IRFA’s “Fuel the Future” Winners Announced

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2014

The winners of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) 4th Annual “Fuel the Future” Video Contest were announced today during the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit. The first place award and $1,000 went to John Low of Marion, Iowa. An 11th grader from Linn-Mar High School won for his highly entertaining, creative and informative video, “E15: The Fuel of the Future”. Low beat out 26 other entries.

Second place, and winner of a $600 prize, was awarded to Tyler Yates and Dalton Hart of Muscatine, Iowa for their video entitled, “Saving the Planet with Ethanol.” Tyler and Dalton are juniors at Muscatine High School.

Third place, and winner of a $400 prize, was awarded to Megan Anderson, Trenton Bacus and Tyler Blaudow of Bussey, Iowa for their “Paul Harvey spoof” entitled, “The Farmer Made Biodiesel.” Anderson is a senior, while Bacus and Blaudow are juniors at Twin Cedars High School.

“Every year I’m amazed at how creative and informative these student-produced videos are,” said IRFA Communications Director T.J. Page. “The IRFA congratulates all of the ‘Fuel the Future’ winners, as well as each of the Iowa high school students who took on the challenge of entering this year’s contest.”

IRFA’s “Fuel the Future” video contest challenges Iowa high school students to create the best video highlighting the importance and benefits of renewable fuels—such as ethanol and biodiesel—to local communities, Iowa and the nation. This year’s contest was sponsored by the law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP.

View the 2014 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit photo album.

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, E85, Education, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Video

IRFA Attendees Roar in Support of Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2014

More than 600 people turned out for the 8th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit including hundreds of consumers from around Iowa who wanted to learn more about renewable fuels. Speaking with Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (Iowa RFA), the largest state organization in the U.S. focused on biofuels, noted that there were some consumer driven panels on E15 and biodiesel. In addition, there was a panel featuring four cellulosic projects taking place in Iowa.

The morning focused on the legislative side of biofuels and Shaw noted that the conference landed on the last day of the EPA comment period for their 2014 proposed volumes as part of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). During the show more than 250 people submitted comments to the EPA.

“We’re really optimistic that its going to be very difficult for the EPA to be able to ignore the wealth of information as well as the grassroots support for not messing with the RFS,” said Shaw.

Iowa is number one in ethanol production with about 13.8 billion gallons and number one in biodiesel production with 230 billion gallons. “So we have more at stake than any other state,” said Shaw, “so we have taken the responsibility very seriously to lead the charge.” Shaw said there is bipartisan support around the country for the RFS and he is concerned that a loss of the program could lead to another farm crisis.

I asked Shaw why consumers should care if there is less renewable fuel in our gas. He explained that in Iowa alone, a consumer saves at least 23 cents a gallon for ten percent ethanol (E10). “If you take ethanol out of gas, it’s more expensive,” said Shaw. “It’s just that simply. Even Washington DC, whose not very good with numbers, even they should be able to do that math.”

Shaw also stressed that this fight is not over. Consumers should still call President Obama and tell him they want biofuels. And IRFA will continue the fight as well.

Listen to my full interview with Monte Shaw here: IRFA Attendees Roar in Support of Biofuels

View the 2014 Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit photo album.

Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, RFS

UK Government to Boost Community Energy

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2014

According to a survey conducted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) located in the UK, more than 50 percent of people surveyed said that saving money on bills would be the major motivations for getting involved with community energy programs. The survey also found that approximately 3.5 million bill payers are ready to get together with other people in their local community to take more control of their energy. Four in 10 respondents said they were already interested in joining a community energy group or are already taking part in collective switching or collective purchasing programs.

DECC notes that local communities will now be able to take control of their energy bills and help to transform the energy system due to a proposal unveiled as part of Britain’s first Community Energy Strategy. The Government’s vision is that every community that wants to take forward an energy project should be able to do so. The Community Energy Strategy sets out how to remove barriers faced by communities that want to take action on energy to create opportunities for more people to get involved.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “We’re at the turning point in developing true community energy. The cost of energy is now a major consideration for household budgets, and I want to encourage groups of people across the country to participate in a community energy movement and take real control of their energy bills. Community led action, such as collective switching, gives people the power to bring down bills and encourage competition within the energy market.”

Under the plans Government will broaden the support available for community energy projects, whereby people come together to reduce their energy use or purchase and generate their own energy. Plans include:

£10m Urban Community Energy Fund to kick-start community energy generation projects in England;
£1m Big Energy Saving Network funding to support the work of volunteers helping vulnerable consumers to reduce their energy;
a community energy saving competition, offering £100,000 to communities to develop innovative approaches to saving energy and money;
and a “one-stop shop” information resource for people interested in developing community energy projects.

“The Community Energy Strategy marks a change in the way we approach powering our homes and businesses – bringing communities together and helping them save money – and make money too,” said Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker. “The Coalition is determined to unleash this potential, assist communities to achieve their ambitions and drive forward the decentralised energy revolution. We want to help more consumers of energy to become producers of energy and in doing so help to break the grip of the dominant big energy companies.”

In the future, the generation of electricity by communities themselves could put pressure on energy suppliers to drive down prices, creating warmer homes, cutting carbon emissions and diversifying the UK’s energy mix says DECC. Estimates suggest that energy generation programs involving local communities, such as installing solar panels on social housing buildings, could supply enough electricity for 1 million homes by 2020.

Clean Energy, Distribution, International, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2014

The shortlist has been announced for the 3rd annual Solar Power Generation USA awards. Fifteen entries in the categories of Best Solar Collaboration, Best Solar Project 2013 and Most Innovative Solar Company have been whittled down from a large number of very high calibre nominations submitted over the course of the past 6 months. Winners will be announced on Tuesday February 4, in front of an audience of 300 solar professionals at the 6th Annual Solar Power Generation USA congress at the San Diego Marriot del Mar, California.
Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. has announced that it has hired Robert “Bob” Kumpf as the company’s Chief Technology Officer. In this role, Kumpf will focus on expanding the organization’s product and applications development capabilities.
Via Solar Corp of Sun Valley, California has announced zero down solar panel installations to qualified homeowners. The company says switching over to solar will earn homeowners rebates and tax credits through The California Solar Initiative.
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES), the nation’s leading association of solar professionals and advocates focused on technological innovation, will hold their annual conference, Solar 2014, in conjunction with the seventh annual Intersolar North America in San Francisco this July. The call for speakers for Intersolar North America is now open. Registration will start on March 18.

Bioenergy Bytes

NEC Scholarship Winners Announced

Joanna Schroeder January 28, 2014

Three scholarship winners have been announced for the upcoming National Ethanol Conference (NEC) taking place in Orlando, Florida February 17-19, 2014. The winners are Gavin Kenney, Tyler Machado, and Aaron Walsh.

“We are proud to extend scholarships to these three bright young minds that have shown an interest in ethanol and the future of the industry,” said Mike Jerke, RFF chairman and general manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company. “The best way to really learn is to dive right in and the National Ethanol Conference is a one stop shop for learning. The conference will give the students a chance to discuss the future of ethanol, network with key decision makers, and learn about the intricacies of ethanol production during the breakout sessions.”

Gavin Kenney, a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, is pursuing a degree in Agricultural Economics with minors in Agronomy and Entrepreneurship. He grew up on a family farm and ranch operation near Amherst, Neb. He spent two summers interning first at a biodiesel facility, and then at an ethanol facility working in the feed department.

Tyler Machado was born in Guasave, Mexico and grew up in Apex, N.C. He is currently attending San Francisco State University studying Environmental Studies and Spanish. His interest in renewable fuels began when he converted a 1981 Mercedes 300D to run on vegetable oil. He plans to travel to South America this summer to learn about renewable fuel projects and sustainable energy methods.

Aaron Walsh was born in Lansing, Mich., where he is now attending Lansing Community College. He recently testified at the Environmental Protection Agency’s field hearing in Virginia opposing the EPA’s proposed reduction of the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard blending requirements. He has also expressed an interest in ethanol, advocating for ethanol as a solution by speaking to drivers at the pump.

The scholarships were made possible through the Renewable Fuels Foundation, an organization dedicated to meeting the education, research and strategic planning needs of the U.S. fuel ethanol industry. The goal is to assure a growing healthy renewable fuels industry well into the future. The focus of the foundation is toward academia, industry and public policy makers as the industry addresses issues related to new users, new feedstocks and new technologies that will impact the future of ethanol.

Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA

Growing Use of Technology for Growers

Jamie Johansen January 28, 2014

Commodity groups across the country also took interest in the happenings at the recent National Biodiesel Conference. Frank Legner, Legner Farms is a member of the Illinois Soybean Association and attended the conference to relay the update on biodiesel to growers in Illinois. He talks about how he uses precision agriculture on his farm where they grow 50/50 soybeans and corn.

“With the high prices of commodities in the years previous farmers have used their capital in many different ways. Our farming operation decided to put our capital towards technology. Where we farm you could have about four different soil types on a piece of land and those soil types all have different productivity indexes that have been benchmarked from the University of Illinois. We use those soil maps as a good foundation of how we are going to come up with a plan. We soil sample on two and a half acre grids and when we make these sample sites we overlay them on our SMS advance desktop software to make sure that sample site is in one soil sample. When we get the readings from the lab, we use that to write our VRT recommendations.”

They can then compare results from previous years and start selecting what hybrids will work in each field. Frank said it is kind of like a draft. The multiple hybrid planting is something that he sees them utilizing in the very near future as well.

Frank also shared that colors don’t mix when you are dealing with this level of technology. He shared that precision planting has been the best way for them to use their green planter with their red tractor. Legner Farms has truly adopted the use of technology to create efficiency and increase profitability. He goes on to explain how they have taken advantage of different precision ag company’s innovations and looks forward to seeing what’s next.

You can listen to Chuck’s complete interview with Frank here: Interview with Frank Legner

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, corn, Farming, NBB, Soybeans, technology

Biodiesel Record Prompts Call to Reverse RFS Cuts

John Davis January 28, 2014

American biodiesel producers set a record with nearly 1.8 billion gallons produced in 2013. While the record is nice, it’s also a cruel, ironic reminder that the same government office reporting this milestone, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is also trying to lower the amount of biodiesel to be mixed into the Nation’s fuel supply down to just 1.28 billion gallons in 2014. The National Biodiesel Board is calling on the Obama Administration to change direction on this policy that will hurt the industry just as biodiesel is celebrating its greatest success.

“The success of the biodiesel industry in 2013 proves that the RFS is working today and stimulating the commercial-scale production of advanced biofuel,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the U.S. trade association. “It also makes it incredibly frustrating that the Obama Administration is backing away from this progress with its recent RFS proposal.”

“If our industry produced 1.8 billion gallons of Advanced Biofuel in 2013, why is the Administration retreating to 1.28 billion gallons for 2014?” Jobe asked. “We’re proving it can be done. What we need is consistent policy, and that is sorely lacking in Washington right now.”

“It is incomprehensible that an Administration that has unequivocally supported renewable fuels since Day One has suddenly decided to retreat on the first Advanced Biofuel to reach commercial-scale production nationwide,” Jobe said. “It threatens biodiesel businesses across the country and thousands of jobs, and it undercuts the Administration’s stated priority of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

NBB officials go on to point out that with some excess 2013 biodiesel production “carried over” into 2014, the real Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) number for biodiesel will be about 1 billion gallons, about half of what is now produced. Throw in a lapsed $1-a-gallon federal biodiesel credit, and the more than 62,000 biodiesel industry jobs in this country could be in big trouble this year.

Biodiesel, EPA, NBB, RFS

Farm Bill Compromise Includes $881 Mil for Energy

John Davis January 27, 2014

A compromise Farm Bill agreed upon by U.S. Senate and House negotiators will set aside about $881 million in its Energy Title portion. The deal on the $500 billion Agricultural Act of 2014 gained praise from the Agriculture Energy Coalition (AgEC), a consortium of organizations and companies representing a broad spectrum of renewable energy, energy efficiency and bioproducts stakeholders.

Lloyd Ritter, co-director of the AgEC, said, “Today’s conference report will continue the Farm Bill’s support for economic growth and development in rural America. Renewable energy and energy efficiency programs support new manufacturing and stable, well-paying jobs. Expansion of the programs will enable renewable chemical technologies to create new manufacturing opportunities and jobs. These very modest investments make major energy security, economic, and environmental benefits happen across the entire United States.

“The programs help grow the rural economy by opening access to critical project capital, ensuring that investments continue to be made in agriculture energy development.”

Some of the benefactors from this legislation include the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, partnering with hundreds of farmers across the country to develop sustainable new biofuels; the Biorefinery Assistance Program, supporting advanced biofuels by assisting U.S. companies secure more than $450 million in private capital for innovative advanced biofuel projects; and the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) that helps support renewable energy jobs in rural parts of the country.

The bill must still pass the full House and Senate, but the bipartisan compromise is seen as very positive step toward full passage.

farm bill, Government, Legislation

Algae Biodiesel Fuel From Utah State

Jamie Johansen January 27, 2014

Rhesa Ledbetter from Utah State University was one of the students who attended the 2014 National Biodiesel Conference. Chuck caught up with her for an interview and she explains her research in algae biodiesel fuel.

Rhesa finished her master’s in micro-biology and then decided she wanted to do a project that was really applied. To her biodiesel products seemed to make a lot of sense and something that would work well with her background.

“Our group at Utah State is focusing on biodiesel produced from algae. We have characterized a lot of properties and we also have a diesel streamliner we have been able to run out on the salt flats. It’s been great for me to be able to learn so much about a topic that I wasn’t really familiar with. Being able to interface with all these experts has been invaluable. I think collaborations will develop from this event will end up enhancing our research.”

In the future Rhesa and her team look to continue seeking more efficient ways to produce the fuel and promoting all the great traits biodiesel has.

Earlier this year Joanna did a post on the Aggie A-Salt Streamliner Rhesa mentioned. You can find that post here.

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

algae, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, Education, Video

Gas Hole’s Impact on the Industry

Jamie Johansen January 27, 2014

When Jeremy Wagner and Scott Roberts made the movie Gas Hole a couple of years ago, they had no idea the impact it would have. During the recent 2014 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo the co-directors/producers presented to attendees, showed an extended excerpt from the movie and did a little Q & A.

Chuck caught up with the team and they shared how they decided a film about the oil industry was their goal and what research it took to accomplish such an endeavor.

Scott said the idea come to them “when the gas prices hit an all-time high. At the time I think it was only $3.25, it was unheard of at the time. We saw an article in a newspaper written by a gentlemen who remembered seeing a vehicle back in the 50’s that he was told got a 100 mph. What happened to that technology and why aren’t we using it?”

They knew they wanted to do a documentary together, but hadn’t decided on a topic. After this discovery they hunted down the man from the article and the rest is history.

“As we started to learn about the history of oil and what happened going back to standard oil. How that became a giant monopoly and then broken up and how it moved us into the 70’s and then we had the oil embargo. The story is so enormous and fascinating we kept running in to these things that you don’t really think about or know unless you have researched it,” Jeremy said. He continued by saying, “We started researching alternative fuels and seeing what was the most viable thing and we came across biodiesel and what was happening in that industry.”

The duo share that their message to viewers is to explain this concept that has been made very complex, when it shouldn’t be. Gas Hole presents the idea that the solutions to our oil dependency is relatively simple.

“We hope through the film we can open people’s eyes and make them think about things they have never thought about before and takeaway all the great things in history that have been accomplished. It took hard work and determination, we are a great country – we have great innovators. This is a perfect example being here at this conference and seeing the people that are doing just that.” added Scott.

If you are interested in purchasing Gas Hole, visit GasHoleMovie.com. It is also available on iTunes, Netflix, Amazon and basically all the major outlets.

You can listen to Chuck’s complete interview with Jeremy & Scott here: Interview with Jeremy Wagner & Scott Roberts

2014 National Biodiesel Conference Photo Album

Agribusiness, Audio, Biodiesel, Biodiesel Conference, biofuels, Video

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