The global cumulative installed capacity of biopower will increase from 87.6 Gigawatts (GW) in 2013 to 165.1 GW by 2025, driven by government support and environmental concerns, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The Global BioPower Market report states that the world’s major biopower markets, namely the US, UK, Germany, Brazil, India and China, all witnessed growth over the last decade, except for the US, which saw a falling trend in annual capacity additions during 2007 to 2014.- Registration is now open for the 20th Annual National Ethanol Conference: Going Global. Speakers and sessions will delve into pressing issues facing the ethanol industry including ethanol production, co-products and exports as well as challenges surrounding the Renewable Fuel Standard.
- Save the date for the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s annual conference taking place January 27, 2014 at the Prairie Meadows Conference Center in Altoona, IA.
- Valero Energy Corporation announced that Bill Klesse, 68, has chosen to step down as Chairman of the Board effective December 30, 2014. Joe Gorder, 57, Chief Executive Officer and President, has been elected by the Board of Directors to the role of Chairman to succeed Klesse effective December 31, 2014.
CleanFUEL USA Adds Mass Flow Meter Technology
At the World LP Gas Forum in Miami this week, CleanFUEL USA announced the addition of mass flow meter technology to its line of propane autogas refueling dispensers.
Global demand is high for mass flow technology, the most advanced meter technology in the world, and CleanFUEL USA is offering immediate availability for the first time in the United States and worldwide. “There’s been a great demand in the world for this technology, more so outside the U.S.,” said Chrystelle Markley with CleanFUEL. “We thought it was important for us, as a technology leader, to bring this technology to the U.S.”
Demand for propane autogas is higher in European and Latin American countries. “There’s about 15 million vehicles in the world running on propane gas, in the United States less than 200,000 today,” said CleanFUEL’s Wayne Moore. “So, the U.S. has the opportunity to increase the amount of vehicles here.”
Mass flow meter benefits include no moving parts, greatly reduced maintenance, remote diagnostics and lifetime calibration.
Listen to an interview with CleanFUEL from the World LP Gas Forum: Interview with Wayne Moore and Chrystelle Markley, CleanFUEL USA
ZimmPoll on Best Future Jobs in Ag
Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What should US do about WTO COOL ruling?”
The industry has reacted to the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision against the United States on the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law since the announcement was made earlier this week. Some feel the issue can be handled by USDA, others feel Congress should take charge. But it looks like an overwhelming majority of those who took our poll feel we should appeal and do nothing.
Here are the poll results:
- Appeal and do nothing – 83%
- Congress should change – 4%
- USDA should amend again – 3%
- Should be repealed – 6%
- Don’t know – 4%
Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, Where are the best future jobs in ag?
This week thousands of FFA members from across the country have flooded the streets of Louisville, KY for the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo. The future of agriculture is in the hands of these young people who are passionate about the agriculture community. The number and variety of careers in agriculture continues to grow. This week we want to know what field of study are the best future jobs in agriculture.
Biodiesel Would Be Projected Winner, If on the Ballot
Voters in this country might be split along political party loyalties, but if biodiesel were on the ticket, it would be a landslide victory for the green fuel. This news release from the National Biodiesel Board says tax incentives and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are polling a lot better than lots of pols.
Three out of four voters (75 percent) support a tax incentive for biodiesel, the survey found. Seventy-six percent said they support a national renewable fuel standard. The survey of nearly 1,200 registered U.S. voters was conducted by Moore Information Opinion Research between Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. It was commissioned by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB).
“These numbers reflect overwhelming public support for developing cleaner, alternative fuels so that we’re not so dangerously dependent on petroleum,” said Anne Steckel, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs. “These policies are popular because they are effective. We’re gradually reducing our dependence on oil. We’re reducing harmful and costly pollution. And we’re creating jobs and economic activity at home. Congress and the Obama administration should take cues from the people who elected them and step up to make sure we have strong, stable policies supporting biodiesel production.”
Despite the popularity of biodiesel, NBB says it’s being held hostage by folks in Washington who maybe aren’t reading the same polls, as the Environmental Protection Agency still has its proposal to drastically cut the amount of biodiesel to be blended into the country’s fuel supply, and Congress has failed to renew the $1-per-gallon federal biodiesel tax incentive that expired at the end of 2013.
“This is one of those issues that illustrates why voters are so fed up with Washington,” Steckel said. “You have policies with overwhelming support from the public and strong bipartisan support in Congress, yet Washington seems paralyzed with inaction. Jobs are at stake here, and we urge the Obama administration and Congress to act quickly to get this industry back on track.”
NBB’s survey also found that 85 percent of respondents said a candidate’s position on energy issues was somewhat important or very important in their voting decision, and 78 percent said a candidate’s position on alternative fuels was very important or somewhat important.
Growth Energy Shows Ethanol’s Commitment to Ag Future
A group that represents the producers and supporters of ethanol who feed the world and fuel America is showing its commitment to the future of agriculture. Growth Energy announced a multi-year commitment and new partnership with the National FFA Organization to build on critical projects that prepare today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders in American agriculture, starting with teacher and student workshops presented by Growth Energy this week at the 87th National FFA Convention & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky.
“Growth Energy is thrilled to help sponsor several important programs for FFA, including expanded opportunities to continue to educate FFA’s members on critical issues such as the important role that biofuels and energy play in American agriculture. Additionally, together, we will continue to build a robust networking system to attract new agricultural teachers and highlight the opportunities FFA members have as they enter the workforce. Ultimately, this comes down to investing in our most valuable resource —tomorrow’s leaders of American agriculture,” stated Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.
Specifically, the Growth Energy partnership will focus on assistance in supporting the Curriculum for Ag Science Education (CASE), as well as a personalized career exploration and development resource called “My Journey.” Furthermore, Growth Energy will also support the TeachAg program in efforts to attract more teachers for the enhanced education of FFA members. Additionally, Growth Energy will be leading select National FFA Convention sessions and providing support for FFA during their Washington, D.C. leadership conference.
“FFA is critical to the future of American agriculture. As our nation’s farmers become more productive and efficient, it is important that the next generation learns the best ways to provide both food and fuel while understanding the significance of being a true steward of the land and ensuring sustainable farming for generations to come,” added Buis.
Buis added that he was an FFA member, as was Jeff Broin, the co-chairman of Growth Energy’s Board of Directors. They called the programs and services FFA provides “immeasurable” and a preparation for students “for the challenges of tomorrow,” while also fostering leadership, innovation and stewardship of the land.
A Global View of LP Gas
Welcome to Miami and the 27th annual World LP Gas Forum!
The World LP Gas Association has members in 130 countries and a good percentage of those are represented here at this event. Because it’s in the United States this year, the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC) has a special presence to showcase new innovations for propane use in a variety of markets, including on-road.
Alison Abbot, marketing and communications director for the World LP Gas Association, says the event moves around the globe each year. “It’s the first time since 2008 we’ve been in the United States, the last time was in Chicago,” said Abbot. Last year it was in London and next year it will be in Singapore.
Abbot says PERC is a very active member of the WLPGA and the work the organization is doing in promotion and research of new markets and innovations for propane. “We work very closely with PERC,” she said. “What we do as the world association is we take what fellow associations like PERC in the United States do and act as a central hub to disseminate it out.”
Listen to my interview with Alison here: Interview with Alison Abbot, World LP Gas Association
Enerkem Partners with Qingdao City
Enerkem Inc. has signed an agreement with Qingdao City Construction Investment Group Co. Ltd. to develop a project partnership to jointly build a municipal solid waste-to-biofuels facility in Qingdao. The agreement was signed by Mr. Luzheng Xing, Director General, Qingdao City Construction Investment Group, and Mr. Vincent Chornet, President and CEO of Enerkem.
This additional project partnership for Enerkem in China was announced in the presence of the Governor of Shandong, Mr. Guo Shuqing, and the Premier of Quebec, Mr. Philippe Couillard. It follows two previous project partnerships confirmed by Enerkem during the Quebec government’s trade mission in China.
“We are proud to combine forces with our esteemed partner in Qingdao to address local waste challenges and transform garbage into clean transportation fuels,” said Vincent Chornet, president and CEO of Enerkem. “Our modular waste-to-biofuels facilities can be replicated in any community as a competitive and sustainable alternative to incineration or landfilling. We are thrilled to export this game-changing technology to China.”
In this new project partnership, Enerkem will license its exclusive technology to convert local urban waste from China into biofuels and chemicals. The final business structure and sites are under discussions and will be announced at a later time.
ChargePoint Now Accepts PayPal
ChargePoint now accepts PayPal. PayPal has long supported electric vehicles (EVs) and has installed 34 ChargePoint ports at their San Jose, California, campus for employees and visitors. The company states by enabling people to pay for a charge using PayPal, they are giving their customers a faster and easier way to pay.
ChargePoint stations are independently owned so businesses and individuals are free to set pricing however they prefer. Some station owners prefer to offer charging for free as an amenity or to attract visitors. Others set a price to cover costs or drive revenue. Over half of the 19,000 charging spots on the ChargePoint network are free. When there is a fee to use a station, drivers can pay with their ChargePoint account by adding their credit card. Now, drivers can also use PayPal to get a charge.
“With PayPal as a payment option, it’s even easier for drivers to plug in to a ChargePoint station,” said Pasquale Romano, ChargePoint’s CEO. “Combining the largest network for EV charging with a leader in digital payments means that more drivers can make the switch to electric.”
Now when asked for payment information, drivers can choose PayPal and will be directed to PayPal.com to enter their username and password. To start charging, drivers can use the ChargePoint mobile app or wave their ChargePoint card in front of the station’s card reader. The first time a driver accesses a station that requires a fee, a $25 deposit will be charged to their account and payment will be deducted from that deposit.
Robert Baker Wins Growth/New Holland Sweepstakes
Robert Baker of Sue City, Missouri has won the 2014 Growth Energy Individual Membership Sweepstakes sponsored by New Holland. His prize included 200 hours of usage of a CR8090 combine with a New Holland Twin Rotor CR8090 combine corn head for the 2014 harvest season.
“I am very excited, and I have a son and grandson that are more excited than me because they get to run [the combine],” said Baker.
Baker is a farmer who has invested in the Macon, Missouri, POET Biorefining plant, and regularly provides feedstock. The 14-year-old plant gained national coverage in 2010 when President Obama visited to learn more about ethanol production and gave a speech discussing the ability of ethanol to “contribute to our clean energy future”.
“We are proud to support a farmer who works so hard every day to grow crops to help feed the world and fuel our nation,” said Growth Energy CEO, Tom Buis. “Our members are working hard to revitalize our rural economies, create new jobs and ensure our nation will have a sustainable and secure energy future. This sweepstakes was part of a larger effort to continue to build grassroots support for biofuels across the country. Our growing grassroots advocates, such as Mr. Baker, help promote our industry and ensure that lawmakers in Washington understand the important role the RFS and biofuels play across America’s heartland. ”
The Growth Energy Individual Membership Sweepstakes offered all new or renewing individual members a chance to win either a NASCAR ticket package or usage of a New Holland combine. The total prize package for the combine is valued at $35,584.
Steve Murphy, General Manager at POET Biorefining – Macon, added, “The economic impact of the ethanol industry here in Missouri is undeniable and what we do here at POET goes far beyond the production process. As the first ethanol plant in the state of Missouri, we are proud of the added value our facility brings to producers and this community. However, we wouldn’t be able to offer consumers cheaper and cleaner choices at the pump if it weren’t for producers like Robert. All of us at POET Biorefining – Macon sincerely thank Robert for his continued support and extend him our congratulations.”
BioEnergy Bytes
CNG Source will open its first Indianapolis CNG station on November 20, 2014. The four-lane facility is the first public station the company has branded with the CNG Source name, and it features the latest advancements within the compressed natural gas industry, including CNG Source’s proprietary fast fill technology which allows for the dispensing of twelve gallons per minute. The station is located next to the triangle formed by the I-465, Brookville road and Shadelan Ave.- Four Dutch and German consultancies in the field of offshore renewable energy have teamed up and established a new international consultancy company Wind Minds with the objective to combine all their expertise and experience in developing and building new offshore wind farms in North West Europe, America and Asia. One of their first targets are Japan and Korea, countries being visited when Wind Minds joins the trade mission of Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp, between October 27th and November 4th. This mission accompanies King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima during their state visit to both countries.
- SunEdison, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rajasthan Government aimed at developing Rajasthan as the global hub for solar energy. SunEdison intends to establish 5 GWs of capacity in the form of multiple Mega Solar Projects, with the expected capacity of each Mega Solar project 500 megawatts (MW) or more. The MOU comes at an opportune time following the new Solar Policy announced by the Government of Rajasthan, which aspires to create 25 GW of solar capacity in the state in the next few years.
- Construction has begun on the Armow Wind power project in Ontario. Samsung Renewable Energy, Inc. and Pattern Energy Group LP have announced the completion of a C$580 million construction and term loan financing, which was secured with 10 financial institutions. Located in the Township of Kincardine, the 180 MW Armow Wind power project will utilize more than 200 Ontario workers and Ontario-made products, including 91 wind turbine towers made in Windsor and 273 blades manufactured in Tillsonburg.