The Osaka Sangyo University (OSU) Solar Car Team’s, OSU-Model-S equipped with Trina Solar’s Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cells and modules, has won the “2015 FIA ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES CUP Solar Car Race” held at the Suzuki International Racing Circuit. This is OSU’s fourth consecutive victory. The “OSU-Module-S” developed by OSU’s Solar Car Team was 100% powered by solar cells developed by the State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of Trina Solar.- President Barack Obama will lead the nation’s foremost clean energy conversation as the keynote speaker during the “National Clean Energy Summit 8.0: Powering Progress” at Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center in Las Vegas Monday, Aug. 24, 2025. In its eighth year, the Summit is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Harry Reid, Center for American Progress, the Clean Energy Project, MGM Resorts International and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
- New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, “Impact Assessment of Materials in Wind Energy Generation,” finds that about 9,500 tonnes of composite materials are used annually for manufacturing wind blades. Between now and 2020, the materials segment will grow at a rate of 17 percent annually. The study looks mainly at materials for rotor blades and nacelles but includes foundation and tower applications.
REG to Acquire Imperium Renewables
Biodiesel giant Renewable Energy Group (REG), based in Iowa, will acquire Seattle-area Imperium Renewables. REG says the deal includes a 100-million gallon nameplate capacity biomass-based diesel refinery and deepwater port terminal at the Port of Grays Harbor, Washington.
Under the terms of the agreement, REG will pay Imperium $15 million in cash and issue 1.5 million shares of REG common stock in exchange for substantially all of Imperium’s assets. In addition to these payments, REG will pay either $1.75 million in cash or 175,000 shares of REG common stock at closing as elected by REG. For two years post-closing, Imperium may receive up to a $0.05/gallon payment for biomass-based diesel produced and sold. In addition at closing, Imperium will retain its net working capital value of approximately $25 million. REG will also assume $5.2 million of Imperium’s debt from Umpqua Bank, which has agreed to provide REG Grays Harbor, LLC with an additional loan capacity of up to $5 million to fund capital expenditures and improvements at the Grays Harbor facility. Closing is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
“Bringing the Imperium assets and their team into the REG network is a tremendous addition to our business,” said REG President and CEO Daniel J. Oh. “As we combine our companies, we will expand the reach of REG along the west coast, including production and distribution. We already sell into these markets as they have responded to the call for more clean, advanced biofuels through low carbon fuel standards. This will enable REG to be more efficient and timely in our delivery and improve our supply assurance. We look forward to working with Imperium’s experienced staff and plant employees, maintaining operational activities at Grays Harbor, and becoming active members of the community working with the Port of Grays Harbor and the cities of Hoquiam and Aberdeen.”
“REG’s growth over the last eight years has made them an industry leader and our biodiesel facility in Hoquiam will greatly expand their domestic production footprint and continued success.” said John Plaza, president and CEO of Imperium Renewables. “We hope our facility will help them continue to grow and diversify biofuel production and sales both locally and around the region.”
#Biodiesel Supports #AgMedia
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was proud to once again be a part of the Ag Media Summit last week and share their positive message about the biodiesel industry.
“AMS is really a great gathering of a wide variety of publications across the ag industry,” said Jessica Robinson of NBB. “It’s a good opportunity to talk with people and let them know that biodiesel is growing and as we grow we’re playing a larger role in these spaces.”
NBB exhibited in the InfoExpo and also sponsored some of the professional improvement workshops at the event. They had a special focus this year on the livestock industry and how biodiesel is helping to make producers more profitable. “We know people are always looking for new and interesting stories and this is definitely a good one and one we’re happy to share,” said Jessica.
Interview with Jessica Robinson, National Biodiesel BoardHow Are You Connecting Equipment & Data?
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Do you consider yourself social media savvy?”
It’s exciting to see so many people out there that have grasped social media as way to communicate online and also use it as a marketing tool. Yet will had a few pollers who don’t see it as beneficial. It is hard to look into the future and not see social media. Changing and developing yes, but not leaving for good.
Here are the poll results:
- Yes – I’ve got it – 55%
- Yes – Still need training – 23%
- No – Want to learn more – 6%
- No – Not worth my time – 16%
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, How are you connecting your precision equipment and data?
Drones, big data, new standards are all precision ag buzz words but connectivity was a common theme this year at the InfoAg Conference. More and more companies are developing stable wireless options to communicate back and forth from the cab. Let us know what method you are using and feel free to leave a comment.
Wind Energy Zoning Needs Improvement
Tthe Center for Rural Affairs has released a report, “Zoned Out: An Analysis of Wind Energy Zoning in Four Midwest States,” that finds zoning need improvement. According to Alissa Doerr, Center for Rural Affairs legal extern and author of the report, Zoned Out analyses different approaches to zoning commercial wind energy systems in four different Midwest states – Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. The report also broke down the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches, and what makes for effective zoning standards.
“Wind energy zoning remains generally uncoordinated and subject to state and local regulations, resulting in a piecemeal approach where zoning standards vary between states and within states,” Doerr said. “In order for wind energy development to continue increasing, there must be an effective approach to wind energy zoning implemented that reduces inconsistency and unpredictability caused by the patchwork approach that is currently in place. The key is finding the right balance between local and state control.”
Doerr noted that as more wind energy projects are developed, members of local communities continue to have questions including how it will affect the community and what role the community plays in the development process. She added that zoning authorities must aim for efficient and effective standards, incorporating considerations from the local areas where wind development would take place.
Doerr further explained that the key to effective wind siting and zoning regulation is to strike the right balance between local and state control, avoiding some of the pitfalls for either approach, while trying to capture the benefits. Authorities at the state and local level must consider the pros and cons that can result from difference ordinances. The ideal balance should be focused on consistent standards that still allow for local autonomy.
“As wind power continues to play a bigger role in meeting our energy demands, it’s important that we craft regulations that incorporate local preferences and address local concerns, while also providing clear and consistent standards for developers,” Doerr concluded.
BioEnergy Bytes
- Novozymes has become a member of the the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association. “We are pleased to welcome Novozymes to our portfolio of members. Novozymes provides its customers with advanced bioinnovation solutions that set new standards for performance and viability,” said Tim Rudnicki, executive director of the Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association.
- In the first six months of 2015, the European offshore wind industry installed more new capacity than in any other year on record as several projects reached completion and deployment of larger turbines increased. Installations in the first half of 2015 touched 2,342.9MW – tripling the grid-connected capacity for the same period last year. As a result, total installed offshore wind capacity in Europe hit 10,393.6MW in 82 wind farms across 11 countries.
- Senate President Kevin de León and California Air Resources Board Chair and Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. appointee Mary Nichols have announced the award of $1.6 million to the City of Los Angeles for an electric vehicle pilot program in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Pasquale Romano, president and CEO of ChargePoint, said of the announcement, “Today, California leaders are making a clear statement: California’s innovation economy is for everyone, including economically hard hit communities where clean technology investments mean more jobs and healthier communities.”
- Hydro Ottawa has announced that it has acquired 10 run-of-the-river hydroelectric facilities from Fortis Inc., in Ontario and nearby New York State; representing approximately 30.9MW of installed operating green energy capacity. Hydro Ottawa was already the largest municipally-owned producer of green energy in Ontario with a generation capacity of 48 MW. The acquisition aligns with Hydro Ottawa’s 2012-2016 Strategic Direction to increase the utility’s supply of clean energy to customers, and by pursuing low risk opportunities with stable long-term returns.
Voters Want Pro Clean Energy Prez Candidates
NextGen Climate has released the results of a survey that finds voters in key presidential swing states support transitioning to at least 50 percent clean energy by 2030. Hart Research conducted the poll in eight battleground states including: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin. In particular, the survey found that young voters (Millennials) are more likely to vote for a candidate who embraces aggressive climate change goals.
The survey also found:
- 70% of voters had a favorable reaction to a goal of at least 50% clean energy by 2030 — including 69% of independents and 54% of Republicans.
- 61% of voters said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who embraced this goal, while only 14% say they would be less likely.
“Transitioning to a clean energy economy is an ambitious goal, but one that is necessary and achievable — and politically potent, ” said NextGen Climate President and Founder Tom Steyer. “It’s time for presidential candidates in both parties to produce plans to achieve at least 50% clean energy by 2030 and put us on a path to a completely clean energy economy by 2050—creating millions of jobs across the country and protecting our economy from the most devastating impacts of climate change.”
The survey supports that swing state voters believe achieving at least 50 percent clean energy by 2030 is an “important priority” and “necessary” and favor specific policies and initiatives that will build a clean energy economy. Millennial voters are particularly likely to support the goal, and see it as “inspiring.”
The poll is part of an NextGen Climate initiative to call on leaders to embrace policies that accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy.
Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis to Assume New Role
Growth Energy has announced today that CEO Tom Buis has been named as co-chairman of the organization’s Board of Directors, joining POET Founder and Executive Chairman Jeff Broin in that role.
In his new role Buis will remain actively involved in member activities and policy matters important to the industry. Buis will continue overseeing the day-to-day operations of the organization until a new CEO has been appointed.
“I love this job and I love advocating for an industry that means so much for America,” Buis said. “As co-chair, I will remain engaged in growing membership and advocating for policies that benefit American farmers and consumers, but I’m also at a point in life where I’m ready to assume more of a guiding role as a leader on the board. I am proud of the accomplishments we have had at Growth Energy, as it has grown from a startup to the largest trade association representing the ethanol industry in America.”
Growth Energy has retained Korn/Ferry International, the world’s largest executive search firm, to lead a nationwide search for its next CEO.
UPS Substantially Ups Renewable Diesel Use
Shipping giant UPS is taking a giant leap forward in its use of renewable diesel. The company announced agreements to buy and use up to 46 million gallons of renewable fuels over the next three years, a 15-fold increase over prior contracts and making UPS one of the largest users of renewable diesel in the world.
The agreements with three leading suppliers of renewable fuels, secure access to an advanced renewable diesel fuel in order to meet the company’s objectives for alternative fuel utilization. Neste, Renewable Energy Group (REG) and Solazyme will supply renewable diesel to UPS to help facilitate the company’s shift to move more than 12% of its purchased ground fuel from conventional diesel and gasoline fuel to alternative fuels by the end of 2017. UPS has previously announced a goal of driving one billion miles with our alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles by the end of 2017.
“Advanced alternative fuels like renewable diesel are an important part of our strategy to reduce the carbon emissions impact of our fleet,” said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president, global engineering and sustainability. “We have used more than three million gallons of renewable diesel to date with positive results. Renewable diesel has a huge impact significantly reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 percent less versus conventional petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel also performs well in cold weather, does not have any blending limitations and can be easily ‘dropped in’ to our fuel supply chain without modifications to our existing diesel trucks and equipment.”
“UPS believes these agreements are especially important because they will help stimulate demand for investment in refinery technologies and sustainable feedstocks needed to produce renewable fuels at a total cost that is comparable to more carbon-intensive petroleum fuels,” said Wallace.
UPS has been running its trucks in Texas and Louisiana on renewable fuels for more than a year. These new agreements provide a path for expanded use across the U.S. and potentially in parts of Europe.
ASA Wants RFS Biodiesel Goals to be Realistic
Goals for biodiesel in the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) recently announced by the government could be a bit better and should be realistic, as the green fuel benefits everyone and gains some unlikely allies. Cindy caught up with Wade Cowan, Texas farmer and president of the American Soybean Association (ASA) during the Ag Media Summit and got his thoughts on biodiesel and what the Environmental Protection Agency’s goals on biodiesel in the RFS means.
“We would hope [the EPA] would raise the goals [to high but attainable levels],” he said. “It’s a product that not only helps all the consumers in the country who use diesel, but it also helps livestock producers” by keeping a steady supply of soybean meal available. “We’re not asking for the moon, but we want [the RFS goals] high enough to keep making the industry want to go forward and be more productive.”
Wade said biodiesel even has fans in the oil industry.
“They like biodiesel, because someone has to distribute it,” adding companies like Exxon are also interested in helping make the environment better and reduce the U.S.’ dependence on foreign oil. “They’re in it with us, and we expect to see more and more cooperation.”
You can hear all of Cindy’s interview with Wade (or if you’re impatient and just want to get to the biodiesel parts, fast-forward to about the 5:00 mark) here: Interview with Wade Cowan, ASA president