ACE Conference 2026

Canadian Province Puts in More Biomass Burners

John Davis

canada flagThe government of a Canadian province is putting in more biomass burners at government facilities. This article from The Guardian says Prince Edward Island will have seven more biomass installations to go along with the 13 already in place at government properties.

“Biomass heat is a local, renewable, carbon neutral resource, and government is leading the way for biomass heat,” said [Energy Minister Paula Biggar].

Prince Edward Island’s total energy mix is made up of approximately 10 per cent biomass energy.

Biggar says Island biomass installations have displaced 2.4 million litres of fuel oil, which resulted in a reduction of 6,500 tonnes of greenhouse gas and cost-savings of more than $200,000 since 2012.

The installations planned for 2016 could result in a further reduction of 2.6 million litres of fuel oil and 7,200 tonnes of green house gas, per year.

One tonne of biomass chips can produce up to four megawatt hours of heat, which displaces approximately 580 litres of fuel oil.

The biomass is harvested through selective thinning of forests.

biomass

Gevo, ValvTect Bring Isobutanol to Marinas

John Davis

gevoAfter September’s announcement that Gevo would be selling isoubutanol for boats on a lake in Missouri, Gevo now says it will collaborate with marine fuel additive supplier ValvTect to bring the renewable fuel to ValvTect branded marinas.

With a distribution network of over 700 marinas, believed to represent more than half of the marinas in the U.S., this collaboration provides Gevo with access to marinas that currently utilize ValvTect additives. In addition, this partnership is expected to open the door for Gevo and ValvTect to continue the expansion into additional marinas, which will look to provide high-performance gasoline blends comprising Gevo’s renewable isobutanol and ValvTect’s additives.

Gevo’s announcement comes after a series of tests were run using clear (ethanol-free) gasoline that was combined with 16 percent isobutanol and ValvTect’s marine fuel additive. The results proved the compatibility of the combination.

When used in marine fuel, the tests indicate that Gevo’s isobutanol provides higher energy content than ethanol blends, prevents moisture absorption and phase separation and reduces engine corrosion. In addition, Gevo’s isobutanol was recently endorsed by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). ValvTect marine fuel additives are formulated to improve fuel quality, enhance engine performance and extend engine life.

“We are impressed with the quality of Gevo’s isobutanol fuel blend,” said Marvin Griffin, President of ValvTect. “When combined with ValvTect’s marine fuel additive, you’re looking at a final product that we believe is a superior fuel for boat engines. This is a winning scenario for all parties – ValvTect, Gevo, marinas and boating enthusiasts alike.”

isobutanol

Hometown BioEnergy Wins Biogas Project Award

Joanna Schroeder

The American Biogas Council has awarded the Hometown BioEnergy facility with its “Biogas Project of the Year” award. The LeSeur, MN plant is owned by the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, with management partner Avant Energy, and utilizes anaerobic digestion to produce renewable electricity from food processing and agricultural waste. Once the methane gas is produced, also known as renewable natural gas, it is used locally and saved for use during high demand times.

MMPA_Hometown_BioEnergyAccording to Steve Schmidt, MMPA chairman, “We’re very proud of this award because it recognizes the innovation built into Hometown BioEnergy, where we produce methane and store it, ready to burn in our generators during on-peak hours when the value of the energy is highest. This biogas facility, because of its ability to store biogas until it’s needed, is an excellent complement to renewable power generated from wind or solar.”

This is not the first award for the facility. Hometown BioEnergy was also recognized by POWER Magzine as a 2014 Top Renewable Plant and was featured on their December cover.

Patrick Serfass, executive director of the American Biogas Council said in a news release announcing the award, “The quality of innovation in the biogas industry is at a fever pitch today.”

biogas, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy

Hail a “Clean Energy” Beltway Taxi

Joanna Schroeder

People hailing taxis in the Beltway will be riding with “clean energy”. Well, not actually. (But wouldn’t that be awesome?) The clean energy will be in the form of an ad running on screen inside the cabs sponsored by Americans for Energy Security and Innovation. The ad highlights President Obama’s “hypocrisy” on promoting clean energy – a message the group wants the country to hear as President Obama heads to Paris for a global conference on climate change at the end of November. As is stands today, pro-biofuel groups are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop gutting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and reverse its proposed 2014, 2015 and 2016 fuels to increase the amount of renewable fuels mandated across all categories.

“Regardless of your position on climate change, it’s clear that President Obama is talking out of both sides of his mouth on renewable energy. Despite his environmental rhetoric, the Obama Administration has tried to gut the Renewable Fuel Standard – the only successful federal law that has effectively promoted clean fuels that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The President’s stunning hypocrisy has undermined his credibility and proven that he cannot be trusted to keep his word and follow through on his promises,” said American for Energy Security and Innovation Chairman and former United States Senator Jim Talent.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS, Video

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1SunPower extended its industry leadership in environmental sustainability by earning industry accolades for green initiatives implemented at the company’s solar panel manufacturing plant in the Philippines. Recognition included Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, as well as a 2015 Excellence in Ecology and Economy (E3) Award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • Keystone Engineering Inc. has been named the winner of this year’s prestigious Be Inspired Award for Offshore Innovation for its role in the Block Island Wind Farm. The award honors the work of organizations advancing infrastructure design, construction, and operations throughout the world. This year there were more than 360 nominations for Be Inspired Awards from organizations in 55 countries.
  • E.ON Solar has announced that Maricopa West, a 20 MW solar project located in Southern California, has completed the construction phase and is set to become fully operational.
  • According to a new research report from SandlerResearch.org, the increasing need for environmental sustainability and energy independence is driving the biorefinery market growth globally, between the period of 2014 and 2019. This is mainly due to its ability to generate energy and fuel through the use of biomass. The global market for biorefineries is fueled by the acceptance of biofuels in mainstream usage and is envisaged to surpass USD 790 million by 2019.
Bioenergy Bytes

Green Plains & Delek to Build Ethanol Terminal

Joanna Schroeder

greenplainsGreen Plains Partners and Delek US Holdings have announced plans to build an ethanol unit train terminal in Maumelle, Arkansas. The 50:50 venture, being constructed on the Union Pacific rail line, will is estimated to cost $12 million and be completed by the end of 2106. Maumelle is located near Little Rock and Mayor Mike Watson applauded the companies for their investment in the community’s economic development.

Screen Shot 2015-11-05 at 7.41.23 AM“We are pleased to move forward with the partnership’s first organic growth project with a strategic downstream partner,” said Todd Becker, president and chief executive officer at Green Plains Partners. “When completed, this new terminal will allow ethanol to be delivered more efficiently into the Little Rock and surrounding markets. This certainly will give the joint venture a platform upon which to build.”

Green Plains Partners has been very active the last few weeks with purchase announcements. The company will be buying an ethanol refinery in Texas owned by Murphy USA. In addition, Green Plains Partners has made a bid for a Virgina ethanol plant owned by Future Fuels.

In less than 24 hours, more than 110-car unit trains can be unloaded at the new terminal with initial storage capacity of 4.2 million gallons of ethanol. Green Plains Partners, one of the country’s largest ethanol producers, and Delek US will jointly own the terminal.

biofuels, Ethanol

Ethanol Exports Bounce Back in September

Cindy Zimmerman

growth-exportsU.S. ethanol exports rebounded in September after a drop in August, with shipments expanding 20% to 60.3 million gallons (mg), according to Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) analysis of government data released this week.

RFA Research Analyst Ann Lewis reports that Canada remained the top market for U.S. ethanol, with 44% of expors. “Meanwhile, India imported 14.3 mg (24%), its highest level of imports since February,” said Lewis. Other top importers included South Korea (8.5 mg), Peru (4.3 mg), Mexico (2.7 mg) and the Philippines (2.7 mg). Tunisia backed away from purchases in September after accounting for a quarter of the market last month, while exports to Brazil were close to zero. Total year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports are almost 625 million gallons – which is up six percent from this time last year and already greater than total exports in 2013.

The California LCFS “ethanol shuffle” reappeared in September, as U.S. imports hit a 16-month high. The United States imported 24.9 mg of ethanol, almost 60% higher than August and the largest volume imported since May 2014. All of the 24.2 mg of undenatured ethanol imports originated from Brazil. The U.S. also imported 689,365 gallons of denatured ethanol in September, with 96% shipped from Spain and the remainder coming from South Africa and Canada. Year-to-date U.S. imports of ethanol now total 57.7 mg–quickly catching up to last year’s cumulative volume at this point. In September, the United States realized its 25th straight month as a net exporter, albeit at a significantly reduced margin.

Meanwhile, exports of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) were lower in September with decreasing shipments to China, which still remains by far the number one destination for DDGS exports. Four countries account for most of the 1,108,582 metric tons of U.S. DDGS exports: China (484,535 mt), Mexico (140,338 mt), Viet Nam (101,335 mt) and South Korea (96,503 mt). China had been importing about 750,000 mt per month and making up about 64% of our DDGS export market. However, DDGS exports to China dropped 30% in August and another 26% in September, settling at a volume equal to just half of the June record high.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

US Biodiesel Maker Looks to Build Jamaican Plant

John Davis

HEROBXAn American biodiesel producer is looking at building a refinery in Jamaica. This article from Caribbean News Now says if HERO BX is able to make its ambition come true, it could be the Caribbean’s first commercial scale biodiesel plant.

The plant would be a boost for Jamaica’s renewable energy programme and would have a multi-industry impact, as biodiesel uses feedstock such as waste oils from the Hospitality Industry and plant feedstock from the agricultural industry. The investment would also be a significant source of employment and could empower the government to benefit from the sale of biodiesel produced on the island, which would operate as the hub of HERO BX’s Caribbean operations.

Glen F. Garth, native-born son of Jamaica and executive vice president of US consulting firm, Garth Solutions Inc., is representing HERO BX. He said that Jamaica has received top billing for the development of the plant due to the country’s strategic location, amongst other factors.

“The location of Jamaica strategically in the Caribbean basin, the access to a quality, educated labour force, the access to all of the benefits that are available due to commitments made by the Jamaican government to encourage foreign direct investment are all factors. Those attributes are what first attracted our attention and have further strengthened our interest in siting a biodiesel hub in Jamaica,” he said.

Garth also praised the country’s strong national energy policy and renewable energy sub-policy, saying those components were seen as favourable and increased the company’s interest in Jamaica.

Minister of industry, investment and commerce, Anthony Hylton said that Jamaica has been receiving more investment interest due to steps being taken by the government to improve Jamaica’s economy and business environment.

Hylton said, “This robust investment climate and investment in a variety of sectors in the economy is the result of work across government to improve the business environment, facilitate economic growth and create opportunities for job creation.”

HERO BX is based out of Erie, Pennsylvania and has the largest biodiesel plants east of the Mississippi River, producing 50 million gallons per year.

Biodiesel

Poll Shows African Americans Back Climate Action

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new poll released today by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and GREEN FOR ALL, two-thirds of African Americans believe global warming is a serious program and want more action to curb its effects. This group also supports the Clean Power Plan (CPP), finalized in August, as a tool to address the climate crisis while 83 percent of respondents back setting the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from coal-and gas-fired power plants under the CPP. In addition, a strong majority of African Americans believe that as the nation drives down dangerous carbon pollution it can drive up the use of clean energy including wind and solar energy.

African American Climate PollThe survey also found that the move to clean energy will create new jobs – six times the proportion that believes it will results in job losses- and 57 percent believe the expansion will reduce their energy costs.

Mark Davis, CEO of minority-owned WDC Solar, said this morning during a conference call releasing the poll results, “I am a Green For All Climate Champion, and renewable energy and energy efficiency are two pillars of our plan for low-income communities to lower the cost of energy, create green jobs for low-income residents, and improve the environment. The Clean Power Plan can accelerate an increase we’ve already seen in African American participation in clean energy and can enhance economic empowerment in low-income communities.”

Davis was joined on the call with Adrianna Quintero, director of Partner Engagement at NRDC; Vien Truong, national director, GREEN FOR ALL; and Rev. Stacey Edwards-Dunn of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ. The speakers stressed that the African American community has been directly affected by the effects of climate change. Rates of childhood asthma have increased 50 percent between 2001-2009 and 68 percent live within 30 miles of a coal-fired power plant.

“The African American community has been hard hit by injustice, from violence against young people to disproportionate environmental harms from pollution, so it’s no surprise the community wants action. It’s time to hold polluters accountable and fight the pollution that causes climate change,” said Quintero.

Listen to the poll release press conference here: African American Climate, Clean Energy, Poll Presser

Here are some key energy findings of the report:Read More

Audio, Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Climate Change, Solar, Wind

All Auto Owners Can Choose Premium E30

Joanna Schroeder

Back in September I brought you a story about Orrie Swayze, an active ethanol advocate, who wants all drivers to use E30 in their cars. At the time, there was a special order in front of the South Dakota Farmers Union and this has since passed in a resolution meeting and Swayze believes the resolution will unanimously pass at their December 10, 2015 meeting. The special order declares that all 14,000 members pledge to use premium E30 in all their non-flex fuel autos and other standard engines.

Watertown, South Dakota-based Glacial Lakes Energy is publicly promoting the use of E30 with a full-page newspaper ad and Swayze is calling on other ethanol plants to tear down the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Illegal Ethanol Lie” that holds such power over the ethanol industry and built the E10 blend wall that has cost the industry billions.

Swayze has penned an opinion piece about E30 and it is below.

All Auto Owners Can Choose Premium E30

ShatterOrrie Swayzeing EPA’s biggest illegal lie: “Its illegal to fuel non-flex fuel vehicles with lower cost, more power ethanol’s premium blend E30.”  Even though for manufacturing efficiencies both flex and non-flex fuel vehicles have basically the same engines, fuel, and emissions systems:  And the clean air act’s memorandum 1a, now amended to include persons, or the law protects consumers from EPA’s zealous, unreasonable enforcement of  clean air act’s tampering provisions.  Plus thousands of standard auto owners daily fueling with premium E30 obviously have the clean air act’s memorandum 1a defined “reasonable basis for knowing”: Knowing they are not tampering or illegally degrading emissions, engines, or emission systems and Magnuson-Moss warranty act protects them from unreasonable warranty denials.Read More

biofuels, Education, Ethanol, Opinion