Voith Hydro Completes Fish Friendly Facility

Joanna Schroeder

Voith Hydro has completed its PPL Generation expansion project of the Holtwood Hydroelectric facility on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. The company supplied the turbines, VOITH HYDRO KAPLAN TURBINEgenerators, and automation components for the project, which more than doubled the century-old plant’s electricity generating capacity. The $440 million expansion will provide power to approximately 100,000 households, and has been noted for its environmental enhancements, including improving both upstream and downstream fish passage.

“Holtwood is a terrific example of how hydropower development can not only provide jobs and clean energy, but improve the environment and surrounding habitats at locks and dams that have existed for decades,” said Voith Hydro President and CEO Kevin Frank. “We are proud to have provided the fish-friendly turbines, generators, and automation equipment for this historic expansion of an iconic hydroelectric facility.”

Victor Lopiano, senior vice president of Fossil & Hydro Generation for PPL, noted, “This project, one of the largest expansions of its kind in the U.S., represents a major investment in clean, reliable, renewable energy. This project highlights the potential to upgrade existing hydroelectric facilities and expand capacity without the need to build new dams.”

The new hydro powerhouse was built on the site of a previously retired coal-fired power plant. In addition to the increased capacity, PPL worked with local, state, and federal stakeholders to improve migratory fish passage, including numerous enhancements to the facility’s fish lift system. The state-of-the-art Kaplan turbines that Voith supplied for Holtwood will enhance downstream fish passage as well.

“From the electricity users who will benefit from an increase in clean energy, to the workers who built the powerhouse and the turbines, to the surrounding environment and habitats, the benefits of expanding facilities like Holtwood are immense,” Frank added. “Voith looks forward to its continued leadership in hydropower innovation.”

Clean Energy, Hydro

U.S. Ethanol Export Opportunities Abound

Joanna Schroeder

According to U.S. government data, U.S. ethanol exports surged to 82.4 million gallons (mg) in November, with large volumes finding their way into new or emerging markets such as China and India, as well as the Philippines, Tunisia, Panama, and Mexico.

Total exports were up 54 percent from October, reaching the highest monthly level since March 2012. Canada was once again the leading importer of U.S. product, receiving 28.5 mg in November. The Philippines followed with an annual high of 14.0 mg, while India (8.1 mg), U.S. Ethanol Exports 2013.11Brazil (4.3 mg), and Norway (4.3 mg) were other top destinations. For the first time since 2002, a sizable volume of fuel ethanol was exported to China (3.5 mg). Similarly, Panama imported meaningful volumes of U.S. fuel ethanol (2.0 mg) for the first time since 1992. Tunisia (2.3 mg) and Mexico (1.7 mg) are other relatively new markets that imported U.S. product in November.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFS), noted that the uptick of exports to China and India is a huge opportunity for the ethanol industry and an indicator that ethanol demand is continuing to expand and grow overseas.

Dinneen commented, “U.S. produced ethanol continues to be the lowest cost liquid transportation fuel on the planet. The fact that rapidly developing countries like China and India are turning to the U.S. for fuel supply is both a reflection of that economic reality and the effort of U.S. producers to look beyond our borders to build demand. The RFA will continue working hard on behalf of American ethanol producers to grow and strengthen our export relationships with these emerging countries even as we continue to expand ethanol usage domestically.”

He also pointed out that there is also a huge overseas market emerging.

RFA has worked with the U.S. government and U.S. ethanol producers to expand trade abroad. Most recently, Ed Hubbard, RFA’s general counsel, led a trade mission to Brazil through the Brazil-U.S. Business Council connecting U.S. ethanol companies with business opportunities in the northern regions of the country.

Additionally, Kelly Davis, RFA’s director of regulatory affairs, joined the U.S. Grains Council on a trade mission last May to South Korea and Japan. She visited Seoul and Tokyo, where she had the opportunity to discuss and promote the trade of ethanol and its co-products, specifically distillers dried grains (DDGS), overseas.

biofuels, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, RFA

Biodiesel Advocate Slams EPA at Ethanol’s Expense

John Davis

reyesA former Texas congressman is saying the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got it wrong in its latest proposal on cutting back on the amount of biodiesel to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply. But in this opinion piece from The Hill, former Democratic chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, Silvestre Reyes, seems to toss fellow green fuel ethanol under the bus to make biodiesel’s point:

[T}he recent proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the amount of ethanol in our fuel supply is the right decision.

Ethanol is a mature industry that has grown so quickly there are concerns about damage to engines when it is used in higher blends. Also, because U.S. ethanol continues to rely almost entirely on corn for production, it has limited environmental benefits and creates impacts on livestock producers that are of grave concern in Texas.

Where the EPA got it wrong, however, was in the decision to propose reducing the amount of biodiesel and other advanced biofuels in our nation’s fuel supply next year. By most estimates, the EPA is proposing to cut the amount of biodiesel production next year by at least 25 percent.

Unlike ethanol made from corn, biodiesel is an EPA-certified advanced biofuel that’s made from a wide variety of renewable fats and oils. This means that it burns cleaner than diesel made from petroleum, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent.

Reyes goes on to say that biodiesel producers “are perplexed” by the proposal, and he encourages the Obama Administration to get back to its original backing of biodiesel as an advanced biofuel.

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Iowa Sets Biodiesel Production Record

John Davis

ia-rfaBiodiesel production in Iowa hit a record in 2013, but advocates for the green fuel warn the industry could be in peril this year due to government action and inaction. This news release from the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) says that the state’s biodiesel production hit 2013 million gallons in 2013, a 25 percent increase from the previous year. But the group also warns that the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to cut the amount of biodiesel required to be blended into the Nation’s fuel supply and Congress allowing the federal biodiesel blenders tax credit to expire are putting a dark cloud on the news going forward.

“Iowa continues to lead in the production of biodiesel,” stated IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “However, many plants across the nation, including some in Iowa, are shut down today as the market waits to see what happens with the RFS. That means good paying jobs are at risk. The EPA needs to uphold Congressional intent and maintain a robust RFS for biodiesel of at least 1.7 billion gallons for 2014.”

Soybean oil remained the leading biodiesel feedstock in Iowa, accounting for 68 percent of production. However, the use of lower carbon intensity feedstocks doubled over the previous year. Animal fats accounted for 27 percent of biodiesel feedstocks, while used cooking oil, inedible corn oil and canola oil accounted for the remaining five percent.

“How does it make sense for the EPA to gut the advanced biofuels portion of the RFS when the impact will likely be a reduction in the use of lower carbon intensity feedstocks like animal fats and used cooking oil? That runs counter to the intent of the law,” added Shaw.

Iowa’s 12 biodiesel plants are able to produce up to 315 million gallons annually a year. The past year’s numbers make up about 13.5 percent of all biodiesel produced nationwide.

Biodiesel, Iowa RFA

Book Review: How Are You Mother Earth?

Joanna Schroeder

Calling people of all ages. I’ve finally found a truly entertaining and educational book about climate change and the environment. “How are you Mother Earth?” written by Gordon Hunter, a scientist, takes the reader on the journey with Katie, her boyfriend Mike and her father when they take Mother Earth to the doctor for a check-up.

Well, it turns out that Mother Earth can’t fit in the door and she doesn’t have the same structure as us humans so they work with Nurse Re Corder and a host of other scientists and How Are You Mother Earth?doctors to develop a check-up just for Mother Earth. While the team hunts down the experts, Mother Earth takes a rest on the lawn outside of the doctors office.

During her physical, they test her age and weight, pressure, respiration and air quailty, dermatology and temperature. Along the way not only are you learning about science in a fun way, but you are also learning about humans’ relationship with Mother Earth.

The health report: Mother Earth is very sick.

The cure? “…a cure would be turning away from fossil fuels and turning to alternate sources of energy such as solar and wind.”

The prescription. Each and every one of us.

How Are You Mother Earth? Is cleverly written, the science is easily understood and the illustrations nicely done. This is definitely a book to read to better understand climate change and the health of Mother Earth.

Listen to my interview with Gordon Hunter here: How Are You Mother Earth?

Win a free copy of How Are You Mother Earth? Send me an email or a tweet with the title “How Are You Mother Earth?” and you contact info. The winner will be announced in next week’s DomesticFuel newsletter.

Audio, book reviews, Environment

Ethanol Brings People Home

Joanna Schroeder

Patriot Renewable Fuels‘ General Manager Rick Vondra came home seven years ago when he began working with the biorefinery. He grew up about 80 miles north of Annawan, Illinois on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Since high school he has been working in the agriculture industry and has traveled around the world in his various roles with ag companies.

But now because of the ethanol boon, he is home.

Rick VondraVondra is one of the key Patriot team members who recognized the need for the ethanol plant to become more diversified. When they first began operations five years ago, they produced ethanol and dried distillers grains (DDGs). Then they added corn oil production. And now they are constructing a biodiesel facility using JatroDiesel’s flexible feedstock technology that will also produce high quality glycerin as well. In just over five years, Patriot has gone from an ethanol plant to a true renewable biorefinery.

He noted that with each additional product, Patriot is adding more value to the kernel of corn, more value to their local communities, more value to their investors, and more value to Americans.

Vondra is really excited about the addition of their biodiesel facility. They currently employ 50 people and will be adding nine more good paying jobs when the facility begins operations this fall. And he believes they have a great market for biodiesel not only because the biorefinery is located on highway I-80 but also because Illinois has a very good program to promote biodiesel. He is confident this addition will create additional benefits for the community.

“I don’t see how you develop the cellulosic industry if the ethanol market is going to be capped at 13 billion gallons,” said Vondra when asked about the 2014 proposed renewable fuel volumes by the Environmental Protection Agency for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “This been a lot of talk from the government and even the media that we have to get cellulosic. This year there are going to be three or four decent sized plants coming online. So just as we’re getting to the point where we’re starting to make some real progress with industrial sized plants, they are proposing cutting back ethanol into the marketplace.”

“It’s very baffling to me.”

Listen to my interview with Rick Vondra here: Ethanol Brings People Home

Check out the Patriot Renewable Fuels photo album.

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels, RFS

VoteVets Launches RFS TV Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

VoteVets.org has launched a new television ad in Iowa aimed at protecting the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The ad will also be aired in Washington D.C. where hundreds of biofuel supporters have flown to the beltway in the last few months to meet with legislators in support of the clean energy and jobs legislation.

The TV ad features an Iraq War Veteran, Michael Connolly, making the case that gutting the RFS would allow for a greater flow of oil dollars to America’s enemies, who use that money for weaponry that has targeted our troops. Connolly, who served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, lived in Glenwood, Iowa from 2010 to 2012, and now lives just across the border, in Nebraska.

The ad opens with a massive explosion in front of a military convoy. Connolly says, “War is dangerous. I know. I was there. Now, people ask me all the time how they can support the troops.” Holding a yellow ribbon, Connolly says, “By putting one of these on your car? Sure…” And then in front of an ethanol gas pump, “By putting this in your tank? Even better… More renewable fuels, like the kind grown here in Iowa, means we use less foreign oil. And that means less money for our enemies. But the oil companies are trying to kill renewable fuels.”

The facts, say VoteVets.org back up Connolly’s words. Although the United States often does not directly buy oil from hostile nations, like Iran, America’s dependence on oil drives up demand, and prices of oil on the world market, which benefits all oil-rich nations. Those oil dollars allowed Iran, for instance, to produce and ship Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs) to Iraqi insurgents, who used them to target American troops.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates for every one billion gallons of ethanol produced, 10,000 to 20,000 jobs are added to our domestic economy. According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the ethanol Industry supports around 55,000 jobs in Iowa, and accounts for $5.4 billion of Iowa’s GDP. Gutting the RFS, says VoteVets,org, would threaten the development of next generation biofuels, including cellulosic ethanol plants in Iowa scheduled to start operation next year. Rather than using kernels of corn, these advanced plants will make the fuel from the “biomass” of various low-value plant material including corn stalks and wood chips.

VoteVets.org is collecting petition signatures from everyday Americans who want to see America reduce its dependence on foreign oil, protect our troops, and create jobs.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, corn, Ethanol, Miscellaneous, RFS, Video

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFSave the date for the Solar Summit 2014 taking place April 14-16, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. Sponsored by Greentech Media, the solar conference will focus on global market trends, relevant technologies and project finance. Key themes include: The Global Solar Market in 2015; The Future of the Module: Costs, Technologies and Strategies; Inverters and the Balance of Systems: The Next Wave of Innovation; Latin America Solar: Opportunities, Barriers and Channels; and The U.S. Solar Market: Finding the Signal Amongst the Noise.
  • Solectria Renewables, LLC, a U.S. PV inverter manufacturer, has announced record results for 2013, including seven years of consecutive profitability, a 43% year-over-year growth in Megawatts (MW) shipped, and 40% year-over-year growth in revenues. In combination with its strong financial position, technological advances, long history, and project successes, Solectria Renewables is among the most bankable inverter manufacturers today.
  • Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd., a photovoltaic manufacturer of solar modules, has announced it has reached a memorandum of understanding with OneRoof Energy, a complete solar services provider, to supply up to 50 megawatts of Photovoltaic modules. The companies intend to enter a supply agreement to establish a reliable supply of modules for OneRoof Energy, as well as to work together to identify and develop new and next generation products for the residential market that will enhance energy yield, improve bankability and increase residual value, and engage with downstream suppliers to improve PV system efficiencies and lower the levelized cost of energy to homeowners.
  • Early registration rates are still available for the Climate Leadership Conference taking place from February 24-16, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego, California. The conference will convene global senior executives and public officials who are addressing climate change and offers networking opportunities with Federal and state officials, business and industry leaders as well as academics and non-profit experts.
Bioenergy Bytes

EU to Miss Its Climate Objectives

Joanna Schroeder

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the European Commission’s “EU Energy, Transport and GHG Emissions Trends to 2050,” published during the holiday shows that on the basis of current policies the European Union (EU) will fail to meet is 2050 commitment of 80 percent to 90 percent greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions.

The European Commission’s latest reference scenario, based on current trends and adopted policies, shows that EU GHG emissions would fall by 24 percent in 2020, but by EU Trends to 2050just 44 percent in 2050 (compared to 1990 levels), with energy import dependency increasing during the period to almost 57 percent.

“With the EU’s power sector expected to be still pumping out almost 400 million tonnes of CO2 annually by 2050, and the EU in an even worse energy security situation, an ambitious 2030 climate and energy framework, with targets for renewable energy and GHG reductions, is more critical than ever. Without such targets energy security and a zero-carbon power sector will be impossible,” said Justin Wilkes, EWEA’s Deputy CEO.

The scenario shows that even under current trends and policies, more wind power capacity will be installed over the next 20 years than any other generating technology – accounting for 37 percent of new installations – with the result that wind energy will be the leading generating technology in Europe by 2040.

“The European Commission’s scenario highlights a positive medium- and long-term outlook for the wind industry. However, a sharp decline in new installations of wind power from 2021 onwards of 27% highlights the vital importance of a long-term stable regulatory framework for the sector, underpinned by a 2030 renewable energy target,” continued Wilkes.

In the European Commission’s scenario, wind and other renewables together account for 59 percent of all new electricity generating installations over the 20 year period to 2035.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Wind

API’s State of American Energy Same Old, Same Old

Joanna Schroeder

Yesterday American Petroleum Institute (API) President and CEO Jack Gerard outlined “The State of American Energy” and the role the oil and natural gas industry in economic growth, job creation and energy security.

api_logoDuring his speech, Gerard stressed the role that oil and natural gas would play in the country’s energy policy but he cautioned that the country must “get our nation’s energy policy right today”.

“If we are to continue our nation’s current positive energy production trends, we must
implement energy policies based on current reality and our potential as an energy leader, not the outdated political ideology of the professional environmental fringe or
political dilettantes,” said Gerard. “American energy policy should reflect the reality that someone will benefit from helping to meet the world’s ever growing need for energy.”

“Because make no mistake; energy, specifically oil and natural gas, will remain foundational to our way of life. Broadly, demand for energy worldwide will continue its upward trajectory. For the foreseeable future, we will need more energy from all sources: wind, solar, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, coal and biofuels to meet the world’s ever growing need for energy,” Gerard added.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 25 years from now, oil and natural gas will provide nearly 60 percent of the country’s energy and more than 90 percent of the country’s transportation fuels.

In reaction to Gerard’s speech, Growth Energy’s CEO Tom Buis responded, “API’s ‘State of American Energy’ speech, brought to you by Big Oil, is nothing new. While oil companies talk about the future of energy in this country, they seem fixated on a finite resource and fail to acknowledge that renewable fuels play a critical role in meeting the nation’s growing energy needs of the future.”Read More

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Natural Gas, Oil, RFS