Virent Biojet Fuel Confirmed to Reduce Emissions

John Davis

virentBiojet fuel from Virent has passed emissions testing by the government and a major jet engine maker. This news release from the company says its jet fuels containing Virent’s BioForm® Synthesized Aromatic Kerosene (SAK) fuel blend produced a greater than 50 percent reduction in particulate matter emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, according to testing by Rolls-Royce and supported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The testing verified the potential for the SAK fuel to reduce the adverse environmental impact and health effects resulting from jet fuel combustion.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized agency within the United Nations, is leading international policy making efforts to control particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions.

Virent’s SAK fuel can reduce both particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising engine performance, and when fully commercialized will support the growth of the aviation industry while addressing anticipated ICAO regulations.

Virent was chosen to participate in the initial Rolls-Royce Laboratory Test program, and was then selected by Rolls-Royce to proceed to the more advanced Rig Testing portion of the program.

Virent’s SAK fuel blend met all test requirements and the report concluded that the fuel “…offers the potential to be [a] drop-in fuel and hence achieve approval for use for the aviation industry”.

Virent’s renewable SAK fuel is produced in its pilot demonstration plant in Madison, Wisconsin.

biojet fuel, Government

Prez Candidates to Speak During Iowa Fuels Summit

Joanna Schroeder

Pres CandidatesSeveral presidential candidates are making the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit a campaign stop to discuss their views on biofuels. Donald Trump, Carly Fiorina and Rick Santorum have committed to speak on January 19, 2016 in Altoona, Iowa. Twelve pro-RFS presidential candidates from both parties were invited to speak at the Summit so more candidates may confirm to attend. These candidates will be joining U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack along with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad on stage.

“With the Iowa Caucuses just weeks away, we’re very excited to have these special guests on hand to discuss their respective visions for the future of renewable fuels like biodiesel and ethanol,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) President Tom Brooks. “Recent events have proven that renewable fuels and agriculture are vital to Iowa’s future and are a key issue in this year’s Iowa Caucuses. We look forward to hearing these candidates’ plans on important renewable fuels issues.”

A recent poll conducted by The Des Moines Register reported that 77 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers and 61 percent of likely Republican caucusgoers support the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The Summit is free to attend and open to the public.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, RFS

United Wind Offers $200M to Fund Distributed Wind

Joanna Schroeder

United Wind‘s WindLease program has been infused with $200 million to fund distributed wind power projects across the U.S. In partnership with Forum Equity Partners, the financing will expand the WindLease program that enables residential and commercial property owners to lease distributed-scale wind turbines. According to United Wind, the program allows customers to tap wind energy through a fixed-rate, 20-year maintenance free lease with no out of pocket costs.

United Wind“United Wind brings a unique and innovative solution to wind power delivery by offering a first-of-its-kind wind energy-leasing program for end-users,” said Forum’s Founder & CEO Richard Abboud. “This kind of forward thinking falls directly in line with Forum’s support of innovative and entrepreneurial renewable energy companies serving high-growth markets. We are committed to building highly effective and collaborative partnerships that can significantly benefit communities and investors alike and I am confident this deal will accomplish those goals.”

According to the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA), the deal is the largest ever for a distributed wind energy company. Jennifer Jenkins, DWEA’s executive director noted, “The success of United Wind’s leasing program is an indicator of the massive potential of distributed wind. With this new partnership, distributed wind energy begins its transition from niche concept to mainstream solution.”

DWEA estimates that by 2030 there will be 23.7 million homes and buildings suitable for distributed wind, representing a potential for 1,100 GW of generating capacity. DWEA also estimates that other related market segments, such as community wind, wind gardens, and virtual metered systems, could boost the potential for non-windfarm wind-generated energy to 1,400 GW. The energy production potential for the 1,100 GW in 2030 is estimated at 2,900 TWh – which is 70 percent of the net electricity generation in the U.S. in 2014.

“Distributed wind is often the optimal renewable energy choice for rural property owners seeking to lower their energy costs,” added Russell Tencer, co-founder and CEO of United Wind. “With this pivotal investment by the visionary team at Forum Equity Partners, United Wind is now well positioned to provide low-cost wind energy through its WindLease offering to thousands of customers across the country.”

Electricity, Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Johns Hopkins has announced a new solar project located in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland and is expected to offset about 18 percent of the total energy Johns Hopkins facilities utilize. Installed and maintained by SolarCity with financing and management by Direct Energy Business, the solar power system will deliver the energy generated to Johns Hopkins for less than their current electricity rate, and provide a long term hedge against the rising costs of purchasing power.
  • EDF Renewable Energy has announced the 150 MW Slate Creek Wind Project in Kansas has reached commercial operation. The Project, located within Sumner County, Kansas, approximately 50 miles south of Wichita, commenced construction of its 75 Vestas 2 MW wind turbines in April, 2015. Great Plains Energy will purchase the electricity generated pursuant to a 20-year, fixed-price power purchase agreement.
  • Georgia Trend Magazine has selected Norcross, Georgia-based Suniva, Inc. Chief Executive Officer, John Baumstark, as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians. In 2007, Baumstark co-founded Suniva, launched from Georgia Tech’s photovoltaic labs with Dr. Ajeet Rohatgi. Under his leadership, Suniva has become a leading American manufacturer of high-efficiency, cost-competitive crystalline silicon solar products, with customers worldwide.
  • ALLETE Clean Energy (ACE) has finalized its sale of the Thunder Spirit wind development to Montana-Dakota Utilities after wrapping up construction on the project in December. The company built the 107 MW wind farm near Hettinger, North Dakota under a development agreement with Montana-Dakota Utilities. Montana-Dakota acquired the finished project for $200 million and will operate the wind farm for use by its utility customers.
Bioenergy Bytes

Biodiesel RIN Defrauder Gets 20 Years in Prison

John Davis

scalesofjustice1In a clear message that the integrity of the biodiesel incentive system will be upheld, the Justice Department has sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for his part in defrauding the government to the tune of $55 million. This article from The Hill says Joseph Furando participated in a process over several years to buy and resell biodiesel, claiming both the federal tax credit for it and the valuable renewable identification numbers (RINs) that fuel refiners use to certify that they complied with blending requirements.

“Fraud in the renewable fuels program compromises our ability to fight climate change and reduce dependence on foreign oil,” Cynthia Giles, head of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) enforcement division, said in a statement.

“When people approach these programs with bad faith and seek to exploit them, these purposes are blocked, American businesses are hurt and the treasury of the United States is depleted,” said John Cruden, head of the Justice Department’s environmental office. “This significant prison sentence sends the right message that such fraud will not be tolerated.”

Officials say Furando used the money to buy a Ferrari and other high-end cars, a million-dollar home, expensive artwork, a piano and other items, all of which he’ll have to forfeit. He also had a biodiesel-powered motorcycle built by the show American Chopper, which he will have to forfeit.

Furando was sentenced in an Indiana court.

Biodiesel, Government, RINS

Governors’ Biofuels Coalition Names Leadership Team

Joanna Schroeder

The Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has named its 2016 Leadership Team. Missouri Governor Jay Nixon will become chairman and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts will become vice chairman.

governor-biofuels“For more than 20 years, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition has worked in a bipartisan way to strengthen American energy independence and create jobs in rural communities,” Governor Nixon said. “I look forward to working with Governor Ricketts to promote the production and use of biofuels because, in addition to diversifying our energy portfolio, they also give consumers more choices at the pump, reduce harmful emissions, and increase family incomes in rural America. I thank Governor Branstad for his outstanding leadership, and I look forward to building on his success.”

During 2016, the Coalition will continue to advocate for policies that grow the biofuel industry including working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) moves forward. Also this year, the Coalition will propose legislation that will encourage investment in the nation’s advanced biofuel industry; ask the EPA to enforce Section 202 of the Clean Air Act to limit aromatics and open the market for ethanol as a source of clean octane; ask the EPA to drop the obsolete vapor pressure restrictions on higher ethanol blends; and ask for policies that will restore the fuel economy credits (CAFE).

“I’m honored to serve as the next vice chairman of this organization, and will continue working to strengthen the energy independence of Nebraska and our country. Nebraska was one of the founding members of the Coalition, and the Coalition continues to play a major role in our nation’s energy policies, including the renewable fuel standard,” said Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts.

Governor Nixon and Governor Ricketts both thanked Iowa Governor Terry Branstad for not only his leadership of the Coalition last year but for his tireless national leadership on renewable energy policy, and making Iowa a model of renewable energy development for all our states.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol

What Ag Issue Will Top 2016?

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What was your top ag story for 2015?”

We have a variety of responses to this week’s poll. COOL repeal jumped to the top, but many of the others were trailing closely. And many of these hot button ag issues will follow us into 2016.

Here are the poll results:

  • TPP – 11%
  • COOL repeal- 28%
  • Avian flu – 6%
  • RFS proposal – 17%
  • Low commodity prices – 11%
  • WOTUS – 22%
  • Equipment sales down – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you expect to be the top ag issue of 2016?

2016 has already started with a bang with the announcement of the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines. And as each week goes by, we will continually add to the list of important agricultural issues impacting each segment of the industry. I don’t have a crystal ball, but if you do please share what you expect to be the top ag issue in 2016.

ZimmPoll

2015 Sees Record Car Sales, Most Approved for E15

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. car sales in 2015 hit record sales according to statistics from Autodata. Increased sales have been spurred by cheap gasoline prices coupled with low interest rates. In total, 17.5 million cars and light trucks were sold last year to the tune of $570 billion.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), a majority of these vehicles sold are approved for the use of E15 (15 percent ethanol; 85 percent gas). In 2016, an even more cars and light trucks are expected to be approved for E15 use by automakers.

E15 at the pump

Photo Credit: Joanna Schroeder

RFA estimates that E15 was identified by auto manufacturers as an approved fuel for slightly more than 60 percent of model year (MY) 2015 vehicles sold – nearly 10.7 million cars and light trucks. This number is expected to grow in 2016, as strong sales are expected to continue and more than 70 percent of MY2016 vehicles carry the manufacturers’ explicit endorsement of E15. Recent analysis by RFA showed that Fiat Chrylser, General Motors, Ford, Toyota/Lexus, Audi/Porsche/Volkswagen, Honda/Acura, Jaguar, and Land Rover all clearly identify E15 as an approved fuel for MY2016 vehicles.

“With each passing day, the number of automakers approving the use of E15 vehicles on U.S. roadways continues to grow,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “As we begin 2016 three important trends are worth noting: first, vehicle sales show no signs of slowing down; second, an even larger percentage of new cars, pickups, and SUVs are explicitly approved by their manufacturer for E15; and third, the oldest vehicles in the fleet— model years 2000 and older not EPA-approved for E15 use —are being scrapped at an accelerated rate. This means that someday in the not-so-distant future, nearly every car, truck, or SUV in the country will be unambiguously approved by the auto manufacturer for E15 and we can put to rest the false notion that carmakers don’t allow the use of E15.”

While automakers only began identifying E15 as an approved fuel for new vehicles following registration of E15 as a legal fuel in 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the use of E15 in all vehicles built since 2001. This means more than 85 percent of the vehicles on the road today are legally approved to use E15.

automotive, E15, Ethanol News, RFA

Sen. Ted Cruz’s Evolution on Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

Presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz has come a long way on his view of ethanol.  For the first time during a bus stop in Sioux Center, Iowa, Cruz pledged to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) through 2022 and called for an end to oil and gas production subsidies if elected president. Former Senator Jim Talent, who is now spearheading Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI), has commended Cruz for joining other Republican presidential candidates in voicing support for the RFS.

AESI logo“The RFS has been an extremely successful policy over the past decade – with 10 percent of the nation’s fuel supply now coming from cost-competitive biofuels,” said Talent. “It has helped the biofuels industry create more than 850,000 well-paying jobs in rural America and across the country.”

“The fact is, continued Talent, “that energy markets are not free markets because of the international oil cartel. Senator Cruz is correct to call for leveling the playing field by ensuring market access for biofuels. His proposal to rescind the EPA blend wall will help to promote investment in biofuels that will help to create more jobs and spur innovation.”

In response to Sen. Cruz’s statements, America’s Renewable Future (ARF) state director Eric Branstad said, “Farmers and rural communities across Iowa are going to be encouraged by Sen. Cruz’s remarks. He is clearly listening to the people of Iowa and understands the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard to America’s economy and energy independence, as he started the caucus process calling for immediate repeal. While not perfect, this is a big step forward by Sen. Cruz.”

Despite recent pro-RFS comments, Sen. Cruz has not been supportive through out his whole campaign. So much so that ARF has been campaigning with Iowans to let them know that Cruz is not a “true” supporter. However, Cruz wrote an Op-Ed this week outlining a new tone and position on ethanol and the RFS. 

ARF-Logo-Retina-AltIn addition to this new RFS position, Cruz also communicated support for breaking the artificial blendwall saying, “ethanol blends can be a win-win for automakers and consumers alike”. This, said ARF, is a far cry from Cruz’s 2013 introduction of an immediate repeal and his position that ethanol production drives “up the costs of fuel, food, and goods.” These are facts Cruz’s campaign conveniently left out of its response. Cruz’s recent comments, said ARF, come after being pressured by Iowans and are a welcome change.Read More

biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and former Iowa Governor, Tom Vilsack will provide a unique perspective on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) commitment to renewable fuels at the 10th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. The Summit is free to attend and open to the public. Registration is required. Online registration closes January 12, 2016.
  • According to Navigant Research, global annual NGV sales are expected to grow from 2.4 million vehicles in 2015 to 3.9 million in 2025. The report analyzes the market for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), including global forecasts, broken down by vehicle segment, alternative drivetrain, and region, through 2025.
  • Canadian Solar Inc. has announced that it has energized an additional five solar power plants, totaling 22.9 MWp. Royston Solar Park, Wick Road Solar Park and Pant-Y-Moch Solar Park were developed under the community scheme, with a commercial component totaling 14.7 MWp. Long Meadow Solar Farm and Slade Solar Farm, totaling 8.2 MWp, have been connected to the grid under the Renewable Obligations Certificate (ROCs) program.
  • Duke Energy plans to add more clean, renewable energy to its generation mix with the construction of a 17 MW solar facility at Naval Support Activity Crane, located 40 miles southwest of Bloomington, Ind. The company has requested a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. If approved, Duke Energy Indiana will own and operate the facility, which is expected to be placed into commercial service in 2016.
Bioenergy Bytes