current environmental issues. The Volkswagon Dieselution Tour is using interactive exhibits to display advances in diesel engine technology, design and performance.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. is launching the Dieselution Tour, a mobile marketing exhibit, to educate the media and the public on advances in clean diesel technology and alternative fuels.

The Dieselution Tour is centered around a 53-foot-long, double-expandable semi-trailer with exhibits and interactive displays. Elements include an “Alt Fuel/ Alt Film video area; a Dieselab with a series of interactive and video displays; a Diesel Heritage section, illustrating Volkswagen’s diesel history and leadership; a Sustainability Station, involving an interactive quiz and a Carbon Footprint Calculator; a Beyond Diesel perspective featuring SunFuel; and a Motorsports display, outlining Volkswagen’s recent history and international success in racing diesel vehicles in events like the Baja 500, Pikes Peak, and the Dakar rally.Read More

Biodiesel, Car Makers, Promotion

Higher Petroleum Prices Helping Ag Commodity Prices

John Davis

High crude oil prices are prompting more soyoil to be bought… with the idea that soyoil would be turned into an alternative to all that foreign oil: domestically made biodiesel.

dowjones.gifThis Dow Jones Newswires story posted on the Missouri Ruralist web site breaks down the rise and what caused it:

November soybeans settled 10 1/4 cents higher at $9.87 and January soybeans ended 10 1/2 cents higher at $10.05 3/4. December soymeal settled $2.30 higher at $281.20. December soyoil finished 53 points higher at 40.06 cents a pound.

Sharply higher crude oil futures attracted speculative buyers in soyoil, which spilled over into soybeans, and when wet conditions causing harvest delays in the western Midwest were added, futures were firmly underpinned, said Brian Hoops, president of Midwest Market Solutions in Yankton, S.D.

Soy product futures ended higher, with soyoil the upside leader of the complex. Soyoil rallied, buoyed by spillover strength from sharply higher crude oil futures. The momentum from crude oil attracted speculative buyers, with optimistic outlooks for biodiesel encouraging speculative interest as well, analysts said.

Biodiesel

Biofuels Helping Fuel Cargill’s Profits

John Davis

cargill.jpgEthanol and biodiesel are making “modest” contributions to ag products giant Cargill’s profits… according to numbers released by the U.S.’s largest agricultural company.

This story in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the company reports fiscal first-quarter profit rose 83 percent as more soybeans and corn were processed and the company was able to successfully hedge higher grain costs:

Cargill benefited from soaring worldwide demand for soybeans, corn and other agricultural products, more than making up for surging commodity costs and volatile credit markets. Corn prices were 49 percent higher in the quarter than a year earlier, wheat was up 67 percent and soybeans rose 41 percent.

“Cargill was able to handle the volatility,” said Anil Passi, an analyst with Dominion Bond Rating Service in Toronto who follows Cargill’s $9.9 billion in bonds.

Of course, a lot of that increased demand comes from the fact that more corn and soybeans are going to biofuels, which make up about 5 percent of the company’s net income.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, News