The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) have announced USD 46 million in concessional loans for four renewable energy projects in developing countries. The loans will fund a wind and solar project in Antigua and Barbuda, a solar project in Burkina Faso, a solar and wind project in Cabo Verde and a solar project in Senegal. The four projects will result in nearly 12 MW of new renewable energy capacity, reduce emissions, create jobs, and electrify rural communities without access to modern energy services.- Guzman Energy has reached an innovative agreement with the City of Aztec, New Mexico to serve as the city’s primary power source – as well as construct, own and operate a solar energy farm. The project, which combines traditional power supply with the development and ownership of solar energy, will reduce the city’s energy costs as well as provide residents with clean renewable energy.
- Zoetic Global, a US-based project developer, has executed a 20-year power purchase agreement with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for 100 MW of additive power generation at the nation’s Akosombo Dam on Lake Volta. The project will involve an array of modular hydrokinetic turbines to be deployed in the post-dam wash of the Akosombo Dam. The In-Stream Auger Turbine (IAT) technology being used is designed for high efficiency power generation from flowing water and will leverage existing infrastructure at the dam site including grid connections, access roads, and on-site maintenance buildings.
- Open Energy, an innovative commercial solar debt finance provider, has announced the closing of a loan totaling $1.2 million to SunLight General Solar Fund III. The New York City based investment fund invests in distributed generation solar projects. The SunLight investment fund received a hybrid term and construction loan for four commercial solar projects, including a school district and a private business in New Jersey, as well as a school district and a municipality in Massachusetts.
Berkely Lab Study Finds RPS Policies Save Money
In 2013, there were $2.2 billion in benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and $5.2 billion came from reductions in other air pollution for states with renewable portfolio standards (RFS) according to a new study. “A Retrospective Analysis of the Benefits and Impacts of U.S. Renewable Portfolio Standards,” evaluates the benefits and other impacts of RPS policies and was conduced by researchers from U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
RPS policies require utilities or other electricity providers to meet a minimum portion of their energy output with eligible forms of renewable electricity such as wind and solar power. The report finds there are 29 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C., with RPS policies in place and they have been a driver for renewable electricity generation in the U.S. over the past decade. Many states are currently considering whether to extend, eliminate, or otherwise revise existing RPS policies and the goal of the report is to help officials evaluate their programs.
“Our goal was to estimate the magnitude of RPS benefits and impacts at a national-level, using established methodologies, while recognizing that individual states can perform their own, more-detailed assessments,” said NREL’s Jenny Heeter one of the report’s authors.
In addition to evaluating environmental benefits, the study also assessed other impacts. The research estimates that RPS policies supported 200,000 renewable energy-related jobs in 2013, saved consumers up to $1.2 billion from reduced wholesale electricity prices and another $1.3 to $3.7 billion from reduced natural gas prices.
This work was a follow-up and complement to an earlier study by the two labs that focused on the costs of state RPS programs to-date and that noted the need for a full understanding of the potential benefits, impacts, and costs of RPS programs. To that end, this most recent study provides a point of comparison for estimates of RPS program costs. The researchers are planning a follow-up effort for the coming year to evaluate the costs and benefits of RPS programs prospectively, considering scheduled increases to each state’s requirements as well as potential policy revisions.
Abigail Fisler Wins NEC Scholarship
Abigail Fisler, a junior at Dickinson College in Carlislie, PA, has been awarded a student scholarship to attend the 21st Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in February in New Orleans. The scholarship, awarded by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Renewable Fuels Foundation, (RFF) provides a student studying renewable fuels with complimentary registration and an opportunity to network with industry members.
Abigail is pursuing two bachelor’s degrees in environmental studies — with a focus on renewable energy and climate change — and Italian studies, respectively. She was introduced to biofuels at a young age during a fourth-grade field trip to an ethanol plant in Lakota, Iowa. Last summer, she worked as an intern for California Ethanol and Power, where she assisted with investor presentations, developing marketing materials, and providing business plan updates. This summer Abagail intends to gain additional experience in the areas of sustainable energy and policy development. She ultimately plans to work globally in the field due to her affinity for foreign languages and cultures.
“On behalf of the RFA and RFF, I am proud to hand this year’s scholarship to a talented student with a promising career in the renewable fuels industry ahead of her,” said Mike Jerke, chairman of the RFF and CEO of Guardian Energy. “Abigail’s deep resume at such a young age is a testament to her commitment to energy in the 21st century, and the NEC is the perfect place for her to extend that background further. This scholarship will provide Abigail with exclusive access to the best in the industry who will deliver insight into the important issues facing the ethanol industry.”
The National Ethanol Conference will take place Feb. 15–17 at the New Orleans Hyatt Regency. Click here for more information and to register.
Neste’s Renewable Diesel to Power Super Bowl City
Plenty of jaw-dropping action from this weekend’s NFL playoffs, as we get closer to knowing who will be playing in in Super Bowl 50. While we don’t know the final match-up just yet, we already know that the game’s host city, San Francisco, is scoring ecological points by running on renewable diesel. This news release from Neste says its NEXBTL renewable diesel is now being used by the City and County of San Francisco, California.
San Francisco announced December 11, 2015 that the City and County of San Francisco has completely ended its use of petroleum diesel in the City’s fleet and replaced it with renewable diesel. This switch from petroleum diesel to renewable diesel will achieve a significant 50 percent greenhouse gas emissions reduction to the city’s diesel fleet.
City of San Francisco is now the largest city in North America to use renewable diesel. Earlier this year, the City of San Francisco tested Neste’s renewable diesel followed by an announcement that they will switch all of their diesel fleet to renewable diesel by the end of this year. City of San Francisco operates 1,966 diesel powered vehicles, which are all now using renewable diesel. The annual consumption is about 5.8 million gallons of diesel fuel. This change will completely end the use of petroleum diesel at the 53 City-run fueling facilities immediately.
“As the global climate negotiations conclude, San Francisco and cities worldwide must continue to lead by taking bold actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately,” said Mayor Edwin M. Lee. “These actions cannot wait. San Francisco has ended its use of petroleum diesel to fill up the City’s fleet of vehicles and will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality for our residents immediately today.”
Neste’s renewable diesel has been widely available in California since 2012 and is a significant contributor to the continuing success of the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and Governor Jerry Brown’s executive order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by state agencies.
“Neste’s renewable diesel is a solution to reduce both greenhouse gas emissions and tailpipe emissions, which municipalities can greatly benefit from. Switching to it doesn’t require any additional investments on infrastructure or engine modifications. Thus, fleets can switch to renewable diesel overnight”, says Kaisa Hietala, Executive Vice President, Renewable Products, Neste Corporation. “Neste is proud and happy to support San Francisco through the supply of renewable diesel. We feel privileged to help the City and County of San Francisco become more sustainable. It is our vision to give public and private fleets, as well as consumers, options to make such responsible choices”, continues Hietala.
Groups Sue EPA Over RFS
A coalition has sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the final rules of the Renewable Fuel Standard for 2014, 2015 and 2016 that were finalized near the end of last year. The current levels for fuels do not meet legislative mandates for those years regardless of the fact that the biofuels industry has shown they can meet fuel volumes.
A group that consists of seven industry associations including BIO, Americans for Clean Energy, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Growth Energy, National Corn Growers Association, the National Sorghum Producers, filed the suit on Friday, January 8, 2016 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (Case 16-1005).
According to a group statement, among other things, the petitioners intend to demonstrate that EPA’s interpretation of its general waiver authority is contrary to the statute. By focusing on fuel distribution capacity and demand rather than supply, and by failing to consider surplus RINs from prior years, the Agency erroneously concluded that there was an inadequate supply of renewable fuel to justify a waiver of the levels established by Congress. The petitioners also plan to point out other fundamental flaws and inconsistencies in the government’s rule.
A preliminary, non-binding listing of issues to be raised in the court of appeals will be filed by February 11. The statement concluded, “The petitioners look forward to presenting their arguments to the court of appeals to provide clarity and certainty to market participants concerning the requirements of the statute.”
BioEnergy Bytes
- Dyadic International, Inc. has announced that it repurchased and retired an aggregate of 2,136,752 shares of its common stock at $1.35 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $2,884,615 pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement entered into with Abengoa Bioenergy. The Company’s CEO, Mark Emalfarb, commented, “I am pleased that we have been able to repurchase this large block of stock and believe it will have a very positive impact on shareholder value.”
- Three POET biorefineries will expand ethanol production capacity by a combined total of 25 million gallons in 2016. POET Biorefining – Hanlontown (Iowa), will expand from 58 million gallons per year (MGPY) to 64 MGPY; POET Biorefining – Hudson (South Dakota) will expand from 58 MGPY to 65 MGPY; and POET Biorefining – Caro (Michigan) will expand from 55 MGPY to 67 MGPY. Each plant filed separate expansion permits within their respective states and will soon be producing at the level their RIN permit allows.
- ACCIONA Energy has started construction work on the 93 MW San Roman Wind Farm, located near the southeast coast of Texas. The project was acquired by ACCIONA Energy from developer Pioneer Green Energy. Located in Cameron County, the San Roman Wind Farm will be equipped with 31 ACCIONA Windpower AW125/3000 turbines. Each turbine has a rotor diameter of 125 meters and will be mounted on an 87.5 meter steel tower. The new wind farm will be operational by the end of 2016.
- The U.S. Energy Information Administration has released its January 2016 Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) and Winter Fuels Outlook by region. The Outlook finds the amount of renewable sources used to generate electricity is expected to increase by almost 10% this year, with wind and solar power again showing strong growth in 2016.
IA’s Biofuels Industries Could Help Biochem Industry
The lessons Iowa has learned in making ethanol and biodiesel could serve the state well in an effort to make bio-based chemicals. This article from the Des Moines Register says, though, a new report indicates a state tax credit is needed to help the Hawkeye state take a slice of the country’s $250 billion chemical market with greener replacements.
“If you are not there at the nucleation, you can be left at the sideline and not be part of it,” Brent Shanks, one of the report’s authors, said during a news conference Thursday.
Shanks and two other Iowa State University professors wrote the report. The Iowa Biotechnology Association and the Cultivation Corridor, a regional effort to bring more bioscience companies to central Iowa, commissioned it…
The biotech association, Cultivation Corridor and other business groups, are pushing for a state tax incentive meant to spur the production of bio-based chemicals.
They have argued that Iowa needs to take advantage of its position before other states catch on. Many also were disappointed similar legislation did not receive enough support to pass last year.
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called for a revenue-neutral bio-renewable tax credit in his Condition of the State address this week.
The article goes on to say Iowa’s massive ethanol, biodiesel and other bio-processing infrastructure gives the state an advantage over other states to start growing a bio-based chemical production industry. Proponents of the tax incentive point out that similar tax incentives in biodiesel and ethanol helped those industries grow so well in Iowa.
Propane Autogas Buses Offer Clean Ride to School
A school district in Indiana this month is rolling out the state’s largest deployment of propane autogas school buses, giving the students a cleaner ride to school and saving taxpayer dollars. The Metropolitan School District of Warren Township will start using 11 Blue Bird Propane Vision buses purchased through dealer MacAllister Transportation, including 10 78-passenger models and one bus outfitted with a wheelchair lift.
“Better cold weather starts, lower maintenance and fuel cost, quieter buses, as well as better air quality for students, the bus driver and our community were the reasons we chose propane autogas,” said Steve Smith, director of transportation for M.S.D. Warren Township. “With the fuel’s clean operation, we anticipate longer maintenance intervals and lower periodic maintenance cost.”
The new Blue Bird Propane Vision buses replace older diesel models. A propane autogas fuel system manufactured by ROUSH CleanTech powers each bus.
Historically, propane autogas costs about 50 percent less than diesel per gallon and reduces maintenance costs due to its clean-operating properties. To fuel the buses, M.S.D. Warren Township installed two onsite autogas fuel stations with 1,000-gallon capacity each. “Our drivers will feel more confident taking the longer routes and field trips by having fuel conveniently located and available around the clock,” Smith said.
“M.S.D. Warren Township joins over 500 other districts nationwide experiencing the benefits of propane autogas technology: lowering operating costs, maintenance costs and emissions,” said Brian Carney, group account director for ROUSH CleanTech.
The fleet of propane autogas buses is expected to lower nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 13,600 pounds and particulate matter by about 350 pounds each year compared with the diesel buses they replaced.
Corn, LP Joins Growth Energy
Corn, LP has joined Growth Energy, an organization comprised of the ethanol industry and biofuel supporters. Corn, LP is located in Goldfield, Iowa and has a nameplate production capacity of 60 million gallons per year.
“We are excited that Corn, LP has joined the Growth Energy team,” said Growth Energy co-chairman Tom Buis. “Corn, LP is an outstanding plant that provides a great market for corn growers in the heart of Iowa and produces highly nutritious animal feed for the region. Corn, LP also creates good jobs that cannot be outsourced, improves our environment and reduces our dependence on foreign oil.”
Dr. John Gazaway, President of Corn, LP, commended the partnership, saying, “By joining Growth Energy, we will be able to further our mission of adding value to locally grown grains and benefitting our community through economic growth. We are also proud to support Growth Energy’s efforts to ensure a strong future for our industry.”
Top 2016 Ag Issues Preview
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What do you expect to be the top ag issue of 2016?”
We have been discussing the 2016 presidential elections for nearly a year already and it will only increase. When it comes to agriculture it should be one of the most talked about issues. So, I am not surprised to see it top our poll. We also had many chime in with milk prices, climate change and immigration. All important agricultural issues impacting our ag community.
Here are the poll results:
- Trade – 13%
- WOTUS- 0%
- GMO labeling – 27%
- Presidential election – 40%
- Biofuel expansion – 0%
- Other – 20%
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What do you think of new dietary guidelines?
Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The guidelines are to encourage Americans to adopt a series of science-based recommendations to improve how they eat. What do you think of them? How will they impact how we grow/raise food?