The University of Georgia Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Career and Internship Fair is on the horizon. It takes places at the University of Georgia, Athens Campus, Tate Student Canter, Grand Hall, 5th Floor on Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 12:00 – 4:00 pm. Click here for more information and to register.- As Massachusetts homeowners continue to install solar at a record pace, Solar to the People has released a study examining the price of solar across the Bay State. The purpose of the study is to create more price transparency for Massachusetts homeowners who are considering solar. Key findings include: the average price of installing residential solar in Massachusetts in the first part of 2015 was $20,180, after rebates and incentives; this price equates to $2,776 / kW (kilowatt) installed, after incentives and rebates; and rebates and incentives reduced the cost of home solar by 38%.
- Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois (ATXI) has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) authorizing construction of the Spoon River Transmission Project, including approval of a final route for the transmission line. This transmission project, estimated to cost approximately $150 million, is directly aligned with Ameren’s goals of providing reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible energy.
- Tri Global Energy, LLC, has announced the sale of the wind development assets of Hale Community Energy LLC (HCE) to a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC. Tri Global Energy is the developer and a manager of Hale County Wind Farm, Cotton Wind Farms, Lakeview Wind Farms and East Mound Renewable Energy – the wind farms included in the Hale Community Energy project portfolio.
NFU Fly-In Focuses on RFS
The National Farmers Union (NFU) 2015 Fall Legislative Fly-In took place this week in Washington, D.C. and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was on the top of the list when growers from around the country met with White House official, Congressional staffers and members along with Senators and Representatives.
NFU members meet with MN Rep. Collin Peters during the fall Fly-In.
“The RFS has already made significant gains for family farmers, rural communities, consumers and the environment, and the EPA needs to stick to statutory levels for the RFS to continue these successes,” said NFU President Roger Johnson who noted that family farmers and ranchers have enormous credibility with the public and as such, are the most effective to deliver messages of importance in rural America to legislators.
NFU has been holding Fly-Ins for generations; with the only real change being the mode of transportation used by family farmers to come to Washington. This year, roughly 275 Farmers Union members gathered in Washington for the annual event. In addition to meeting with legislators, participants were also briefed by various elected and administration officials.
U.S. VP Joe Biden Addresses Solar Industry
Vice President Joe Biden welcomed attendees at the Solar Power International 2015 (SPI) this week. He is the first Veep to deliver remarks at a solar power conference in the U.S. He spoke during the general session and discussed the importance of solar power for America’s energy present and future.
“Vice President Biden addressing Solar Power International shows just how far we’ve grown as an industry,” said Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Rhone Resch. “Solar is now the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in America thanks to the hard work and innovation of its 174,000 workers and smart, successful policies like the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Net Energy Metering (NEM) and Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). Solar energy is a true American success story and we’re happy to celebrate that achievement today with the Vice President.”
SPI is the largest solar power trade show in North America with more than 15,000 attendees.
“Solar has become a mainstream resource and an increasingly important part of our nation’s energy portfolio,” added Julia Hamm, president and CEO of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). “Vice President Biden’s presence at SPI underscores that fact, and demonstrates that leaders at the highest level are committed to working with stakeholders on the inevitable evolution that is happening within the energy industry.”
Continuing on its record-breaking trajectory, the United States solar industry surpassed 20 gigawatts (GW) of total operational solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity during the second quarter of this year. According to GTM Research and the SEIA Q2 2015 U.S. Solar Market Insight Report, the U.S. installed 1,393 megawatts of PV last quarter, signaling both annual and quarterly growth.
Issues Near & Dear to Farmers
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What is most important personal issue to today’s farmers?”
Consumers understanding the food sources out there seemed to rise to the top this week. But was quickly followed by farm estate transition and sustainability. We also had quite a few vote other, but didn’t specify. No one can argue the passion farmers and ranchers have for the products they produce. It is not a job, it is a way of life they proudly live and their are many issues near and dear to a farmers heart.
Here are the poll results:
- Consumers understanding food sources – 32%
- Entry to farming – 3%
- Farm estate transition – 21%
- Sustainability – 21%
- Understanding new technology – 13%
- Other – 10%
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What does sustainability mean to today’s farmers?
New Holland’s exhibit at Expo Milano 2015 is fully centered around sustainability. However, the definition for sustainability differs depending on who you talk to. Sustainability is nothing new to the ag community. We have been demonstrating it for years, just hadn’t defined it. Do you think sustainability is focused on the economic benefits, the environment, the social aspect or something completely different?
Automotive Students Get Lesson in Biodiesel
Students learning automotive technologies at a college in Kansas are learning about how to work with biodiesel. This story from KOAM-TV says students from Pittsburg State University are learning about the green fuel as more automakers are offering engines able to use more biodiesel.
Steven Benzel, an automotive technology major says the course gave him new insights into bio-diesel. He says, “It’s much cleaner but has the same power output. And I think it’s, maybe even it will get cheaper down the road. But right now it’s the better fuel of the two.”
Steven wants to design new cars and trucks. He and those studying mechanics are learning how biodiesel works in engines.
MARC IV Bio-based Innovations instructor, Steve Howell says, “It reduces the carbon dioxide in the air about eighty percent with the b100 about sixteen percent with the b20.”
And students learn how to fix engines running on bio-diesel
Scott Norman the associate professor of Automotive Technology at PSU says, “If someone’s making their own, not certified correctly, they could have engine problems. The filters could plug up in cold weather. There are some very unique problems you have to be aware of if you’re running bio-diesel in your vehicle.”
Most new biodiesel engines can take biodiesel blends of at least 20 percent.
Kentucky Fried Biodiesel Being Made in India
Waste cooking oil from KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants in India is being made into biodiesel. Advait says it has inked a deal with Yum! Restaurants India Pvt Ltd. to collect the used oil from the restaurants in the Andhra and Telangana region.
Advait which is the only ISCC certified Used Cooking Oil collector in India, will convert the Used Cooking Oil into Biodiesel or export the used cooking oil for biodiesel processing to Europe. Advait is one of the Major Used Cooking Oil collector in India and presently collecting in 4 South Indian states.
Advait aims to start collecting the Used Cooking Oil throughout India with over 15 collection yards in major cities by the end of this year.
Advait has partnered with one of the largest Biodiesel producer in India, Southern Online Bio Technologies Ltd., to supply Used cooking Oil to it and market their Biodiesel in India and abroad. The biodiesel made will be sold to various road transport organisations in India.
E15 Offered in Iowa, Again
E15 is being sold to consumers across Iowa who drive vehicles newer than 2001, again. The ethanol blend, that was still sold to flex-fuel vehicle drivers during the summer months, is not allowed to be sold in the state June 1-September 15, an issue that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has been working to eliminate.
“E15 is the lowest-cost fuel for the vast majority of Iowans on the road today, and we’re excited 2001 and newer vehicle owners across the state can once again reap the benefits of E15,” said IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “With millions of miles already driven on E15, Iowa motorists can choose E15 with confidence, knowing it’s a safe, economical fueling option that provides nearly identical fuel economy to E10.”
The label on an E15 pump at a Kum & Go retail station in Des Moines, IA when only FFVs drivers can legally fill up their tanks with E15 during the summer months. Photo: Joanna Schroeder
The halt of sales is due to a quirk in federal regulation. The EPA has yet to equalize the vapor pressure regulations for E10 and E15 during the summer driving season, from June 1 through September 15. As a result, the sale of E15 in Iowa is restricted to flex-fuel vehicles only during that timeframe. To re-introduce E15 into the marketplace in Iowa, the IRFA is kicking-off a consumer education campaign to inform motorists of the benefits of E15.
“There’s loads of interest in E15 among Iowa drivers, and quite a bit of misinformation out there, so we’re doing our part to educate motorists on the benefits of this more American-made fuel,” Norton added. “IRFA staff and ethanol supporters will be at many Iowa E15 stations over the next few weeks, talking with drivers about cleaner-burning E15, while many stations offer special E15 discounts.”
IRFA’s E15 consumer education program starts September 18, 2015 with events at Murphy USA in Indianola, Iowa and Good & Quick in Nevada, Iowa. Murphy USA, located at 1502 N. Jefferson St. in Indianola, Iowa, will offer E15 to 2001 and newer vehicles at a 75-cent per gallon discount to 87-octane E10 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Good & Quick, located at 519 Lincoln Highway in Nevada, Iowa, will offer registered E15 for a 15-cent per gallon discount from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Additionally, Cenex Ampride in Eagle Grove and Fort Dodge, Iowa, will host consumer education events on September 22. Supplementary consumer education events will be announced in the near future.
Wind Power to Provide 1/4 Europe’s Electricity by 2030
A recent forecast from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) finds that wind power can meet a quarter of Europe’s electricity demand by 2030 if Members States deliver on energy pledges and climate goals. If these goals area achieved, wind power could serve a quarter of Europe’s electricity demand by 2030. Today, Europe’s 128.8GW can meet over 10 percent of European power consumption in a normal wind year, but over the next 15 years, EWEA expects wind power installations in Europe to reach 320GW of capacity that could serve 24.4 percent of electricity demand across the region.
Kristian Ruby, Chief Policy Officer of EWEA noted, “Wind energy will be the backbone of the European power sector when we reach the end of next decade.”
With 254GW from onshore wind and 66GW coming from offshore installations, the European wind industry will provide up to 334,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030 in the most feasible scenario. However, the forecasts are contingent on a number of factors on the political and regulatory front including a clear governance structure for the EU-wide 27 percent renewables target for 2030, which was agreed last year.
EWEA is calling for clear direction from the European Commission to ensure that Member States propose robust national action plans for renewable energy and remain on track to meet the common target.
Ruby continued, “The regulatory framework is a key driver in guaranteeing investor certainty. If policy makers get it right, the wind sector could grow even more. If they don’t, we will fall short to the detriment of investments, employment and climate protection. “Three key challenges must be tackled. A renewable energy directive with a strong legal foundation for renewables in the post-2020 space; a reformed power market tailored to renewable energy integration and, finally, a revitalised Emissions Trading System that provides a clear signal to investors by putting a meaningful price on carbon pollution.”
The new scenario looks at both annual and cumulative installations (in MW) and includes a country-by-country breakdown for 2030, but not for intermediate years. The figures for EWEA’s 2030 capacity scenario were developed in cooperation with national associations across Europe and industry leaders.
BioEnergy Bytes
- Biofuels Digest is hosting a free webinar on September 30, 2015 at 12:00 pm ET. Bioenergy University: A Training to Fuel Success is sponsored by Novozymes and will inform attendees how their Bioenergy University helps plant employees: build deeper process and product understanding; increase awareness of plant processes and procedures; develop and refine plant best practices; and improve process consistency. Register here.
- Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has awarded nine grants to help reduce energy costs for residents in remote rural areas where the cost of producing electricity is extremely high. USDA is providing $7.9 million through the High Energy Cost Grant program, which is administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities Service. Vilsack also noted that energy conservation, through programs like this, helps improve the environment by reducing carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels.
- Atlantic Wind & Solar has commenced construction on another 320 KW solar PV plant in Ontario, specifically in Burlington, following receipt of the Notice to Proceed from Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator. The $2 million commercial rooftop installation, consisting of 1,488 panels, is expected to produce 7,900 megawatt hours of power over the next 20 years.
- SXSW Eco, a conference that celebrates the power of design, technology and business to drive global change, has added Isha Datar, CEO of New Harvest, as their final Keynote and announced their full conference lineup for the 2015 event. Isha Datar joins previously announced Keynotes Dirk Ahlborn, CEO of the futuristic Hyperloop Transportation Technologies; Chris Lewicki, President & Chief Engineer of asteroid mining company Planetary Resources; James Redford, filmmaker & co-founder of the Redford Center; and closing remarks from Krista Donaldson, CEO of award-winning product design company D-Rev. SXSW Eco takes place October 5-7, 2015 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, TX.
Executives Criticize RFS Delays on Cellulosic Growth
Executives from the advanced biofuels industry are criticizing the Obama Administration for not adhering to its promise to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). They say the lack of adhering to mandates has undercut investment in advanced biofuels and sent innovative companies, technologies and jobs oversees. In a letter they write that “broken promise…flies in the face of the President’s statements in support of clean energy and climate change policy.”
Corn stover is used by several bioenergy companies to produce cellulosic ethanol. Photo: Joanna Schroeder
The proposal, argues the advanced biofuels industry, has been devastating for the development of advanced and cellulosic biofuels. Already, $13.7 billion in investments have been frozen, threatening to send American innovation and investment overseas to countries like China and Brazil. It is anticipated that President Obama will be taken to task for U.S.’s lack of leadership and commitment on climate change.
During the call, Adam Monroe, North America President of Novozymes said, “The Obama Administration’s proposal eviscerates the RFS by allowing EPA to slash renewable fuel volumes when the oil industry refuses to distribute renewable fuel. Oil companies are not going to compete with renewable fuel if they can avoid the requirement altogether by simply blocking distribution and market access.”
Vincent Chornet, President, CEO and Co-Founder of Enerkem emphasized how the Obama Administration’s decision impacts international interest in U.S. projects, stating, “This proposal forces investment out of America. Advanced biofuels are on the brink of significant growth – but the Administration’s proposal strands investment and threatens a decade of innovation and progress.”