DuPont Claims Win in Ethanol Enzyme Lawsuit

John Davis

DuPont_logoDuPont is claiming victory in a lawsuit over a patent on an enzyme to help produce ethanol. Ethanol Producer Magazine reports the case between DuPont-owned Danisco and Novozymes has been ordered to be returned to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

A DuPont spokesperson noted that the ruling was a win for Danisco DuPont. DuPont acquired Genencor International, an ethanol enzyme company, in 2011. “A panel of three judges ruled that the trial court should not have dismissed as premature Danisco’s declaratory judgment lawsuit against Novozymes given the two companies’ extensive history of patent litigation and Patent Office disputes involving alpha amylase enzymes (genetically modified industrial enzymes used for converting corn and other plant material into ethanol),” the statement said. “In the lawsuit that is now revived, Danisco sought a declaration that (1) its RSL alpha amylase enzymes did not infringe Novozymes’ ‘573 patent; (2) that the Novozymes ‘573 patent was invalid, and (3) that Danisco’s ‘240 patent had priority over Novozymes’ ‘573 patent.”

Meanwhile, Novozymes officials say they now consider the case closed, and the “decision does not in any way change or limit Novozymes’ product offerings to customers and the decision does not affect Novozymes’ financial outlook.”

enzymes, Ethanol

Award for Solar-Powered Remote Weather Monitoring

John Davis

vantageconnectA solar-powered system to remotely monitor the weather has been recognized for its use in the bioenergy and agriculture industries. California-based Davis Instruments picked up a Gold Award for Remote Monitoring at the 2014 Connected World Conference in Chicago for its Vantage Connect.

“With the growing need to manage water resources, protect crops from frost and mitigate damage to our environment, we believe that remote weather data is more important than ever.” said Susan Foxall, Marketing Director, Davis Instruments.

Solar-powered, Vantage Connect does not require an external power source and uses the cellular network to transmit weather data to the Internet. Real-time alarms for specific weather conditions alert users via text and email messages to changing conditions, allowing them to identify and manage potential problems.

The Connected World award was one of two awards Davis won, also picking up honors for CarChip ConnectR, Davis’ telematics solution for fleet monitoring.

Solar

New Jersey Offshore Wind Farm Gets Endorsement

John Davis

fishermensenergyA New Jersey offshore wind farm is reeling in an important endorsement. This article from The News Journal says the aptly named Fishermen’s Energy has received endorsements for its proposed offshore wind farm from the Atlantic County Freeholders and the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. It comes as the company awaits approval of its funding from the State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

“As stated in the resolution, the creation of new, well-paying jobs is vital to the economic success of Atlantic County” stated Freeholder Colin Bell. “Wind energy is a growing sector of the economy that provides construction, manufacturing and professional employment opportunities.”

Chris Wissemann, CEO of Fishermen’s Energy, said: “Having the support of the Atlantic County government, as well as the local business community shows how valuable the project is to the local economy. The project meets everything required by the Offshore Wind Economic Development Act, including, most importantly, bringing hundreds of jobs to New Jersey.”

The five-turbine, Fishermen’s Energy wind farm would be the first off of New Jersey’s shores, and if approved, would be the first to get an offshore wind renewable energy credit from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.

Wind

Propane Summit to Start AltCarExpo Texas

John Davis

PropaneSummit1Clean-burning propane will be the featured opening of the AltCarExpo Texas. Taking place March 27 in Irving, Tx., the Propane Engine Fuel Summit will be a daylong summit to feature Texas schools and businesses using the clean, economical alternative fuel.

Kicking off the AltCarExpo Texas, the propane summit has invited Texas municipalities, school districts and businesses to discuss the challenges and benefits of fueling with propane autogas, an environmentally friendly and cost effective engine fuel. Presentations from the City of Fort Worth, CleanFUEL USA, Dallas County Schools, Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities and Northwest Propane Gas Co., will cover topics such as refueling infrastructure, economic and environmental factors, propane industry equipment and more.

Curtis Donaldson, managing director and founder of Georgetown-based CleanFUEL USA, will discuss what’s to come during his presentation, “The Future of Propane Autogas.”

“As the leading alternative fuel in the United States, propane autogas has come a long way since it first appeared as an engine fuel in 1913. The possibilities for this fuel are just getting started,” Donaldson said. “This American-made resource is saving more than just cash at the pump. It’s driving job creation and energy security by keeping our fuel dollars within our own economy.”

Organizers say laws and incentives in Texas are friendly to propane.

Partners for the Propane Engine Fuel Summit include: U.S. Energy Department’s Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities, North Central Texas Council of Governments, AltCar Conference & Expo and TSN Communications.

Propane

New Budget Would Roll Back Oil Subsidies

Cindy Zimmerman

2015-budgetThe recently proposed Obama administration Fiscal Year 2015 Budget includes $4 billion a year in cuts to oil industry subsidies, notes Americans United for Change (AUFC), which calls that “a big win for taxpayers and consumers.”

Under the Department of Energy section, the budget calls for elimination of “Unnecessary Fossil Fuel Subsidies” stating that as “the Nation continues to pursue clean energy technologies that will support future economic growth, it should not devote scarce resources to subsidizing the use of fossil fuels produced by some of the largest, most profitable companies in the world.” The proposed budget would repeal “over $4 billion per year in tax subsidies to oil, gas, and other fossil fuel producers.”

americans-change“We are elated that the President has renewed his commitment to doing away with billions of dollars in pointless subsidies for big oil that shortchange investment in cleaner burning, cheaper renewable fuels of the future,” says AUFC executive director Caren Benjamin, adding however that the EPA proposal to cut the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) at the same time is inconsistent. “It’s a proposal that runs totally counter to the President’s strategy to address climate change by supporting clean energy — because a weak RFS means less incentive for innovation in cleaner burning, next generation renewable fuels and guarantees a greater use of dirty fossil fuels.”

AUFC also points out that there seems to be some bipartisan consensus building in Congress against special tax treatment for the oil industry. The draft tax reform proposal circulated by Republican House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-MI), for example, would eliminate some of the accounting tactics that allow oil companies to report lower net profits and pay less taxes.

AUFC encourages House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan to follow that lead and hold a hearing on “why an industry that made $100 billion in profits last year can’t do without billions of dollars in subsidies every year courtesy of the taxpayers.”

Clean Energy, Ethanol News, Government, Oil, RFS

Aruba to Get Methes Energies Biodiesel Maker

John Davis

denami600A biodiesel producer on the tropical island of Aruba is going to the Great White North to get its biodiesel maker. Ontario-based Methes Energies International Ltd. is building a Denami 600 for Antilla Energy VBA (formally known as BioFuel Aruba) to brew biodiesel from local waste cooking oil.

Nicholas Ng, President of Methes Energies, said, “We’re very excited about this project as it fits well with our business model. I believe that this is the first of many more manufacturing orders we will receive this year. We have been working with several clients that are, just like Antilla, at a point where they now need to order their Denami. It is a sometime a long process but at the end it is very rewarding for our clients and our company.”

Gregory Fung-A-Fat, Managing Director of Antilla Energy VBA, added, “Our due diligence exercise took a bit longer than we first anticipated, but we are finally there and ready to go. We now look forward to receiving delivery of our first Denami with commissioning happening in the fourth quarter of this year. The plan is to grow our facility to about 6 million gallons per year so we are setting up in a way that will make it easy and cost effective to add 4 more Denami’s 600’s as the market conditions allow. We’re glad to be doing our part to help Aruba reach its Green Aruba 2020 targets.”

Antilla Energy VBA is focused on on producing biodiesel from non-food crop biodiesel feedstocks.

Biodiesel, International

EPA “Add-Up” for RFS & Biodiesel Tax Credit

John Davis

The government’s proposed change in how to figure biodiesel and ethanol use for purposes of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) could end up being a boost for the green fuels. This analysis from the University of Illinois looks at how the EPA’s method of “adding-up” the market potential for E10 and E85 ethanol, biodiesel and other non-ethanol fuels changes how we should look at the RFS and Biodiesel Blenders Tax Credit.

In its proposed rule for the 2014 RFS, EPA announced a plan to waive a portion of the RFS from 2014 on, a notable break from previous proposals.

The EPA proposal maintains the hierarchy, but replaces the set targets of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) with annual estimates of how much renewable fuel use is ‘expected’ (Figure 1). The Add-Up method sets the biomass-based diesel requirement at the higher of a base level of 1.28 billion gallons or expected use… Higher RIN prices would appear to lead to additional E85 consumption would then potentially lead to greater future mandates.
addup1
A blender’s tax credit, such as the $1.00 per gallon credit given to biodiesel blenders which expired at the end of 2013, gives an incentive to blenders to use more biofuel. Under the EPA’s previous method, the credit may simply make the mandate less costly to achieve… If the RFS was then easy to exceed or if obligated parties wanted extra RINs to carry into the next year, biodiesel use might rise but perhaps not very much. If extra biomass-based diesel was used beyond its own requirement, then it might displace ethanol used for advanced or overall requirements.

The analysis concludes that using the Add-Up method, the RFS renewable fuel requirements will respond to market conditions and other policies, not remain at set EISA targets.

Biodiesel, EPA, Ethanol, Government

It’s Fish Eating Time of Year

Jamie Johansen

New Holland ZimmPollOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “What’s your favorite fish?”

Looks like grilled is a favorite by a landslide. Personally, I agree. I didn’t learn to like fish until later in life and still don’t cook it often, but love when someone makes it for me. It is interesting to see all the fast-food chains adding a fish sandwich to their menu this time of year. Maybe we should have added fish sticks to the list.

Our poll results:

  • Pan Fried – 11%
  • Deep Fried – 19%
  • Poached – 3%
  • Baked – 9%
  • Grilled – 35%
  • Smoked – 9%
  • Soup – 0%
  • Don’t eat fish – 11%
  • Other – 3%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What do you think of the Open Ag Data Alliance?”

The Open Ag Data Alliance (OADA), an open standards software project to ensure farmers have full data access, security and privacy, has officially been launched with the goal of enabling farmers to have flexibility and control over data-driven decisions on their farm. What do you think about it? Do you think there is a need for this – or do you even understand it at all? Let us know!

ZimmPoll

Google Hopes for Good Results from Wind Project

John Davis

makaniSearch engine giant Google is hoping the expansion of a California wind energy operation by one of its companies will give good results. This story from KCBS in San Francisco says Google-owned Makani Power is expanding its presence at, or maybe more accurately, ABOVE the formal naval base in Alameda.

When Google bought Makani Power in 2013, the seven year-old start up was leasing 17, 000 square feet at Alameda Point. The new lease calls for 127,000 square feet—with an option to take over the adjacent hangars and buildings as they become available.

“It’s exciting to the city of Alameda on number of different levels,” Alameda Mayor Marie Gilmore told KCBS. “One, we get to keep a tenant and who is seriously on the cutting edge of technology, and with Google’s investment. Who wouldn’t want to have a high profile tenant like Google?”

Makani Power is trying to build off-shore wind farms using tethered-winged devices that capture wind energy at high altitudes or above deep waters. Check out the video on that project:
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Video, Wind

Gas Station Offers Ethanol, Biodiesel and Your Mail

John Davis

protecfuel1The folks in Raleigh, N.C. can now pick up their mail when the stop in to fill up on ethanol or biodiesel. The New Bern E85/B20 Crown Station, the first station in that city to offer both E85 and B20, held a grand opening for the new Village Post Office housed within its store.

“We’re pleased to have New Bern Station as a Chamber member,” said Chamber member, Richard Urquhart. “We welcome them as our newest Village Post Office to the Raleigh area and wish them much success going forward.”

“The USPS plans to use our E85 in its area flex-fuel vehicles. We hope that alternative fuel will become the future norm for commuters and state and local government agencies to help support domestic fuel initiatives and meet certain environmental targets,” said Girish Amin, owner, New Bern Crown Station. The USPS, in a 2011 Sustainability Report, demonstrates its commitment to targets; see “What we are doing” USPS environmental initiatives report.

Protec Fuel supplies the E85 for the station. Officials hope that one day they’ll be able to provide EPA-approved retrofits that can convert vehicles to use the high blends of ethanol.

Biodiesel, Ethanol