Students’ Biodiesel Wins Environmental Award

John Davis

A project by a group of Tennessee high school students to make and promote biodiesel garnered an environmental award in that state. The Whites Creek High School group is the winner in the Excellence in Energy and Renewable Resources category of the 2014 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards, which this article in the Chattanoogan says recognizes exceptional voluntary actions that improve or protect our environment and natural resources with projects or initiatives not required by law or regulation.

WCHS Biodiesel FuelStudents from Whites Creek High School recently drove across Tennessee on fuel that they made from agriculture product, soybeans. They were able to achieve this by using 15 bushels of donated soybeans and converting them into biodiesel in their energy laboratory at the high school. They were able to extract 12 gallons of biodiesel from their process which allowed them to drive across Tennessee from Kentucky to Alabama in a Ford F250 farm truck. Along the route, they traveled to other high schools and the students taught other FFA members the mechanics of biodiesel production with their mobile lab. Whites Creek High School has a three-year program called Academy of Alternative Energy, Sustainability and Logistics. During the three year program, they study wind energy, solar energy, biodiesel, ethanol, the hydrogen car, nuclear energy, greenhouse gas, and have hands on experience on the adjacent farm to the high school.

The awards will be handed out in ceremony to be held in Nashville on June 23.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Producer Certain Uncertainty Will End

John Davis

christjansenThe manager of a biodiesel refinery from the Nation’s largest biodiesel producer believes the uncertainty in the green fuel’s future will disappear. I caught up with Bryan Christjansen, a general manager for Renewable Energy Group’s Albert Lea, Minn. and Mason City, Iowa plants, shortly after a news conference where several biodiesel producers joined with a group of U.S. senators to decry the uncertainty brought by the government’s proposal to lower the amount of biodiesel to be mixed into the fuel supply and Congress’ failure to renew the $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel tax incentive.

“Some of the things happening here on Capitol Hill, as well as in the White House, are not good for our industry. We are here, and [Congress and the Administration] have helped us get to this point, and we need to continue to grow this industry through what you guys have created already,” he said.

While Bryan said that the current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal on the Renewable Fuels Standard is hurting the biodiesel industry by causing so much uncertainty, he is certain that will change.

“With this [news] conference and the open comment period with the EPA, I think we’ve voiced our opinion that we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and what better way to do it than by producing biodiesel.”

You can hear my conversation with Bryan here: Bryan Christjansen, REG manager

And you can hear what he and other producers said here: Biodiesel Industry Concerns And what the U.S. senators attending the news conference said here: Senators Voice Biodiesel Concerns

Audio, Biodiesel, EPA, Government, REG, RFS

Biodiesel Adds Value, Diversification to Ethanol Ops

John Davis

biodiesel_and_ethanol_fuel_pumps_at_retail_fuel_station_e85__e10_ethanol_b5_b20_biodiesel_mind_J53-1369484It’s not a brand new idea, but the concept of co-locating ethanol and biodiesel plants has been catching on more and more lately. This article from Biodiesel Magazine talks about how ethanol refiners are looking to take their by-product, distillers corn oil (DCO), and turn it into biodiesel to add value to those ethanol plants already on the ground, while diversifying their operations.

“Over the past several years, biodiesel margins have been really strong,” says Ray Baker, general manager for Adkins Energy LLC, a 50 MMgy ethanol refinery in Lena, Ill. Adkins Energy announced last fall that it has contracted with WB Services to install a 2 MMgy biodiesel facility on-site with help from a $500,000 grant from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program. “But one of the reasons I think we really like the project and the idea behind it,” Baker says, “is that we are already producing a conventional biofuel—corn-based ethanol—and we’ll now be producing an advanced biofuel in biodiesel, and I know in the future we’ll have the opportunity to be producing cellulosic ethanol. So we look at all aspects of the RFS and the growth that’s really built into that, and we see those opportunities.”

In recent years, DCO has emerged as one of the fastest-growing biodiesel feedstocks, and the technologies to effectively convert DCO to biodiesel have been improving. “I think once they got to that point, that helped the technology evolve and the idea behind it become more economical to install into a plant,” he says. “Before, the size of biodiesel plants was much larger, and now I think bolting them onto ethanol technologies on a smaller scale has become economical.”

The article goes on to talk about how better integration of the two fuels’ technologies is making these co-located plants more feasible. In addition, new technologies for brewing biodiesel, especially enzymatic technologies in the pretreatment of the corn oil and replacing the usual biodiesel catalyst methanol with the already available ethanol, are making biodiesel-ethanol operations more likely.

Biodiesel, corn, enzymes, Ethanol, feedstocks

Iowa Gov Says Biofuels Cure for Climate Change

John Davis

IA Gov Branstad at Hearing in the Heartland Jan 23 2013As members of a federal task force visit Iowa and say that “climate change is here and now,” that state’s governor says biofuels, which are also here and now, are at least one way to fight the changes in climate. This article in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier says this is the third meeting of the White House task force and comes on the heels of the recent Obama Administration’s National Climate Assessment that says climate change could bring disastrous results for agricultural areas, such as Iowa, “including prolonged periods of heat, heavy downpours, and in some regions, floods and droughts.” Branstad makes the case that if the government followed the law on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), many of these issues would be dealt with.

“Climate change is here and now,” said Mike Boots, acting chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

He ran down a list of some of the effects of climate change being experienced in the Midwest, such as poorer crop yields because of heat and torrential rains that overfill river banks and wash away topsoil.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad did not attend the event as he was traveling the state for a series of community tours, Branstad spokesman Jimmy Centers wrote in an e-mail.

“Gov. Branstad believes that as government officials travel to Des Moines they should focus on reducing transportation emissions and our dependence on overseas oil, diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio and supporting the growth of the Midwest economy through a strengthened Renewable Fuel Standard,” Centers wrote.

White House officials say the RFS was not discussed during the symposium. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended reducing the amount of ethanol and biodiesel to be mixed into the Nation’s fuel supply. Farm-state governors, such as Branstad, have blasted the agency for that recommendation and hope to get it reversed before it is due to be finalized within about a month.

Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Ethanol, Government, RFS

Power Your Electronics with Wind

Joanna Schroeder

Most of us have heard about or already own chargers powered by solar energy to charge cell phones, iPads, laptops and more. But did you know that you can now charge all your electronics with wind energy? Skajaquoda has launched its latest version of the Trinity portable wind turbine – small enough to fit in your purse or briefcase yet powerful enough to charge your electronics.

Trinity Wind TurbineThe Trinity 100 has a 100W generator and a built-in battery that holds 30,000mAh. The mini wind turbine folds together into a 20 inch cylinder that can easily be carried anywhere. Trinity 100 weighs only 6 lbs and 5 lbs without the removable internal battery. On the bottom, Trinity 100 has a 110V output with EU/UK/US wall plug/adapter to charge your devices. It also has a 5V 1A USB and 5V 2.1A USB outputs and an input to charge Trinity’s internal battery in a wall socket.

Trinity’s smaller version has a 15W generator and a 15,000 mAh internal battery that can charge USB devices and laptops. The whole unit weighs only 2.5 lbs and 2 lbs without the removable internal battery.

To operate, you simply open the three blades, remove the aluminum legs and arrange them in either a tripod configuration or laid flat. To close the mini wind turbine, you push the legs back in and the blades close automatically. In a closed position the legs lock the blades and prevent them from opening.

Trinity’s unique design allows you to charge your smartphone up to 10-12 times before it has to be recharged either by itself (using the wind) or simply plug it into a wall output so it can be fully charged before you leave your home. I’ll use the wind, please and thank you.

Renewable Energy, Wind

Halco Energy Deploys Propane Trucks

Joanna Schroeder

Phelps, New York – based Halco Energy is deploying 25 vehicles powered by propane autogas in their service and installation fleet. The company provides residential and commercial renewable energy solutions including high-efficiency heating and cooling systems; home energy audits; and envelope improvements including insulation, air-sealing, and clean renewable energy systems. And now the company is “walking the walk” with its fleet conversion to propane autogas.

The company is now sporting 16 Ford E-350 cargo vans and 9 Ford F-250 pickup trucks equipped with ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel systems. The conversions were funded, in part, by a $200,000 grant from the Genesee Region Clean Communities. The domestically fueled vehicles will help the company drive down fuel and maintenance expenses by an estimated $600,000 and reduce their carbon footprint by more than 1.6 million pounds over thee lifetime of the vehicles.

Halco Energy Hal Smith“We’re in the renewable energy business so doing the right thing for the environment is very important to us,” said Hal Smith, co-owner of Halco Energy. “We were looking for a fuel that’s cleaner, better for environment and less costly. With propane autogas, we are optimistic that we’ve found a great solution to meet these needs.”

Halco Energy is working to install a 16,000-gallon on-site fueling station but in the meantime they will fuel the vehicles at a local public station. According to ROUSH CleanTech, the infrastructure for propane autogas is less expensive than any other alternative fuel, and with thousands of stations across the nation, propane autogas already has the largest public refueling infrastructure of all alternative transportation fuel options.

“Energy efficiency is our life, so for us, propane autogas, has been a no-brainer,” said Smith. “By deploying propane autogas vehicles in our fleet, we’re helping our pocketbook and the environment at the same time. I just wonder why more companies aren’t doing the same thing.”

A 2013 recipient of the national “Home Performance with Energy Star” award, Halco Energy aims to transition 75 percent of their total fleet to propane autogas over the next four years.

Alternative energy, Propane

Another Day, Another Oil Spill

Joanna Schroeder

An oil pipeline ruptured in Los Angeles on LA Street yesterday and in response Americans United For Change said, “Like oil spills? You’ll love what happens after dismantling the Renewable Fuel Standard. 50,000 gallons of crude oil spilled out onto the streets and in some areas the crude oil was knee-high.

Photo: LA Times

Photo: LA Times

Jeremy Funk, spokesperson for pro renewable energy and pro Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) group Americans United for Change, said of the crude oil spill, “Whether you live in the Gulf Coast community, near a railroad in Lynchburg, VA, a farm in North Dakota, or in the middle of a major metropolis like Los Angeles, it seems nowhere in America is out of reach from the messes big oil leaves behind.”

“Headlines about oil industry spills and explosions and derailments have become a ‘dog bites man’ story,” Funk continued who stressed that the alarming rate of environmental disasters associated with oil should give the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) serious pause before deciding whether or not to roll back the RFS. The EPA is expected to publish its final 2014 RFS rules around June 1 and there is concern they will move forward with lower renewable fuel gallons than what is called for in legislation.

“Consider that ethanol makes up 10% of the U.S. gasoline supply, and that for every gallon of ethanol produced domestically it means one less gallon sold of gasoline derived from dirty crude oil from unstable regions. That’s why the oil industry wants the EPA to help put out of business their safer, cleaner, cheaper renewable fuels competition. But if the EPA give big oil what they want and drastically cuts down the amount ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply, there’s no way to avoid a corresponding increase in demand for crude oil and an increase in the number of disasters related to transporting it.” Funk added, “So if you like oil spills — you’ll love what happens if the RFS is watered down.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Environment, Ethanol, Oil, RFS

UCR Unveils Sustainable Grid Initiative

Joanna Schroeder

The University ofSIGI-graphic California, Riverside has launched its Sustainable Integrated Grid Initiative to research the integration of intermittent renewable energy including photovoltaic solar panels, energy storage including batteries, and all types of electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The project is the largest of its kind in the state.

“This project puts UC Riverside at the forefront of smart grid and electric vehicle research, providing a unique platform for engineers and utilities to identify and solve potential problems at scale,” said Matthew Barth, lead investigator of the initiative and the director of UC Riverside’s Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT).Read More

Clean Energy, Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage, Environment, Smart Grid, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFVoith participated in Kaukauna Utilities Badger Hydro Plant’s formal dedication in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. The Badger Hydro Plant combines hydraulic capacity of the 105-year-old “old” Badger plant and the 85-year-old “new” Badger plant into a new single 2-unit plant resulting in more capacity than the previous two plants combined. Voith Hydro supplied two Kaplan turbines and automation equipment, while Voith Turbo provided the speed increasers. The 7 MW plant has a 50-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
  • CBD Energy Limited announced its entry into the U.S. residential solar market with the signing of a 7 KW home system under its solar installations brand, Westinghouse Solar. The 7 KW system, for a residence in Allenhurst, New Jersey, is estimated to save the customer approximately 40% on their energy bill and more than $60,000 over the life of the system. Westinghouse Solar will conduct a comprehensive energy assessment to determine whether additional energy upgrades could further increase the energy efficiency of the residence.
  • RGS Energy has closed its acquisition of Elemental Energy, LLC, a full-service solar energy firm operating under the Sunetric brand. The acquisition provides RGS Energy with immediate entry into a major market that has the highest electricity rates in the U.S. – three times higher than the national average. These high rates provide compelling economics for homeowners and businesses to adopt solar photovoltaic systems.
  • Cleveland Schools, Ohio’s second largest school district, will replace 12-to-13-year-old diesel buses with nearly 50 Blue Bird’s Propane Vision buses. The school buses will be fueled by propane autogas and will begin operation for the 2014/15 school year in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The school district annually estimates about $50,000 in electrical costs for powering block heaters to start their diesel buses in cold weather. Blue Bird Propane Vision buses start up in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bioenergy Bytes

Glycerolysis Considered for Biodiesel Pretreatment

John Davis

glycerolysis_reactor_system1Using low-grade, waste feed oils for biodiesel production might look appealing on the surface, but those feedstocks contain high levels of free fatty acids (FFA), which can cause soap formation. This article in Biodiesel Magazine gives a good, in-depth look at using glycerolysis as a cost-saving alternative to traditional methods of biodiesel production.

[G]lycerolysis reduces the amount of FFA in low-grade oils without use of acid or methanol, and enables them to be converted into final product, rather than removing them and reducing product yield. The resulting glycerides formed during glycerolysis are then converted directly to biodiesel via base-catalyzed transesterification. Also, glycerolysis is done at high enough temperatures to completely dry the feed oil before the transesterification process, thus avoiding the formation of excess soaps and the decanting problems that can result.

Over the past decade, glycerolysis has continued to grow in popularity among those companies successful in the industry. For example, recent articles in several industry periodicals have noted that some biodiesel producers have been using glycerolysis successfully for several years (e.g., Renewable Energy Group’s Seneca, Ill., plant).

The rate of the glycerolysis reaction is determined by two variables: the initial concentration of FFA and temperature. Many biodiesel plants run their processes using steam heating systems, and are limited to operating temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Although glycerolysis can be run at these lower temperatures, reaction kinetics are vastly improved when run at temperatures at or above 450 F. However, operating temperatures approaching 500 F are not recommended due to possible glycerin decomposition, forming acrolein.

The article goes on to say that the lack of use of this high-temperature process might be more a matter of inexperience by biodiesel producers. But the authors believe the actual simplicity of the glycerolysis process could be its most appealing feature.

Biodiesel