GPRE Acquires BioFuel Energy Ethanol Plants

Joanna Schroeder

Green Plains Renewable Energy (GRPE) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire two of BioFuel Energy Corp’s (BIOF) ethanol plants from its lender group. The ethanol plants are located in Wood River, Nebraska and Fairmont, Minnesota. The two facilities have a combined green_plainsannual production capacity of approximately 220 million gallons, and the acquisition will increase GPRE’s production capacity by 28 percent to over 1.0 billion gallons of ethanol, 2.9 million tons of distillers grains (DDGs) and 230 million pounds of corn oil per year.

BIOF had previously agreed to transfer the ethanol plants to the lender group entity pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure. Following the transfers, GPRE will purchase the ethanol plants and certain related assets from the lender group entity for approximately $101 million, plus working capital. The company intends to fund the purchase with nearly $77 million in term debt and the balance in cash.

The closing of the transaction, which is expected to occur during the fourth quarter of 2013, is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Upon successful completion of the transaction, Green Plains will work to restart the Fairmont, MN plant, which the Company anticipates being back in production by the end of 2013. Carl Marks Advisory Group LLC advised the lender group entity in this transaction.

“Our growth strategy remains focused on right location, right technology at the right price for ethanol production assets and this acquisition meets all three criteria,” stated Todd Becker, GPRE president and CEO. “We have become very proficient in operating multiple process technologies and adding these two ethanol plants continues to drive greater economies of scale in our marketing, risk management and back office operations. We believe this acquisition will be accretive to 2014 earnings and is consistent with our strategy to expand our operations throughout the ethanol value chain and grow long-term shareholder value.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

SunPower Announces Acquisition of Greenbotics

Joanna Schroeder

SunPower Corp. has announced that it has acquired Greenbotics, Inc., a Davis, Calif.-based company that offers panel cleaning products and services for large-scale solar power plants. With this acquisition, SunPower expands its energy services portfolio for global customers with the SunPower Oasis Power Plant product, especially, says SunPower, in markets with challenging dirt and dust environments. SunPower expects to utilize the robotic technology and the Greenbotics team in conjunction with other product development and large-scale solar field installation projects.

SUNPOWER CORP. GREENBOTICSGreenbotics’ business model is focused on optimizing the performance of solar power plants through a cost-effective cleaning process. For the past two years, the company has used its proprietary CleanFleet robots and service offerings to wash hundreds of megawatts of systems in the Southwest and Western U.S. The robots can be configured for use with a variety of solar panels and mounting types, including fixed-tilt arrays and single-axis trackers and offer a less costly and greener alternative to manual cleaning methods, pressure washers and sprayer trucks. The robots use under a half a cup of water to clean each panel, which is approximately 90 percent less than traditional cleaning methods, making this is viable optimum for solar systems built in desert conditions.

“SunPower’s acquisition of Greenbotics and its CleanFleet robots will allow us to further maximize the proven system performance of our high efficiency, most reliable solar panels, which is critical to a project’s economics and levelized cost of electricity,” said Tom Werner, SunPower president and CEO. “Customers in markets such as the Western U.S., the Middle East and Chile will especially benefit, as dust and debris is a challenge and water is in shorter supply. We are very pleased to add the valuable services offered by Greenbotics to our energy services offerings.”

The CleanFleet robots can be tailored specifically for each power plant to optimize a project’s cleaning schedule. Most panels are cleaned at night to avoid disruption during the daytime, energy-producing hours. Regularly cleaning solar panels located in dry, dusty regions can increase annual energy production by up to 15 percent.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFSan Antonio, Texas is the host for the 29th annual conference of the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA), titled “Renewable Energy in an ‘All-of-the-Above’ World.” The conference will be held Nov. 11-13, 2013 at the Omni Colonnade hotel. The potential for productive collaboration between the renewable energy and fossil fuels industries will be among several topics of discussion at the event. Headlining the conference will be keynote speaker Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, renowned expert in issues surrounding the integration of 21st century energy technologies with 20th century systems.
  • Sustainable Jersey has announced that $200,000 in grant money is now available to New Jersey municipalities. Funded by the PSEG Foundation, this cycle of the Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program will support thirty-two local projects that leverage resources to make communities more livable, environmentally friendly and prosperous. This is the second time that the PSEG Foundation has funded the Small Grant Program bringing the total contribution to $400,000. The Sustainable Jersey Small Grants Program will award local governments for projects like electric vehicle charging stations, school food composting centers and community gardens.
  • According to “Latin America Wind Farm Assessment,” just released by Navigant Research, annual wind power installations in Latin America will roughly double, in terms of capacity, over the next 10 years, growing from nearly 2.2 gigawatts (GW) in 2013 to 4.3 GW by 2022. According to Feng Zhao, research director with Navigant, Latin America is expected to account for at least 5.5 percent of the world’s new wind power installations in 2013, and with the strong political support of most governments and rapid economic growth fueling rising electricity demand, wind markets in the region are expected to exhibit double-digit compound annual growth rates through the next 10 years.
  • The Hibiscus Villa eco-resort project in India has been named a finalist for the Intersolar “Solar Projects in India” award. The award winner will be announced at Intersolar India on Nov. 12, 2013. Hibiscus Villa is located in Thanneermukkom on the banks of Lake Vembanad. TeamSustain installed an advanced off-grid renewable energy solar solution featuring Trojan batteries, making the Villa immune to power failure or grid quality.
Bioenergy Bytes

Legislation Introduced to Support Renewable Electricity

Joanna Schroeder

utility scale solar projectU.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Mark Udall (D-CO) have introduced a bill that if passed, would establish a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The bill would require utilities to generate 25 percent of their power from wind, solar and other renewable energy sources by 2025. The first cousins, say the bill would create jobs, reduce pollution, reduce dependence on foreign fossil fuels, hold down utility rates, boost private investments in state economies and save consumers money.

“Clean energy creates jobs, spurs innovation, reduces global warming and makes us more energy independent. This common-sense proposal would extend Colorado’s successful effort to expand the use of renewable energy alongside natural gas and coal to the entire nation,” said Mark Udall. “I was honored to lead the effort to institute a renewable energy standard in Colorado and am proud to join with Sen. Tom Udall to bring this policy to the nation.”

Christopher Mansour, Vice President of Federal Affairs of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) applauded the proposed legislation. “Removing market barriers and providing a competitive structure that allows the nation to recognize solar energy’s full potential is a top priority for America’s solar industry. We’ve already seen what well-structured renewable energy standards have meant in states. They’ve opened electricity markets to allow for more competition from renewable sources of energy and ultimately driven down the cost of electricity for consumers.

Mansour noted that the success can be replicated at the national level. “A national standard that successfully deploys solar energy would diversify our energy portfolio, reduce costs for consumers, and create jobs. We look forward to constructively working with policymakers to ensure that all forms of solar energy, including solar heating and cooling technologies, work to meet this goal.”

Electricity, Legislation, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Campo Verde Solar Facility Lights Up

Joanna Schroeder

The 139 MW Campo Verde Solar Facility has begun operations in Imperial County, California. The project, acquired by Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, in partnership with Turner Renewable Energy, consists of nearly 2.3 million thin-film modules and is expected to generate enough electricity to power nearly 48,000 homes.

“Southern Company is building for America’s energy future – and solar is an important part of our continued effort First Solar Electric, Campo Verde Solar Project, El Centro, CA~Construction Progressto provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable power,” said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. “Completing the Campo Verde Solar Facility helps us strategically incorporate more renewables into our diverse energy portfolio.”

The plant, located on nearly 1,400 acres, was built and is operated and maintained by First Solar, a leading global provider of comprehensive PV solar systems. The PV modules use First Solar’s patented thin-film technology and employ a fixed-tilt design.

Ted Turner, owner of Turner Renewable Energy, teamed with Southern Company through a subsidiary in January 2010 to form a strategic alliance to pursue the development of renewable energy projects in the United States. The partnership has primarily focused on acquiring solar PV projects where solar resources are most favorable.

In April 2013, the Campo Verde Solar Facility became the fifth project jointly acquired by Southern Power and Turner Renewable Energy. Including this facility, the partnership has acquired more than 220 MW of solar generation in four states.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar

Waste Grease-to-Biodiesel Plan Wins Aussie Prize

John Davis

aussiechallengeA plan to turn waste grease into biodiesel wins a prize from Down Under. Impress Media Australia reports Energy from Waste Pty Ltd., with members Lisa Chao, Philip Curran, Dr David Rutley, Brian O’Neil and Ted McMurchie, picked up first place in the 2013 University of Adelaide Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and Innovation Centre (ECIC) Australian eChallenge, and the group will travel to Austin, Texas to compete in the Global Venture Labs Investment Competition.

Energy from Waste’s winning business plan outlines how it will design, construct, commission and operate biodiesel production plants at major waste processing companies that currently collect and dispose of grease-trap waste, eliminating their disposal costs and creating a new revenue stream.

Professor Noel Lindsay, ECIC Director, says Energy from Waste was awarded first prize because the team delivered a proficient business plan that could result in positive outcomes for both local businesses and the environment.

“The Australian eChallenge is growing in popularity each year, with 35 highly creative and innovative teams competing in this year’s competition,” Professor Lindsay says.

“Energy from Waste was selected because the team’s business plan is thorough and professional. The team’s proposal clearly outlines an opportunity to reduce the cost of waste processing and decrease its impact on the environment.”

The group also won the $10,000 Adelaide Airport Clean Tech Award and could end up winning more than $50,000 in prizes.

Biodiesel, International

Washington Leaders Recognized for Biodiesel Use

John Davis

GWRCCC logo1Some leaders in the Washington, D.C. area are being recognized for their use of biodiesel. The latest edition of the National Biodiesel Board’s Biodiesel Bulletin says the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) honored the Smithsonian Institution and the District of Columbia Department of Public Works Fleet Management Administration for their part in using the green fuel to achieve “outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to a clean energy future.”

A local pioneer in biodiesel use, the Smithsonian received the Community Outreach Award during the GWRCCC’s Awards Luncheon on October 31. In addition to using biodiesel at the National Zoo and its other facilities, the Smithsonian has hosted a number biodiesel education workshops.

GWRCC also recognized another biodiesel user – the District of Columbia Department of Public Works Fleet Management Administration — as an award nominee. The District has implemented a far-reaching biodiesel program that is helping the city reduce harmful emissions and decrease petroleum use. Introduced in 2011, today biodiesel is fueling the city’s entire diesel fleet of 2,000 vehicles and equipment, including school buses, refuse trucks, street sweepers, emergency vehicles and more. The city used nearly 1.4 million gallons of biodiesel blends in 2012, displacing 202,318 gallons of petroleum in just one year. In addition, the D.C. Department of Public Works recently opened two of its biodiesel fueling sites to federal government vehicles.

The recognition came as part of a ceremony that honored 10 D.C. area leaders for their green energy commitments.

Biodiesel, NBB

Taiwan Scientists Microwave to Make Biodiesel

John Davis

microwave1The microwave oven is one convenience just about every kitchen (and office lunch room) finds indispensable, but it also might become the next tool for making biodiesel. This article from the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in southern Taiwan says researchers there have found a way to turn waste cooking oils into biodiesel in 10 seconds.

“I was told that Taiwanese people like to cook a lot and the waste cooked oils can be a problem for the environment. So we come up with an idea that is very unique to combine the microwave and with certain catalyst that we can fully convert the waste cooked oils into the biodiesel in 10 seconds,” [says Prof. (Emeritus) Aharon Gedanken from the Department of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel, who is currently a Visiting Chair Professor (since Feb. 2012) at NCKU].

The technology underlying the study is now in the process of applying for a patent, according to [Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)] Distinguished Professor Jiunn-Der Liao who has invited Gedanken to cooperate with NCKU faculty conducting the research.

“By the year 2020, in the European community, 20% of the diesel in the gasoline station will contain biodiesel,” said Gedanken, “and I hope by that year in Taiwan 100% will go to biodiesel and if the project is successful, we can convince people to collect waste cooked oils instead of through it away.”

School officials say they can now convert more than 200 pounds of used cooking into biodiesel each day and expect to be producing tons in the near future. Plus, they hope each home kitchen will be able to use the technology to produce biodiesel on a small scale.

Biodiesel, International

Biofuel Groups Ask to Intervene in RFS Case

Cindy Zimmerman

Three organizations that represent biofuel producers have asked to intervene in the latest legal challenge to Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

mess-rfsThe Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), Growth Energy, and the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), filed a motion Friday with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to intervene in the challenge against the RFS by Monroe Energy, the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM). The lawsuit seeks a reduction of the 2013 volume obligations for all renewable fuels.

The groups are asking the Court’s permission to intervene in this lawsuit on behalf of member companies which would be directly impacted by that action. “Moreover, a reduction in the volumetric requirement for any one type of renewable fuel under the RFS could affect the demand for other types of renewable fuels,” the groups stated in the filing.

In January, the same court upheld EPA’s authority to set advanced and cellulosic biofuel volume obligations at the maximum achievable level, in order to achieve Congress’ intent to promote production and use of renewable fuels. The trade groups will ask the Court to reaffirm this finding.

BIO, biofuels, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

USDA Says Spring Canola is Good Biodiesel Crop

John Davis

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAResearchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture believe spring canola could be a good crop for biodiesel for producers in the drier parts of the Great Plains. This news release from the Agricultural Research Service says ARS agronomist David Nielsen and others are finding ways to stretch scarce water supplies and increase crop returns in that part of the country.

Nielsen, who works at the ARS Central Great Plains Research Station in Akron, Colo., worked with colleagues to combine existing plant growth computer models and generate spring canola production simulations. Then they ran their results from the combined model with 16 years of regional weather data, four different soil water levels at planting time, and other site-specific information to generate spring canola yield estimates for nine locations in Nebraska, Colorado and Kansas.

Results from their crop simulations suggested the highest yields would be produced in the north-central area near Champion, Neb., and the lowest yields would be produced in the south-central area near Walsh, Colo. When 75 percent of the soil water was available for crop use at planting, the model indicated six of the sites had more than a 70 percent probability of producing a canola seed yield of at least 900 pounds per acre.

The researchers found they could net anywhere from $67 to $189 per acre in returns, depending on plant-available soil water levels. They’ve also developed a simple decision support tool for canola production and economic analysis that can be used by farmers for canola planning.

Biodiesel, Research, USDA