Hydropower will remain the dominant power source in Canada’s energy mix over the next decade, with installed hydropower capacity forecast to increase from approximately 77.6 GW in 2014 to an estimated 84.8 GW by 2025, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The latest report states that hydropower will provide around 49.4% of Canada’s cumulative installed capacity by the end of the forecast period. Other renewable sources, including wind, solar, biomass and biogas, will contribute 34.9 GW, a 20.3% share.- Pattern Energy Group Inc. has announced it has completed the acquisition of the remaining 170 MW ownership interests in the 283 MW Gulf Wind power facility in Kenedy County, Texas from Pattern Energy Group LP and MetLife Capital LP. The Gulf Wind facility consists of 118 wind turbines and has the capacity to generate 283 MW of energy.
- The PSEG Foundation has granted Stevens Institute of Technology $250,000 towards the completion of the University’s Solar Decathlon entry, SURE HOUSE (SUstainable and REsilient). It is Stevens’ entry into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition and represents the schools’ vision of a sustainable and resilient home for the areas at greatest risk during extreme weather. The student-built, net-zero, solar-powered home is currently being built in Hoboken, New Jersey and will soon be shipped to Irvine, California for entry into the competition.
RFA Promotes Ethanol Safety with Illinois Seminars
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is offering some seminars on ethanol safety. This news release from the RFA says the group is partnering with the Sangamon Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee as well as the Springfield and Taylorville Fire Departments in Illinois to hold two free Ethanol Safety Seminars on Aug. 10.
The first seminar is only open to Springfield Hazmat personnel and will take place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Springfield Fire Department in Springfield; the second seminar is open to the public and will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Taylorville Fire Department in Taylorville.
The seminars, which RFA has co-sponsored since 2010, are designed to educate first responders, hazmat teams, safety managers, and local emergency planning committees on proper ethanol emergency response training techniques that they can immediately put to use in the field and pass along to other first response teams. Seminar materials are largely based on the “Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response,” which was created by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) and has been distributed throughout the United States and to several countries worldwide.
“Ethanol is the number one fuel commodity transported by rail in our district each year,” said David Butt, chairman of Sangamon Valley LEPC. “We want to be certain that on those rare occasions that our men and women are called on to respond to ethanol emergencies, they are fully prepared to tackle the challenges that come with them. Providing this training is part of our committee’s effort to ensure they are.”
“Focusing on emergency measures in the event of an ethanol-related incident is an important part of pre-planning,” added Mike Crews, chief of the Taylorville Fire Department. “We are happy to be able to help provide this training to those responsible for the safety of our community so they can be prepared should an incident occur.”
More information is available at www.EthanolResponse.com.
REG Expands Biodiesel Giant’s Iowa Headquarters
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is expanding its Ames headquarters complex. This company news release says REG marked the ocassion with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 12,000-square foot space at 215 Alexander Avenue is just a short walk from REG’s main headquarters building at 416 S. Bell Avenue, which the Company has occupied since moving its business operations from Ralston to Ames in 2007. REG purchased the Alexander location last December and remodeled the space, while also making upgrades to the Bell Avenue facility. The total investment for the combined project was approximately $2.5 million.
“This expansion is in support of our international and North American growth, diversification and build-out of our hub-and-spoke model where the business continues to be centered in Ames administratively and in decision-making,” said Daniel J. Oh, President and CEO. “When REG first moved to Ames we were less than 30 employees strong. If you asked anyone then about a vision that included two buildings in Ames and nearly 230 local employees, they would have had trouble seeing it. Still, our shareholders, employees, leadership and the Ames community saw it, believed in it, and here we are today.”
Ames community leaders at the ribbon cutting praised REG’s growth. “This is exactly the kind of company we want in Ames,” said Steve Goodhue, Chairman of the Ames Economic Development Commission. “REG is attracting top-notch talent.”
Ethanol Education for Motorcyclists
An expanded schedule for free fuel happy hours at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip this year is giving the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) even more opportunity to educate motorcyclists about ethanol.
“We here on two different levels,” said RFA VP of Industry Relations Robert White. “The first is to make sure everyone knows they shouldn’t use more than 10 percent ethanol in their bikes.”
“On the next level, all of these people have engines at home – car, truck, SUV, lawn mower, chainsaw, weed eater, whatever – we want them to know that should be either 10 percent in their smaller engines, E15 in newer vehicles or E85 in flex-fuel vehicles,” said White. “Match the engine with the right fuel.”
While all motorcycles can use E10, White has a custom motorcycle of his own that can actually use higher blends. “My particular motorcycle is a 2009 Road King Classic Harley Davidson,” he said. “All I did was change the computer to allow a wider fuel ratio band so I can use anything from E0 to E85 intermittently, and the bike has run seamless.”
The reason White made the modification on his own bike was in part to show motorcycle manufacturers it could be done. “If they did this at the factory it would cost 100 bucks, just like a flex fuel vehicle,” said White. Additionally, it was to show that motorcycle engines are capable of running on higher blends. “I’ve run 85 percent ethanol on it for over 10,000 miles multiple years now,” he said. “These motorcycles are a lot stronger than people give them credit for.”
No matter what, White says all major motorcycle manufacturers warranty the use of 10 percent ethanol and that is the main message during the free fuel happy hours at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip Campground from 1-4 pm through Thursday this week.
Listen to White explain more in this interview: Interview with Robert White, RFA
2015 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with RFA at the Buffalo Chip Photos
Free 10 Percent Ethanol at Sturgis Buffalo Chip
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has been providing free E10 fuel fill-ups for bikers at the Buffalo Chip Campground during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for the past four years, and every year Chip owner Rod “Woody” Woodruff is first in line.
“RFA has been here for a long time getting the word out about ethanol, that it is safe, because there’s all that false information going out there,” said Woodruff. “But, what’s important, when they’re at the Buffalo Chip, they’re extending the hand of friendship in good faith to anybody that wants to accept it and it’s very well received here.” Woodruff has been a strong supporter of ethanol since 1999 when he bought the motorcycle he rides all the time and he says he has never used anything but E10 in it.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in the Black Hills of South Dakota and the 34th anniversary of the Buffalo Chip Campground, the place where a big percentage of bikers call home during the rally. Woodruff says they made lots of improvements to the facility in anticipation of increased traffic this year. Early estimates were for a million plus visitors to the rally, which is called “one of” the biggest in the country – but probably really is the biggest.
In addition, earlier this year Buffalo Chip became South Dakota’s newest town. “The idea of the town was to be a town for bikers, by bikers, just to have as little regulation and government intervention as possible,” said Woodruff.
RFA will be providing free 93 octane premium E10 fuel from 1-4 pm through Thursday at the Buffalo Chip.
Listen to my interview with Woody here: Interview with Woody Woodruff, Buffalo Chip Campground
You can also watch Woody in action in this video:
2015 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally with RFA at the Buffalo Chip Photos
Wind Can Play Big Role in Clean Power
As states begin to put their Clean Power Plans (CPP) into place, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has conduced analyses on potential optimal energy sources as part of a state’s electricity mix. The leader: wind.
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), wind’s role has not been widely discussed. As it relates to wind energy, the EIA found (as detailed in a report from AWEA):
- Wind energy plays the largest role in the lowest cost energy portfolio for CPP compliance, with significant wind energy deployment in nearly all regions.
- Recent declines in the cost of wind energy, coupled with the wind’s role in protecting against increases in the price of natural gas, make wind energy the lowest cost compliance options for nearly all regions.
- Using zero-emission wind energy provides states with valuable flexibility that allows for less dramatic changes to the generation mix than using a resource with some emissions.
- Based on EIA’s analysis, wind energy should be viewed as a “no regrets” solution for meeting the CPP.
Michael Goggin, Senior Director of Research, American Wind Energy Association.
In an interview with Michael Goggin, senior director of research for AWEA, he said that states are already forming regions and they are in the process of developing their plans and wind energy is playing a role in these plans. AWEA has provided a handbook for states to use as a guide for incorporating wind into the CPP plans.
Today, he noted, wind energy is being transferred from one region to another; however, improving transmission lines will be an important factor for states as they continue to add more renewable energy to their mix and replace aging infrastructure.
Using EIA’s analysis as a guide, Goggin explained that by 2030, the energy generation mix is expected to be: wind (57%), natural gas (10%), solar (14%) and energy efficiency (19%) while the costs of wind significantly declines and in the last four years, wind energy prices have declined by 60 percent along. However, he noted that wind opportunity identified by the EIA is conservative and does not account for changes that the EPA has proposed to the CPP rule that are expected to expand wind energy’s role even further. He added that their costs are outdated and about 15 percent higher than actual wind costs today, so in the future, wind is likely to be even more cost-effective than indicated.
Wind will play a role in all regions, said Goggin, even those that don’t generate the wind electricity themselves. He along with the AWEA team are working with regions to help them develop their plans. The EPA is expected to issue final rules in August.
To learn more about wind’s role in the Clean Power Plan, listen to my interview with Michael Goggin here:AWEA's Michael Goggin Talks Wind, CPP
BioEnergy Bytes
- 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.