Inspiring Words from Inspiring Biodiesel Advocate

John Davis January 29, 2015

There are many in the biodiesel industry who serve as inspirations, but maybe none as much as Greg Anderson with the Nebraska Soybean Board. The soybean farmer has been a long-time biodiesel advocate and has shown his full-time devotion to his fellow soybean farmers and the biodiesel industry in so many ways. Even after suffering a near-fatal accident involving a propane tank explosion on the family farm back in Nebraska this past August, he remained positive, grateful, and upbeat during his recovery from the painful injuries. And during the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, he reminded the group gathered for the Eye on Biodiesel Awards, of which he is the Inspiration winner, of just how safe biodiesel is.

“Biodiesel is the safest of all fuels to handle, transport and store. I’ll be towing biodiesel from now on,” he said with an inspirational smile and applause from the crowd.

Greg said while his recovery was painful, he was helped by all the support of so many people. He found himself thankful for not only his life but a full recovery. He likens his recovery to the recovery the biodiesel industry is having to face now. He also reminded the group not to forget what’s important in life.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what we accomplished or the material possessions that we have. But it’s truly about making others better, inspiring others, really giving back. And I’ve been blessed so much by you all.”

Listen to Greg’s inspiring remarks here: Greg Anderson

2015 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Ag group, Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder January 29, 2015

In a new white paper, Evolution of the Grid Edge: Pathways to Transformation, GTM Research identifies three pathways that different states will follow in their transition to the emerging grid-edge and distributed electricity system. To get there, they will follow one of three pathways: “The Advanced Energy Consumer,” “The Innovative Regulator,” and the “Proactive Energy Provider.”
A new report by Clean Energy Group proposes bundling loans for resilient power projects, such as solar PV with battery storage, to get this clean energy market to scale. The report shows how to use an old finance tool, a warehouse credit facility, to assemble portfolios of loans for resilient power projects, which will protect vulnerable populations from power outages during severe weather events. “Ramp Up Resilient Power Finance: Bundle Project Loans Through a Warehouse Facility to Achieve Scale,” explores using this proven loan bundling approach to finance resilient power projects across the country, to move from financing of single projects to financing of many projects in a loan portfolio.
BBB Umwelttechnik GmbH has qualified for the inclusion in the “dena Renewable Energy Solutions Programme,” that will establish laser based wind measurement technology and implement a verification site for remote sensing devices in Brazil. The programme is supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and has the aim to financially promote German companies in opening up new markets and spur development.
NRG Renew and SunShare are partnering to finance and build 8.2 megawatts (MWac/10 MWdc) of community solar projects along the Front Range of Colorado (including Colorado Springs and Denver), which is enough to power more than 1,600 homes for 20 years. This project will more than double NRG’s existing community solar portfolio. Once completed and online in mid-2015, this will be one of the largest operating community solar portfolios in the nation, comprised of five ground-mount sites, four in Denver’s bustling metropolitan area and one in nearby Colorado Springs.

Bioenergy Bytes

American Wind Rebounds

Joanna Schroeder January 29, 2015

According to a new report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the American wind industry is rebounding. During 2014, there was four times more new wind energy installed or coming online than in 2013. There was 4,850 MW in generating capacity installed with total installed capacity increasing by eight percent to 65,875.

However, AWEA notes that this amount still falls short of the record 13,000 MW installed in 2012 and blames failing to reach the record due to federal policy uncertainty. The renewable energy Production Tax Credit (PTC) was only extended for two weeks at the end of last year, and has now expired again. Tom Kiernan, AWEA CEO notes that every other energy source receives some type of tax relief and wind should not be, well, left in the wind.

“Wind is gaining strength, but as recent history shows, we can do a whole lot more,” said AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan. “We’re looking forward to working with Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle so that a reasonable, responsible tax policy is in place that allows the wind industry to continue lowering costs and investing billions of dollars in U.S. communities.”

Jonathan Weisgall, Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs of the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., told reporters that the $1.9 billion wind farm his company is building in Iowa is the largest economic development project in the state’s history. When finished, it will pay farmers $3 million a year for land leases, and supply customers such as Google, Facebook, and Microsoft that have committed to buying clean energy.

“Our customers want wind,” Weisgall said. “We like wind because it’s a hedge against fossil prices…and wind, with no fuel costs associated, can keep those rates stable.”

The PTC provides a tax credit of 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour generated for the first 10 years of a project’s life. It has encouraged $125 billion dollars of investment across America, creating 500 U.S. manufacturing facilities and technological innovations that lowered the wind power’s costs by more than half in the last five years.Read More

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Research, Wind

Innovations Helped Grow Biodiesel Industry

John Davis January 29, 2015

It’s many of the innovations that have helped grow biodiesel from what could be considered just a cottage industry not that long ago to the major fuel it is today. During the recent National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, Tom Butcher from Brookhaven National Laboratory was recognized for his contributions to the industry. He told the group that as a researcher, he has worked on a lot of different energy technologies and was impressed with biodiesel’s impact.

“The impact that it’s had on the Northeast, the impact on the heating oil industry across the country. This is an industry that because of biodiesel has been rejuvenated,” he said.

Tom played an instrumental role in the technical research that has been done over the last six years that formed the basis for the balloting of performance specifications for 6 percent to 20 percent biodiesel blended into traditional heating oil as a new fuel grade in the ASTM D396 fuel oil standard. His groundbreaking work documenting the positive field experience with biodiesel blends and providing the research background were major factors in addressing questions brought up by the NORA/NBB-lead Bioheat Technical Steering Committee.

He concluded saying he was lucky to be part of this group and is looking forward to the innovations of the future.

Listen to Tom’s remarks here: Tom Butcher

2015 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, NBB

Ethanol Report on 20th Ethanol Conference

Cindy Zimmerman January 28, 2015

The Renewable Fuels Association’s 20th Annual National Ethanol Conference (NEC) with the theme of “Going Global” is just around the corner now, coming up February 18-20, 2015 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

The theme will hone in on how important export markets are to the future growth and financial health of the ethanol industry, particularly in light of the challenges being faced to fully implement the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and grow the domestic industry.

In this edition of “The Ethanol Report,” Renewable Fuels Association president and CEO Bob Dinneen talks about the upcoming 20th NEC and how the industry has changed in 20 years.

Ethanol Report on 20th Ethanol Conference

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

First Biodiesel Mandate Cited in Influence Award

John Davis January 28, 2015

The mandate that inspired other states to put in their own biodiesel requirements and the man who helped start it all were recognized during the recent National Biodiesel Conference & Expo. Jerry Schoenfeld of Minneapolis-based Greater States Advisors picked up the Eye on Biodiesel Influence Award for his instrumental part in the development, passage, and defense of landmark biodiesel legislation in Minnesota after soybean growers came to him in 2000.

He admits he didn’t know much about biodiesel back then, as there was just 2 million gallons produced nationwide each year – a dramatic difference from today’s 1.8 BILLION gallons annually. Jerry said he had to work with a state legislature that was split between Republicans and Democrats and an Independent governor. The nation’s first 2 percent biodiesel standard for all diesel was finally made into law and served as a blueprint for other states’ mandates.

“In many ways, that measure worked, along with many others in your respective states,” Jerry told the group. He added that working with the split legislature and governor’s office taught him important lessons in legislative matters. “If you work hard and you keep at it, you will succeed. And secondly, you can’t always assume who your friends and who your enemies are, because on any given day, different politicians will be both!”

Listen to Jerry’s remarks here: Interview with Jerry Schoenfeld, biodiesel award winner

2015 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, Legislation

Green Seal Energy Cert Created

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2015

The Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA) along with the Trade Chamber (CCEE) have created the Seal Green Energy certificate that confirms that company’s are using at least 20 percent of electricity produced from renewable sources.

Green Seal Energy certification works with the Bioelectricity Certification Program that will allow the exchange of information between UNICA and CEEE is confirmation that the electricity produced from a sugarcane production facility is generated from sugarcane biomass. The certification will also show that a company meets the criteria set out in the Sugar and Alcohol Industry Paulista Environmental Protocol, signed by the government of St. Paul and the sugarcane industry in 2007.

The President of the Board of Directors of CCEE, Luiz Eduardo Barata Ferreira, said of the new program, “The verification by the CCEE, that the criteria for plants and consumers will allow the Seal Green Energy become a differential that will add value for both the generator and buyer of energy produced from biomass of cane sugar.”

In 2014, 20.815 million gigawatts/hour (GWh) of electricity from biomass was produced, 20 percent higher than achieved in 2013. This amount would be able to supply 11 million households. UNICA also cites that if there was no electricity derived from sugarcane biomass, CO2 levels would be 24 percent higher.

Elizabeth Farina, president of UNICA added, “With the full energy use of sugarcane biomass, the technical potential of this source could reach 20,000 MW by 2023, which corresponds to the energy produced by two plants Itaipu. And certainly, this certification program will help to take advantage of increasing their potential.”

biomass, Electricity, UNICA

New Brand for Propane Autogas

Cindy Zimmerman January 28, 2015

The Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) has debuted its first-ever logo and brand identity made specifically for propane autogas: PROPANE AUTOGAS Clean American Energy™.

To solidify propane autogas as the official name of the popular alternative fuel, the propane industry commissioned PERC to develop a single symbol and identity. However, PERC also hoped to build a brand that advances propane as an increasingly abundant, American-made energy source.

“Last year we debuted a new propane logo to better showcase propane in many of the other industries where it’s used every day,” said PERC President and CEO Roy Willis. “The propane autogas mark is an extension of that same brand, but serves an important role in the on-road industry: It brings consistency in what our industry, manufacturing partners, and customers call this popular alternative fuel at a time when sales are rapidly growing and when alternative fuels are becoming more widely adopted.”

Fleets that operate propane autogas vehicles can now place the logo on vehicles, dispensers, tanks, and marketing materials to help showcase the fact that they’ve chosen a clean, American-made fuel.

PERC, Propane

Protec Opens E15 Station in Georgia

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2015

Protec Fuel has joined with Mountain Express to make E15 available to drivers in the greater Atlanta region. Mountain Express-Quick Stop is located in Marietta, GA and the Mountain-Express Food Mart in Greensboro, GA.

With the new E15 addition, the state now has 16 E15 locations.

“We are thrilled to see E15 continue to expand on America’s eastern seaboard,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. “E15’s expansion continues — reaching 16 states today — despite the misinformation being spread by Big Oil and its friends. We expect additional stations in more states to follow Georgia’s example and offer drivers low-cost, environmentally-friendly E15.”

Protec has been a country leader in bringing E15 to drivers. The ethanol blend is approved for vehicles manufactured after 2001. The ethanol industry stresses that when consumers are given choice, they choose ethanol blends, such as E15 at the pump.

“I would like to extend congratulations on behalf of Growth Energy and its members to Protec Fuel and to Mountain Express for their efforts to offer consumers a choice of homegrown, renewable fuels that help reduce harmful emissions and provide consumers with a choice and savings at the pump,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

Buis added, “Protec and Mountain Express are helping pave the way in Georgia for consumer choice and savings. By offering a higher octane fuel for less, they are not only gaining a competitive edge, but they are serving their consumers who want to support cleaner burning, homegrown fuels.”

E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2015

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Annual Renewable Energy Outlook 2014, forecasts the global installed capacity of renewable energy to more than double from 1,566 gigawatts (GW) in 2012 to reach 3,203 GW in 2025 at an average annual growth rate of 5.7 percent. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is expected to account for 33.4 percent of total renewable energy capacity additions over the 2012-2025 period. Wind follows closely at 32.7 percent, ahead of hydro power at 25.3 percent. Other renewable technologies will represent the remaining 8.6 percent of capacity additions.
Outlook, trader debates and refining updates will be center stage at the 11th annual Kingsman Dubai Sugar Conference, a renowned event in the world of sugar trading, to be held January 31st through February 3rd, 2015. More than 30 speakers, representing producers, importers, investment bankers, shipping companies, traders, analysts and associations will offer views on sugar production by country, regional and global trade agreements, competition in ethanol, what’s ahead to 2020, and market pricing.
The U.S. biomass power market is expected to see nominal growth expected during 2014-2025 according to a research report titled “Biopower in United States, Market Outlook to 2025, Update 2014 – Capacity, Generation, Regulations and Company Profiles“, now available with ReportsnReports.com. The report highlights installed capacity and power generation trends from 2010 to 2025 in United States Biopower market. A detailed coverage of renewable energy policy framework governing the market with specific policies pertaining to Biopower market development is provided in the report. The research also provides company snapshots of some of the major market participants.
Natcore Technology has announced their research team has successfully used their proprietary advances in laser technology to produce an all-low-temperature laser-doped solar cell with all of its electrical contacts on the back of the cell. Eliminating the contacts from the front of the cell will allow an additional 4% to 6% more light to enter the cell and increase its output by a comparable amount. This increase along with other expected gains can increase efficiencies by up to 4% on an absolute basis relative to current benchmarks for front contact solar cells.

Bioenergy Bytes

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