National Grid Salutes Veterans

Joanna Schroeder

Today is Veterans Day in the United States where the country comes together to thank those Americans who have risked or given their lives to keep the country safe. In recognition of this day, National Grid is highlighting its programs to attract and retain veteran employees including it participation in Troops to Energy Jobs. The program is an initiative in which National Grid has partnered with five other energy companies across the country, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development, to develop an accelerated process for bringing military veterans into the energy industry workforce nationwide.

National Grid’s pilot program for Troops to Energy Jobs took place in Massachusetts, and employing veterans in the state remains a top priority for the company.

Troops-to-Energy-Jobs-logo“National Grid, along with other electric and gas companies, recognizes that veterans have spent their military careers protecting national security and are, among many things, battle-tested, self-motivated and safety-conscious—traits that translate well into a second career in the utility industry,” said Marcy Reed, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “By hiring veterans into the company, we are ensuring the continued production and delivery of safe, reliable power to Massachusetts homes and businesses, and that service members are continuing to protect national security as they work to deliver a product that fuels our lives and powers our economy.”

In recent years National Grid said it has taken several steps to improve its opportunity for veteran outreach, including creating a dedicated veterans outreach specialist role within the company. This integrated specialist is responsible for veteran recruiting efforts and assists veterans as they transition into civilian positions within the energy field.

“Hiring veterans is a smart business decision. But, beyond that, it’s about pride and opportunity,” said Steven Spaeth, veterans outreach specialist for National Grid who is also a veteran himself. “Our industry has a role to play that is bigger than just hiring—we can help to pave the way for transitioning veterans into civilian jobs. Recognizing and supporting veterans once they are hired is critical to achieving a successful transition as we move our dedicated service members from the front lines to the power lines.”

National Grid also has its own Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) to help implement the Troops to Energy Jobs national template in all its service territories. This group of 185 members is strongly involved with recruitment and outreach efforts that encompass National Grid’s Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Upstate NY and Downstate NY businesses. The company’s VERG provides ongoing support to veteran employees, assists the Human Resources Department by reviewing resumes for candidates who are veterans, and maintains a visible presence in local communities, including attending career fairs to recruit other veterans.

National Grid works with the Department of Labor in Massachusetts as well as at local One-Stops in its efforts to recruit veterans. The company also works closely with veterans organizations such as the Office of Veterans Affairs, directing candidates to the Troops to Energy Jobs website for assistance in translating military skills to those needed in energy jobs. The company will often tweet job openings and veteran-themed resources as part of its effort to reach as many veterans in as many different ways as possible.

Alternative energy, bioenergy, Electricity

Adkins to Add Corn Oil Biodiesel Plant to Ethanol Ops

John Davis

adkinsenergy1Adkins Energy LLC will add a corn oil biodiesel plant to its Lena, Ill. ethanol operation. This article in BioFuels Journal says the company will get some help in the form of a $500,000 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to start building the $4.5 million, 2-million-gallon biodiesel plant expected to start operating next spring.

“We are excited to add biodiesel to our product offerings and thankful that the USDA sees the value in this project,” said Adkins Energy General Manager Ray Baker.

“This project is another example of how the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is working for Americans; it is encouraging continued investment in advanced bio-refineries and creating new jobs which are helping to revitalize rural communities like ours.”

Adkins Ethanol currently produces about 1.5 million gallons of distillers corn oil a year, which is sold either into the biodiesel production market or as a supplement to the animal feed market.

Adkins will use this feedstock to produce the biodiesel in its facility, a process which will be fully integrated into existing ethanol operations, creating significant operating efficiencies in the production of biodiesel.

WB Services of Kansas will partner with Adkins for this first-of-its-kind integrative project.

Biodiesel, corn

Sustainable Roadmap for Jamaica Released

Joanna Schroeder

The Worldwatch Institute has released the report, “Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap: Pathways to an Affordable, Reliable, Low-Emission Electricity System,” that looks at the measures that the Jamaican government can take to transition its electricity sector to one that is socially, environmentally and financially sustainable. The report also analyzes the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment in Jamaica and discusses the social and economic impacts of alternative energy pathways, concluding that a scenario of high renewable penetration can bring significant savings, greater energy security, gains in competitiveness, and many other important benefits to the country.

Jamaica Sustainable Energy Roadmap“Jamaica is paying a colossal price to import polluting and health-threatening fossil fuels, even when it has the best clean energy resources at its doorstep: wind, solar, hydro, and biomass,” said Alexander Ochs, Director of Climate and Energy at Worldwatch and a co-author of the study. “The Jamaican government has set a nationwide goal of 20 percent renewable energy use by 2030; our Roadmap will help to realize this goal. What’s more, our analysis shows that the bar can and should be set much higher: Jamaica can become a zero-carbon island in a matter of decades, and its people would benefit enormously from such a transition.”

Worldwatch collaborated closely on this project with the Government of Jamaica. “I am very confident that the outcome of this project will enable Jamaica to map, in more precise ways, the additional electricity generation capacity that we seek,” says Jamaican Energy Minister Philip Paulwell. “We intend to use the Roadmap to determine the next phase of new generation capacity, and it will enable us to be far more efficient than we have in the past.”

Jose Maria Figueres, president of the Carbon War Room and former president of Costa Rica, points to the broader benefits of the study and Worldwatch’s Sustainable Energy Roadmap work: “This report provides the practical steps that enable us to fast-forward the deployment of renewable energy. With it, we can boost national economies and improve conditions of well-being. [Jamaica] can become a shining example of what the future is all about.”

The Roadmap also delves into the full societal costs of Jamaica’s current electricity sector to the costs of alternative pathways that are based on high shares of domestic renewable energy. The report concludes that Jamaica will benefit economically, socially, and environmentally if it relies more heavily on renewable energy sources and less on fossil fuels. In addition, based on analysis of Jamaica’s investment environment, the Roadmap suggests regulatory and institutional changes that will be necessary to attract new investments in clean energy solutions.

bioenergy, Electricity, International, Solar, Wind

USDA Releases Updated 2013 Corn Crop Report

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has just released its updated 2013 corn crop report and is estimating the 2013 corn harvest will achieve a new record of 13.99 billion bushels, 7 percent larger than the previous record and a 30 percent larger than last year’s drought-shortened crop. USDA expects yield to average 160.4 bushels per acre, the 2013 corn harvestsecond-highest yield on record. The report also showed a 2 percent decrease in planted acreage compared to last year. However, the Genscape LandViewer yield forecast remains on the lower end of analysts’ predictions at 13.57 billion bushels.

Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis said of the updated corn harvest forecasts, “It is clear from this report that the food versus fuel debate over the U.S. renewable fuel policy can be put to bed. Our farmers have once again proven we can produce abundant quantities of high quality food, feed, fiber and renewable fuel.”

Other highlights from today’s USDA report:

  • Corn ending stocks are projected to hit 1.89 billion bushels, the highest since 2005.
  • Corn prices are projected at $4.10-4.90 per bushel, the lowest in three years.
  • 4.9 billion bushels are slated to be used to make ethanol and animal feed co-products. Roughly two-thirds (3.28 bbu.) of the corn destined for ethanol plants will be converted to fuel ethanol, while the remaining one-third (1.62 bbu.) will be processed into high-protein, high-energy animal feed. On a net basis, just 22% of the record corn supply in 2013/14 will be used for ethanol production.
  • Livestock feed is again projected to be the top use of corn, with 5.2 billion bushels of consumption. When feed co-products from ethanol are considered, livestock will consume the equivalent of 6.8 bbu., or 46% of the corn supply.
  • World grain ending stocks are projected to hit the second-highest level in the last 12 years.
  • World grain production is projected at a record 2.43 billion metric tons and supply is expected to rise to 2.88 billion metric tons. This means U.S. ethanol production is expected to use just 2.95% of the world grain supply on a net basis—the lowest in four years.

“This year’s corn crop is a tremendous accomplishment and we applaud America’s farmers for their hard work and resilience,” said Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “It is truly remarkable that the second-best yield in history was achieved despite an extremely late, wet planting season and the so-called ‘flash drought’ late in the summer. This year’s yield and record crop highlight the astonishing innovation and technological change occurring in agriculture. Producing a crop this size using 1980-era technology and average yield would have required 76% more harvested acres.”

Dinneen added, “This historic crop underscores the urgency of maintaining demand. Now, more than ever, the Renewable Fuel Standard must stand as is. No cuts, no reductions. This country will be swimming in excess corn if the RFS requirements are cut.”

biofuels, corn, Growth Energy, RFA

Maryland Opens New E85 Station

Joanna Schroeder

IMG_3214Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Properties (MAPP) has opened a new E85 FlexFuel fueling station for drivers of flex fuel vehicles located at the Potomac SUNOCO in the Cabin John Shopping Center off of Seven Locks Road in Maryland. The opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting, a retailer’s workshop, and speeches by partners and elected officials. MAPP offered E85 at the discounted price of $1.85 per gallon during the event. With the opening of the Potomac SUNOCO, there are now sixteen E85 (eighty-five percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) retailers in the greater metropolitan area.

MAPP now operates 11 stations offering E85 making them the largest E85 retailer in the Maryland-DC Metro Area. MAPP’s Chairman and CEO Carlos Horcasitas said during the ribbon cutting event, “This station opening represents our continued commitment to E85-FlexFuel in the region.” He believes, “E85 is better for our county and our customers. Ethanol provides customers with a valuable fuel choice that costs less and is a step forward toward a better environment.” They plan on offering E85 at all of their 30 plus locations in the future.

Drew Stabler, Treasurer and Board Member of the Maryland Grain Producers Association and Montgomery County Grain farmer was in attendance. “It is exciting to see the continued expansion of stations offering E85 in Maryland,” he said. “The Maryland Grain Producers believe that ethanol is a product beneficial to consumers, agriculture and the environment allowing us to reduce the cost of fuel, create alternative markets for grain, and run cleaner, more environmentally friendly gas in our vehicles. Maryland grain farmers are committed to expanding the production and use of ethanol.”

Earl “Buddy” Hance, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Agriculture and a farmer himself, was also present. “Renewable energy is a prime opportunity to meet the nation’s need for alternative fuels and the farmer’s need for alternative markets. Renewable fuels have created an enormous new value-added market for farmers and help to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Ethanol is a key factor for Maryland to reach its goal of reducing State-wide greenhouse gas emissions 25 percent from 2006 levels by 2020,” said Hance.

IMG_3217“Making the transition to clean, domestic, non-petroleum fuels gives consumers a better choice for both health and their pocketbook,” added Douglas A. Durante, executive director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition. “Ethanol expands fuel supplies and lowers gasoline costs to consumers. Using E85 and Flexible Fuel Vehicles is an opportunity for every citizen and every driver to take part in reversing our staggering dependence on imported oil and requires no change in driving habits, personal mobility, or comfort and safety. We encourage all drivers to see if their vehicle is among the millions than can use FlexFuels and also consider a Flex Fuel Vehicle for their next purchase.”

Partners in the event included Mid-Atlantic Petroleum Properties, the Maryland Grain Producers Utilization Board, Sustainable Energy Strategies Inc., the Flex Fuel Awareness Campaign, Maryland Clean Cities, the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition, the Clean Fuels Development Coalition, Protect Fuels, Criswell Auto, the Renewable Products Marketing Group and Growth Energy.

biofuels, E85, Ethanol

Primus Green Energy Achieves Production Milestone

Joanna Schroeder

Primus Green Energy, an alternative fuel company that converts natural gas and other feedstocks directly into drop-in transportation fuels, has announced that its natural gas-to-gasoline demonstration plant has achieved 720 hours of continuous operation, a milestone, they say, that confirms the reliability and stability of its STG+ technology. In addition, Primus has received independent verification of gasoline quality, process Primus Green Energy Demo plantefficiency and system economics. As verified by Bureau Veritas, an independent, multinational inspection, sampling and testing company, Primus’ gasoline was found to meet or exceed all ASTM specifications, the gold standard used to measure gasoline quality.

An independent engineer’s report prepared by E3 Consulting, LLC, concluded that STG+ system and catalyst performance exceeded expectations during plant operation. The report noted that the demo plant has substantially met the goal of fully integrated operations; is a successful demonstration of scalability of the technology; and the gasoline quality consistently met or exceeded industry standards.

“We think that gas-to-liquids processes like Primus’ will be instrumental in using low-cost natural gas to create a new supply of domestically produced clean liquid fuels like drop-in gasoline, jet fuel and diesel without spending billions of dollars on engine modifications and new infrastructure,” said Yom Tov Samia, chairman of Primus Green Energy and CEO of IC Green Energy, Primus’ main shareholder. “The success of the demonstration plant not only validates the scalability of the technology, but also Primus’ leading position in an important emerging industry of great geopolitical importance.”

According to Primus’ their demonstration plant is designed as a “scaled-down” version of the first commercial plant. Primus worked with top-tier engineering firms to optimize the design of the demonstration plant to eliminate the technology risks of scale-up, which in the past have been a major obstacle for competitors in the alternative fuels space.

“The independent engineers’ report provides critical validation of our technology and of our value proposition, and the data suggests that our technology is more economical than competing gas-to-liquids processes available today,” said Robert Johnsen, CEO of Primus Green Energy. “We can now focus on optimizing our process even further and on working toward construction of our first commercial plant, which like the demonstration plant will use natural gas as a feedstock for the production of drop-in transportation fuels.”

Paul Plath, President at E3 Consulting added, “The data resulting from the initial 720-hour continuous operation of Primus’ natural gas-to-gasoline demonstration plant has exceeded initial expectations. The data shows that Primus’ STG+ technology, when applied at commercial scale, can be expected to be efficient, cost-effective and able to produce a premium transportation fuel product.”

Alternative energy, Natural Gas

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFSave the date for the 2014 Propane Engine Fuel Summit taking place on March 27, 2014 in Irving, Texas. The Propane Engine Fuel Summit brings together the largest gathering of the nation’s propane autogas experts to discuss the challenges and benefits of operating this clean, economical, domestically produced transportation fuel. Now in its fourth year, the event will include the latest on- and off-road propane autogas technologies, product offerings, industry partnerships, funding opportunities, end-user fleet applications and more.
  • The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway will co-host a free Ethanol Safety Seminar on Nov. 14 at the Pipestone Fire Hall in Pipestone, Minnesota To accommodate all schedules, there will be a morning session from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and an evening session from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Registration is limited to the first 50 people. Lunch and dinner will be provided. While primarily targeting first responders, hazmat teams, safety managers, and local emergency planning committees, it is also open to the general public.
  • According to a recent report from Navigant Research, “Solar PV Market Forecasts,” annual installations of new solar PV capacity will more than double, in terms of capacity, by 2020, growing from 35.9 gigawatts (GW) in 2013 to 73.4 GW in 2020.
  • Global Trade and Development Consulting together with its Project Development Partner, Energy Ventures, both Maryland-based companies, announced that they have been awarded the contract by the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Energy and the Board of Directors of the Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation to build, operate, and transfer three (3), one hundred (100) megawatt solar sites, in the eastern region of Ethiopia. The site selection, due diligence and Feasibility Study were completed earlier this year, receiving both technical and financial approval from both the Minister of Water and Energy and EEPCo.
Bioenergy Bytes

Study Aims to Debunk Indirect Land Use Change

Joanna Schroeder

A new paper, “Wood Bioenergy and Land Use,” authored by Roger A. Sedjo, Brent L. Sohngen, Anne Riddle on behalf of Resources for the Future attempts to debunk indirect land use change theory (ILUC). The paper looks at how the use of biomass energy will affect the forests.

Wood BioEnergy and Land Use paperBack in 2008, Timothy Searchinger examined the issue related to corn ethanol and posited that substituting corn ethanol for petroleum would increase carbon emissions associated with the land conversion in other areas, such as Brazil. In other words, what would the indirect impact be of planting corn on an acre of land that used to be virgin forest and how would this affect the carbon “savings” of using ethanol, an environmental concern tied to climate change.

The authors point out that the issue is broader than simply corn. If agricultural croplands are drawn into the production of biofuel feedstocks, commodity prices are expected to rise, triggering land conversions overseas, releasing carbon emissions, and offsetting the carbon reductions expected from bioenergy.

Using a general stylized forest sector management model, the study examines the economic potential of traditional industrial forests and supplemental dedicated fuelwood plantations to produce biomass on submarginal lands. It finds that these sources can economically produce large levels of biomass without compromising crop production, thereby mitigating the land conversion and carbon emissions effects posited by the Searchinger hypothesis.

Click here to download the paper.

bioenergy, biofuels, Indirect Land Use, Research

Ennovor Aims to be Biodiesel Leader with New Mgmt

John Davis

ennovorSingapore-based Ennovor Biofuels announced a trio of new managers as part of the company’s effort to become the world’s second largest second generation global biodiesel producer by 2015. This news release posted on the Sacramento Bee’s website says a new chairman, managing director and plant manager were put in place for Ennovor.

Chairman John Markham will take responsibility for guiding the strategic development of the business. He has held executive management positions with organisations such as ICI, Albright and Wilson and Hickson International. In January 1995, John was awarded the OBE for services to industry in West Cumbria, and also has significant experience in the regeneration sector…

David Frohnsdorff has been appointed managing director to coordinate all aspects of the company’s production, sales, feedstock development and purchasing, as well as fund raising and infrastructure development for the group. He has over four years of direct experience within the biodiesel industry, having first acquired the facility in Bromborough in 2009…

New plant manager David Jackson will manage plant operations. His experience includes managing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, as well as environmental monitoring and technical problem resolution. Prior to joining Ennovor Group, David worked at Sellafield, where he managed the process engineering design and technology transfer processes on a number of projects based at the Capenhurst and Risley sites…

Established in 2010, Ennovor has facilities throughout Europe and Asia.

Biodiesel, International

Alt Fuel Finder? Yep, There’s an App for That

John Davis

appFinding the right place to fill up on alternative fuels might be as close as your iPhone. The Energy Department’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed a new, free mobile application for DOE’s Clean Cities program that helps users find a place to top off their tanks, whether it’s electricity, natural gas, biodiesel, e85 Ethanol, propane or hydrogen.

The Alternative Fueling Station Locator App, now available through Apple’s App Store, allows iPhone users to select an alternative fuel and find the 20 closest stations within a 30-mile radius. Users can view the locations on a map or as a list containing station addresses, phone numbers and hours of operation.

“If you drive an electric vehicle, for example, you can now use your iPhone to easily identify, contact and navigate to the charging station that is most convenient to you,” NREL Project Manager Trish Cozart said. “Generally, people don’t search for a station while they are sitting at a computer; they need this information while they are out and about, which makes a mobile application the ideal means to deliver it.”

“The number of alternative fuel vehicles on the road has been increasing steadily over the last two decades,” Cozart said. “Drivers and fleets have an unprecedented array of options to cut or eliminate petroleum use, and this new app serves as one more tool to make that easier.”

The app draws information from Clean Cities’ Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC), which contains a database of information for more than 15,000 alternative fueling stations throughout the country.

App, Biodiesel, E85, Electric Vehicles, Ethanol, Government, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, Propane