Breakthrough Energy Ventures Launches $1B Green Fund

Joanna Schroeder

A new green venture fund has been created by Breakthrough Energy Coalition (BEC) called Breakthrough Energy Ventures (BEV). The $1 billion investor-led fund will finance emerging energy technologies with the goal of reducing global greenhouse gas emissions to near-zero. The announcement was made earlier this month during the climate talks.

“It is extremely exciting for us to launch this fund as the next step in the commitment made by the Breakthrough Energy Coalition last year,” said BEV Chairman Bill Gates. “I am honored to work along with these investors to build on the powerful foundation of public investment in basic research. Our goal is to build companies that will help deliver the next generation of reliable, affordable, and emissions-free energy to the world.”

Breakthrough Energy Ventures will be a collaborative effort between academia, public-private sector and governments. These entities will bring to the table an investor-led fund comprising scientific expertise. The fund, with no ties to any specific energy sources, will also attract the best scientists, entrepreneurs, and private sector experts to guide the fund’s trajectory.

In addition to the announcement of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the BEC also shared its “Landscape of Innovation.” This plan outlines the technologies that public and private investors might support in order to reach the goal of near-zero carbon emissions. The plan will also serve as tool for BEV to guide its investments.

Alternative energy, bioenergy, Carbon, Climate Change

Flint Hills Resources Awarded EPA Pathway Approval

Joanna Schroeder

Flint Hills Resources ethanol facility located in Shell Rock, Iowa has been given U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval for its cellulosic production using Edeniq’s Pathway Technology. The 120 million gallon per year biorefinery is the second in the U.S. to receive EPA approval for cellulosic production using Edeniq technology.

“We are greatly encouraged by the EPA’s rapid approval of this second registration,” said Brian Thome, President and CEO of Edeniq. “We are excited that a growing number of our customers are generating cellulosic ethanol, transforming the ethanol industry and benefiting our country.”

Jeremy Bezdek, Flint Hills Resources’ vice president, Biofuels & Ingredients, noted, “Our goal is to create as much value out of every kernel of corn as possible. The Edeniq Pathway technology helps increase ethanol yields and corn oil recovery, and allows us to produce cellulosic ethanol. We appreciate the strong partnership Flint Hills has with Edeniq and look forward to evaluating the potential use of the Pathway technology at our other plants.”

According to Edeniq, they are working to move ethanol plants through commercial trials and remain actively involved in the EPA cellulosic registration process on behalf of their plants despite the agency’s backlog.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, EPA, Ethanol

#Ethanol – Good Year in the Rearview Mirror

Cindy Zimmerman

With the presidential campaign getting all the attention this year, it may have gone relatively unnoticed that 2016 was a very good year for the ethanol industry. Actually, Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen says it was a “terrific” year – with record production, record demand and record exports of distillers feed.

In this Ethanol Report, Dinneen talks about why it was such as good year for the industry: Ethanol Report on 2016 in Review

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA

What 2016 ag news will have most impact on future?

Jamie Johansen

zp-nh1Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s on your Christmas list?”

I hope you all have your Christmas shopping done. I am soon heading out to tackle a few last minute items. Like many in my family, gifts cards seems to be a favorite item for Christmas lists. Our poll falls in line with that trend. Those are quite boring to buy, but oh so easy! I just can’t believe no one has farm equipment on there list this year.

Here are the poll results:

  • Electronics – 29%
  • Clothes – 21%
  • Farm equipment – 0%
  • Cash or gift cards – 36%
  • Other – 14%

Our new ZimmPoll is live and asks the question, What 2016 ag news will have most impact on future?

As we begin to wrap up 2016, we began to reflect on some top news stories which have topped newsrooms, coffee shops and tractor cabs throughout the year. Let us know what 2016 ag news will have the largest impact on the future. Might it be the Presidential election, biofuels, GMOs or the farm economy?

ZimmPoll

EPA Wins Biodiesel Suit

Joanna Schroeder

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it included biodiesel from Argentina under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for obligated parties to use when meeting their volume obligations. Back in 2015, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) filed a petition with the EPA urging them to change their rulemaking that allowed foreign biodiesel to be included under the RFS. As part of this law, the fuel producers were required to prove that the feedstocks used in the production of biodiesel were grown on land before 2007 to ensure the biodiesel was sustainably produced.

The Appeals judge wrote that the requirement was “neither arbitrary nor capricious, as it comports with agency regulations and rests upon the kind of highly technical judgments to which we owe agencies great deference.”

In response to the ruling, NBB Vice President of Federal Affairs, Anne Steckel, stated, “We think EPA’s decision has negative implications for the industry, which is why we challenged, so we’re still reviewing the court’s decision and looking at our options. The domestic biodiesel industry is a resounding success story under the Renewable Fuel Standard program, and NBB is committed to supporting a strong and robust program.” 

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB, RFS

Iowa Energy Plan Unveiled

Cindy Zimmerman

Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds today unveiled the Iowa Energy Plan, which “assesses current and future energy supply and demand, examines energy policies and programs and identifies emerging challenges and opportunities.”

“Iowa is a leader in biofuels and renewable energy,” said Lt. Governor Reynolds. “That leadership was achieved because of thoughtful planning. Creating a statewide energy plan will keep Iowa at the forefront of energy policy and allow our state to develop a path toward the future.”

The Iowa Energy Plan’s vision statement represents the collective understanding of Iowa’s ideal future in terms of its energy use and resources. The vision considers a planning horizon of 10 years, with 15 objectives and 45 strategies outlined in the 100+ page report.

Several key areas that could positively impact Iowa’s energy economy were identified in the plan, including technology-based research and development, alternative fuel vehicles, and biomass potential.

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw says he is pleased to see the plan intends to build on the role biofuels have played in powering Iowa’s economy “as there is much more biofuels and biomass can do for Iowa in the future. Optimizing vehicles for biofuels and empowering consumers to choose higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel will be keys to unlocking this potential.”

Learn more about the Iowa Energy Plan.

Biodiesel, biofuels, biomass, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Iowa RFA Announces New Communications Director

Cindy Zimmerman

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has announced Cassidy Riley as Communications Director for the organization.

Riley most recently worked as the Central Iowa Field Director for Senator Chuck Grassley’s 2016 reelection campaign. Prior to the campaign she clerked in the Iowa House of Representatives for Rep. Tom Moore. “I’m thrilled to join the IRFA team because I get to use my skills in communications to advocate for the growth of something I believe in – renewable fuels that are good for our economy, environment, and national security,” she said.

Riley is a December 2015 graduate from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Political Science. her responsibilities with Iowa RFA will include media and member relations, social media and web communication, and promotion of biodiesel and biodiesel co-products.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Waterford School District Debuts Propane Buses

Joanna Schroeder

Waterford School District (WSD), in Michigan, has debuted 10 new school buses powered by propane autogas. The school district joins nearly 30 others in the state who are also fueling their bus fleets with propane. Each Blue Bird Vision Propane bus is retrofitted with propane fuel systems manufactured by Michigan-based ROUSH CleanTech.

“Prior to joining WSD, I had a very positive experience with propane-fueled buses,” said WSD Superintendent Keith Wunderlich. “School buses operating on propane are environmentally friendly and reliable in cold weather conditions, plus offer cost saving benefits.” Another reason WSD purchased propane buses, said Wunderlich, is because they provide the safety of a quieter running engine.

Wunderlich also noted that although the initial purchase cost of each propane-autogas bus is higher the “savings in overall cost of ownership versus a diesel bus is worth the initial cost.”

The Blue Bird Propane bus is equipped with a Ford Motor Company 6.8L V10 engines. According to ROUSH CleanTech, when compared to diesel, each bus emits 80 percent less smog-producing hydrocarbons and eliminates nearly all particulate matter. The WSD fleet of propane buses will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by around 10,000 pounds and particulate matter by an estimate of 315 pounds each year as compared to the diesel buses they replaced.

“Waterford School District joins hundreds of school districts across America making the decision to find fuel alternatives for their buses,” added Brian Carney, executive director of school bus and customer support for ROUSH CleanTech. “Propane is a proven choice that costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon and reduces maintenance costs due to its clean-operating properties.”

Alternative Vehicles, Propane

Losing Topsoil? Plant Switchgrass.

Joanna Schroeder

Switchgrass, an energy feedstock that can be used for biofuel production, now has another benefit: it can improve soil quality and can be grown on farms that have lost fertile topsoil. According to new research from the University of Missouri (MU) College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources has found that switchgrass may be a promising option for growers who have challenges with growing other crops; that is, if there is a good market for the crop. The study was published in a recent edition of the Soil Science Society of America Journal.

The MU researchers studied plots with varying amounts of topsoil. Each plot included corn, soybeans and switchgrass. They found that switchgrass grew well in areas without topsoil and actually improved the soil in those areas.

“Once a farm loses its topsoil due to erosion, the soil recovers very slowly,” explains Stephen Anderson, the William A. Albrecht Distinguished Professor of Soil Science at MU. “Switchgrass can be grown efficiently on eroded claypan soils; farmers who have lost their topsoil may want to consider growing this hardy plant. Switchgrass can be harvested and sold as a biomass crop for ethanol production or as fuel for power plants. While demand depends on the current market for biomass crops, this could be an answer for these farmers who otherwise have challenges obtaining good economic returns growing grain crops on eroded land.”

The research looked at several farming plots with varying levels of topsoil. The plots were established in 2009 and each plot ranged from extra topsoil to no topsoil. According to lead author Syaharudin Zaibon, a doctoral candidate at MU, corn, soybean and switchgrass were grown on each plot for five years. After this timeframe, the researchers looked at the soil density and water permeability of each plot. What was discovered was that the plots that grew switchgrass had improved soil quality with little or no topsoil on which it grew.

“Claypan layers have lower water permeability, making it more difficult for plants to receive water and for farmers to obtain good economic returns from grain crops when the silt loam topsoil is lost from these areas,” Anderson said. “This lower permeability prevents oxygen and water from seeping into the eroded soil. We found that over a number of years, the switchgrass was able to increase, or improve, the water permeability into this eroded soil, leading to an 11 percent higher water saturation than the areas where corn and soybeans were grown. This study shows that not only can switchgrass grow in these eroded claypan soil areas, but it actually can improve the soil over time, potentially opening the door for better production of grain crops subsequently grown in those areas.”

advanced biofuels, Farming, feedstocks, Research

Enogen Provides Benefits for #Ethanol Growers

Joanna Schroeder

Duane Martin manages the Agrisure portfolio for Syngenta corn and soybeans. “We’re very proud of the technology we’ve brought to the corn and soybean market over the last several years- launching more new technology, more new traits, to especially the corn business one the last five years than any other company in the industry.”

The Enogen corn technology is expanding, says Martin who adds that Enogen for ethanol provides a 360 degree value. Ethanol plants who use Enogen see increased efficiency, while growers who supply the grain can see up to a 40 cent per bushel premium upon delivery. And this, says Martin, keeps money in the local, rural economies.

As the company has continued to do research on the Enogen traits, they discovered another value for corn growers who are feeding their own beef or dairy herds. “So for those growers feeding their own livestock, we find that Enogen corn can provide a much more digestible, usable high value feed for either beef cattle or dairy herds,” says Martin.

Learn more about Enogen and Syngenta’s other traits in the full interview here: Interview with Duane Martin, Syngenta

Audio, biofuels, corn, Enogen, Ethanol, Syngenta