Maximpact, a philanthropic, impact-investing network, invites new registrants in the impact and sustainability sectors to list projects. Each free listing directly connects users with partners and potential funders worldwide. Its definition of “impact” has broad appeal embracing CSR as well enabling philanthropists, investment funders, impact pioneers, and ecological and green technology businesses to meet and collaborate.- ReneSola Ltd. a technology provider of solar photovoltaic products, has announced it has appointed Mr. Daniel Lee as the Company’s chief financial officer, effective May 5, 2014.
- Consumers Energy has resumed construction of its Cross Winds Energy Park in Tuscola County, Michigan and is looking for construction workers to complete the project. The project includes necessary maintenance, repair and upgrades to several area roads needed for transporting wind turbine components and other construction related materials. About 150 construction jobs will be created during Cross Winds construction. The facility will include 62 wind turbines, with a capacity of 105 megawatts when it begins generating renewable energy for Consumers Energy customers, scheduled for late 2014.
- VIASPACE Inc. has announced that the company has signed a contract with Emunite Energy Solutions Inc., based in St. Lucia, West Indies, to provide Giant King Grass for its planned 100,000 ton per year pellet mill. Giant King Grass was delivered to Guyana and planted April 15-17, 2014.
Springboard Biodiesel to Open Closed-Loop Facility
Springboard Biodiesel will open a new closed loop biodiesel production facility in Chico, Calif. on May 1. The company says the new production facility will produce and sell 1,000 gallons per day of ASTM-D6751 grade biodiesel.
Working in concert with the company’s used cooking oil (UCO) collection partner, Smart Alternative Fuels, based in Redding, CA., Springboard will be processing locally collected UCO into ASTM-grade biodiesel and thereby providing organizations in Butte County and its environs access to cleaner-burning, locally produced biodiesel.
Biodiesel is a global commodity that is increasingly used in fleets around the country, as fleet managers try to better manage their carbon emissions without expensive equipment changes. Springboard CEO, Mark Roberts, notes, “Using biodiesel made from UCO will reduce the driver’s CO2 emissions by as much as 90 percent, while simultaneously reducing particulate matter by 50 percent, and because we are able to price our biodiesel to compete with diesel, these are ‘free’ benefits of incorporating biodiesel into your fleet management logistics.”
The California Energy Commission (CEC) played a significant role in the development of this “first in the state” small-scale biodiesel production facility. The CEC awarded a grant through its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology program to assist in the development with the intention that this facility will serve as a model to be replicated in other communities.
Springboard officials say their proprietary system can use a variety of feedstocks in an automated environment, producing high-quality fuel at competitive prices. Tours of the new facility will take place on May 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Allliance Autogas Adds Two New Members
Alliance AutoGas has added two new members to its propane autogas conversion national network: Green Country Alternative Fuels based in Claremore, Oklahoma and Tornabene 
Auto Sales and Service based in Pownal, Vermont. With a network of more than 90 members, Alliance Autogas installs propane refueling infrastructure, coordinates propane autogas vehicle conversions and provides vehicle maintenance support and training.
“It is of the highest importance that Alliance AutoGas provides a quality support network and keep the vehicles running on the road,” said Stuart Weidie, president of Alliance AutoGas.
Ty Burnett, Owner Green Country Alternative Fuels, Inc. said of joining the Alliance, “We are excited about starting a partnership with Alliance AutoGas. The wide range of vehicle applications and attention to quality and detail is very important to us. We feel this alliance will be very beneficial to our company as well as to our customers.”
Jody Tornabene, president of the family-owned retail and repair business Joe Tornabene’s Auto Sales and Service added, “We see this as the wave of the future and it’s a natural fit for our business to enter the alternative fuel conversion market. Propane is a great source of alternative fuel, as is about 35 percent cheaper and 60 percent cleaner than diesel and gasoline. Our garage has two bays that will be set up to complete the propane conversions and we are looking forward to providing new jobs in our region that is in need of an economy boost.”
Simplifying Pyrolysis for Bio-Oil Production
U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers are getting closer to developing a system that will help farmers make their own energy on the farm or produce biofuels for commercial purposes. This article from the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) says scientists have found a way to simplify the pyrolysis processes for bio-oil.
These findings by ARS scientists Charles Mullen and Akwasi Boateng promote the USDA priority of finding new bioenergy sources.
Fast pyrolysis is the process of rapidly heating biomass from wood, plants and other carbon-based materials at high temperatures without oxygen. Using pyrolysis to break down tough feedstocks produces three things: biochar, a gas, and bio-oils that are refined to make “green” gasoline.
The bio-oils are high in oxygen, making them acidic and unstable, but the oxygen can be removed by adding catalysts during pyrolysis. Although this adds to production costs and complicates the process, the resulting bio-oil is more suitable for use in existing energy infrastructure systems as a “drop-in” transportation fuel that can be used as a substitute for conventional fuels.
The article goes on to point out that bio-oils made from oak and switchgrass by the new process had considerably higher energy content than those produced by conventional fast pyrolysis. Oak bio-oil’s energy content was about one-third higher and contained about two-thirds of the energy contained in gasoline. Switchgrass did even better with an energy content that was 42 percent higher, slightly less than three-fourths of the energy content of gasoline.
DuPont & Zhenfa to Partner On Solar Power
DuPont China Holding Co., Ltd. (DuPont) and Zhenfa New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Zhenfa New Energy), have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to collaborate on improving the performance, reliability and return on investment of solar power installations. Under the agreement, both companies will cooperate in optimizing the selection of durable solar materials and technologies used in solar panels.
“Solar energy is a clean and sustainable form of energy that we expect will become a greater part of the future energy mix,” said Zhenfa Zha, general manager, Zhenfa New Energy. “We are excited to collaborate with DuPont to employ quality solar materials and technology support to help maintain long-term power generation, operations management and cost optimization at our solar installations. This will ultimately benefit our customers with cheaper, cleaner electricity.”
All of the solar panels installed by Zhenfa will be manufactured with DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) film-based backsheets, the only material, according to DuPont, proven to reliably protect solar panels for over 30 years, even under extreme environmental conditions. Both companies will work together to optimize solar energy power production and performance as well as conduct field research on panel reliability and failure modes in order to better understand materials’ critical impact on solar energy systems.
Chuck Xu, global business director, DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions said of the partnership, “We are delighted to expand our relationship with Zhenfa New Energy into a more strategic relationship that leverages advanced materials critical to the reliable, long-term performance of solar panels for their solar installations. DuPont continues to advance material science to improve the performance, reliability and return on investment in solar to help make it more competitive with other forms of electricity.”
Get a Piece of the Renewable Energy Funding Pie
Prosperity Consulting, LLC has identified two grant programs from the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) that could make significant investments in alternative forms of energy.
EERE has announced the Biological and Chemical Upgrading for Advanced Biofuels and Products Grant. The grant is focused on supporting production of the fuels from cellulosic sugars, lignocellulose derivatives, lignin, cellulosic alcohols, bio-solids and biogases. Awards range from $1 million to $3.5 million. Concept papers are due on May 1, 2014, and full proposals are due June 13, 2014.
The second grant program from EERE focuses on solar energy. The Solar Market Pathways Grant seeks to drive down solar energy costs and encourage a significant increase in solar deployment. The funding includes costs for planning and stakeholder meetings. Awards range from $1 million to $4 million. Concept papers are due on May 28, 2014, and full proposals are due July 3, 2014.
For companies, universities, communities and others interested in applying for these grants who are seeking assistance, Prosperity Consulting is available to assist. The company aids it clients in market research and feasibility study development as well as the development of strategic plans.
Renewable Energy Power Awards Announced
During a ceremony in San Francisco, California, winners of the inaugural Renewable Energy Power Awards were announced by Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits at the Novogradac Financing Renewable Energy Conference.
“We are pleased to congratulate the winners and honorable mentions of the inaugural Renewable Energy Power Awards for their exceptional work in bringing the benefits of renewable energy to communities across the country,” said Michael J. Novogradac, CPA and managing partner of Novogradac & Company LLP. “As the first recipients of the Renewable Energy Power Awards, our honorees have set high standards with the caliber of their work and I look forward to seeing other worthy projects recognized by these awards in the years to come.”
The Renewable Energy Power Awards were presented to development teams involved with effective and innovative renewable energy tax credit projects that created jobs, provided positive community impact and reduced energy footprints. Developments eligible for consideration used the federal renewable energy investment tax credit (ITC), the federal renewable energy production tax credit (PTC) and/or Section 1603 cash grant funds. Awardees were recognized in three categories:
- Financial Innovation: Winner: Burgess BioPower LLC, projected developed by Cate Street Capital Inc.
- Overcoming Obstacles: Winner: Cape and Vineyard Electric Cooperative Inc. and Town of Dennis Solar Project, developed by American Capital Energy Inc.
- Small Community Project: Winner: Little Deschutes Lodge II, developed by Pacific Crest Affordable Housing LLC
The Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits provides news, analysis and commentary on the affordable housing, new markets, renewable energy and historic rehabilitation tax credit industries.
BioEnergy Bytes
- Amigo Energy, subsidiary of Just Energy Group Inc. has announced a new promotion in recognition of Earth Day. The company has entered into a partnership with the bike sharing program, Houston B-cycle, a transportation alternative for people living in and visiting Houston. Launched April 21, customers who enroll for electricity in Amigo’s 100% renewable energy program will receive an annual membership to B-cycle.
- Intersolar Europe will be taking place in Munich, June 4–6, 2014. The event will be kicked off with the launch of the Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics 2014-2018 presented by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). Attendees will learn about current and future developments in the solar industry.
- Alterra Power Corp. and Fiera Axium Infrastructure Inc. have completed a partnership agreement for the Jimmie Creek hydroelectric project. Under the agreement Alterra will own 51% of the project and Fiera Axium Infrastructure Canada II LP will own 49%. The Jimmie Creek project will provide 62 MW of clean power capacity to southwest British Columbia and will sell 100% of its power to BC Hydro for 40 years beginning in August 2016.
- Ecoppia, a developer of autonomous water-free solar panel cleaning solutions, announced today that JA Solar has certified Ecoppia’s solution for use on its solar panels. Ecoppia recently announced similar certification by Suntech Power. Additional certification processes are underway, with the aim of ensuring Ecoppia’s market-wide compliance with the stringent standards of all major panel manufacturers.
New York & New Jersey Port Authorities Go Solar
This week, ConEdison Solutions and the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey unveiled one of four new solar installations that will produce clean energy at Newark Liberty International Airport. The 3,200 solar panel installation covers 62,000 square feet and will produce 817,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year. This solar array marks the first solar power installation at any airport buildings operated by the Port Authority throughout the region.
“The Port Authority is committed to implementing environmental programs we view as vital to our airports and other facilities,” said Port Authority Director of Environment & Energy Programs Christopher Zeppie. “Solar panels atop the roofs of buildings at Newark Liberty are an innovative way to make use of little used space to help reduce the agency’s carbon footprint while also saving money and increasing resiliency.”
By utilizing solar power as an energy source, Newark Liberty International Airport anticipates an electricity savings of approximately $60,000 per year.
“Earth Week is the ideal occasion to recognize Newark Liberty International Airport for its outstanding commitment to sustainability,” said Michael W. Gibson, Vice President of ConEdison Solutions. “The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey is setting an excellent example for airports nationwide and around the world.”
Officials visited a 152-solar panel installation on the roof of Building 121, an AirTrain Newark electrical substation. The other three solar sites include a 312-panel project on an AirTrain Newark maintenance building, a 585-panel installation on a Port Authority maintenance building, and a 2,145-panel site on a multi-tenant cargo building.
To educate travelers and other guests about the benefits of the multi-site solar initiative, the airport will soon introduce colorful, interactive informational kiosks at Terminal B that will provide information about solar power and this initiative at Newark Liberty. Kiosks also will update visitors on the amount of power that has been generated during a particular day and during the current month and year.
Fla. Sued for Giving ID Thieves Biodiesel Co’s Credit
The state of Florida is being sued for its part in giving identity thieves a biodiesel company’s tax credit. This story from Courthouse News Service says Epoch Biodiesel is suing for $1.3 million, claiming the state gave corporate identity thieves a tax credit in that amount, and refused to make the real company whole after the fraud was discovered.
“The project qualified for the State’s energy technology tax credit based upon 75 percent of eligible expenditures, but Epoch Biodiesel was denied the tax credit because imposters falsely posing as authorized representatives for Epoch Biodiesel had applied for, and were granted, a putative tax credit of $1,250,174.59, based upon an investment Epoch Biodiesel had made,” the complaint states.
It continues: “Epoch Biodiesel did not learn of the ‘identify theft’ until it attempted to rightfully apply for the tax credit, and was and told by the State that ‘Epoch Biodiesel’ had already applied for and been awarded a tax credit. Epoch Biodiesel was further instructed not to apply for a tax credit, no matter how rightful its claim for a tax credit might have been, since the State had already granted a tax credit in the name of ‘Epoch Biodiesel.’ Epoch Biodiesel got no benefit from the tax credit issued to the imposters.”
Epoch says it spent $1.7 million building its Groveland, Fla. biodiesel plant. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Department of Revenue are named as defendants in the suit.