Canadian Youth Speak Out For Wind

Joanna Schroeder

The winners of the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s (CanWEA) Power of Wind contest were announced during the association’s 30th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Montreal, Quebec this week. The contest is launched each year during Global Wind Day (June 15, 2015) to bring positive attention to the benefits of wind energy and its growing contribution in Canada.

Power of Wind submissionEach year, CanWEA awards several bursary prizes to students entering or in post-secondary education. This year, students were invited to submit multimedia and written entries on why they believe wind energy is important to Canada’s energy future.

“CanWEA’s Power of Wind contest presents an opportunity for students to share their unique perspective on energy. This year, we reviewed over 200 captivating multi-media entries,” said CanWEA President, Robert Hornung. “The submissions revealed a high awareness among students of wind energy’s role in powering new economic and environmental opportunities, and the ways that Canada can demonstrate global leadership in the development of renewable energy.”

And this year’s Power of Wind contest winners are…

  • Best English language blog: Audrey Cheung, University of Calgary
  • Best French language blog: Pierre-Luc Blain, University of British Columbia
  • Best multimedia entry: Maya Olechnowicz, University of Western Ontario
  • Most creative submission: Long Ting (Tina) Chan, University of Waterloo

Click here to read the winners’ blogs.

Education, International, Renewable Energy, Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFTrina Solar Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Jeff Dorety as president of its Americas Region, effective October 8, 2014, and Mr. Longxing Huang as president of its Distributed PV Generation Business Unit, effective October 27, 2014. Both Mark Mendenhall, the former president of Trina Solar’s Americas Region, and Mr. Haiyan Sun, the former president of Trina Solar’s Distributed PV Generation Business Unit, have left the Company for personal reasons.
  • NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy announced that it has received the final required regulatory approval in connection with its pending $900 million purchase of eleven hydroelectric facilities representing 633 megawatts of capacity and one storage reservoir from PPL Montana.
  • Satsumasendai City and Sumitomo Corporation have agreed to carry out a joint project on the Koshiki Islands to establish an effective use of reused batteries from electric vehicles as large-scale power storage facilities and to promote renewable energy into the micro-grid of these remote islands. The two parties reached this agreement on October 10, 2014.
  • Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement, has entered the competitive Brazilian renewable energy market auction process as an energy assessment provider, and as a result, has already secured its first certification of a 30MW solar project. Vaisala’s successful auction and tendering certification enables the renewable energy assessment and forecasting firm to work directly with developers and financiers making active investments into this emerging renewable energy market.
Bioenergy Bytes

NC State Breaks Down Cell Walls

Joanna Schroeder

According to Quanzi Li, the greatest barrier to producing biofuels is from stubborn plant cell walls that resist being broken down into biofuel ingredients. Li is the lead author of a paper published in Plant Biotechnology Journal about North Carolina (NC) State’s Forest Biotechnology Group biofuel research progress. Cell walls contain desirable cellulose and hemicellulose, which is “covered up” with lignin, the substance that contributes to the strength of wood but gets in the way of biofuel production.

In the case of wood, the lignin must be removed and then the resulting cellulose is converted to ethanol. Production begins with an expensive pretreatment, followed by enzyme use to release the sugars that can be fermented to produce ethanol. Li and her team are focusing on simplifying the process in various ways.

NC State lignin researchNC State’s team has created genetically modified trees with reduced lignin content. “Normally when you reduce lignin, plant growth is negatively affected, which also reduces biomass production,” explained Li. “However, we now know that we can produce transgenic plants with strong cell walls and normal development but much less lignin.”

Fast-growing trees with high energy content could grow on marginal land without disrupting crop production. NC State has worked extensively with black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa). Forest Biotechnology Group researchers in the College of Natural Resources have developed engineering models that predict how 21 pathway enzymes affect lignin content and composition, providing the equivalent of GPS directions to guide future research.

This comprehensive approach, which involves genes, proteins, plant chemical compounds and mathematical models, fits into a systems biology perspective that’s the key to future breakthroughs, Li said. She added, “Progress has been made in many areas, but we still lack a complete understanding of how the cell wall is formed. We have to have a better idea of the factors that control its formation to produce better biomass for biofuels.”

advanced biofuels, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Research

GDA Commissions Geothermal Plant in Indonesia

Joanna Schroeder

Ulumbu geothermal power plantThe Ulumbu 2 x 2.5 MW Geothermal Power Plant, located in Indonesia, has been commissioned and is now providing base load power for the local grid. The project was designed and developed by Geothermal Development Associates (GDA) who also provided major equipment including the steam turbine generator sets. In addition, GDS manufactured auxiliary equipment packages to minimize installation time, including the lube oil system, turbine inlet control valve assembly, and the plant control system.

PT Rekadaya Elektrika (Rekadaya) of Indonesia served as the general contractor, responsible for construction of the plant. Throughout 2014, GDA engineers were on-site working closely with Rekadaya engineers and construction crews to erect the plant and subsequent commissioning and performance testing. PLN UIP XI-UPK 3 formally handed the power plant over to PLN Wilayah NTT in a Taking Over Ceremony on September 4, 2014.

PLN is Indonesia’s state owned electricity company with a total installed electric capacity of 34,205 MW as of December 2013, of which 568 MW (2%) were geothermal. The Ulumbu geothermal field is located 13 km to the south of Ruteng, the capital of Central Manggarai Regency, Flores Island, in the East Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia.

Geothermal, International, Renewable Energy

Latest School Fundraiser: Biodiesel

John Davis

biodiesel4schools1Tired of buying lop-sided candles or ugly wrapping paper just because you want to help your school make a few bucks? Well, maybe you can do like another school in North Carolina is doing in this story from WNCT-TV and sign up for the Biodiesel 4 Schools program, an initiative that helps school districts raise money by collecting cooking oil from local restaurants, and then selling the green fuel to businesses with school districts getting a cut of the profit.

Beaufort County Schools officially signed on with the Biodiesel 4 Schools program this month…

Pitt County was the pilot school for the program, and after seeing its success, Beaufort County wants in on it too.

“In some ways for us it’s like liquid gold for what it can bring in,” said Beaufort County superintendent Dr. Don Phipps. He hopes to put that gold towards technology in the classroom…

The program is just getting started in Beaufort County and the Green Circle NC Biodiesel 4 Schools representative says the next few weeks are all about recruiting restaurants and businesses with cafeterias.

“The local budget for schools is getting smaller and smaller every year, and this is the easiest way for people to give back,” said program representative, Ken Weeks.

Learn more about the program on the Biodiesel 4 Schools website.

Biodiesel

PERC Names Top Propane Autogas Green Fleet

Cindy Zimmerman

alpha-bakingChicago-based Alpha Baking Company received this year’s Propane Autogas Fleet award from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) at the annual Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, Illinois this week.

The award honors one public or private fleet every year for leadership in sustainability by switching to clean, American-made propane autogas. Alpha Baking, a national bakery products distributor and home to the iconic S. Rosen’s brand, developed and implemented 22 Ford E-450 bread delivery trucks in 2012 with the help of Roush CleanTech.

“Alpha Baking’s primary reason for adopting propane autogas was because it was the right thing to do. Propane autogas reduces harmful emissions, it’s made in the U.S., it reduces our dependency on foreign oil, it’s efficient, and it keeps our communities clean,” said Bob McGuire, Alpha Baking’s vice president and director of logistics, who accepted the award during the Green Fleet Awards ceremony. “Choosing vehicles that run on American-made propane autogas has also allowed us to lower fuel costs without sacrificing performance.”

Hear more about Alpha Baking’s experience with propane autogas in PERC’s latest Straight Talk video at propanestraighttalk.com.

automotive, PERC, Propane

Virginia to Get New Enymatic Biodiesel Refinery

John Davis

virginiaflagVirginia will soon be home to a new enzymatic biodiesel production facility. In this news release from Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office, Appalachian Biofuels LLC says it will invest $3.5 million in the new production facility that will process multiple waste feedstock material and refine it using an enzyme, developed and manufactured in Haifa, Israel, to produce biodiesel.

“We were introduced to Southwest Virginia and to this new ‘immobilized enzyme’ through the Virginia Israel Advisory Board and its Director, Ralph Robbins,” said Chuck Lessin, President and CEO of Appalachian Biofuels LLC. “This revolutionary process will allow us to use the many tools, information and human resources that the Commonwealth has available. We are proud to be hiring former coal miners in the region who will transfer their significant experience in mining energy underground to our new green energy above ground in beautiful Russell County. We are excited to call Virginia our home, and we hope to grow and expand our business here in Southwest.”

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “The addition of a new company and job creator in Russell County is tremendous for a region that has been hard hit by economic loss. Appalachian Biofuels has the advantage of locating its headquarters and center of operations in a formerly vacant facility that can be retrofitted to meet its needs, allowing for quick start-up to production. This green energy company processes multiple waste feedstock material and refines it to produce biofuel to be blended with petroleum diesel fuel as mandated by the federal government. My recently released Virginia Energy Plan aims to catalyze the growth of green energy companies in the Commonwealth, and we are proud that Appalachian Biofuels will produce this alternative fuel right here in Virginia. Jobs in the energy industry aid in our efforts to build a new Virginia economy with diverse opportunities for growth, and we look forward to the company’s success in the Commonwealth.”

McAuliffe approved a $200,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Russell County with the project. Another $210,000 for the project came from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission.

No timetable was given for when it might open.

Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFExtensive government support and wind turbine technology modernization will assist the continued growth of Denmark’s cumulative offshore wind power installed capacity, from 1.27 Gigawatts (GW) in 2013 to 2.24 GW by 2020, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The report states that Denmark, excluding Greenland, is one of the leading wind power markets in the world. The country’s cumulative offshore installed capacity witnessed an increase from 0.42 GW in 2006 to 1.27 GW in 2013, at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17%.
  • Marking the two year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Clean Energy Group has released a paper about new financing options for the installation of resilient power projects. Resilient power technologies, such as solar PV with energy storage, could ensure against the devastating consequences of power outages from future disasters. “Financing for Clean, Resilient Power Solutions,” provides an overview of several clean energy finance strategies for low-cost, long-term financing of resilient, clean-energy technologies.
  • Speaking in Singapore on Wednesday, Hanergy Holding Group Chairman and CEO Li Hejun lauded the island country’s sustained commitment to clean energy development. The English version of Li Hejun’s first book, China’s New Energy Revolution, is now available. The book describes how new energy, led by thin-film solar, will revolutionize the way China and the rest of the world generate power.
  • Hertz and Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Company announced the completion of two solar power installations at Hertz Rent-a-Car facilities at Denver International and St. Louis International Airports. Additionally, solar installations are underway at Hertz’s Newark Liberty International Airport, to be completed later this year, and construction at Hertz’s John F. Kennedy Airport location is planned to start in 2015. Once completed, the total installed solar capacity at the four Hertz airport locations will reach 1 megawatt of clean energy which will used to power Hertz customer service areas and other nearby Hertz buildings.
Bioenergy Bytes

Promoting American Ethanol Texas Style

Cindy Zimmerman

American-Ethanol-and-NASCAR-LogoThey say that everything is bigger in Texas so it’s appropriate that one of the largest E15 promotions of the year will be held this weekend about the benefits of American Ethanol for NASCAR fans at the Texas Motor Speedway.

“We have done 12 major promotions this year and have exposed millions of NASCAR fans to the performance and environmental benefits of Sunoco Green E15, but there is a lot of excitement surrounding this event,” said Jon Holzfaster, chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s NASCAR Advisory Committee. “American Ethanol will be everywhere at this race, on the track, on the Midway, in the campgrounds and even on Big Hoss.”

big-hossBig Hoss is the world’s largest, high-definition LED video board, stands 218 feet wide by 94.5 feet tall and features 20,633.64 square feet of high-definition display. The 108 ton beast of a screen will be showing an American Ethanol video throughout the race.

American Ethanol partners Growth Energy and NCGA are joining forces with the Texas Corn Producers to make sure E15 fuel is prominently promoted at this high profile race.

The contest for the NASCAR Championship is now in its third round, and results in Texas and Phoenix will trim the field to only four drivers who will be eligible to win the Sprint Cup Trophy on November 16. As a result, tens of thousands of fans are expected to flock to the full weekend of races, with millions more tuning in on Sunday for the marquis Sprint Cup duel. Every car will be fueled with E15, and will sport the green American Ethanol fuel port as they have all season.

American Ethanol, corn, E15, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA

EIA Lowers Energy Content of Gas

Joanna Schroeder

“EIA has adjusted its estimates of the energy content of retail motor gasoline in the Monthly Energy Review (MER) to reflect its changing composition. Ethanol and other oxygenates, which have lower energy content than petroleum-based gasoline components, have seen their share of total gasoline volumes increase from 2% in 1993 to nearly 10% in 2013. As a result, EIA’s estimate of motor gasoline’s average energy content per gallon has declined by about 3% over this 20-year period,” writes the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its latest Monthly Energy Review.

To better understand the changes, a recent “Today in Energy” looked at how higher U.S. ethanol use has cut the average energy content of a gallon of gasoline.

Screen Shot 2014-10-30 at 10.44.44 AM

The EIA explains that the adjustment of the average energy content per gallon of motor gasoline reflects changes in response to 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations that split the U.S. gasoline market into three segments: conventional, oxygenated, and reformulated. Oxygenated and reformulated gasoline was required to be blended with compounds that contained oxygen, such as MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether) or ethanol. This Act was designed to reduce toxic air emissions in cities and it was successful. However, EIA states that while these additives reduced air pollution, they also resulted in lower heating value compared with conventional gasoline, translating to fewer miles per gallon, because they have lower energy density.

In response to these regulations, EIA began collecting separate data on the production of conventional, oxygenated, and reformulated gasoline in 1994. The gasoline heating value was estimated based on the relative volumes of conventional, oxygenated, and reformulated gasoline in the total motor gasoline product supplied to the United States.Read More

biofuels, Ethanol