Novozymes Introduces Cellulosic Strategy

Cindy Zimmerman

Novezymes Demark-based biotech firm Novozymes has “introduced a five-step strategy to achieve economically viable cellulosic ethanol.”

According to a news release, the strategy was unveiled at a press conference during the 4th Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing in Orlando, Fla. The press conference was followed by a panel discussion featuring Per Falholt, Novozymes chief scientific officer; Maria Rapoza, vice president for Science and Technology, North Carolina Biotechnology Center; and Dan Schwartzkopf, National Hot Rod Association dragster and Ethanol Promotion and Information Council representative.

The company’s strategy includes: continued funding of research and development, establishment of geographically-distributed flexible configuration testing and development centers, scientific advancement to increase cost efficiency by improving underlying agricultural practices and pre-treatment methods, scientific advancement in biotechnology, and continued bi-partisan support of a national infrastructure to support practical implementation such as incentives and tax credits.

Biotech, Cellulosic, EPIC, Ethanol, News

Building with Biodiesel

John Davis

Union of Concerned Scientists A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists says that construction equipment is one of the largest sources of diesel pollution in California.

NBB logo But there is a better way. The National Biodiesel Board says cleaner-burning biodiesel could help construction companies reduce their impact. It cites two companies… Manatt’s in Iowa and North Bay Construction in California… and their positive experiences with biodiesel in their heavy equipment. NBB has posted some of their testimonials here.
North Bay Construction
The Union of Concerned Scientists praises the construction companies’ actions:

UCS Clean Vehicles Engineer Don Anair says biodiesel has an important role to play in helping to clean up construction sites. “Refueling with cleaner alternatives like biodiesel combined with other particulate controls is an excellent solution for reducing harmful diesel exhaust particulates from construction and off-road diesel equipment,” says Anair, “We applaud proactive efforts of companies like North Bay Construction and Manatt’s in helping to realize our shared goal of cleaner and healthier air and urge others to follow their lead.”

Biodiesel

Indiana Johanns Adventures

Cindy Zimmerman

BioTown USAAgriculture Secretary Mike Johanns spent Wednesday in the state of Indiana talking about domestic fuel.

First, the secretary joined Governor Mitch Daniels to break ground for BioTown, USA’s Phase II technology suite. BioTown is the country’s first effort toward creating communities where all energy needs are met through biorenewable resources.

BioTown JohannsAt that event, Johanns also announced the availability of $176.5 million in loan guarantees and $11.4 million in grants to support investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements by agricultural producers and small businesses.

“By promoting energy efficiency and development of energy sources that are farm based and renewable, we’re taking another step toward achieving the President’s goal of reducing America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent in ten years,” said Johanns. “We hope to dramatically expand renewable energy programs like these, as reflected in our 2007 farm bill proposals.”

Finally, Johanns concluded the day with a renewable energy roundtable discussion at Purdue University in Indiana where he talked about the administration’s 2007 Farm Bill proposals and fielded energy-related questions with a number of other panelists. He also introduced a new web-based tool designed to make energy-related activities from across the Department accessible from a single web page. The Energy Matrix is a comprehensive collection of information on all of USDA’s energy-related programs, research efforts, funding opportunities, and technical assistance.

Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, Government, News

Broin to Construct Plant #30

Cindy Zimmerman

Broin Companies South Dakota-based Broin Companies, the nation’s largest dry mill ethanol producer, will construct its 30th ethanol production facility near Fostoria, Ohio.

According to a press release, Fostoria Ethanol will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol from 21 million bushels of locally grown corn and produce 178,000 tons of premium Dakota Gold Enhanced Nutrition Distillers Products.

Broin Companies expects to start construction in the next 30-60 days with a construction time period of 12-14 months.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

IndyCar Races up the Hill

Cindy Zimmerman

DC IndyEthanol was the center of attention outside the US Senate building in Washington DC Wednesday as Senators Richard Lugar and Evan Bayh of Indiana joined with members of the ethanol industry to mark the use of 100 percent fuel grade ethanol in the IndyCar Series starting in Homestead this weekend.

Among those on hand to commemorate the event, organized by the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council and the Renewable Fuels Association, was Team Ethanol IndyCar driver Jeff Simmons who addressed a large crowd of media representatives.

DC IndyEPIC Executive Director Tom Slunecka said several other lawmakers in addition to Sens. Lugar and Bayh attended the event as well, including Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota.

“Lawmakers understand that ethanol is bringing a change in this country,” said Slunecka. “Our dependence on foreign oil is being reduced by the use of ethanol and they want to make sure that the momentum continues to grow so they turned out today to help show their support.”

DC IndyEPIC board member Greg Krissek, Director of Government affairs for ethanol design firm ICM Inc, said increasing the use of the plant-based fuel is helping to reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil, revitalize rural economies and address global environmental concerns.

“We’ve seen that ethanol used as an oxygenate in engines reduces the amount of pollution out the tailpipe,” Krissek explained. “But even more importantly, ethanol is a renewable resource reducing the amount of hydrocarbon fuels that we need to use.”

The first race in the 2007 IndyCar Series takes place March 24 at 8:00 pm ET at the Homestead-Miami Speedway. Read story from the IRL on the Capitol event.

(Photos courtesy of IRL and RFA)

EPIC, Ethanol, Government, Indy Racing, News

Another Biodiesel Essay Contest… This Time in Iowa

John Davis

Clean Air Choice logo
Just as I finished the last post about the biodiesel essay contest for high school seniors in Minnesota, Bob Moffitt with the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest let me know there’s also an essay contest for younger students in Iowa.

IA Soy logoALA UM logo
The Iowa Soybean Association and the American Lung Association in Iowa (part of the Upper Midwest division) is offering a biodiesel essay contest for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders:

”The essay contest is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students in Iowa and focuses on how biodiesel affects human and environmental health,” said Jessica Zopf, contest manager. “All entries must be at least 200 words long and be received at the American Lung Association office in Des Moines no later than May 1, 2007.”

Everyone who submits an essay receives two collectable wristbands from the American Lung Association of Iowa and the Iowa Soybean Association. Three state winners in each grade get a $50 iTunes gift card.

Get your entry forms and information at CleanAirChoice.org… just click on the “Iowa Biodiesel Essay Contest” box. Entries can be mailed to: Jessica Zopf, American Lung Association of Iowa, 5601 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50310.

Good luck!

Biodiesel

Essay Contest on Biodiesel Offered in Minnesota

John Davis

ALA UM logoMN Soy logo
The American Lung Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Soybean Association are sponsoring some scholarships for students in Minnesota who write winning essays about biodiesel.

The Clean Air Choice Scholarships provide money for students with the intent to raise awareness of the emerging alternative fuel:

Clean Air Choice logo “The Clean Air Choice essay scholarship is open to all high school seniors in Minnesota who wish to continue their education after high school,” said contest coordinator Alison Deneen. “Two scholarships will be awarded. The first place essay writer will receive a $500 scholarship; the second place essay writer will receive a $250 scholarship.”

Students can write the 1,000-word essays about any aspect of biodiesel. They can also choose from one of three topics… 1. Biodiesel’s benefits to Minnesota… 2. Expanding biodiesel’s use: opportunities and challenges… or 3. How can you impact biodiesel use in your area?

Entries must be in to the American Lung Association of Minnesota offices in St. Paul by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 30, 2007. Organizers do prefer online entries at the web site www.cleanairchoice.org.

Biodiesel

Bush Talks Energy in Missouri

Cindy Zimmerman

President Bush talked about his energy initiatives, domestic fuel and alternative fuel vehicles during a visit to a Ford Motor assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri on Tuesday.

“The reason I’ve come is I want to highlight an important initiative for the country, and that is to promote technologies so we are less reliant upon foreign sources of oil. And the best way to become less reliant on foreign sources of oil is to manufacture automobiles that will use either less gasoline, or different kinds of fuels,” said Bush.

Bush CarsThe president talked about his goal of reducing America’s gasoline consumption by 20 percent over the next 10 years and how hybrid cars and flex-fuel vehicles can help achieve that goal.

“You’re producing flex-fuel vehicles here, where somebody can decide to fill up with ethanol, or they can decide to fill up with gasoline, their choice. In turns out that Henry Ford — Model T was one of the first flex-fuel vehicles. I didn’t realize that until I came here — but that he had the vision of having the Model T run either on gasoline or ethanol. Isn’t that interesting?”

Read the president’s entire address at the Ford plant from the White House website.

Energy, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, News

New Ethanol Plants Planned

Cindy Zimmerman

Biofuel Energy Denver-based BioFuel Energy has finalized locations for three new ethanol production facilities.

According to a press release, the company is currently constructing its first two 115 million gallon a year ethanol plants in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota. Both are being built by TIC in association with Delta-T Corporation and are expected to be operational in the first quarter of 2008.

The Company indicated that the sites for its next three 115 million gallon a year facilities are in Alta, Iowa; Gilman, Illinois; and Atchison, Kansas. An alternate site is being prepared in Litchfield, Illinois.

Ethanol, Facilities, News

Rome Going Green

John Davis

Rome city bus The City of Rome, Italy could convert all of its 2800 buses to biodiesel by the end of 2008.

According to this article on Checkbiotech.org, a test of 200 buses will start the program:

Importantly, the accord covers not just the purchasing of the biodesel end-product but other stages of the supply chain including the growing of oilseed crops from which biodeisel is produced.

Farmers close to Rome have agreed to lift crop area devoted to rapeseed, soy and sunflowers from a few hundred hectares to 10,000 hectares, and to 20,000 if needed, to meet demand.

If fully implemented, the program could save 40,000 tons of carbon dioxide and emissions.

Biodiesel, International