BayWa r.e.’s Beethoven Wind Project in Operation

Joanna Schroeder

The Beethoven wind project located in South Dakota is in full operation. BayWa r.e. bought the project from a local developer in August 2014. The power is sold under a 20 year contract to NorthWestern Energy and GE has been engaged to maintain the turbines for the next 10 years.

BayWa r.e. Beethoven Wind Project“The 80 MW Beethoven Project is the largest wind project brought online in the US and the second largest one in BayWa r.e.’s history worldwide. Its output will supply clean, reliable, renewable energy to 31,000 homes.” said Matthias Taft, CEO of BayWa r.e. and BayWa AG board member for the energy sector. “The completion of Beethoven is an important milestone and we are on to the next project. As we continue to seek out the next opportunity, we welcome any introduction to exciting projects.” said Florian Zerhusen, CEO of BayWa r.e.’ wind business in the US.

In 2014, BayWa r.e. sold two operational renewable energy projects located in New Mexico but is still managing the facilities.

Clean Energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Wind

Ethanol Report from Washington DC

Cindy Zimmerman

dinneen-officeDomestic Fuel stopped by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) office in Washington DC Wednesday to visit with president and CEO Bob Dinneen and discuss the latest with the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and expectations for next week’s EPA hearing in Kansas City.

Following his appearance on a Fuels America press call, Dinneen addressed yet another bill introduced this week to repeal the RFS and renewed charges by RFS opponents that the law is increasing food prices.

ethanol-report-adRegarding the June 25 public hearing on EPA’s proposed volume obligations under the RFS, Dinneen says the agency has already received about 250 requests to testify and he is encouraging everyone possible to turnout. “I want chaos, I want farmers that care about what this proposal would mean for their bottom line, I want consumers that care about the fact that gasoline prices will increase if this proposal is finalized, I want ethanol producers there, I want biodiesel producers there, I want anybody that cares about our nation’s energy, economic and environmental future to show up in Kansas City and throw a hissy fit,” said Dinneen.

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report here: Ethanol Report from Washington DC

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA, RFS

Schroeder to Participate in Bioenergy 2015

John Davis

bio2015Domestic Fuel’s own Joanna Schroeder will be part of next week’s U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO) eighth annual conference “Bioenergy 2015: Opportunities in a Changing Energy Landscape.” She’ll be in Washington, D.C., moderating the session titled, “Reaching Your Stakeholders: Effectively Engaging and Educating Key Audiences,” on the second day of the June 23-24 conference.

This session focuses on demonstrated communication strategies and tactics to engage and educate key audiences—such as the general public, communities, policy makers, and investors—on bioenergy. Panelists, through a facilitated discussion, will provide attendees with unique insights, success stories, and best practices and lessons learned that improved public perception of bioenergy at local, regional, and national levels.

About 600 participants are expected to attend the conference, including key stakeholders from the bioenergy industry, Congress, national laboratories, academia, and the financial community. Some of the other issues they’ll discuss include:

– Impact of changing oil prices
– Vehicle/fuels co-optimization
– Future of the Renewable Fuel Standard
– Environmental benefits of biofuels
– Innovative technologies and emerging pathways
– U.S. manufacturing in a global marketplace.

Check out the full agenda here.

bioenergy, Government

PERC Promotes Alt Fuels for Emergency Vehicles

John Davis

PERCThe Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has joined a national task force promoting the use of alternative fuel in emergency vehicles. PERC says the task force has a two-year program to educate emergency managers about alternative fuels.

The Initiative for Resiliency in Energy through Vehicles is one of 11 projects funded by the Department of Energy Clean Cities program to accelerate the growth of the alternative fuel vehicles market. The National Association of State Energy Officials was awarded $800,000 in grant funds to administer the project. PERC will work with NASEO and 17 other member groups to provide emergency fleet managers with customized tools, information, and strategies about alternative fuel vehicle technologies, infrastructure, and their uses in emergency scenarios.

The task force’s resources will help emergency managers examine the potential costs, benefits, and interdepencies associated with diversifying their fleets, reducing dependence on petroleum, and increasing their energy security.

“Alternative fuels are very important for the emergency response sector,” said Roy Willis, PERC president and CEO. “Diversifying a fleet’s fuel source insulates it from petroleum market volatility and mitigates the impact of supply disruptions. It’s all about ensuring that priority fuel users can continue to operate in the face of natural disasters, major fuel source disruptions, and extreme weather events.”

PERC has been a heavy investor in the creation of propane-powered technologies, and that has led to a dramatic expansion in the types of available propane vehicles, including those used by emergency response fleets.

Propane

BIO to Put Innovation in Name

John Davis

bio-logoSame acronym… new innovative meaning. The Biotechnology Industry Organization… better known as BIO will soon become the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. This news release from BIO says the change is to highlight the scientific innovation the group brings.

“I’m pleased to announce that the BIO Board has approved a change to BIO’s name… from the Biotechnology Industry Organization to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization,” said BIO’s new Board Chair, Ron Cohen, CEO of Acorda Therapeutics. “Still BIO, but now with a name that better expresses the essence of what our member companies represent.”

BIO’s President and CEO, Jim Greenwood added, “This is a great move that will help clarify for policymakers and the public the heart of our industry – scientific innovation that will help to heal, feed and fuel the world. Each day, our members use cutting edge science and technology to deliver game-changing products, therapies and cures to improve the human condition.”

The new name will be launched in early 2016.

BIO, Biotech

To EPA – Get the RFS Back on Track

Joanna Schroeder

The biofuels industry is reacting to what is being called an “unfriendly” hearing being held tomorrow by the Senate Homeland Security Committee as well as to a press briefing held earlier today by the American Petroleum Institute (API), who industry supporters say is janetmccabe-thseeking a means to end the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The hearing, “Re-examining EPA’s Management of the Renewable Fuel Standard Program,” will be focused on examining EPA’s management of the RFS and features only one speaker: Janet McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation.

API this morning argued against the RFS by once again raising concerns over the EPA biofuel mandates warning “that higher ethanol mandates could damage vehicles and raise food costs.” Corn prices are spiraling downward and are the lowest seen in over two years despite growing ethanol use as noted Wisconsin corn farmer Cal Dalton during a Fuels America press conference this afternoon.

Dalton was joined by Ohio corn grower Fred Yoder and Bob Dinneen, CEO and president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), who said during the call, “There is nothing wrong with the RFS that can’t be fixed by what is right with the RFS.” He continued by saying new legislation is not needed, but rather, the EPA needs to review the statute and put the program in place that Congress established.

Participants on the call also discussed how legislative changes to the RFS will threaten America’s security, consumer choice, climate and rural economies. They also provided insight on EPA’s proposed renewable fuel obligations (RVOs) and they reacted to the claims put forth during the API media call.

The media conference was also a preview of the RFS public hearing taking place in Kansas City, Kansas on June 25, 2015 where EPA representatives will hear comments on the proposed rules for 2014, 2015, 2016 and the proposed 2017 RFS standard for biomass-based diesel. More than 250 people have already submitted requests to speak during the event. DomesticFuel will be covering the event live that begins at 9:00 am CT and will be held at Jack Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas 66101.

To learn more about the ethanol industry’s call to the EPA to get back on track, listen to the Fuels America press conference here: Fuels America RFS Hearing Presser

Audio, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Fuels America, RFA, RFS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDF1Imergy Power Systems has announced the Global Academy of Technology (GAT) College, an engineering education institution in Bangalore, India, has installed a 30 kW, 120 kilowatt hour (kWh) ESP30 vanadium flow battery at the school’s SunEdison-GAT solar research and testing center. The long-duration battery (four hours at nominal power) will reduce the need for GAT College to run diesel-fueled generators when there are power outages at night. The battery will store energy generated by a SunEdison 50 kW photovoltaic (PV) solar power system.
  • SunEdison, Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to acquire 100 percent of Globeleq Mesoamerica Energy (GME), Central America’s leading renewable energy company. SunEdison will acquire a 70 percent interest in GME from Actis, a global pan-emerging market private equity investor focused on the energy sector, and a 30 percent interest from Mesoamerica Power Limited. The acquisition will solidify SunEdison’s position as the largest renewable energy developer in Central America as it expands its presence in the global renewable energy market.
  • U.S.-based Rayton Solar Inc is en route to revolutionize the world – by making solar energy cheaper than energy produced by fossil fuels. To date they have raised over one million dollars in seed funding. Rayton is using 1/50 to 1/100 less silicon (the most expensive component of a solar panel) than the industry standard. They are only utilizing 4 microns of silicon with zero waste in the manufacturing process. Conventional wafers are over 200 microns thick and waste more than 60% of the raw material. Additionally, Rayton is the only commercial solar manufacturer capable of using Float Zone Silicon; a higher grade silicon that is 25% more efficient than the industry standard.
  • SunShare has launched one of the largest residential Community Solar campaigns in the country, with a goal to enroll up to 5,000 homes by December. For an average house, purchasing energy from 20 panels would eliminate the entire electric bill. The electricity produced at the solar gardens will flow into Xcel Energy’s grid and Xcel Energy will credit customers’ bills with the energy the panels produce. Participants simply pay for their solar energy every month, just as they do with their utility bill. If a customer’s share of the garden generates more power than they use, the energy credits will carry over to future bills. All participants stay connected to Xcel Energy’s electric system and remain customers of Xcel Energy.
Bioenergy Bytes

Novozymes Increases Ethanol Plant Sustainability

Cindy Zimmerman

few15-novozymes-jackNovozymes sees a tremendous potential to increase performance at ethanol plants. Jack Rogers, biofuels global marketing manager for Novozymes highlighted several of these projects during the Fuel Ethanol Workshop. He said they have a number of products in the pipeline that target specific areas of the ethanol production process.

One area of focus is in improving ethanol conversion yields. Rogers said that several of their forthcoming projects will address this area and take Novozymes beyond where they are today. He also said they have products being developed that will reduce energy and chemical use. “So there are a lot of ways we see us being able to help add value to the ethanol plant.”

Novozymes is focused on helping the biofuels industry become even more sustainable. Rogers said they are committed to helping the industry reduce inputs and improve the carbon intensity of the industry. He said they feel really good about the contributions they can make to the industry and their efforts to keep improving biofuel production.

Interview with Jack Rogers, Novozymes

2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by
Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by Novozymes
Audio, enzymes, Ethanol, Ethanol News, FEW, Novozymes

Clinton Campaign Announcement Highlights Biofuels

John Davis

hillary-2016Hillary Clinton seems to understand the importance in courting the biofuels vote, especially in Iowa, as she officially kicked off her presidential campaign. America’s Renewable Future (ARF) noted her support for advanced biofuels as part of making America a clean energy superpower.

“…We will make America the clean energy superpower of the 21st century [by] developing renewable power—wind, solar, advanced biofuels; building cleaner power plants, smarter electric grids, greener buildings; using additional fees and royalties from fossil fuel extraction to protect the environment,” said Clinton at the New York rally.

“Sec. Clinton has shown great insight and leadership on the issue of advanced biofuels and she clearly understands that renewable fuel is a key component of a 21st century energy policy,” said former Lt. Gov. and ARF Co-Chair, [Democrat] Patty Judge, “Renewable fuel supports over 852,000 American jobs, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and gives consumers cleaner, less expensive choices at the pump.”

“We are grateful for her recognition of the role biofuels can play in our energy development, but the key to success for advanced biofuels is a partnership with first generation biofuels,” added Judge, “We invite Sec. Clinton to tour a plant and learn how we only fulfill the promise of advanced biofuels by having a strong corn ethanol industry.”

Clinton had recently penned an op-ed for the Cedar Rapids Gazette calling to get the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) back on track.

biofuels, politics

NASCAR Fans Support Ethanol, Reach Out to EPA

John Davis

RFS-NASCARNASCAR fans are serving as an important source for support of ethanol and letting the Obama Administration know their displeasure over the government’s proposal on how much of the green fuel is to be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says racing fans have seen for themselves just how well E15 performs and hundreds of them attending races in St. Louis and Michigan took time to send comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency asking it to reverse its decision to reduce the use of corn ethanol.

“We make ethanol here, so it has many benefits, such as lower fuel costs for consumers, job creation, and of course cleaner air — which is why NASCAR changed to E15 American Ethanol,” said Jon Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton, Neb. “So, it is very encouraging to see the fans engage and try to make sure the current Renewable Fuel Standard remains in place.”

Several hundred fans sent post cards messages to expressing their concern should the country drift away from its commitment to renewable, environmentally superior biofuels.

With the opening of the public comment period regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to cut corn ethanol in the Renewable Fuel Standard by nearly 4 billion gallons, the National Corn Growers Association is also urging farmers and their family and friends to email their opposition to this proposal as soon as possible, before the July 27 deadline.

“One of the major goals of the American Ethanol program is to raise general public awareness of all higher blends of ethanol have to offer and it’s working,” Holzfaster said. “NASCAR fans have become more knowledgeable and supportive, so it makes perfect sense to give them a way to join farmers and show their support.”

NCGA has this link to make it easier for supporters of the RFS to let their thoughts be known to the EPA.

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