Propane Conversion in a Snap

Joanna Schroeder

During the Indianapolis Work Truck Show earlier this week, Alliance AutoGas conversion techs Stephen Holland and Stacey Snyder installed the Alliance fuel engineered conversion system on a Bi-Fuel 2016 3.5 Liter Ford F-150 V6 in a little more than an hour an a half, setting a record.

Stephen Holland, Blossman Services Inc. Equipment Application Engineer and Stacey Snyder, Blossman Services Equipment Conversion Tech

Stephen Holland, Blossman Services Inc. Equipment Application Engineer and Stacey Snyder, Blossman Services Equipment Conversion Tech

The propane fuel system features a single plug wiring connector with a 21-gallon underbody autogas tank with all wiring at proper specs. Everything is bracketed anddesigned to be installed without any drilling or fabrication. Alliance AutoGas says by deploying these features, labor times and conversion costs are significantly reduced.

Ed Hoffman, President of Blossman Services Inc., the equipment distributor for Alliance AutoGas said of the new feat and new propane autogas technology, “The live, record-setting conversion of the F-150 at the Work Truck Show proved that Alliance’s EPA and NFPA 58 compliant system can indeed be installed in far less than half the time of other products in the market without any permanent vehicle modifications. We are also confident in saying that that fleets can experience a positive ROI with a partial asset life when reduced conversion costs are coupled with low, stable fuel prices as well as our warranty that doubles the industry standard.”

Stuart Weidie, President of Alliance AutoGas, who spoke at the Live Conversion event, added, “We are proud that our innovative and elegant fuel system design was installed in far less time than we ever anticipated. Alliances’ state of the art technology coupled with a positive environmental impact, is a winner in all regards. It is a definitive message that our system will take the lead on reducing costs, and any barriers associated with fleet conversions going forward throughout North America.”

In early May of this year, the converted F-150 will embark on the Alliance AutoGas Clean Air Coast-to-Coast Ride, a 5,300 mile trip beginning in Kansas City, KS, and ending  in Asheville, NC, on May 20.

Alternative Vehicles, Propane

REG Acquires Sanimax Energy’s Biodiesel Plant

Joanna Schroeder

The Renewable Energy Group, Inc. has finalized its acquisition of Sanimax Energy’s biodiesel plant in DeForest, Wisconsin. The 20 million gallon per year facility, now called REG Madison, LLC, is now REG’s 11 active biodiesel plant in the U.S. and brings their annual production to 450 million gallons.

The 20 million gallon REG Madison biorefinery is Renewable Energy Group's 11th active biomass-based diesel refinery in the US and expands REG's nameplate production capacity to more than 450 million gallons annually. (Photo Courtesy REG)

The 20 million gallon REG Madison biorefinery is Renewable Energy Group’s 11th active biomass-based diesel refinery in the US and expands REG’s nameplate production capacity to more than 450 million gallons annually. (Photo Courtesy REG)

REG paid Sanimax $11 million in cash and issued 500,000 shares of REG common stock in exchange for the biorefinery and related assets. REG may also pay Sanimax up to an additional $5 million in cash over a period of up to seven years after closing based on the volume of biodiesel produced at the plant.

“We are very pleased to have successfully closed this transaction in a short amount of time and are already producing REG-9000 biodiesel at the plant,” said Brad Albin, REG Vice President, Manufacturing. “We welcome the newest members of our team at REG Madison and are proud to be a part of the DeForest community.”

Most of the biodiesel employees have agreed to stay on with REG. The biorefinery is located just north of Madison, Wisconsin and began production in 2007 using yellow grease, rendered animal fats and inedible corn oil. It uses the same REG patented high free fatty acid processing technology as its plant in Seneca, Illinois.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

GMO Labeling Bill – What Should Congress Do?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you look forward to most in spring?”

I don’t think it really matters who won this week’s poll. What really matters is Spring is right around the corner and Spring means new beginnings. Farmers are busy preparing their fields and livestock babies of all shapes and sizes are being born each day. I am looking forward to many things and warmer weather tops my list.

Here are the poll results:

  • Warmer weather – 38%
  • Green grass & flowers – 28%
  • Planting – 10%
  • Spring showers – 5%
  • Other -19%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What should Congress do about GMO labeling?

Despite the best efforts of Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the Biotechnology Labeling Solutions Bill in a 48-49 vote, blocking advancement of the legislation that would create a voluntary federal standard for labeling foods with genetically modified ingredients. Hundreds of agricultural organizations supported the Roberts bill and are disappointed in the outcome. What should be done now? Let us know how you feel.

ZimmPoll

House Hearing Attacks #RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

The House Oversight Subcommittees on Interior and Healthcare, Benefits and Administrative Rules held a joint hearing Wednesday to ostensibly examine the Renewable Fuel Standard but was basically an attack on the law.

hearing-grundlerEPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality Director Chris Grundler provided testimony at the hearing and attempted to explain the purpose and intent of the RFS, including what the agency can and cannot do under the law, to obviously unfriendly lawmakers who used the forum to bring up every argument against renewable fuels, from food versus fuel to the blend wall. Grundler repeatedly noted that the job of the EPA was to implement the law as Congress intended. “Introducing new fuels into the marketplace, especially cellulosic biofuels, is not an easy task,” said Grundler. “But that is the challenge Congress took on with the RFS program and we are committed to implementing the program … as Congress intended.”

hearing-tynerPurdue economics professor Dr. Wally Tyner was the lone voice on the panel supporting the benefits of the RFS, calling it one of the “appropriate and effective ways to move our economy towards lower GHG emissions.”

No one from the U.S. biofuels industry was invited to testify, which was distressing to the ethanol industry. “Unfortunately, the committee has stacked the witness list with oil company apologists intent upon undermining public support for this important program,” said Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) president and CEO Bob Dinneen. “Why is the committee afraid to hear all sides of the debate?”

“Holding a hearing on the RFS without any biofuels stakeholders is unacceptable and defeats the very purpose of what this congressional committee is tasked to accomplish,” added Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. “The lack of diversity of opinions on this panel exemplifies political theater designed to drive a false narrative and discredit the success of the RFS. Furthermore, one of the most vocal RFS critics on the witness list was a professor who has been funded by the American Petroleum Institute (API).” He was referring to John DeCicco, a research professor with the University of Michigan Energy Institute, who conducted an unfavorable study on the RFS last year funded by the American Petroleum Institute.

The subcommittees also heard anti-RFS testimony from ActionAid USA and The Heritage Foundation.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA, RFS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Under Secretary for Science and Energy, Dr. Franklin Orr, joined Mayor Michael Hancock to announce Denver as the host city for the next U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition in the fall of 2017. Dr. Orr revealed that Denver won the bid to host this biennial event, in which student teams compete to design, build, and operate cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered houses. The teams from across the country and around the world will be competing for $2 million in prize money.
  • BBI International has announced the National Advanced Biofuels Conference & Expo will be co-located with the 32nd annual International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW). The events will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin June 20-23, 2016. The events will feature the world of advanced biofuels and biobased chemicals—technology scale-up, project finance, policy, national markets and more—with a core focus on the industrial, petroleum and agribusiness alliances defining the national advanced biofuels industry.
  • The fight to stop unneeded pipelines, including PennEast’s proposed natural gas pipeline in New Jersey, has risen to a new level, as ReThink Energy NJ launched a new radio and print advertising campaign across the Garden State urging citizens and decisionmakers to “say no” to unnecessary pipelines and “yes” to renewable energy sources.
Bioenergy Bytes

#Classic16 Panel on #Ethanol Future

Cindy Zimmerman

(L-R): Jack Bernens, Syngenta; Delayne Johnson, Quad County Corn Processors; and Kelly Manning, Growth Energy

(L-R): Jack Bernens, Syngenta; Delayne Johnson, Quad County Corn Processors; and Kelly Manning, Growth Energy

The future of fuel was the topic of an educational session hosted by Syngenta at the recent Commodity Classic in New Orleans. The event brought together leaders representing industry, ethanol producer and agricultural perspectives to discuss opportunities to grow demand for American ethanol in the wake of the EPA’s 2015 ruling on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Growth Energy vice president for development Kelly Manning told attendees that the EPA ruling makes retail partnerships, like the industry’s Prime the Pump fund, more important than ever to grow ethanol demand. “Prime the Pump is helping high-volume, progressive-minded and industry-leading fuel retailers, who will demonstrate the performance, cost savings and profit opportunity of marketing higher ethanol blends such as E15,” said Manning.

In addition to retail partnerships, new technologies are also critical to the future of fuel. Specifically, advances in cellulosic technology are helping to make biofuels more sustainable and produce more ethanol from the same bushel of corn.

Galva, Iowa-based Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) achieved EPA certification in 2014 to generate D3 Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for cellulosic ethanol using Cellerate™ process technology. Cellerate is a collaboration between Syngenta and Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of QCCP.

According to Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer at QCCP, the generation of D3 RINs helps fulfill advanced and cellulosic requirements set forth by the RFS. Issuing D3 RINs has also enabled the company to expand sales into racing and advanced biofuels markets. “With Cellerate, the biofuels industry now has the technology available to create 2 billion gallons of additional cellulosic ethanol – all from the same kernel of corn,” Johnson said. “QCCP is proud to be one of the first companies to issue D3 RINs. We look forward to higher D3 RIN requirements as new production comes on.”

Jack Bernens, head of Enogen at Syngenta, noted that the company is helping in both the retail partnership and technology arenas. Last year, Syngenta announced that it will donate approximately $600,000 to the Prime the Pump Fund as part of a commitment initiated in 2013 to contribute $1 to the ethanol industry for every acre planted with Enogen corn enzyme technology.

“Ethanol is helping America reduce its dependence on foreign oil, lowering prices at the pump, improving the environment with lower emissions and growing the economy with jobs that can’t be outsourced,” said Bernens. “Syngenta recognizes the importance of retail partnerships to help grow demand for American ethanol and initiatives to help make cellulosic ethanol a reality. We believe both are key to the long-term success of the ethanol industry.

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Commodity Classic, Enogen, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Syngenta

Iowa Retailer Interest in Biofuels Grows

Joanna Schroeder

Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

A recent meeting of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board concluded by approving 68 infrastructure projects for a total of $3.2 million in state grants. The funds are to assist retailers in adding the infrastructure needed to offer higher blends of ethanol including E15 and biodiesel.

“Thanks to sound, forward-thinking state policy, many Iowans will soon have greater access to cleaner-burning, homegrown fuels, like E15, E85 and biodiesel,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Managing Director Lucy Norton. “The state’s biofuels infrastructure program has been very popular and wildly successful in expanding consumer access to higher blends of ethanol and biodiesel, as shown by the most recent round of grants.”

Adding that interest by retailers continues to grow each year, Norton said project funding is set to expire at the end of Iowa’s fiscal year on June 30, 2016.

“With more interest in this program from Iowa retailers than ever before, it’s imperative that this program receive continued funding to capitalize on the momentum for expanding higher blend levels of renewable fuels and provide motorists with more lower-cost, locally-produced choices at the pump,” Norton concluded.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Growth Thanks Farmers on National Ag Day

Joanna Schroeder

National Ag Day logoToday is National Ag Day, a day to thanks farmers for what they do for America. Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy made a statement today in celebration of the food, feed and fuel that American farmers provide the world.

“American farmers are to be admired. They are stewards of the land who ensure sustainability for future generations. They are innovative, dedicated and produce an abundance of food and fuel for our nation and the world. American farmers are the backbone of our nation. Their hard work and efficiency help to bolster rural economies while growing our nation’s economy, providing economic security for all. It takes a lot to get food from the farm to the table and we all have America’s farmers and ranchers to thank for it.

Furthermore, American agriculture is at the forefront of biofuel development. Farmers are helping produce homegrown, sustainable biofuels that are cleaning the air we breathe, reducing harmful toxic emissions and providing a 21st century fuel for 21st century vehicles. These innovators are decreasing our dependence on dirty fossil fuels and foreign oil imports, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and creating jobs that cannot be outsourced. The fuels they produce also provide consumers with a choice and savings at the pump.

American consumers pay less per capita than any other country for food. Our grocery stores are well stocked and American agriculture is the envy of the world. Agriculture creates economic security for our rural communities and has allowed hardworking Americans to secure a place in the middle class. As we celebrate National Ag Day, Americans nationwide should be proud to acknowledge the many contributions agriculture has made to society and the leading role farming communities play in our country’s economy.”

Agribusiness, Growth Energy

E15 Takes Missouri

Joanna Schroeder

E15 has made its debut in the Show-Me State at two Kum & Go locations in Springfield, Missouri. The fuel is a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline and can be used on cars and light duty vehicles 2001 and newer.

“The availability of E15 is great news for Missouri drivers,” said Missouri Corn Growers Association President Morris Heitman of Mound City. “Ethanol is produced locally, with corn grown in Missouri. The addition of E15 at the pump provides an alternative to foreign oil and another opportunity to support this state’s rural economy.”

Kum & Go E15Kum & Go began offering E15 at their South Campbell location in Springfield March 2 and quickly followed suit at the North National station March 4. The chain anticipates six additional locations across Missouri will offer the ethanol blend by the end of the month, including two newly-constructed stores opening in Joplin and Republic featuring a new store prototype and fresh food offerings in addition to an expanded fuel selection.

“Kum & Go has a history of early adoption of ethanol blends, so the addition of E15 in Missouri is a natural fit for our fuel offering,” added Jim Pirolli, Kum & Go vice president of fuels. “E15 provides customers with a quality product at a great value-and one that’s in line with our focus on sustainability, as well.”

biofuels, E15, Ethanol

U of Florida Researchers Tout Algae Breakthrough

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) may have broken the code on better algae-based biofuels. Bala Rathinasabapathi, a UF/IFAS professor of horticultural sciences, said they have identified a “transcription factor” called ROC40 that controls the expression of many genes inside algae. He likens this process to a policeman controlling a large crowd.

UF/IAFS Horticulture Professor Balasubramanian Rathinasabapathi, seen here working in his Gainesville lab, has found what could be a big key to converting microalgae to biofuel. He and former doctoral student Elton Gonçalves found that the transcription factor ROC40 helps control lipid production when the algal cells were starved of nitrogen. Credit: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS photography.

UF/IAFS Horticulture Professor Balasubramanian Rathinasabapathi, seen here working in his Gainesville lab, has found what could be a big key to converting microalgae to biofuel. He and former doctoral student Elton Gonçalves found that the transcription factor ROC40 helps control lipid production when the algal cells were starved of nitrogen. Credit: Tyler Jones, UF/IFAS photography.

While starving algae of nitrogen to draw out the lipids, it was discovered that the synthesis of ROC40 was the most induced when the cells made the most oil. According to Elton Gonçalves, a former UF/IFAS doctoral student in the plant molecular and cellular biology program, this suggested to the researchers that ROC40 could be playing an important biological role. The team’s research found that ROC40 helps control lipid production when the algal cells were nitrogen starved. This suggests the ROC40 protein may be increasing the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of oil in microalgae.

“Such information is of great importance for the development of superior strains of algae for biofuel production,” said Gonçalves. “We conducted this research due to the great socioeconomic importance of developing renewable sources of fuels as alternatives for petroleum-based fuels for future generations. In order to advance the production of algal biofuels into a large-scale, competitive scenario, it is fundamental that the biological processes in these organisms are well understood.”

Rathinasabapathi added that this information is valuable for the future for engineering algae so it overproduces oil without starving the algae of nitrogen.

Rathinasabapathi and Gonçalves co-authored the study, which has been accepted for publication in The Plant Journal.

advanced biofuels, algae, Research