DuPont Lights Up Solar Plant in Cernay, France

Joanna Schroeder

A new 4.5 megawatt (MW) solar power plant is now online in Cernay, France. This DuPont project is the largest solar power installation to date and now one of 13 solar installations worldwide on DuPont land. When combined, the solar projects generate over 11 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The Cernay installation is expected to produce 5 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar-generated electricity each year, which is roughly the equivalent to the amount of electricity 2,000 households consumed every year in France.

The solar farm is spread over 15 acres of land and features 18,400 crystalline silicon solar panels, manufactured by Jinko Solar. The solar panels feature advanced materials from DuPont that according to the company, are designed to improve the power output, durability and return on investment for solar energy systems. The panels are made with DuPontTedlar polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets, which they way are CernaySolarArraythe only material proven to protect solar panels for more than 30 years even in extreme outdoor conditions. They also contain DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes that help ensure maximum power output.

The project was developed by Hanau Energies, a French project developer and investor in solar installations, and was built in a record time of two months. It falls under a 20-year power purchase agreement with energy provider Eléctricité Réseau Distribution France (ERDF).

“We are extremely proud to partner with a global player like DuPont on this project in France. The solar park in Cernay is a perfect illustration for how advanced and reliable technology and best practices in installation, operations and maintenance can be put into practice,” said Jean-Luc Westphal, president, Hanau Energies.

The project is aligned with Cernay’s federation of municipalities aim to preserve resources and limit its environmental footprint. At the global and national levels, the development of solar and other renewable energy sources are expected to grow in the overall energy mix. According to industry analyst IHS, France’s annual installation of solar is expected to increase by 50 percent in 2014 to exceed 800MW and should keep growing steadily over the following years. Globally, solar is expected to grow 20 percent annually each of the next several years.

“The solar park in Cernay is a prime example of DuPont demonstrating its commitment to develop collaborative and innovative solutions and helping to ensure a more energy secure future,” said Martin Virot, country leader, DuPont France. “We are pleased to see this project realized in France, leveraging our advanced materials to ensure a well-performing, long-term source of electricity as we strive to meet the growing global energy demand more sustainably.”

“The Cernay solar park is a brilliant showcase of socially responsible investment and collaboration between the private and public sectors,” Member of Parliament and Mayor of Cernay, Michel Sordi concluded. “I congratulate DuPont, who continues to be at the forefront of science and technology and has developed multiple projects in the region for over 30 years.”

International, Renewable Energy, Solar

Missouri School Gets Upgrade to Biodiesel Center

John Davis

morockwoodschoolA Missouri high school is getting a major upgrade to its biodiesel center. Officials at Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Mo. broke ground on the new Monsanto Education Center for Sustainable Solutions, a facility to teach students the value of renewable fuels, such as biodiesel.

The Monsanto Company, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, National Biodiesel Board, National Corn Growers Association, St. Louis Community Foundation and Rockwood Summit High School announced the establishment of the Monsanto Education Center for Sustainable Solutions in January 2014.

The center will be housed in a new building constructed on Rockwood Summit’s campus and will include an area where students and advisors can plant row crops to study how plants such as corn and soybeans produce a renewable source of fuel.

The Monsanto Education Center for Sustainable Solutions will serve as a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) educational resource for teachers and students in the St. Louis community who want to experience hands-on, project-based learning on the fundamentals of biofuels, specifically biodiesel.

For the past four years, the RSHS biodiesel project has become a leading program for K-12 STEM in the St. Louis region. Student work includes executing experim​ents to convert waste vegetable oil into biodiesel and designing methods to test biodiesel quality.

Monsanto donated $100,000 to the building of the facility. You can read more about the project here.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Car Highlighted at White House Event

John Davis

biodieselcarWH1A biodiesel-fueled car that can go 150 miles per hour and get 100 miles per gallon was on display at the White House today. This story from GovTech.com says the Factory Five 818 electric blue race car built by the EVX Team at The Workshop School in West Philadelphia, Penn. was part of the first-ever White House Maker Faire, an innovation showcase for tinkerers, inventors and entrepreneurs.

“When I heard I was going to the White House I was like ‘This can’t be I true.’ ” said Joshua Pigford, an 11th-grader who has worked on the car all year and will be visiting D.C. for the first time. “I couldn’t really believe it.”

The students have been building the 818 for the entire school year. [Simon Hauger, creator and leader of the EVX Team] said it wasn’t hard to get a group of teenagers excited about building a race car.

The goal of the project: Take the kit donated by Massachusetts company Factory Five Racing for the 818 chassis and adjust and adapt the car to make it not only fast, but also environmentally friendly.

As Hauger described it, they were to design “something that was fuel efficient and cool.”

Not only is the car efficient and cool, since it runs on biodiesel made from recycled cooking oil leftover from frying chicken and making doughnuts, it’s also doing another chore in helping clean up the environment.

Biodiesel

Higher Ethanol Blends Campaign Expands

Joanna Schroeder

The 4th annual Alternative Fuel Road Show is kicking off in Georgia to educate consumers about the benefits of higher blends of ethanol. The FlexFuel Awareness Campaign is sponsored in part by Growth Energy, the Kansas and Nebraska Corn and Ethanol Boards along with several others. The roadshow is the largest clean fuel vehicle educational tour and is designed to reach fleet managers, civic leaders and state legislators to help them make informed decisions about transitioning to clean, alternative fuels.

Alternative Fuel Road ShowFlex Fuel Vehicles and ethanol blends are an option for fleet managers that we want to make sure they understand,” said Doug Durante, executive director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition and manager of the Awareness Campaign. “On a cost per mile basis various ethanol blends can be very competitive and offer fleet managers true flexibility.”

The eight city tour kicks off in Georgia June 17, 2014 with the 2014 Georgia Alternative Fuel Road Show at the Georgia International Convention Center. Each event will include workshop events.

Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy noted that along with increasing the E15 market, high level ethanol blends are key to expanding the domestic ethanol market and breaking through the blend wall. “Flex fuel use in fleets can be an important piece of the puzzle as we continue to back out imported oil, create jobs, and improve air quality,” said Buis.

Durante added, “As part of an ‘all of the above’ approach, this Road Show showcases all the alternative fuels, and they all have their strengths and advantages in a given situation. We are pleased to be part of this successful effort and make sure biofuels like ethanol are in the mix.”

Following the Georgia road show the program will move to the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC Metropolitan area with numerous events planned throughout the region. In addition to the FlexFuel Awareness Campaign, other sponsors and contributing organizations include the Atlanta Clean Cities Program, the Georgia Public Service Commission, Nissan Motors, and many others.

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, Growth Energy

Methes Sending $6 million+ of Biodiesel to U.S.

John Davis

Methes1Canadian biodiesel maker Methes Energies will send more than $6 Million of biodiesel to clients in the U.S. by the end of September. This company news release says Methes Energies also will get the share of the expected biodiesel blender’s tax credit if it is renewed.

The agreements require shipment of approximately 1.4 million gallons of biodiesel over this period, commencing around June 23rd. Though these agreements are part of an expected longer term relationship, Methes Energies did not want to commit to shipments over a longer period in a sometimes volatile market.

The agreements also cover the potential reinstatement of the Biodiesel Blender’s Tax Credit (“BTC”) of $1.00 per gallon in the United States. In the event that the BTC is reinstated retroactively, a majority of the BTC claimed by Methes Energies’ clients will be transferred to Methes Energies.

Nicholas Ng, President of Methes Energies, said, “Production is currently going very well and we’ll be ramping up very quickly over the next few weeks. We’ve locked in our feedstock price as well as our selling price for the next 3 months. We see some upside moving forward so we are comfortable with a 3-month at the time strategy with the volume committed in these agreements. We are also in a great position to move more biodiesel on the spot market where we believe we can make more money.”

Methes Energies has refineries in Mississauga and Sombra, Ontario.

Biodiesel

New Geothermal Paper Examines Costs, Benefits

Joanna Schroeder

A new paper released by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) examines the public economic costs and benefits of geothermal energy. “The Economic Costs and Benefits of Geothermal Power,” is another viewpoint of the value and affordability of geothermal energy based on an analysis from several government and private sector reports published in 2014.

geothermal-energyGeothermal power “compares favorably with other technologies currently available according to three difference analyses published in 2014,” the authors state. The reports were issued by the U.S. Energy Information Agency, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, and the California Public Utilities Commission.

The paper also looks at the direct economic benefits of geothermal power. Unlike other renewables, GEA said geothermal power produced on federal lands is based upon leases that are sold competitively, generating bonus bids, and subsequent production is subject to royalty payments. According to the Department of the Interior, geothermal generated $15 million in fiscal year 2014. Also, state lands involved in geothermal power production generate additional revenues, often dedicated to support education. California, for example, reports $4 million received from geothermal production involving state lands.

The paper also discusses the significant number of jobs created when geothermal power is developed. GEA estimates that for every 100 MW of geothermal power, the industry provides 170 permanent, full-time jobs. In addition, geothermal power creates 310 annual construction and 330 annual manufacturing/equipment jobs for every 100 MW of new installed capacity.

Alternative energy, Geothermal

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFThe Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) announced grant awards for renewable energy projects that advance the market for renewable energy in Maryland. This year’s projects represent significant opportunities for improved residential renewable energy approaches in the State, reflecting industry interest in the potential for smaller, more localized generation. Astrum Solar: Pioneering Residential Energy Storage was awarded $250,000. Astrum will implement an equipment leasing arrangement for up to 25 residential solar photovoltaic systems with backup battery storage. MEA’s grant will lower the cost of battery backup. Infinite Invention: Plug and Play Solar for Maryland Homes was awarded $79,910. Infinite Invention will use its innovative ConnectDER device at ten Maryland households to streamline residential solar photovoltaic system connection to the electric grid, without having to enter the household.
  • Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled “Geothermal Power Generation Market for Dry Steam, Flash Steam, Binary Cycle Technology – Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 – 2019.” According to the report, the geothermal power generation market was valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach USD 8.9 billion in 2019, expanding at a CAGR of 23.58% from 2013 to 2019.
  • This week renowned experts in energy, innovation, and entrepreneurship convened at the New York Academy of Sciences to discuss strategic direction for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) three clean energy proof-of-concept centers (POCCs). Each center is dedicated to helping inventors and scientists turn their high-tech, clean energy ideas into successful businesses. To further this goal, the Academy, which serves in an advisory capacity for the POCCs, in concert with NYSERDA, formed an Advisory Board of experts to provide strategic advice the POCCs. The Board was selected for their collective, extensive experience working across sectors, including academia, the private sector, government, and non-profits, in the areas of energy, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
  • The latest edition of the Energy Biosciences Institute Annual Report has been published and is now available in print and online. The 90-page report is a catalog of programs and projects being investigated at the EBI in its commitment to explore the applications of modern biology to the energy sector. Now in its 7th year of a 10-year contract with funding from international energy company BP, the public-private partnership continues to make progress toward fulfilling the promise of renewable, affordable transportation fuels developed from non-food sources like grasses and waste material.
Bioenergy Bytes

Wastewater Has Potential as Biodiesel Feedstock

John Davis

luxresearchWastewater streams could provide the feedstocks for biodiesel production. This article from Water Technology says a new study from Lux Research shows the potential to capture industrial fats, oils and greases (FOG) from the streams to make the green fuel.

Growing demand for biodiesel amid a restricted supply of feedstocks drives recovery of industrial FOG. However, current economics don’t favor lithium and phosphate recovery, noted the release.

“Many current wastewater streams contain resources worth billions of dollars of lost product and lost opportunity,” said Tess Murray, research associate and author of the report titled, “Recovering Valuable Resources from Wastewater.”

“As the value of resources rises, recovery technologies are beginning to make sense for even parts-per-million traces of materials such as precious metals and oil,” she added.

You can read the full report here.

Biodiesel, Waste-to-Energy

Tea Time? No, Brits Look to Coffee for Biodiesel

John Davis

coffeecup1While the Brits might be known for their tea, it could be coffee that fills their biodiesel tanks. Researchers at the University of Bath have found a way to turn coffee grounds into biodiesel.

Oil can be extracted from coffee grounds by soaking them in an organic solvent, before being chemically transformed into biodiesel via a process called “transesterification”. The study, recently published in the ACS Journal Energy & Fuels, looked at how the fuel properties varied depending on the type of coffee used.

As part of the study, the researchers made biofuel from ground coffee produced in 20 different geographic regions, including caffeinated and decaffeinated forms, as well as Robusta and Arabica varieties.

Dr Chris Chuck, Whorrod Research Fellow from our Department of Chemical Engineering, explained: “Around 8 million tonnes of coffee are produced globally each year and ground waste coffee contains up to 20 per cent oil per unit weight.

“This oil also has similar properties to current feedstocks used to make biofuels. But, while those are cultivated specifically to produce fuel, spent coffee grounds are waste. Using these, there’s a real potential to produce a truly sustainable second-generation biofuel.”

The researchers found a surprisingly high level of consistency among the various types of coffee grounds for their appropriateness as a biodiesel feedstock.

The work seems to be in line with other studies we have reported on here on Domestic Fuel, including a London startup looking to turn coffee grounds into biodiesel and work at the University of Cincinnati.

Biodiesel, International

Biodiesel Producers Hit DC in Final Push on RFS

John Davis

nbb-advancedBiodiesel producers from across the country are in Washington, D.C. today to make a final push back against the federal government’s latest proposal for the amount of biodiesel to be mixed into the nation’s fuel supply. The National Biodiesel Board says nearly 100 biodiesel producers, feedstock suppliers and other advocates from at least 27 states are on Capitol Hill to voice there concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal that would cut renewable volume obligations for biodiesel to well below last year’s production levels and that have resulted in nearly two-thirds of biodiesel makers laying off employees.

“People are losing their jobs in this industry as we speak, and it’s largely because Washington has delivered sporadic, inconsistent policy,” said Anne Steckel, NBB’s vice president of federal affairs at NBB, the industry trade association. “As President Obama has said, America should be the world leader in biodiesel and in Advanced Biofuels. And we can be. But we need this Administration and this Congress to stand behind strong energy policy that encourages investment and growth.”

“The recent spike in oil prices stemming from the situation in Iraq should remind us all why these policies are so important,” Steckel added. “We constantly talk about the need to reduce our dependence on oil. Doing that requires massive investments and infrastructure improvements that simply won’t happen without strong energy policy. We can’t keep taking one step forward and two steps back.”

IowaBiodieselBoardLogoBiodiesel producers from Iowa, the nation’s top producer of the green fuel, are also making their voices heard. Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board, issued the following statement:

“This swinging pendulum of government policy is wreaking havoc on small businesses with real employees who have banked their future on the promise of growing the American energy industry. EPA’s current RFS proposal represents a giant leap backwards for American-made fuel and advanced biofuels. Our Iowa biodiesel producers and soybean farmers strongly oppose it.”

A common message for all biodiesel producers in this fight is that the RFS is working to reduce greenhouse gases and lessen American dependance on foreign oil, as the original legislation back in 2007 intended. They also urge the EPA to follow the law and restore the numbers.

Biodiesel, EPA, RFS