New Solenis’ Antibiotic-free Ethanol Fermentation Aids

Joanna Schroeder June 12, 2015

Solenis announced during the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop (FEW) the launch of a novel family of antibiotic-free fermentation aids to help ethanol producers improve efficiency of the ethanol production process. The aids also, said Solenis, will address consumer concerns about antibiotics in the food chain. While the ethanol produced from an ethanol production plant is not ingested, one byproduct is distillers grains (DDGs), an animal feed. Solenis said today’s typical fermentation processes control undesirable microorganisms using antibiotics, which remain in the resulting distillers grains. The company also launched a scale inhibitor during #FEW15.

“As consumer demands and regulatory requirements continue to become more stringent, current antimicrobials, and specifically antibiotics, may be further subject to maximum contaminate limits,” said Allen Ziegler, global biorefining marketing director. “As a result, our new fermentation aids give fuel ethanol producers more tools to address undesirable microorganisms without antibiotics, while helping them boost production and satisfy consumers at the same time.”

According to Solenis, their family of fermentation aids, which includes three patented and patent-pending products, significantly enhances the ability of yeast to compete with undesirable microorganisms in the critical initial stages of propagation and fermentation without the use of antibiotics—an increasingly important goal for fuel ethanol producers.

Designed to promote beneficial yeast growth and efficiency in both high pH and standard pH fermentation processes, Solenis said their fermentation aids are based on advanced proprietary and targeted antimicrobial technology. While the products were initially developed for fuel ethanol production, they also have practical application in other commercial fermentation processes.

“We will continue to anticipate and proactively address our customers’ needs to optimize processes while staying ahead of evolving regulations,” added John Panichella, president and CEO. “With close to 100 years of experience in process and water treatment chemistries, Solenis is committed to serving the fuel ethanol and biorefining industries with our well-respected and diverse product line, along with our application expertise and our investment in research and development.”

2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

biofuels, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, FEW

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder June 12, 2015

Greenbelt Resources Corporation has announced that it received a new Purchase Order expanding the scope of work being performed for California-based EcoPAS to manufacture its Passive Alcohol System (PAS) – a revolutionary pollution control device that captures and transforms gaseous ethanol emissions into quality spirit products. In addition to manufacturing the full-scale PAS that will be utilized in a commercial winery later this year, Greenbelt Resources will now also manufacture the manifold system used to aggregate and deliver the exhaust gases containing the ethanol vapor stream to the PAS unit.
Growing Energy Labs, San Mateo County Community College District, and Prospect Silicon Valley, through the Bay Area Climate Collaborative program, have been awarded a $2,999,601 grant from the California Energy Commission to partner with the College of San Mateo for the “Internet of Energy” demonstration project. The College of San Mateo Internet of Energy Project project will deploy two integrated solar PV and energy storage systems that are expected to save the college $150,000 annually.
The city of Cologne has signed a contract to power up to 100 percent of its city facilities’ energy needs from Community Solar. The energy will be generated by over 2,700put solar panels in SunShare’s solar gardens currently under development through the Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Community program.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has launched the first SEIA Residential Consumer Guide to Solar Power. Available online, the free guide offers those interested in solar power a one-stop shop to better understand the basics of solar energy and ownership options, and includes key questions to ask solar installers before entering a transaction. The guide is a result of a joint effort of the leading companies across the solar industry and complements SEIAs existing Code of Ethics by which all SEIA members abide.

Bioenergy Bytes

Save the Date – MN Biodiesel & Bioheat Forum

Joanna Schroeder June 12, 2015

Save the date for the Biodiesel and Bioheat Forum taking place August 19, 2015 in Mankato, Minnesota.

States up and down the East Coast have ventured into new markets and uses for biodiesel that offer significant potential for Minnesota and U.S. soybean farmers as well as the entire biodiesel industry. One market includes the Bioheat market – nearly 6.2 million homes rely on heating oil in the winter months. In fact, the average home can use more than 1,000 gallons in one winter.

The Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council will host a delegation from the East Coast, as well as local and national biodiesel leaders. The group will include representatives from the New York Oil Heating Association, National Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals, National Oilheat Research Alliance and the Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association, ready to share their experiences with biodiesel and explain the market potential in all arenas.

While much of the debate around biofuels revolves around future technologies and future uses, this round table discussion will look at opportunities available now for the biodiesel industry to grow and solidify its success.

Agribusiness, Biodiesel, biofuels, Soybeans

Neb Governor Ricketts On Global Biofuels Tour

Joanna Schroeder June 12, 2015

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts has been spending the past few weeks on a global agriculture and biofuels promotion tour. Ricketts attended Expo Milano 2015 last week and while there, he visited the “Sustainable Farm Pavilion” sponsored by New Holland where with a group that included CNH Industrial discussed Nebraska’s ethanol industry. CNH Industrial operates a Combine Center of Excellence in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Carlo Lambro, a member of the Group Executive Council and Brand President of New Holland Agriculture, spoke to the group about their commitment to using biofuels across all sectors as well as highlight their local investments in agriculture. Nebraska is the top state in terms of cattle feed and the Nebraska ethanol industry, the second largest ethanol producer in the U.S., produces more than six million tons of livestock feed each year.

The meeting also addressed Governor Ricketts’ active advocacy for the widespread use of ethanol as a biofuel in the United States. The two parties discussed their shared commitment in promoting the use of alternative fuels, which include natural gas and biomethane.

Gov. Ricketts and his Nebraska delegation had discussions in Italy about renewable fuels with Italian energy company Enel. Next, the group headed to Brussels, Belgium where they have planned a visit to Novozyme’s headquarters in Denmark. The company operates a plant in Blair, Nebraska that makes enzymes used in the ethanol industry.

Agribusiness, biofuels, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

What Food Safety Act Means for Ethanol Plants

Cindy Zimmerman June 12, 2015

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in 2011 and this summer the rulemaking for the new act might finally be complete. Because it includes safety of animal food as well as human food, ethanol plants that produce the co-product distillers grains for livestock feed are impacted.

Renewable Fuels Association Director of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis talked about what plants will need to do when FSMA becomes final during the 2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop. “One of the first things in the rule is Current Good Manufacturing Practices,” said Davis, who says that most plants are already ahead of the game in that area. “We have really nice manufacturing facilities, good housekeeping, good quality assurance … a lot of us were gifted what we would call a good manufacturing practice plant.”

The main impact that FSMA will have on ethanol plants is another layer of bureaucracy. “It’s going to be a written plan with constant updating, supervision of the plan, verification of the plan,” said Davis. “It’s going to be similar to other programs like air quality and process safety management – you’re going to write down what you’re going to do, you’re going to do what you wrote down, and you’re going to verify you did it.”

Davis says there were some changes already made in the rule as it has been developed and assuming it is finalized in its current form she thinks ethanol plants will be able to comply within the two year time frame given by the law. “This is an important program and we’re going to provide some guidance to help people comply,” said Davis.

Find out more about FSMA and ethanol plants in this interview. Interview with Kelly Davis, RFA

2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop Photo Album

Coverage of the Fuel Ethanol Conference is sponsored by

Audio, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, RFA

American Ethanol, NASCAR Rally Fans for RFS

John Davis June 12, 2015

American Ethanol is using one of its most popular venues, NASCAR races, to rally fans to support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This item from the National Corn Growers Association says races in Michigan and St. Louis this weekend will put the power of ethanol on display, while asking fans to let known their displeasure of the Obama Administration’s cut to the amount of ethanol in the RFS.

The highlight in Michigan will be Austin Dillon hitting the track in his second American Ethanol paintout of the season in his No. 3 Chevy. At Gateway American Ethanol will a sponsor the American Ethanol Presents Drivin’ for Linemen 200.

In both Michigan and St. Louis, fans will be asked to show their support for American Ethanol by sending postcards to the Environmental Protection Agency telling them to reverse their decision to cut the amount of ethanol currently in the Renewable Fuels Standard.

In both Michigan and Gateway, American Ethanol has teamed up with state corn growers to educate consumers at the race sites.

“This will be a great opportunity to connect consumers, car dealers and the Michigan farmers who contribute to our fuel supply for a weekend of fun and information,” said Jim Zook, executive director of the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan. “When we use more Michigan-made fuel, it translates directly into stronger rural communities, more jobs and more money that goes back into our state. Our corn growers are huge NASCAR fans, and we are proud of the work we do to supply these drivers with American Ethanol.”

“We are excited to be a part of this event because the Gateway track is surrounded by corn and ethanol production and both are critical parts of the economy,” said Lou Lamoreux, chairman of the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and a Lanark, Ill. farmer. “This location also gives us a chance to promote E15 and other higher blends of ethanol to drivers from urban St. Louis.”

American Ethanol, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NASCAR

Ethanol Groups Note EPA Memo on RINS

Cindy Zimmerman June 12, 2015

The ethanol industry is drawing attention to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) memo “buried deep” in the recent proposal for volume requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) about the impact of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINS) and gas prices.

“The memo that came out in the rule package that was made public in the docket by EPA confirm(s) something we’d all confirmed before – that RIN prices didn’t and don’t have an impact on retail gas prices,” said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis during a Fuels America press call on Thursday with the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper explained that EPA openly acknowledges that fact and others in the memo that the ethanol industry has been claiming for some time. “They spend a lot of time in this memo talking about how RIN prices can transform the gasoline market place,” said Cooper, since a higher RIN price results in a “significant decrease in the price for E85.”

Growth Energy Chief Economist Jim Miller adds that the memo shows the RFS is working as intended and the volume obligations under the law should reflect that. “We hope EPA will consider the memo they drafted and revise their proposed rule to reflect the positive elements that the RFS provides to everyone in America,” said Miller.

“By failing to implement the statute, EPA is systematically destructing the RIN credit market and discouraging investment in new technology and infrastructure that would break the blend wall,” concluded RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen. “We strongly believe that EPA needs to scrap this proposal and get the RFS back on track.”

Fuels America press conference

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

Biodiesel Maker for Hemp-Infused Beer

John Davis June 12, 2015

A biodiesel maker is teaming up with a Southern California brewer to make a hemp-infused beer. This article from Small Cap Network says Extreme Biodiesel is looking at providing hemp seeds to Off Your Rocker, a Southern California Craft Brewing Company.

Joseph Spadafore, President of Extreme Biodiesel stated “As stated previously XTRM has been pursuing several projects to increase our presence in the Hemp sector including Hemp to Biodiesel, and a personal biomass reactor. As federal and governments ease restrictions XTRM will be in a position to capitalize in those markets.”

Some of the terms of the negotiations include royalties for each unit sold.

Biodiesel

USDA Funds 544 REAP Projects

Joanna Schroeder June 11, 2015

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded 544 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects more than $6.7 million as part of the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement at the Snake River Brewing Company, in Jackson, Wyoming. The company received a $13,810 REAP grant to install a solar panel to generate energy for the business.

“These grants will help farmers, ranchers and small business owners use more renewable energy, which cuts carbon pollution, reduces our dependence on foreign oil, saves businesses money on their energy bills and creates American jobs,” Vilsack said. “All of these are crucial components to developing healthier, more economically vibrant rural communities.”

REAP was created by the 2002 Farm Bill and was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. REAP funding has helped farmers expand renewable energy use in recent years. The new Census of Agriculture shows the number of farms utilizing renewable energy production has doubled in the last five years. Since 2009, USDA has awarded $545 million to support more than 8,800 REAP projects nationwide.

Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal.

biofuels, biomass, energy efficiency, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Renewable Energy, Solar, USDA, Wind

Air Products Debuts Solar-Powered Fueling Station

Joanna Schroeder June 11, 2015

Air Products has inaugurated India’s first solar-powered renewable fueling station in an event this week that included chief guest Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Power, Coal, and New and Renewable Energy, along with Shri Upendra Tripathy, Secretary, Minister of New and Renewable Energy. With the addition of this SmartFuel station, Air Products now has three hydrogen fueling stations operating in India.

Air Products’ SmartFuel H70/H35 retail hydrogen dispenser provides the newest generation of hydrogen dispensing to meet consumer expectations of refilling fuel cell vehicles in a safe, fast and reliable manner.

The SmartFuel station is part of a mass public transport bus fueling and vehicle demonstration program, and according to Air Products generates 100 percent renewable hydrogen from solar energy via an electrolyzer. It is located at the Solar Energy Center near Delhi and part of a project managed by the National Institute of Solar Energy. The project was also implemented by India’s University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) and funded by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) of the Government of India.

“As a member of industry, Air Products is proud to be involved in a program that has received such crucial validation and support from public sector, educational institute and the regulatory authorities,” commented Ravi Subramanian, business development manager Asia for Air Products’ Hydrogen Energy Systems. “This project is an important, progressive step towards unlocking the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable transportation fuel and alternative energy source, not just for India but the rest of the world.”

UPES is executing this project and it is entirely funded by MNRE. “Although this is a demonstration project, this will be a major stepping stone for India to move towards the hydrogen economy,” added Dr. Niranjan Raje, former director of Indian Oil and the principal investigator for this project.

Alternative Vehicles, Clean Energy, Hydrogen, Solar

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