Siemens Invests in Offshore Wind Manufacturing in UK

Joanna Schroeder March 26, 2014

Siemens will be investing £160 million (EUR190m) in wind turbine production and installation facilities in Yorkshire (UK). The facility will be spread across two sites including the Green Port Hull project construction, assembly and service facility and a new rotor blade manufacturing facility in nearby Paull, in East Riding. Siemens’ port partner Associated British Ports (ABP) is investing a further £150 million in the Green Port Hull development. The investment will provide a huge boost to the UK’s offshore wind industry and the Humber region.

“This is a massive vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan,” said Prime Minister David Cameron. This investment is going to create lots of new jobs and opportunities, meaning more financial security and peace of mind for families and a more resilient economy for our country.”

The Green Port Hull project has been in development for nearly four years and is the product of an effort between many national and local political, business and community parties and many people within Siemens in the UK, Denmark and Germany, and ABP. The investment is a landmark moment for the UK offshore wind industry. It is the first manufacturing plant of its kind for Siemens next generation blade technology (IntegralBlade) designed for Siemens SWT-6.0-154 6 megawatt (MW) wind turbine. Each rotor blade is 75 meters long and when rotating covers an area the size of two and a half football pitches.

“Our decision to construct a production facility for offshore wind turbines in England is part of our global strategy: we invest in markets with reliable conditions that can ensure that factories can work to capacity,” said Michael Suess, member of the managing board of Siemens AG and CEO of the Energy Sector. “The British energy policy creates a favourable framework for the expansion of offshore wind energy. In particular, it recognizes the potential of offshore wind energy within the overall portfolio of energy production.”

Suess continued, “The offshore wind market in Great Britain has high growth rates, with an even greater potential for the future. Wind power capacity has doubled here within two years, to roughly 10 gigawatts. By 2020, a capacity of 14 gigawatts is to be installed at sea alone to combine the country’s environmental objectives with secure power supply. Projects for just over 40 gigawatts are currently in the long-term planning.”

Green Port Hull is planned to be operational to meet Round 3 requirements in early 2016. The start of production at the blade factory is scheduled to be in the middle of 2016 with full production levels reached from mid 2017 onwards.

Alternative energy, International, offshore wind, Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder March 26, 2014

According to a new report released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, energy efficiency is the cheapest method of providing Americans with electricity. Energy efficiency programs aimed at reducing energy waste cost utilities only about three cents per kilowatt hour, while generating the same amount of electricity from sources such as fossil fuels can cost two to three times more.
Representatives from 24 countries will come together with Washington leaders for the GEA International Geothermal Showcase in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, April 22. The Showcase will examine the outlook for the geothermal market and the policies driving geothermal development. GEA will release the results of its new annual U.S. and International Market Update exclusively to event attendees.
SunPower Corporation has announced the sale of more than 70 megawatts (MW) of cell packages to the Huaxia Concentrated Photovoltaic Power Co., Ltd., joint venture (JV) in Inner Mongolia, China. These packages will be used for the first phase of two SunPower C7 Tracker (C7) projects, which includes a 20-MW project in Saihan and a 100-MW project in Wuchuan. Both are located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and completion is expected in 2015.
Pellet Technology USA (PTUSA) has entered into an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) joint development agreement with ICM, Inc. that will see it become the exclusive contractor for PTUSA in the United States and abroad. Recently, PTUSA announced that ICM had been awarded the EPC contract for PTUSA’s a one-of-a-kind R&D facility Commercial Demonstration Facility in Gretna, Nebraska. The facility allows PTUSA to develop, test and modify feedstock inputs, blends and finished products for their industry clients, using PTUSA’s patented technology.

Bioenergy Bytes

API Runs Additional Biofuel Attack Ads

Joanna Schroeder March 26, 2014

The American Petroleum Institute (API) will be running additional advertisements criticizing biofuels and the ethanol industry is once again fighting back.

“Once again, API has decided to perpetuate misinformation to protect their bottom line. They will do anything to protect their record profits and market share, even at the expense of consumer savings and a cleaner environment,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

“This recent series of ads are nothing more than fear mongering and misleading information. Time and again, the facts show that there is no substantial correlation between ethanol production and food prices,” continued Buis. “If Big Oil wants to point the finger at those who are driving up food prices, they should look no further than a mirror. In fact, a 2013 World Bank study has proven that crude oil prices are responsible for at least 50 percent of the increase in global food prices since 2004.”

Buis notes that marine and small engines are warrantied to use up to 10 percent ethanol and are not legally allowed to use E15 or other higher ethanol blends. He said the campaign has been designed to scare consumers, E15 is voluntary for use, and any suggestion that consumers are required to use E15 in small engines is completely misleading and false.

While the ads lay blame on the biofuels industry for additional environmental damage, Buis said that Big Oil a long history of ignoring environmental damage they are directly responsible for. “The sheer nerve to accuse biofuels of causing environmental harm on the 25th anniversary of the massive Exxon-Valdez spill, and the present-day oil slick off the coast of Texas, as well as another spill in Lake Michigan just yesterday, shows that Big Oil has a complete disconnect with reality and only cares about lining their pockets at the expense of the American consumer and our environment,” concluded Buis.

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Oil

Biodiesel Tax Credit Impacts for Blenders, Producers

John Davis March 26, 2014

If the biodiesel tax credit is extended, it could change the way producers and blenders value the incentive. This article from Biodiesel Magazine weighs how renewal of the federal $1-a-gallon biodiesel blenders credit could be changed to provide more incentives for producers.

If there is a possibility of the tax credit being reinstated retroactively for 2014, there would be a monetary value placed on the option to apply for and receive the tax credit when reinstated. Since the credit goes to the person blending the biodiesel from B100 to B99.9 by adding 0.1 percent ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD), buyers of biodiesel should pay a premium for B100 over B99.9. If there was no hope of the tax credit being reinstated, there would be no price differential between B99.9 and B100, and we can assume that the actual value of the premium for B100 over B99.9 is a function of the probability of reinstatement.

The article goes on to explain how the “Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2014,” sponsored by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), would change the credit to a producer’s credit, and not one for blenders. That could change the calculus in figuring if it would pass as proposed, eliminating some options for the blenders out there.

Biodiesel

Ag Secretary Takes Time on Ag Day for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman March 25, 2014

There are lots of activities for National Agriculture Day going on today in Washington DC, including a big celebration unveiling a statue of Dr. Norman Borlaug in the Capitol, but Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack still took time to meet with members of the American Coalition for Ethanol in town this week to visit Congressional offices

“The country needs a robust renewable fuel industry,” said Vilsack. “It provides choice for consumers and less cost gas at the pump. It helps to create hundreds of thousands of jobs which is important for the economy. It stabilizes farm income, it’s better for the environment, and it makes us a safer nation because we’re less reliant on others for our energy and fuel sources. So we need to continue to have a robust commitment to this industry, we need to expand it and grow it.” Brief interview with Secretary Vilsack after ACE visit

The secretary spoke to the more than 80 ethanol industry about what USDA is doing to achieve that goal, including finding creative ways to increase higher ethanol blend pumps, promoting exports of ethanol to Japan, India and China, and continuing to work towards encouraging use of higher blends in this country.

2014 ACE Biofuels Beltway March photo album

ACE, Audio, biofuels, Biofuels Beltway, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, USDA

Big Turnout for ACE Biofuels Beltway March

Cindy Zimmerman March 25, 2014

An enthusiastic crowd of more than 80 ethanol supporters from 15 states are chomping at the bit to be set loose on Capitol Hill to visit the offices of Congress members and educate them about the importance of biofuels during the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Biofuels Beltway March.

“We’ve got people from all walks of life here,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings. That includes not just ethanol producers and corn farmers, but bankers, truckers, cattle ranchers and students. “It shows the diversity of this industry, the breadth and depth of support we have out there in the grassroots for ethanol.”

Jennings says 40 percent of the group gathered for this sixth annual DC event have never visited the office of a Congressional representative before. “We try to give them some advice,” he said. “Most importantly, tell your story.”

The ACE group is hearing this morning from the Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Special Assistant to the president for Energy and Climate Change before heading to the Hill to meet with congressional representatives.

Listen to my interview with Brian here: Interview with Brian Jennings, ACE
2014 ACE Biofuels Beltway March photo album

ACE, Audio, Biofuels Beltway, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

When Cows Fly: Tallow-to-Biodiesel to Fuel Aviation

John Davis March 25, 2014

A company operating in the U.K. has just completed its biggest shipment of tallow-to-biodiesel, and the green fuel is set to power aviation. This article from Bdaily Business News says Leo Group has shipped 10,700 tonnes of tallow recycled into about 3 million gallons of biodiesel in four ocean tankers.

The overseas shipments come as the company marks another environmental milestone; the tallow and poultry oils produced at both of these rendering plants are now certified under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) scheme.

The ISCC seal is used by industry to distinguish between truly sustainable and unsustainable biomass fuels.

Leo Group managing director Danny Sawrij said: “We are delighted that customers around the world are drawing upon our expertise to drive down the world’s carbon footprint.

“Waste is not in the Leo Group’s vocabulary or culture – everything these days has a use and 100% of all by-product materials on our sites are now recycled.”

Biofuels use in Europe is expected to increase over the next few years, especially those fuels produced from non-food sources.

Biodiesel, International

Biofuel Organizations Call for Tax Credits Extensions

John Davis March 25, 2014

Leaders from several biofuel trade organizations are calling for the extension of some federal advanced biofuel tax credits. The Advanced Ethanol Council, Advanced Biofuels Association, Algae Biomass Organization, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Growth Energy, National Biodiesel Board, and Renewable Fuels Association have sent a letter to the Senate calling for the restoration of the Second Generation Biofuel Producer Tax Credit, the Special Depreciation Allowance for Second Generation Biofuel Plant Property, the Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Fuels Credit, and the Alternative Fuel and Alternative Fuel Mixture Excise Tax Credit.

The letter reads, in part, “The advanced biofuels industry is at a critical stage of development. Despite a difficult financial market, we are now operating commercial plants across the country and continue to make progress on dozens of additional projects in the final stages of development. Advanced biofuel tax credits have allowed the biofuels industry to make great strides in reducing the cost of production and developing first-of-kind technologies to deploy the most innovative fuel in the world.

“As leaders in a critical innovation sector in the United States, we are well aware of the financial constraints facing this country. However, the United States’ global competitors are offering tax incentives for advanced biofuels and in fact are attracting construction of new facilities – and associated high skilled jobs. If Congress wants American companies to continue developing these homegrown technologies in the United States, it must extend these credits. Biofuel producers are also competing with incumbent fossil energy industries who continue to enjoy tax incentives on a permanent basis.”

The letter marks the latest effort by biodiesel and ethanol producers and their backers to get better federal government support for their green fuels. Late last year, the Environmental Protection Agency undercut the industries when it proposed drastic reductions in the amount of biodiesel and ethanol to be mixed into the Nation’s fuel supply. In addition, Washington also let these vital federal tax credits expire at the end of the year.

AEC, BIO, Biodiesel, biofuels, EPA, Government, Growth Energy, Legislation, NBB, RFA, RFS

Biodiesel By-Product Could Produce More Feedstock

John Davis March 24, 2014

A by-product of biodiesel production could help grow more feedstock for the green fuel’s production. This article from Biofuels Digest says Purthanol Resources Ltd has produced lipids with yeast or fungi cultivated in fermentors and fed using glycerin, and those lipids could end up being another feedstock for biodiesel production.

Oleaginous yeast and fungi were isolated and tested to produce lipids.

A high lipid content (> 50% w / w biomass) was observed.

So we went from autotrophic production bioreactors to heterotrophic production fermenters.

Another unexpected benefit of this technology is that this production system uses crude glycerol by product of biodiesel production or sweet water by product of Purthanol Resources ethanol production as a carbon source.

The basis of this project is the use of by-product of the biodiesel or ethanol production (glycerol or sweet water) as a feedstock for the growth of yeasts and fungi.

A fully functional plant using this process is expected to be set up within the next year.

Biodiesel

Biofuels Supporters Heading to Beltway

Cindy Zimmerman March 24, 2014

Ethanol advocates from around the country are marching on Capitol Hill this week with the message that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is working.

It’s the 6th annual Biofuels Beltway March organized by the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE). “We have more than 80 people registered to attend, which is our highest attendance yet,” said Director of Strategic Projects Shannon Gustafson. “Those attending the event are fuel retailers, farmers, ethanol producers, bankers, and business owners representing 15 different states.”

The event officially kicks off on Tuesday when attendees will hear from representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency, USDA, and the White House. After that, the marchers will be split into groups to attend meetings on Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. “So far we have meetings scheduled with more than 130 offices on Capitol Hill,” said Gustafson, who anticipates they will have even more before they begin.

In addition to carrying the message that the RFS is working, supporters will also be telling lawmakers how ethanol benefits consumers, decreases our dependence on foreign oil, and plays a critical role in the future of our nation’s energy independence.

Domestic Fuel will be there to bring it home to those of you who are unable to attend. Thanks to ACE and Patriot Renewable Fuels for making that possible.

ACE, Biofuels Beltway, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government

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