Propane Powered Mowers

Chuck Zimmerman

Manchester TankWe think of propane as a cooking or heating fuel but how about mowers?

I met Chris Row with Manchester Tank here at Propane Days and we talked about mowers. Chris says that his company is working with several OEM’s to bring propane powered mowers to market. I think they’re focusing on mower fleets primarily at this point. He says they want to help build mowers that will run smoothly over rough terrain.

One of the benefits to using propane he says is in theft prevention. That’s not something I think most of us would think of but it’s a lot harder to steal propane than gas. He says that propane is also good from an environmental standpoint since if someone accidentally spills it you don’t have groundwater contamination. Chris also points out that with high gas prices right now propane is an economical alternative.

Chris says that his company is working with the Propane Education & Research Council to promote this idea and they’re hoping to start a project with a national park or university to help showcase what can be done with propane in this application.

You can listen to my interview with Chris here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/propane/propane-days-07-row.mp3]

Audio, Propane

Propane Days and PERC

Chuck Zimmerman

Roy WillisThis morning I met with the President/CEO of the Propane Education & Research Council, Roy Willis. He was on hand at the sessions taking place for the 3rd Annual Propane Days here in Washington, DC. Roy says PERC’s goal here is to help educate policy makers so that they make good decisions based on sound science and research.

I asked him to highlight some of their projects that he is especially proud of in the area of agriculture. They include what he calls thermal cultivation which is using heat/steam/flame to control pests in a variety of farm applications. He says this has a special interest to anyone growing organically since it reduces or eliminates the need for chemicals. Irrigation done with propane powered engines is another area that he mentioned as well as safety programs geared to agricultural audiences. He also mentioned that discussions are underway to see how propane can be used in tractors and combines.

One of the things I aske him about was where this fuel comes from. I think a lot of people wonder that. You see that’s it’s widely available but where do we get propane? To start with it’s a naturally occurring hydrocarbon that we mainly get as a by-product of the natural gas or oil refining processes. He says that over 90 percent of our propane comes from these sources which are domestic. Another area that holds promise includes bio-propane which would be made from a biomass production process. PERC is actively involved in this work with a project in Japan. One thing he wants people to know is that propane represents a very sustainable supply of fuel now and in the future.

You can listen to my interview with Roy here: [audio:http://www.zimmcomm.biz/propane/propane-days-07-willis.mp3]

Roy ended our discussion by saying that the slogan, “Exceptional Energy,” is taken by PERC as a promise to their customers and a challenge to the staff to deliver a superior, safe product.

Audio, Propane

Trucking With Propane

Chuck Zimmerman

Tom ArnoldAs I promo’d last week, I’m here in Washington, DC at Propane Days. The Roush F-150 Propane Injection Truck is the first thing I got to learn about since it was on display right outside the hotel where the main program is taking place. To learn all about it I interviewed Tom Arnold, director, Roush Manufacturing. He says that the unit is available for sale. I thought it was interesting to note that it has an under-bed fuel tank. This is a full size truck that can be used for any application.

It sounds like using propane to fuel you vehicle right now would be an economical alternative to regular gas or diesel. It’s also supposed to be one of the cleanest burning fuels.

This is just one example of the projects that the Propane Education & Research Council has been involved in and is featuring here at Propane Days on Capitol Hill.

Audio, Propane, Video

Michigan Utility to Buy John Deere Wind Power

John Davis

John Deere logoA Michigan utility has inked a 20-year deal to buy renewable energy from John Deere.

According to this story on IndustryWeek.com, Wolverine Power Cooperative will get the power from Harvest Wind Farm, LLC… principally owned by John Deere:

The wind farm, which has been under development for three years, is slated for Huron County, Michigan.

John Deere Wind Energy is planning to begin construction of the 32-turbine project this summer, with commercial operation scheduled for early 2008. Wolverine is purchasing renewable energy from the Harvest Wind Farm project for sale to its six member-companies and their retail customers.

John Deere, Wind

Senate Considering New Ethanol Legislation

John Davis

The U.S. Senate is considering a bill this week that would continue to promote investment in traditional ethanol production while also pushing investments in research, technology and infrastructure for cellulosic ethanol production.

This article on Grainnet.com says the bill has the backing of the Renewable Fuels Association:

Bob Dinneen“Record-high gas prices, continued unrest in oil-producing regions of the world and the fragility of America’s oil refining complex underscore the necessity of developing renewable alternatives to fossil fuel,” said Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen.

“This bipartisan bill strikes an appropriate balance to continue the momentum spurred by the 2005 energy bill while providing the necessary incentives to bring next generation ethanol technology to the commercial market.”

Dinneen continued, “This bill is to cellulosic ethanol what the 2005 energy bill was to grain ethanol.

The legislation would have a new renewable fuels standard of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel each year by 2022, loan guarantees for alternative fuel refineries to include cellulosic ethanol, grants for to build renewable fuel corridors, a study looking at the feasibility of building an ethanol pipeline, and a study on the impacts of using higher than 10 percent ethanol blends.

Ethanol, News

Ethanol Likely to Pass Goal

John Davis

Officials with the National Corn Growers Association say the U.S. is on target to reach a 15-billion-gallon-a-year production goal… much earlier than the original 2015 goal.

NCGA Pres. Ken McCauleyIn fact, NCGA President Ken McCauley tells the Kansas City Star that goal could be reached as early as 2011 or 2012:

That reflects the growing confidence within the ethanol industry about its prospects in an era of expensive gasoline. But the association’s view is especially interesting in that additional production of corn, currently the main feedstock for ethanol, is crucial in meeting the rosier projections for ethanol.

McCauley noted the country’s corn farmers were ramping up production.

About 10.5 billion bushels of corn were harvested last year and an estimated 12.5 billon would be produced this year. Improved yields and more acres planted with corn should eventually increase production to 15 billion bushels, with about a third of that used for ethanol. A bushel of corn currently produces roughly 2.8 gallons of ethanol.

“We look at this as a real opportunity for agriculture,” he said.

The article goes on to say that the Renewable Fuels Association pegs current ethanol production at 6.2 billion gallons a year and expects that to double by early 2009.

Ethanol, News

Biofuel Locator Maps Unmet Demands

John Davis

NearBio logoNearBio, the innovator of technology that sends to your computer, cell phone, or mobile device info on where the nearest alternative fuel station is, has established a new web site: NeedBio.COM, a free registry that links local consumer demand for biodiesel with suppliers serving their area.

Check out this from a company press release:

“By giving biodiesel consumers a voice, and giving biodiesel suppliers the needed data to optimize their delivery of biodiesel, NEEDBIO is taking a major step forward in accelerating the US adoption of biodiesel in the most efficient way,” said Lisa Hull, VP and Co-Founder. She added, “With this website, the local demand for biodiesel blends will be documented, tracked, and promoted, and made available to the entire US biodiesel supply side community. This will ensure optimal and rapid provisioning of biodiesel fuel to the regions of greatest interest.”

The NeedBio web site will track information such as what type of vehicle, how many, the gas mileage, the annual mileage, locations of where the consumer fueled up, and even optional comments. Biofuel sellers see this as very valuable information:

“The ability for a supplier to have accurate market data about regional biodiesel demand is of critical importance in determining when and where to expand operations,” said Gavin Carpenter of SeQuential Biofuels. He added, “And just as important is the ability to understand trend data over time, and details about blend requirements, fleet usage, and individual consumer comments. We are thrilled NearBio has created NEEDBIO as a single, nationwide repository for consumer biodiesel demand.”

Of course, this registry will only be as good as the information customers put into it. Officials hope that it will solve some of the frustration behind not being able to find the right biofuel for the right vehicle.

Biodiesel

Udall Bus Running on Biodiesel

John Davis

Udall Bus
A B20 blend of biodiesel will be what fuels the Morris K. Udall Foundation’s bus tour this year. The tour that highlights public service, environmental, and Native American issues launched today in Washington, D.C.

Rahall-ScarlettAccording to this National Biodiesel Board news release, members of Congress and federal government agency leaders kicked off the coast-to-coast Udall Legacy Bus Tour near the U.S. Capitol in the first motor coach approved by the University of Vermont’s “Green Coach Certification” program:

NBB logo“We are pleased to see that the Udall Foundation and the federal agencies and equipment manufacturers who are sponsoring the tour recognize biodiesel’s valuable contribution to the environment,” said NBB Chief Executive Officer Joe Jobe. “It is only fitting that the bus tour will feature many National Parks since the Park Service’s fleets were among the first in the nation to use biodiesel. Today, hundreds of fleets, including government, commercial and school buses, use biodiesel to benefit America’s environment, energy security and economy.”

The bus tour winds through the country from now until the beginning of August. Along the way, the biodiesel-powered tour bus will carry 13 Udall scholars from the East Coast to the West, winding more than 8,600 miles, passing through 26 cities, six national parks, and six Native American communities.

You can check it out on the web at www.udall.gov.

Biodiesel, Government

Soybean Prices Spike Biodiesel Growth

John Davis

The latest monthly crop report from the USDA says the rapid rise in soybean prices, brought on by the rapid rise in the biodiesel industry, is keeping biodiesel from being as profitable as it could be.

This story on Forbes.com says the price for the biodiesel feedstock just rose above the profitability level:

Industry experts say biodiesel plants make a profit if soybean oil prices are 34 cents per pound or less.

On Monday, soybean oil for July delivery was trading at nearly 35 1/2 cents per pound on the Chicago Board of Trade. The market was anticipating prices to rise, said Fred Seamon, a Board of Trade agriculture analyst.

Soybean oil for December 2008 delivery was trading at just under 38 cents a pound, he said.

The article goes on to say while this won’t kill the biodiesel industry, it certainly won’t help. Even while other oil stocks (such as animal fats) can be used, soybean oil is used as the benchmark for pricing.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel, Solar for the Big Apple

John Davis

Being green isn’t just for areas surrounded by green farm fields. The grey, concrete jungle of New York City will start using solar power and biodiesel to heat city buildings.

Michael BloombergAn AP story posted on MSN’s money web site says the announcement comes as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s environmental plans. He wants the city to reduce the city’s carbon emissions by 30% in the next 23 years. Part of the plan includes replacing city taxis with hybrids and charging a surcharge for anyone who drives into the most congested areas of Manhattan.

The most recent part of the plan includes using biodiesel for heating city buildings by next summer and the solicitation of bids to put solar panels on city-owned buildings.

After tackling city buildings, councilmen are looking at making a biodiesel mandate for private home heating oil starting in 2009.

Biodiesel, Government