The Novozymes Strategy

Cindy Zimmerman June 8, 2015

This year, Novozymes announced a new corporate “Partnering for Impact” strategy and a new purpose statement which reads, “Together, we find biological answers for better lives in a growing world – Let’s rethink tomorrow.”

“We try to make a difference in the world with the technologies that we provide,” said Anders Lund, Vice President of global marketing for Novozymes, who attended last week’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop where the Novozymes strategy was on display. “The more successful we can be with partners, the more impact these technologies will have in the marketplace.”

The new strategy sets out four focus areas for Novozymes:
1) Rally for change
2) Lead innovation
3) Focus on opportunities
4) Grow people

Novozymes is an industrial biotechnology company with a focus on enzymes and is the largest global supplier of enzymes in the ethanol industry. Lund says they are driven by research and development. “We invest 12 to 14 percent back in R&D in our revenues,” said Lund. “That’s our DNA, we’ve been doing that for the last 40-50 years and we would like to continue to do that.”

In this interview, Lund explains more about the Novozymes strategy of Partnering for Impact. Interview with Anders Lund, Novozymes

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Coalition Fights for EV Dev in San Diego

Joanna Schroeder June 8, 2015

A broad coalition has submitted a proposed settlement to the California Public Utilities Commission in an effort to speed up the deployment of smart electric vehicle charging stations in San Diego. The proposal calls for San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) to install smart charging infrastructure at up to 550 multi-family housing sites and workplace locations throughout its service territory, with an average of ten chargers at each location for a total of 5,500 separate chargers. Customers would have a choice of rate options and equipment to ensure drivers charge in a manner that maximizes fuel cost savings and supports the electrical grid and to promote competition and market growth in the charging service industry.

“This proposal would increase access to electric cars and trucks and leverage those clean vehicles to cost-effectively integrate wind and solar energy to the benefit of all utility customers,” said Max Baumhefner, attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council who is part of the groups supporting the initiative. “If the Public Utilities Commission adopts this carefully negotiated settlement, it would confirm California’s leadership in moving both the transportation sector and the electric industry to a future free of fossil fuels.”

Blink electric vehicle charges in Orange County, California. Photo Credit Joanna Schroeder

The goal of the proposal is to enable all communities access to electric vehicle charging stations and the corresponding benefits from EV on the road – less fossil fuel use and less emissions. The plan calls for SDG&E to install at least 10 percent of the charging stations in such communities and facilitate the expansion of electric car sharing to expand access to zero emission vehicles. As noted in The Greenlining Institute’s 2011 report, “Electric Vehicles; Who’s Left Stranded?” communities of color are more concerned about air pollution, making them a natural, but largely untapped market for clean vehicles.

“We commend SDG&E and all involved for putting together a proposed pilot program that, if adopted, would mean more EV charging stations in disadvantaged communities while helping create a diverse workforce and supplier network to get the job done,” said Sekita Grant, environmental equity legal counsel at The Greenlining Institute, another participating coalition member. “We need to make clean electric cars and trucks a reality for Californians of all income levels, and look forward to working with SDG&E to push beyond the settlement targets to make that happen.”

The pilot program would feature price signals that encourage drivers of electric cars to save money by charging their vehicles when renewable energy is plentiful and energy prices are low. This will help avoid the need to build more power plants and other electrical infrastructure.

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Electricity

Kansans Want More Solar

Joanna Schroeder June 8, 2015

Kansans want more solar. A recent poll finds 73 percent of Kansans agree that the opportunity for homeowners to adopt solar energy is an important part of providing choice and competition. In addition, 79 percent of respondents agree that Kansas could benefit from new jobs created by the solar industry. Today, one of every 78 jobs in the U.S. is in the solar industry. The poll was conducted by Magellan Strategies and commissioned by The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC).

This 10 kW ground-mount at @PLHSKAWS features 40 @SolarWorldUSA panels and @IronRidge racks in Perry, KS. #KSSolar Photo Credit: Cromwell Solar

“Solar jobs in Kansas have been increasing at a rate over 30% each year; these are good-paying, skilled jobs that are at risk if Westar attempts to eliminate solar competition,” said Aron Cromwell, CEO Cromwell Solar, based in Lawrence, Kansas.

According to TASC, Westar Energy awaits the Kansas Corporation Commission’s ruling on a proposal that would impose higher tariffs on solar customers in its service territory. The proposed change would force solar customers onto discriminatory rates with high monthly charges that will stop the growing solar market in Kansas. TASC and Cromwell Solar have petitioned to intervene in the rate case to advocate for residential rates that encourage consumer energy choice. Westar has opposed both parties’ participation in the case.

Additional finding include that 76 percent of Westar customers oppose Westar’s proposal to impose a tariff fee on customers with solar panels. With 80 percent of Republicans and 75 percent of Democrats agreeing that their utilities’ positions on clean energy are based on what’s best for these companies’ profits, the results, said TASC, call into question Westar Energy’s motives in proposing this anti-solar change.

“It is rare to see this level of bipartisan support for anything, but it is clear from these results that Kansans will not stand for Westar Energy or any utility to take away their ability to install solar,” said David Flaherty, CEO of Magellan Strategies.

Westar’s rate case is pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission. Public hearings are planned for July 21 and 23. The Commission should issue an order by the fall.

Clean Energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

Husker Motorsports Races into Lincoln, Neb

Joanna Schroeder June 8, 2015

The Formula SAE series is heading to Lincoln Airpark, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, on June 17-20, 2015. More than 250 universities from around the world participate in the series, where teams have a choice of using E85 or unleaded gasoline. One of the participating teams is the University of Lincoln, Nebraska-based Husker Motorsports that races on E85 and is supported, in part, by the Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB).

“We run E85 because it is a part of Nebraska’s culture and we like to represent our state well at competitions,” said Charles Lee, Husker Motorsports member. “There is an additional technical benefit of E85 having an extremely high octane rating. We are very fortunate that the competition moved to Lincoln several years ago, which led to the formation of our team and provides great opportunities for our members. We are proud to represent Nebraska and UNL by going head to head with some of the country’s top universities.”

In addition to the competition, there will be a meet and greet with Dan Schwartzkopf, former National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) drag racer, June 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the main Airpark tent. Schwartzkopf, who raced more than 15 years, was the first producer of race ethanol provided to the Indy Racing League. He has been promoting ethanol as a performance fuel since 1992, and continues to work as a fuel tech for Ethanol Performance Fuel and other venues.

“Ethanol is cleaner-burning with higher octane allowing it to compete with all race fuels while reducing emissions,” Schwartzkopf said. “Ethanol is competitive in several ways: it costs less, performance is equal or better than unleaded gasoline, non-toxic octane booster for high-compression engines, and it’s healthier for the driver and the environment.”

Alternative Vehicles, E85, Ethanol, Racing

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder June 8, 2015

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Roadshow is set to open June 15, 2015 in Gainesville, Georgia with an 8-city tour led by Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols. The series brings together a vehicle showcase and discussion panels on the practical impact of converting fleets to clean, alternative fuels like propane, E85, natural gas, electric (EV) and compressed natural gas (CNG). Questions on financing, safety, maintenance and fuel considerations of clean vehicle conversions will be answered by government fleet managers and private sector fleets, along with vehicle manufacturers and utilities who will highlight their success transitioning fleets, based on need and use.
DNC Energy, an environmental firm focused on building renewable energy infrastructure, announced today that it has received major funding through a bond program to construct a waste wood and crop residue fired biomass electric generation plant in Ukraine’s Kyiv region. The 25 MW facility is the 13th biomass plant to be built in the Ukraine, which currently has six burning biomass plants and seven biogas anaerobic digester systems.
Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin joined PSEG Solar Source, Encore Redevelopment, juwi solar Inc. and Vermont Electric Power Producers Inc. to dedicate the PSEG Essex Solar Center. The 3.6-megawatt-dc facility, located roughly four miles northeast of Burlington, VT, is the state’s largest solar farm.
Canadian Solar Inc. has announced it closed a GBP35 million (US $53 million) project financing facility with Investec Bank plc, for a portfolio of four solar power plants with an installed capacity totaling 40.2 MW. Located at four different locations across England, the installations have been built under the Renewables Obligation regime and became operational in March 2015.

Bioenergy Bytes

Solenis Launches Scale Inhibitor at #FEW15

Cindy Zimmerman June 8, 2015

Solenis introduced a new scale inhibitor for ethanol plant evaporators at the 2015 Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW) in Minneapolis last week.

Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, launched the Polystabil™ AS4535 scale inhibitor specifically designed to help fuel ethanol producers control scale in their evaporators, improving heat transfer and reducing downtime while still meeting regulatory guidelines for chemical usage.

“Today’s fuel ethanol processes tend to generate more scale than ever before,” said Allen Ziegler, global biorefining marketing director. “This novel product performs significantly better than polyacrylate chemistries and allows fuel ethanol plants to split feed the chemistry, for example at the front of the evaporators to treat the whole system, and then with an additional dosage before problem areas, such as the evaporator where inorganics are concentrated. This results in improved heat transfer efficiency and a reduced need for cleaning and related downtime. Fuel ethanol operations using Polystabil AS4535 scale inhibitor are therefore able to maintain maximum efficiency while staying within regulatory limits.”

The new scale inhibitor represents one of many solutions recently developed for fuel ethanol producers by Solenis, which was previously known as Ashland Water Technologies. Other process and water treatment innovations include FDA-approved corn oil extraction aids for both disk-stack and tricanter systems; a proprietary control system that allows for around-the-clock surveillance and control of process and water treatment programs; a low-corrosion microbiocide for cooling water systems; and new antibiotic-free fermentation aids.

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Iowa RFA Praises State Legislature

Cindy Zimmerman June 8, 2015

As the Iowa Legislature wrapped up the 2015 legislative session last week, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) praised several key pieces of legislation that were passed to expand use of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends.

Before the gavel went down on the 86th General Assembly, Iowa lawmakers passed key legislation that allows E15 infrastructure investments to become eligible for Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure grants. Previously, the funds were only available for blender pumps and dispensers offering E85. Additionally, the Iowa legislature passed a bill that will establish a new grant program for fuel retailers to replace old underground storage tank (UST) equipment with new components that are UL listed to be fully compatible with E85.

“After a long, spirited session, we sincerely thank the Iowa Legislature for remaining committed to increasing the use and availability of higher ethanol and biodiesel blends,” stated IRFA Policy Director Grant Menke. “With an uphill climb for renewable fuels ahead in terms of federal policy, forward-thinking state initiatives are a must to continue to build upon the successes of Iowa’s nation-leading renewable fuels industry.”

Earlier in the session, the Iowa Legislature included a 3-cent per gallon differential tax rate for B11 and higher biodiesel blends in its road infrastructure legislation. Iowa RFA says this provision, which takes effect for five years on July 1, will help encourage the increased use and availability of higher biodiesel blends.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Iowa RFA

Novozymes Talks Fermentation at #FEW15

Cindy Zimmerman June 8, 2015

One of the most well-attended breakout sessions at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop last week in Minneapolis explored “Best Practices for Yield Maximization.”

Novozymes research associate Derek Payne focused on propagation and fermentation optimization and getting data from small scale fermentations to find out what works. “By doing the smaller scale first you can predict patterns you would see in larger scale before implementing it,” said Payne who compares small scale fermentations to micro-breweries. “As technology gets better, we can more closely mimic what’s going on in the plant, in the lab itself.”

Novozymes offers lab services consulting and advanced laboratory seminars, depending on a plant’s needs. Listen to Derek explain more in this interview: Interview with Derek Payne, Novozymes

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FPL and FIU to Build Solar Power Center

Joanna Schroeder June 5, 2015

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Florida International University (FIU) have solidified a partnership to build a commercial-scale distributed solar power facility that will both generate electricity for FPL’s 4.8 million customers and serve as an innovative research operation.

Artist’s conceptual rendering of the 1.6-megawatt solar installation FPL plans to install at Florida International University in 2015. The solar-powered parking canopies will also create about 600 shaded parking spaces in the parking lot of FIU’s Engineering Center. (PRNewsFoto/Florida Power & Light Company)

The project includes the installation of more than 5,700 solar panels on 23 canopy-like structures that will be built this summer in the parking lot of the university’s Engineering Center. Using data from the 1.6 MW solar array, faculty and students from FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing will study the effects of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on the electric grid in real-life South Florida conditions.

“This innovative solar project builds on FIU’s relationship with FPL, one that provides our students with unparalleled and unique training opportunities,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “Through this project, our engineering students will make a direct contribution to the growth of solar energy in our state, while gaining invaluable experience working side by side with professionals from one of the most forward-thinking utilities in the nation.”

Eric Silagy, president and CEO of FPL noted, “FPL is proud to be a leader in advancing solar energy in smart ways, making sure to keep costs low and reliability high for our customers. As the economics of solar continue to improve, we look forward to harnessing more and more energy from the sun. Our partnership with FIU is designed to help us manage solar power’s interaction with the greater electric grid as part of our commitment to reliably deliver affordable clean energy for all of our customers.”

FIU students have already begun gathering information to be used in their research, including historical weather data and energy production and usage patterns. The research will take Florida’s unique weather conditions into consideration and help determine the types of technology that may be needed to ensure the grid’s reliability is not negatively affected by fluctuations in solar PV production due to clouds, thunderstorms and other variables.

Clean Energy, Electricity, Research, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder June 5, 2015

SNC-Lavalin has announced that Transmission & Distribution (T&D) has been awarded a new project by BC Hydro and Power Authority to produce the design and provide project and construction management services for the new BC Hydro Meikle Wind Terminal—a 230-kilovolt (kV) switchyard located approximately 23 kilometres northwest of Tumbler Ridge in British Columbia, Canada. The new switchyard will serve as the point of interconnection to the BC Hydro power grid for the Meikle Wind Energy Project, a wind farm being developed in the Peace River region. The wind farm will provide approximately 180 MW of energy.
Dairyland Power Cooperative has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 25 MW of renewable energy from one or more new utility-scale photovoltaic solar facilities. The RFP seeks proposals from qualified bidders for up to 25 MW of capacity with commercial operation to begin by July 1, 2016. Dairyland is receptive to a variety of proposal options, including Dairyland ownership of new facilities, power purchase agreements (PPAs) or other arrangements, single or multiple sites.
Bay Area Trash Compactor has announced the installation of the first-of-its-kind combination solar powered trash compactor and portable cardboard baler at the LEED Platinum Certified Bardessono Hotel and Spa in the Napa Valley, California. Completely off the grid, the solar powered compactor packs 16 yards of loose trash into just 4 yards, reducing waste pick-up at the busy property to just once per week.
Intersolar North America, taking place July 14-16, 2015 in San Francisco, California, will feature intensive and in-depth panel discussions on the new financing models driving the market. This program features a special nine-session financing package, eight of them developed with the SunSpec Alliance, a trade alliance of more than 70 solar and storage distributed energy industry participants, as well as an additional panel focused on discussing the latest developments in U.S. solar policy that will impact financing.

Bioenergy Bytes

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