Vattenfall’s DanTysk Offshore Wind Project Online

Joanna Schroeder May 6, 2015

Vattenfall has officially begun operations of its DanTysk offshore wind farm. Located 70 kilometers west of Sylt Island, the project is the first infrastructure project jointly implemented by Vattenfall and SWM. DanTysk is comprised of 80 Siemens wind turbines with a total installed capacity of 288 MW.

The event was celebrated by several key energy players in Europe including: German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sigmar Gabriel; Swedish Minister for Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg; Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz and Torsten Albig; Prime Minister of the State of Schleswig-Holstein; Magnus Hall, President and CEO of Vattenfall; and Dr Florian Bieberbach, CEO of SWM.

Sigmar Gabriel, German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs said during the event, “Last year we created the necessary investment security with EEC 2014, which led to a real breakthrough in the development of offshore wind power. By 2030 there should be 15 gigawatts of installed capacity, amounting to a capital investment of several billion Euros in wind farms and infrastructure, with high added value for Germany. Together with the DanTysk wind farm, by the end of this year Germany will generate green power from more than 3,000 megawatts of installed offshore capacity. That is a real boost for the energy transition.”Read More

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, offshore wind, Renewable Energy

FEW Set to Break Records

Joanna Schroeder May 6, 2015

The International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo (FEW), is taking place June 1-4, 2015 in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is set to have the largest number of ethanol producers ever gathered at an industry event with more than 600 producers. During the course of the event, they’ll discuss issues categorized into four tracks: Track 1: Production and Operations; Track 2: Leadership and Financial Management; Track 3: Coproducts and Product. Diversification; and Track 4: Cellulosic and Advanced Ethanol.

BBI Marketing Director John Nelson notes that the event will “create an unprecedented opportunity for industry supplier and supporters to network with ethanol producers and share their products or services.” He also said they are attendees registered from 25 countries. Registration is still open.

There are 194 operational ethanol plants in the U.S. today producing more than 15 million gallons of ethanol per year including several advanced ethanol production facilities.

energy.agwired.com will be onsite covering this event with special thanks from our sponsor Novozymes.

advanced biofuels, biofuels, conferences, Ethanol

DDGS Exports to China Returning to Normal

Cindy Zimmerman May 6, 2015

Exports of U.S. distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are starting to return to normal levels, according to the latest numbers for March.

The Renewable Fuels Association reports that exports of the animal feed ethanol co-product rose in March for the fourth consecutive month, at 923,515 metric tons (mt), up 15% from February, with half of those shipments going to China. Exports of DDGS to China have been increasing this year after falling off last year due to a biotech trait issue. If normal shipments to China resume on an ongoing basis, 2015 theoretically could see total exports reach the 11 million mt mark. Mexico, Canada, Vietnam, and Thailand account for most of the remaining global market.

U.S. exports of ethanol in March were down slightly from February at 83.8 million gallons (mg), but that still represents the third-highest monthly volume in the last 12 months. Brazil and Canada accounted for half of total U.S. ethanol exports in March, followed by Oman and South Korea. The Netherlands, Tunisia and Nigeria were other key destinations in March.

Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder May 6, 2015

Mississippi Power is expanding its renewable generation portfolio with an agreement to team on another utility-scale solar electric generating farm, this time with solar provider Origis Energy. The company, and Origis, are working to develop a 52 MW solar project on 485 acres in Sumrall, Miss. pending approval by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
More than 104,000 Illinois residents now work in the clean energy sector, according to a new report released today called “Clean Jobs Illinois”. The report found employment in the Illinois clean energy economy grew by 7.8 percent the past 15 months alone, with more than 7,500 new clean energy jobs added statewide.
Renmatix has announced that it has acquired existing assets of the former Mascoma corporation’s 56,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Rome, NY. The new Feedstock Processing Facility is dedicated to the first step in conversion to cellulosic sugar (from different types of biomass materials) utilizing proprietary Plantrose process conditions. The FPF opened officially on April 20, 2015, as the third U.S. location for Renmatix.
Finavera Wind Energy Inc. has announced it has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the equity of Solar Alliance of America, Inc., thus entering the U.S. market. Under the terms of the Agreement, Finavera will acquire Solar Alliance for 11,915,238 shares of the Company and contingent payments of up to $4 million USD in cash comprised of up to four installments of $1 million USD.

Bioenergy Bytes

Innovating Biodiesel By-Product Wins Award

John Davis May 6, 2015

Research that has turned a glut of a biodiesel by-product into high value products has earned its innovator an award. This National Biodiesel Board news release says the French researcher’s work was honored at the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS).

Dr. Franck Dumeignil, Full Professor at Lille University and Deputy Director of the School’s Unit of Catalysis and Solid State Chemistry, is the winner of the 2015 Glycerine Innovation Award, sponsored by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).

The ACI/NBB Glycerine Innovation Award recognizes outstanding achievement for research into new applications for glycerine, with particular emphasis on commercial viability.

Prof. Dumeignil undertook his research in the context of the rapid growth of the biodiesel industry worldwide creating an urgent need to quickly and effectively convert crude glycerine into value-added chemical products. The research has enhanced the value of glycerine by successfully tackling many bottlenecking problems, with his research showing the potential to mass produce high value products from glycerine.

“The use of crude glycerine, much less costly than purified glycerol, is still a problem as its impurities are detrimental to the whole process efficiency,” said Prof. Dumeignil.

The award includes a plaque and a $5,000 honorarium.

Biodiesel, NBB

Brazil Ethanol Group Moves Summit Dates

John Davis May 6, 2015

A group representing sugarcane ethanol producers in Brazil is rescheduling its biennial meeting. The Union of Sugar Cane Industry Association (UNICA) has moved its Ethanol Summit 2015 to July 6-7, 2015 at the Golden Hall of World Trade Center to accomodate Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who will be in Washington, D.C., on the original dates at the end of June.

The meeting brings together businessmen from various levels of government authorities, researchers, investors, suppliers and academics in Brazil and abroad.They are expected about 1,500 participants to follow nearly a hundred lectures, presentations, discussions and debates that will take place in large plenary sessions, thematic panels and opening and closing ceremonies as well as parallel events.

“This is a significant year for the sugarcane industry. Key decisions and very important measures that can contribute to a better future of agribusiness, are underway, both in Brazil and on the world stage, increasing the importance of the Summit as the main forum for discussions on the most relevant topics for the energies and products renewable coming from sugarcane “said the president of UNICA, Elizabeth Farina.

Registration for the event opens in the coming days.

Ag group, Agribusiness, Brazil, Ethanol, Ethanol News, UNICA

Technology’s Impact on #Planting15

Jamie Johansen May 5, 2015

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “How will high path avian flu impact industry?”

The number of outbreaks grows by the day and I am afraid the worst is yet to come. Just yesterday, Iowa announced four more cases. It looks like the majority feel exports will be greatly impacted and many agree that we haven’t seen the worst of it.

Here are the poll results:

No major impact – 13%
Big export impact – 38%
Higher prices – 6%
Worse for turkey producers – 13%
Worse yet to come – 25%
Will recover quickly – 5%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, What technology is most responsible for rapid planting progress?

Up until last week, planting progress was running behind normal. But in just one week farmers were able to plant more than one third of the corn acres – including 54% in Iowa alone! What do you think is most responsible for the ability to make such tremendous progress in such a short time?

ZimmPoll

Biofuels Leaders Ask President for Meeting

Cindy Zimmerman May 5, 2015

A dozen organizations and companies representing biofuels interests this week sent a letter to President Obama asking for a meeting on proposed rules under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) due to come out next month.

The letter comes on the heels of an analysis from the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) showing how EPA delays in setting volume requirements (RVOs) under the RFS have resulted in the loss of some $13.7 billion in investment in advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol. The letter was signed by BIO, the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, Advanced Ethanol Coalition, National Corn Growers Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, POET, DSM, Novozymes, and Abengoa.

“The EPA’s proposal in 2013 was an enormous disservice to you and your legacy, Mr. President,” the letter states. “Prior to the release of that proposal, we had asked to meet with the EPA, but were rebuffed. We would like to work with you to ensure that the mistake is not repeated.”

In addition to the letter and the analysis from BIO, the Fuels America coalition is running digital ads this week on Politico’s Environment & Energy section that say, “Will the next generation of biofuels be created in the United States or China? It’s up to you, Mr. President. Support the Renewable Fuel Standard.”

advanced biofuels, AEC, BIO, Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Fuels America, Growth Energy, NCGA, RFA, RFS

Black & Veatch Commission Microgrid

Joanna Schroeder May 5, 2015

Black & Veatch has commissioned its new microgrid system that provides power to the Rodman Innovation Pavilion located at the company’s Kansas World Headquarters. The microgrid uses a combination of natural gas, solar energy, geothermal and battery storage, and is the first of its kind in the state. It can operate as an independent power source or in support of the utility electric grid adding resiliency to the building and lowering energy costs. The microgrid provides enough clean energy to run the entire Innovation Pavilion.

“We are excited to launch this new technology that highlights the broad range of expertise we have within Black & Veatch,” said Steve Edwards, president and CEO. “It also demonstrates the strong level of support and interest in the design from our professionals who are working on sustainable solutions around the world.”

Black & Veatch’s system includes two natural gas-fired microturbines that deliver onsite electrical power generation. During winter months, heat is recovered from the microturbines to support heating. A geothermal heat pump system with 15 wells drilled 500 feet deep helps heat and cool the Pavilion. The microgrid system also uses battery energy storage to capture energy from generation resources and deliver electricity to the World Headquarters during times of high electric demand, such as in the summer months.

To learn more about the complex interactions of the different energy technologies, Black & Veatch guests can interact with a large screen display that shows the microgrid operations in real time. The microgrid is continually monitored by Black & Veatch’s cloud based analytics platform, ASSET360. It collects data from the system and monitors the performance of each component based on factors like solar radiation, cloud cover, outside temperature and more. It calculates how much energy is being generated and used in the building, providing the company’s energy experts with insights on ways to improve system operations.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Electricity, Energy Storage, Geothermal, Microgrid, Natural Gas, Solar

Kyocera Dedicates Floating Mega Solar Plants

Joanna Schroeder May 5, 2015

Kyocera Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation’s joint venture Kyocera TCL Solar has completed construction of two floating mega-solar power plants at Nishihira Pond and Higashihira Pond in Kato City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The plants will generate an estimated 3,300 megawatt hours (MWh) per year.

The solar modules are 255-watt Kyocera modules with 11,256 used in total for the project that began in September 2014 and was officially completed in March 2015. The electricity generated will be sold to the local utility, The Kansai Electric Power Company through Japan’s feed-in tariff system.

According to Kyocera TCL Solar, there are several benefits of the floating mega solar power plants:

Floating solar power generating systems typically generate more electricity than ground-mount and rooftop systems due to the cooling effect of the water.
They reduce reservoir water evaporation and algae growth by shading the water.
Floating platforms are 100% recyclable, utilizing high-density polyethylene, which can withstand ultraviolet rays and resists corrosion.
The floating platforms are designed and engineered to withstand extreme physical stress, including typhoon conditions.

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, Solar, water

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