Power from Peanuts

Cindy Zimmerman

Peanut Lab The National Peanut Research Lab is looking at how farmers may be able to make their own peanut-based on-farm fuel.

Research agronomist Wilson Faircloth says they have spent the past two years field testing different peanut varieties that can be used to make biodiesel. “We are now at the point where we are beginning to build a biodiesel pilot plant at our lab in Dawson where we can show farmers how to take peanuts from the field to the fuel tank in a self-contained fuel system,” he said.

In an interview with Southeast Agnet at the recent Georiga Peanut Show in Albany, Faircloth said they are planning to complete a plant by mid-summer that will fully meet the diesel demands of the research lab. “Our diesel demands are 3-5,000 gallons per year,” he said. “So for an average farm this will be about a quarter-scale plant.” The budget for the plant is less than $25,000.

When the plant is complete, Faircloth says they plan to have a demonstration event for farmers in the area.

Listen to an interview with Faircloth by Southeast Agnet’s Lee McCoy here: Listen To MP3 Faircloth Interview (3 min MP3)

Audio, Biodiesel, Research

Florida Ethanol Plant President Sees Bright Future

Cindy Zimmerman

US EnviroFuels The president of Florida’s only ethanol plant under construction was a featured speaker in Indian River citrus country this week.

Bradley Krohn of U.S. EnviroFuels plans to use corn from the Midwest to produce ethanol for a 40 million gallon a year plant at Tampa Bay, but he believes there is good potential for Florida producers to grow alternative crops to make the fuel.

“This represents a tremendous opportunity for Florida growers to either diversify with an alternative crop or for citrus growers who are plowing up groves due to canker and are interested in growing a new kind of crop,” Krohn said in an interview this week with Southeast Agnet and Citrus Industry magazine.

Krohn says his plant could potentially use up to 100,000 acres of commodities grown in Florida. “That’s just for one plant. If you were to go to ten ethanol plants in Florida, that’s ten times 100,000 acres.”

He notes that Florida is the third largest consumer of gasoline in the country, behind California and Texas, consumer about 8.6 billion gallons of gasoline each year. He says it would take 20-25 plants like his just to provide a 10 percent ethanol blend for gasoline in the state.

Krohn also has an interesting perspective on the competition between livestock and ethanol producers for corn. “I think there’s a great opportunity in Florida to bring back slaughterhouses instead of sending cattle out to the midwest for finishing,” by creating a local supply of distiller’s grains to feed and finish cattle in the state.

Listen to an interview with Krohn by Southeast Agnet’s Gary Cooper here: Listen To MP3 Bradley Krohn Interview (7:45 min MP3)

Audio, Ethanol, News

New York Investors Buy Planned North Dakota Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

What might be a measure of how successful biodiesel will be? Well, some might argue the number of investors willing to plunk down money in these ventures. Earlier this week, I told you about how Missouri saw a sharp increase in biofuels investors. Now, New York investors are buying a biodiesel plant still just in the planning stages near Minot, North Dakota. In this story from the Associated Press in the Bismarck Tribune, the Kinetic Group’s Jeremy Dockter (a native North Dakotan – and now living in New York), explains why they made the move:

“The key is finding markets, not only in North Dakota but also other countries and other states,” Dockter said.

When finished, the plant is expected to produce 60 million gallons of canola oil… half going to biodiesel production and the other half going to edible oil.

Biodiesel

Better Biodiesel Touts Technology for Biodiesel Plants

John Davis

Better BiodieselUtah-based Better Biodiesel says it has developed technology that will allow biodiesel plants to forego using some of the caustic chemicals now used in biodiesel production and to create a smaller environmental footprint for plants. Anthony Evans, Vice President Investor Relations, says no caustic chemicals means no water used to wash away those chemicals.

Better Biodiesel’s proprietary waterless technology significantly reduces the costs of biodiesel production and its impact on the environment. Better Biodiesel’s initial pilot plant currently produces approximately three million gallons per year and has a total footprint of less than 160 square feet. By contrast, at least three acres are required for a conventional biodiesel facility of the same production capacity.

Better Biodiesel believes it can take advantage of these efficiencies and plans to increase its current capacity ten-fold by next spring and potentially reach 100 million gallons of production capacity by year end 2007. Better Biodiesel’s objective is to become one of the world’s largest producers of biodiesel.

In addition, Evans says his company’s biodiesel plants fit inside an 8’X40′ shipping container. He says they set up quicker, cheaper, and run more cost-effective than traditional biodiesel plants. And Evans says Better Biodiesel plants run on any combination of feedstocks… from restaurant grease to soybean oil.

Check ’em out for yourself on the web at www.betterbiodiesel.com.

Biodiesel, Facilities

NIAA to Discuss Impact of Biofuels

John Davis

NIAA logoThere’s been a lot of talk lately about how the increased demand for ethanol and biodiesel will affect farmers and ranchers using the same stocks for feed for their animals. The National Institute of Animal Agriculture plans to make the topic a top priority at its annual meeting, April 2-5 in Sacramento, California. From the group’s press release:

“With all of the emphasis on BioFuels, what impact will that have on animal agriculture?” questions Jim Fraley, chair of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee. “Will it mean higher feed costs? If so, how will we pass those costs along? These will be the questions we’ll be examining at the annual meeting” Fraley says.

Organizers plan to talk about this subject from day one and strongly encourage anyone interested to register early and plan to get there for the opening session. More information is available at the NIAA website: www.animalagriculture.org.

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, conferences, Ethanol, News

Farmergy Acquires Missouri Valley Renewable Energy

John Davis

FarmergySt. Louis-based Farmergy… a provider of technology to help farmers and ranchers “get off the grid”… has bought Missouri Valley Renewable Energy, a company touted as a leader in Missouri for renewable energy sources. MOVRE was founded in 2000 by Henry Rentz, after an extended power outage left his farm and home without the capability to pump water or provide refrigeration. According to a Farmergy press release, Rentz, the former CEO of MOVRE, now will join Farmergy as a part of its management team:

“A critical component of our success at Farmergy will be our ability to effectively install a vast array of clean energy solutions for farmers and ranchers across the country,” says Mark Green, Farmergy president and chief executive officer. “Henry’s intimate knowledge of both agriculture and the renewable energy industry will be invaluable to us as he designs and implements our national certified installer program.”

The release goes on to say that Farmergy-certified installers will make sure that customers get the best installation for whatever energy source they choose.

Agribusiness, Distribution, Miscellaneous

EPIC Shares President’s Goals

Cindy Zimmerman

E A stable supply of domestically-produced fuel is vital to achieving the goals outlined by President Bush in his State of the Union address, and the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) is determined to help make that happen.

In a news release, EPIC Executive Director Tom Slunecka said, “We share the administration’s vision on an issue of such critical importance to America’s energy future. The ethanol industry is committed to help our nation reach that goal.”

EPIC suggests that there are several things consumers can do now to reduce energy consumption and reach our country’s energy goals even earlier than 2017, such as buying flexible-fuel vehicles and using E85 when possible, filling up with E10 when available, and encourage retailers to carry ethanol blends.

“Take control and demand that your local retailer offer an ethanol blend,” said Slunecka. “The consumer has the power to make change occur.”

EPIC, Ethanol, News

Ethanol and Global Warming 101

Cindy Zimmerman

GW 101In an effort to bring attention to the issue of global climate change and the role ethanol can play in the solution, the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council has joined the team for explorer Will Steger’s Global Warming 101 Expedition, according to an EPIC release.

StegerSteger, who has long been a proponent of alternative energy in the fight against global warming, will begin a four month dogsled expedition next month across the Canadian Arctic’s Baffin Island.

“There’s never been a more critical time to act. “The debate is over,” said Steger. “Ethanol is available now to consumers. A renewable fuel, it’s a critical part of the solution.”

E BearEPIC is offering a way for everyone to help in the effort. Visitors to www.drivingethanol.org can purchase an expedition T-shirt or a cute and cuddly polar bear stuffed animal. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Will Steger Foundation.

Domestic Fuel will be on location in Ely, Minnesota February 3 when the Steger expedition prepares to cross the border into Canada to get up close and personal with Will and his team of 24 trained dogsled pullers. Stay tuned for more.

EPIC, Ethanol, global warming, News

Poll Shows Support for Government Involvement in Alternative Fuels

Cindy Zimmerman

A new poll indicates that 85% of American voters think that the government should be involved in the development of alternative fuels.
graphAccording to a release from the Renewable Fuels Association, the poll was conducted by The Winston Group prior to President Bush’s State of the Union speech. It also found that 84% of voters think that the government should provide incentives for the production of alternative fuels like ethanol to reduce dependence on imported oil.

In addition to their belief that ethanol contributes to reducing oil imports, 88% of American voters believe that the development of the domestic ethanol industry helps create jobs and is beneficial to the overall economy.

Another poll question found that 84% of American voters believe that producing domestic ethanol from corn is an important step to an expanded ethanol industry based on switch grass and other plant and waste materials.

Read poll results report here.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Government, News

Missouri Could Adopt Biodiesel Standard

John Davis

On the heels of President Bush’s call for more alternative fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, Missouri’s legislature is considering a five percent biodiesel standard at every gas station in the state. The State Senate Agriculture, Conservation, Parks and Natural Resources Committee has heard testimony on a bill that would require all diesel sold in Missouri to have at least five percent biodiesel. Check out this story from the Columbia Missourian:

s“We want to show biodiesel as a legitimate fuel source,” said Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Marshall, who sponsored the bill.

The committee is set to vote on the bill Tuesday. If approved, the bill would be added to the agenda and debated on the Senate floor. If it’s voted down, a different version of the same bill will be sponsored in the House of Representatives.

Soybean growers are praising the legislation, but petroleum marketers have already lined up in opposition.

Ronald Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, is fearful truck drivers will not stop in Missouri to fill up because of the proposed standard. They may refuse to buy biodiesel because they don’t trust the reputation of the fuel, he said. Many truckers travel on Interstate 70 between Kansas City and St. Louis, both of which border states that do not have a biodiesel standard.

Missouri already has a 10 percent ethanol standard.

Biodiesel, Government, Legislation