MN Soy Growers to Hold Biodiesel & Bioheat Forum

John Davis

MNSoyIt’s a hot August, but the folks in Minnesota are well aware the winter chill is not that far away. That’s why the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) is holding a Biodiesel and Bioheat forum Aug. 19 in Mankato to talk about how the green fuel can help keep you warm when the winter winds return (and make no mistake about it, they will).

Bioheat fuel is a heating blend of 5 percent biodiesel or less with ASTM D396. ASTM International, an organization that sets industry consensus standards for fuels, recently, released standards that approved blends of 6 to 20 percent biodiesel. This ushers in the opportunity for heating oil consumers to use Bioheat as a better alternative.

Represented among the delegation will be the New York Oil Heating Association, Nazzaro Group, LLC, Petroleum Liaison, Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, Hart Home Comfort, Northeast Public Affairs, Ohio Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, National Oilheat Research Alliance, National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals, Oilheat Manufacturers Association, Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey.

Ag group, Biodiesel, Soybeans

Bikers Line Up for Free 10% Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

sturgis-15-bikersFrom the Midwest to Mexico, the west coast to the east coast, every state and various countries – bikers of all stars and stripes love the word free, especially when it comes to fuel for their rides. That made the fourth annual Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) “Free Fuel Happy Hours” a big draw at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground this week.

RFA pumped 1,872 gallons of 93 octane, 10 percent ethanol in four days this week for bikers in town for the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Many bikers came back every day to fill their tanks, as they spent their days traveling through the beautiful Black Hills. RFA also gave away lots of free t-shirts, coozies, and information about how E10 is approved for use in any motorcycle – not any higher blends.

We talked to a few of the bikers who came through to fill up, including a guy from Mexico City, a farmer from Wisconsin, and others from Iowa, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Interviews with bikers filling up with E10

2015 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with RFA at the Buffalo Chip Photos

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis

Biodiesel Helps Boost Europe’s Biofuels Use

John Davis

EUflag1Transportation biofuels use in Europe is up again, thanks in large part to biodiesel. This article from the Brussels Times says biofuels for transport increased by 6.1 percent in 2014 in Europe, following a decrease in the previous year.

It still remains lower than in 2012. Consumption of sustainable biofuels reached its highest level with 12.5 million tep (Mtep – million-ton equivalent of petroleum). The increase in the use of biofuels for European transport is mostly due to biodiesel (+7.8%), whereas consumption of bioethanol remained stable (+0.1%). Biodiesel represented 79.7% of biofuels consumption, and bioethanol 19.1%, when taking into account the energy content (instead of the metric volume).

In Belgium, total biofuels consumption reached 387,599 tep. Biodiesel represented 90.5% of total consumption in 2014, and bioethanol the remaining 9.5%. Like in other EU28 countries, Belgian biofuels were certified 100% sustainable. In Spain and in Estonia this percentage was 0%.

Thus it seems that use of certified sustainable biofuels following criteria established by the European directive Renewable Energies, reached its highest level in 2014, with 12.5 Mtep, 89.4% of total biofuels consumption in the European Union, and 4.3% of EU fuel consumption.

The article went on to point out that oil companies will be some of the biggest drivers in the biofuels market, and they are already the biggest producers of biodiesel.

Biodiesel, International

American Ethanol Goes Old School in Darlington

Joanna Schroeder

American Ethanol is going old school for the upcoming race on September 6, 2015 in Darlington Raceway. During the Southern 500, the team will leave its traditional green and black design behind for racing suits that bring back the days when Dillion’s grandfather, Richard Childress, circled NASCAR tracks in a classic No 3. red and white Chevrolet.

American Ethanol in DarlingtonThe throwback race will feature historic paint that many fans will remember. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Childress, the famed race-team owner, raced the No. 3 before his sidekick Dale Earnhardt Sr., made it eternally famous and infamous. More than 30 years later, the Chevrolet his grandson, Austin Dillon, drives will honor the historic paint scheme during the 2015 Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.

“For this race, the No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet will shed its green-and-black design for the first time in five years,” said Jon Holzfaster, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association NASCAR Advisory Committee and a farmer from Paxton, Nebraska. “The different paint should draw the attention of fans, especially because of the connection to Austin’s grandfather. And the red, white, and blue makes perfect sense for this American made fuel.”

Dillon, past NASCAR Xfinity and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™ champion, will be looking for his first career win at the “Lady in Black” track in NASCAR’s premier series. He finished an impressive 11th in his only series start at the 1.37-mile track.

Race fans can pre-order the highly detailed Action Racing Collectables throwback die-cast of Dillon’s No. 3 American Ethanol Chevrolet by clicking here.

American Ethanol, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Atlantic Wind & Solar, Inc. has announced its entrance into the South Asia region and marks a new milestone in its project pipeline size, now surpassing 1 GW of renewable energy projects. An increase of almost 100% over the previous year. In Thailand Atlantic is currently structuring an agreement in regards to 230 MW of solar projects. In addition the Company is evaluating 90 MW of wind projects. In India Atlantic is structuring agreements around 210 MW of solar projects.
  • SkyPower has been awarded 200 MW in the Telangana, India solar competitive tender process. This 200 MW award from Telangana is in addition to the 150 MW of projects awarded to SkyPower in the State of Madhya Pradesh in July, for a total of 350 MW. Once built, the projects from both states are anticipated to be in excess of 400 MW of solar nameplate capacity.
  • Supporting the Government of Queensland’s commitment to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, local utility Ergon Energy has contracted with SunPower to offer high efficiency PV solar power systems with energy storage technology from Sunverge Energy to 33 Queensland homes. This is Ergon Energy’s first residential solar and storage project to be piloted in a limited release commercial offer.
  • Heliatek, the Dresden-based German company that produces ultra-light, flexible and less than 1 mm thick Photovoltaic solar films, was awarded today as one of the World Economic Forum’s “technology pioneers”, a selection of the world’s most innovative companies. Heliatek is a spin-off from the Technical University of Dresden and the University of Ulm. The company is a leader in the field of Organic Electronics Energy holding the world record efficiency of 12%. It started commercialization of its solar films in July 2014.
Bioenergy Bytes

Battleground States Support Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

According to new poll results in eight battleground states, there is widespread support for the Clean Power Plan. This week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released final rules. Overall, 58 percent support the plan while 40 percent oppose it after hearing arguments for and against the plan. States polled included Virginia, Florida, Ohio, New Hampshire, Colorado, Nevada, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

AUFCLogoWideWebDuring a press conference releasing the poll results held by Americans United for Change who commissioned the research, climate advocates called on Republican Attorney Generals preparing to sue the EPA over the new public health standards and the “do-nothing Republicans in Congress” to stop putting polluters over people and act on climate change.

Among the findings by Tom Jensen, Director of Public Policy Polling, in his summary memo include:

  • There is widespread support for the EPA’s new plan to limit carbon pollution from power plants. Voters in all states, age groups, Democrats and Independents support the Clean Power Plan. Overall, 58% support the plan, while 40% oppose it after hearing arguments for and against the plan.
  • Voters across all 8 swing states and in all age groups consider climate change a serious problem. Democrats (77/22) are very concerned about climate change, with independents (55/44) in agreement. 37% of Republicans consider it serious while 62% don’t. There are more Republicans concerned about climate change than Democrats who are unconcerned.
  • When asked if they agree with Mitch McConnell’s urging the states to ignore the EPA and not develop a plan to cut carbon pollution, the answer was a resounding no: only 31% think states should drag their feet on implementation of new clean power plans; 59% say states should move forward and develop a plan to reduce carbon pollution from power plants.
  • Supporting climate change measures isn’t a particularly risky move for members of Congress. 63% say they would either be more likely to support their member or it would make no difference if they supported the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. This holds true in each state surveyed. Even Republicans say they would either be more likely to support their members in the future or it would make no difference: 47% total compared to 43% who would be more likely to oppose.

Read More

Americans United for Change, Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Climate Change, Electricity, Environment

Precision Ag Connection Results In

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How are you connecting your precision equipment and data?”

It looks like many of our readers haven’t quite adopted the wireless capabilities when it come to connecting precision equipment. It looks like the majority of you are utilizing memory cards and USB sticks. However, after attending the 2015 InfoAg Conference the Cloud is here and it looks like it is the key to efficiency.

Here are the poll results:

  • Memory cards – 33%
  • USB sticks – 33%
  • Cloud (wifi)- 1%
  • Cellular network – 17%
  • Other – 16%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What brings you to the county, regional or state fair?

We are in the heat of fair season. Whether its a county, regional or state fair it is easy to find one to attend. I have exhibited livestock at fairs my entire life and I hope to instill my love for the fair life into my daughter very soon. Some people go for the food, the great concerts, to exhibit their livestock or to simply take in all the sights. Tell us why you love the fair. Is it for the overall experience or is it the craving of a footlong corn dog?

ZimmPoll

Ethanol Exports Down, DDGS Exports Hit Records

John Davis

A new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association shows that while ethanol exports dropped in June, the export of dried distillers grains (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production, set an all-time record.

juneethanolexports
U.S. ethanol exports retreated for the third month in a row in June, according to RFA analysis of government data released today, dropping 7% from May to 60.2 million gallons (mg). Canada (22.9 mg, or 38%), the United Arab Emirates (12.7 mg, or 21%) and the Philippines (7.4 mg, or 12%) accounted for the bulk of exports in June, followed by South Korea (4.2 mg) and the Netherlands (4.2 mg). No ethanol exports were shipped to Brazil in June. Outside of Canada, Brazil has been the largest customer for U.S. ethanol exports, averaging 12.3 mg per month over the past five years. Through the first half of the year, exports stood at 437 mg, indicating an annualized rate of 874 mg.

June exports of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS)—the animal feed co-product manufactured by dry mill ethanol plants—bounded 12% higher to 1,306,623 metric tons (mt), breaking the previous monthly record set in July 2014. Monthly exports to China reached an historic high of 967,529 mt in June—with China maintaining a 74% market share for the second month in a row. Exports to the rest of the world in June reversed a 7-month decline as monthly export volumes increased 10%. Mexico (76,784 mt, or 6% of exports), Canada (38,501 mt), Egypt (35,197 mt), Thailand (23,982 mt) and Ireland (22,700 mt) captured most of the remaining global market for U.S. DDGS in June. Year-to-date exports for 2015 are 5.8 million mt, implying an annualized total 11.6 million mt—almost one-third of projected domestic production.

Meanwhile, ethanol imports also fell again in June to just 717,320 gallons of denatured product. Almost all of that imported ethanol (99 percent) came from Spain.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Alliance Bioenergy+ to Build 56 Cell. Ethanol Plants

John Davis

alliance-bioA Florida company is going to build 56 cellulosic ethanol plants. Alliance BioEnergy Plus, Inc. struck the deal with construction company Renewable Resources Development of America, LLC (“RRDA”) to build the plants both domestically and abroad using Alliance’s patented CTS technology.

It is anticipated that the first CTS plant, under the agreement, will be located in central Georgia, breaking ground this fall and will process up to one thousand metric tons a day of agriculture and forestry waste. RRDA is in advanced negotiations with local municipalities and expects to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2016.

In addition, RRDA and the Company have entered into an agreement whereas RRDA will invest $4 million into the Company in exchange for a 10% ownership stake in the Company, 2 million warrants and a license to the first commercial plant to be built by RRDA in Vidalia, Georgia.

Alliance officials say the first commercial plant is being designed and will be up and running early next year.

Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Syngenta, Quad County Join Biofuels Biz Council

John Davis

advancedbiofuelsAg company Syngenta and ethanol producer Quad County Corn Processors have joined the Advanced Biofuels Business Council, formerly known as the Advanced Ethanol Council. The group’s mission is to help its members speak with one voice to put the advanced bio-refining industry in the best position to succeed.

Syngenta and Quad County Corn Processors (QCCP) are engaged in a collaboration to license Cellerate, a revolutionary, new enhancing technology that can help ethanol plants convert corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol. The corn fiber ethanol pathway is approved by U.S. EPA as an RFS-eligible cellulosic biofuel. QCCP owns and operates an ethanol plant in Galva, Iowa, and is one of the leading developers of cellulosic ethanol production technology through its wholly-owned subsidiary Cellulosic Ethanol Technologies, LLC.

“The cellulosic biofuels industry is breaking through at commercial scale, and it is critical for the industry to remain unified when it comes to how we engage on policy and regulatory matters,” said Brooke Coleman, executive director of the ABBC. “Syngenta and QCCP are highly engaged on both the business and political fronts, and we look forward to working with them on strategies that will help the industry succeed in 2015 and beyond.”

In addition to enabling plants to increase production by up to 6 percent, Cellerate can help ethanol producers increase the protein content of dried distillers grains to as much as 40 percent and increase total yield of distillers corn oil up to 1.2 pounds per bushel. QCCP is currently on track to annually produce 2 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol via the Cellerate process.

“We are very excited about our ability to develop a cellulosic biofuel technology that increases ethanol throughput and corn oil extraction while reducing energy input and carbon emissions,” said Delayne Johnson, chief executive officer of QCCP. “It is this type of value proposition that makes the future of cellulosic ethanol so bright.”

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Syngenta