The University of Colorado will be offering two of its core graduate energy courses online this spring: RSEI 5000 ‘Energy Science and Technology’ and RSEI 5002 ‘The Business of Sustainable Energy.’ Both courses are full-semester, for-credit courses; taught by our regular faculty. These courses provide an in-depth understanding of the renewable and sustainable energy industry. These courses will help you build or advance your career in this growing field. Click here to find more information about these courses, and about our Professional Certificate in Renewable and Sustainable Energy.- Building on the success of the previous European Biomass to Power conferences in Vienna, London & Krakow, ACI has confirmed the location and dates for the 2014 event as Copenhagen, Denmark, on April 1-2, 2014. In addition, DONG Energy is hosting a site visit to their Avedore Power Station. Click here for the agenda and more information on the event.
- The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) praised a new rule approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) that will expedite and reduce the cost of solar project interconnection, while maintaining the reliability and safety of the electric grid. In 2005, FERC issued Order No. 2006, which for the first time established national interconnection procedures applicable to generation projects that are 20 megawatts (MW) or less in size and subject to FERC’s wholesale jurisdiction. The rule approved today will allow solar projects that meet certain technical requirements to qualify for a “fast track” interconnection process, thus eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming studies. Rhone Resch, president and CEO of SEIA, said today’s decision will help to reduce interconnection bottlenecks.
- 8minutenergy Renewables, LLC and saferay, Inc. have announced the signing of a 20-year contract to sell 15 megawatts-ac (19.7MW-dc) of clean, renewable solar energy from their Woodmere Solar Farm project in Kern County, Calif., to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). The Woodmere Solar Farm project is a utility-scale solar generation facility sited on 80 acres of low-productivity farmland. Construction is projected to begin in 2014, with the site expected to be operational and delivering renewable energy by December 2015.
IA Gov Branstad & RFS Coalition Defend RFS
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Senator Chuck Grassley, Representative Steve King, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey joined the Iowa RFS Coalition and more than 300 Iowans to urge the Obama Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore strong blending levels for 2014 under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The “Defend the RFS” event was held at Lincolnway Energy near Nevada, Iowa exactly one week after the EPA unveiled a proposal that would gut the RFS and jeopardize rural economies.
“The EPA proposal for 2014 guts the RFS which would lead to higher gasoline prices and lower farm income,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “The Obama Administration fell for Big Oil’s bluff, but there’s still time to defend the RFS. All Iowans need to step up and let the EPA know this proposal cannot stand. The Obama Administration should not turn its back on Iowa farmers and rural America.”
Iowans were urged to defend the RFS and protect the rural economy by sending an official comment to the EPA. In addition to creating an extra-legal waiver mechanism, the EPA proposal lowers the “corn ethanol” level from 13.8 billion gallons in 2013 to only 13 billion gallons in 2014. The proposal also freezes the biodiesel level at 1.28 billion gallons despite the fact the biodiesel industry is currently operating at an annualized rate of 2 billion gallons.
Lincolnway Energy CEO Eric Hakmiller kicked off the event by noting, “Every member of the Iowa Congressional delegation wanted to be here. While scheduling conflicts prevented some from attending in person, they are all here in spirit. When the EPA unveiled the RFS proposal one week ago, the Iowa Congressional delegation spoke with one voice, regardless of party, and said, ‘this must not stand!’”
Iowa is the largest biofuels producer in the country with 42 ethanol refineries capable of producing over 3.8 billion gallons annually, with three cellulosic ethanol facilities currently under construction. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually. A fall of the biodiesel industry would be catastrophic for the state’s economy and rural companies.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad told the crowd, “As the leading agriculture state in the nation, we know how important agriculture and renewable fuels are to the economic vitality and future in Iowa. We want good jobs in our state, and we want agribusiness and our communities to thrive. We need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and we need to continue to provide American-made renewable fuels to consumers. We all need to stand together in opposition to this EPA proposal. We cannot forget that over 44,000 jobs are in jeopardy based on one proposal by the EPA, and we must work together to protect these jobs.”
“The federal government made a commitment to renewable energy, and the EPA is undermining the commitment,” said Senator Chuck Grassley. All of us who support homegrown, clean-burning energy and forward-thinking energy policy need to speak out and let the Administration know that its proposal is short-sighted and irresponsible.”
Representative Steve King said in his remarks, “The RFS is the only tool that provides market access so that ethanol and other renewable fuels can be sold in competition with petroleum. It is disappointing the EPA has decided to lower RFS numbers and make the United States more dependent on foreign sources of energy when we have the means to produce cleaner, greener fuels right here in America.”
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey reminded the crowd, “Ethanol and biodiesel have been tremendous success stories that have benefited consumers, farmers, the economy and the environment and it is unfortunate the EPA is trying to undermine this important industry. It is vital we stand up for these home-grown fuels and share our opposition to this proposal with the Administration.”Read More
Argentine, Indonesian Biodiesel Hit with EU Duties
Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia are now subject to punitive duties imposed by the European Union. Reuters reports they were hit with the measures after the EU ruled that producers there were selling into the bloc at unfairly low prices.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said in a statement on Thursday the duties would be set at an average of 24.6 percent for biodiesel from Argentina and 18.9 percent from Indonesia, confirming earlier Reuters reports.
The duties will come into effect on November 27.
EU member states voted in favour of a Commission view that Argentine and Indonesian producers dumped their products to the detriment of European manufacturers.
The Commission said Argentine and Indonesian companies benefited from artificially low raw material prices because of high export taxes imposed on soya beans and soybean oil by Argentina and on palm oil by Indonesia.
Argentina is the world’s biggest biodiesel exporter, and the two countries represent 90 percent of EU biodiesel imports. Their share of the EU market rose to 22 percent in 2011 from 9 percent in 2009.
The companies set to be hit by the duties on exports from Argentina include agribusinesses Bunge Ltd and Louis Dreyfus Commodities, which face duties of 217 euros ($290) and 239 euros ($320) per tonne, respectively, according to a document seen by Reuters.
Argentina will be challenging the duties in front of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to go with its challenge that’s keeping biodiesel from reaching Europe. Indonesia is also likely to appeal the duties.
Opinion: Biodiesel’s Biggest Foe? US Government
So if you’re considering biodiesel opponents, you might think of the usual suspects led by Big Oil. But according to this piece by Ron Kotrba from Biodiesel Magazine, if you look at the history of the opposition, especially what has happened in the past week, the biggest roadblock to biodiesel could be the current U.S. government.
Then [Environmental Protection Agency]’s draft proposal was leaked in October, in which the agency proposed stalling the biomass-based diesel standard at 1.28 billion gallons and reducing the advanced biofuel target from the statutory requirement of 3.75 billion ethanol-equivalent gallons to 2.2 billion, and industry stakeholders wondered, could it be? Is this real? It didn’t make any sense. Some suggested the document was a fraud. Others suggested it was an old draft, perhaps not reflective of what EPA will actually propose. Others yet even speculated that EPA is intentionally attempting to squeeze out the small producers to simplify RIN tracking and accounting.
When the actual proposal came out last Friday, and it mirrored what the leaked draft indicated, you could literally feel the frustration and angst pour out of producers. I contacted several plants and stakeholders, and some of the things that were relayed to me were not fit for print, expressions that were wholly legitimate and understandable, but expletive. For industry reaction to the proposal, read my story here.
Isn’t it ironic that Big Oil’s own George W. Bush signs into law the legislation that sparks tremendous biodiesel industry growth, and the administration of Barrack Obama, the man who leveraged biodiesel so many times in his 2008 campaign, is attempting to crush it through this proposed RVO rule for 2014?
Kotrba encourages biodiesel producers and their allies not to play the victim, but send comments packed with facts to the EPA expressing their displeasure with the proposal. He concludes that there’s no good reason for this “backslide on biodiesel policy” when billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs, as well as a cleaner, more secure energy future are at stake
It isn’t right, and none of us should stand for it.
Questions About EPA Authority for RFS Waiver
Even before the Environmental Protection Agency officially released its proposed 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), questions arose about whether the EPA is overstepping its authority.
University of Illinois Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and Policy Jonathan Coppess, former counsel to the Senate Ag Committee and former administrator for USDA, says there is a legal argument to be made that EPA is stretching the definition of inadequate domestic supply in proposing a waiver based on the blend wall. “The entire intent of the statute was to increase production,” Coppess said during a media call today. “How does this unique or novel way of interpreting “domestic supply” fit with the intent Congress has for the overall statute?”
Coppess and Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dinneen both stressed that no lawsuit has been filed against EPA’s proposal and they hope that will be unnecessary. “This is a proposal so there is no legal issue to litigate on,” said Dinneen. “We are hopeful that in the comment period, the agency … ultimately modifies the proposal to not include the blend wall in the waiver process.” Dinneen says they held the media call with Coppess to simply “tee up what the issues are” regarding the proposal.
Listen to or download the call with comments from Dinneen and Coppess here: RFA Call on EPA Authority for RFS Waiver
Also, check out our recent DF Cast featuring an interview with Coppess on the issue.
Kawa Completes Purchase of Conergy
Kawa Capital Management has completed the purchase of Conergy. Together with the closing of the transaction, Kawa appointed the new Conergy holding company Management Board. Alexander Gorski remains Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will take 
over the position of the CEO Europe. Marc Lohoff will continue to be responsible for the Asian and Australian growth markets region as CEO Asia & Pacific. Anthony Fotopoulos, the former President of Conergy Americas was appointed CEO Americas and moves up to the Management Board which will strengthen the leadership team from own ranks. Lando Kravetz joins from the Kawa team and will take over the post of the Global Head of Business Development & Strategy within the Management Board.
“With the closing of the transaction, a new era starts for Conergy and its partners,” said Kawa Partner Andrew de Pass. “Conergy is very well positioned for the challenges of the future solar market with Kawa as the new owner: the company is financially powerful and has a new, strong balance sheet. Conergy will be among the most ‘bankable’ downstream solar players.”
DePass notes that through Conergy’s sales network, the company has a very strong footprint in all important global markets and is a more reliable and stronger partner for their customers than ever. The more so, he said, since Conergy and Kawa will be working on new funding and financing solutions as well as grid parity business models from which their customers will benefit globally. We are convinced we have a successful setup.
Dr. Philip Comberg joins new Board of Directors and will change from the Conergy Management Board and his position as CEO of Conergy AG to the Board of Directors of 
Kawa Solar Holdings as of January 1, 2014. The Board of Directors includes Andrew de Pass (Partner Kawa Capital) and Daniel Ades (Managing Partner Kawa Capital). Alongside with Dr. Philip Comberg, David Nazarian (CEO Nimes Capital) and Albrecht Curt Reuter (Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Camargo Correa S.A.) join the board.
“We are very pleased that we managed to establish a very strong Management Board and Board of Directors. We ensure continuity and optimally merge profound knowledge in the photovoltaic industry with strong capabilities in funding and asset management. Kawa and Conergy perfectly match their complementary expertise in both areas,” added de Pass. “I particularly would like to thank Dr. Philip Comberg for his excellent achievements as CEO of Conergy. He navigated Conergy through very difficult times. Moreover, he was the driver of the transaction that we successfully closed now, whereby Conergy is one of the few German solar companies to emerge from insolvency in such a strong position. I am very happy to closely work with Philip in the future on the Board of Directors. Kawa is very thankful for Dr. Comberg’s contribution.”
Conergy will continue to focus on reliable, complete solutions for its international customers. These contain all necessary system components but also all related solar services. The North American region we will focus on both equipment supply and service delivery for their partners across our dealer network as well as project development, design and engineering of turnkey large-scale solar power plants.
BioEnergy Bytes
New speakers have been announced for the European Algae Biomass 2014 conference taking place in Seville, Spain May 6-7, 2014. The event will bring together around 75-100 senior executives from industry and academia to discuss the latest commercial and technical developments, challenges and research breakthroughs throughout the entire algae value chain. Registration is open and the Early Bird discount is available until Friday, November 29, 2013.- DEINOVE has announced that Jacqueline Lecourtier has agreed to chair and lead the deliberations of their Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), which meets twice a year. She will take her new position at the next plenary session of the SAB to be held on December 3-4, 2013. Lecourtier is an engineer from the French Higher National Institute of Chemical Engineering and a Doctor in Physics from the University of Pierre and Marie Curie, and has devoted 25 years of her career to the French Institute of Petroleum – New Energies.
- Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc. has introduced Renewicals, a breakthrough category of novel products, building blocks and ingredients that enable highe levels of performance. Elevance announced the new product category during Ecochem 2013, held Nov. 19-21, 2013 in Basel, Switzerland, encouraging industry to join the high-growth specialty chemicals company to develop sustainable products that perform better than current alternatives.
- To kick start discussions ahead of the 9th annual World Bio Markets, Green Power Conferences is hosting a seven free one hour webinars covering topics across the entire bio-based value chain. Webinars begin in January 2014 and topics include: Plant Process Design and Optimisation; Advanced Biofuels; Bio-based Chemicals and Products; Sustainable Aviation; Trade and Market Dynamics; Strategic Finance & Investment; and Sustainable Feedstocks.
Protect The RFS
There are events springing up around the Midwest to rally consumers into helping support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Some of the leaders of this movement are state legislators including Iowa Governor Terry Branstad along with Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds have launched a new website in an effort to counter the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed reduction of 2014 blending requirements. The site, ProtectTheRFS.com, collects comments from citizens about the proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard and sends them to the EPA.
“Why the Obama administration would side with the big oil companies over Iowa’s homegrown renewable fuels is baffling,” said Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. “The EPA has turned its back on rural America, and our economy and family farms will suffer as a result. Corn prices have already dropped to the cost of production, and this will likely further squeeze corn producers and negatively impact income growth in rural America. We have more than 50 ethanol and biodiesel plants in Iowa, and these EPA reductions would negatively impact thousands of Iowa jobs. This debate isn’t over. I will lock arms with our agricultural groups, our family farmers, leaders from both parties, and Iowans in fighting for Iowa’s homegrown, reliable, and safe renewable fuels. I encourage Iowans to officially comment to the EPA.”
The Iowa RFS Coalition will host a “Defend the RFS” event at Lincolnway Energy to highlight the negative impact of EPA’s proposal to radically reduce Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) levels for 2014. The event takes place on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 1-2 pm at Lincolnway Energy in Nevada, Iowa.
Part of the EPA’s proposed 2014 rules would lower the conventional renewable fuel requirement from the statutory level of 14.4 billion gallons (BG) to 13.01 billion gallons. This change would decrease refiner and blender purchases of ethanol by $2.1 – $3.6 billion and would increase Big Oil revenues by the same amount. This, which petroleum supporters call a minor decrease, would have a significantly negative impact on the ethanol industry, agriculture and local communities.
Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, immediately voiced her disapproval after EPA official released is proposed rule. “Today’s proposal from the EPA to reduce the amount of renewable fuels defies common sense. Not only would this proposal hurt Illinois farmers, rural communities and our state’s economy, but it could also drive up prices at the gas pump and increase our dependence on foreign sources of oil. I’ll continue fighting for the health of our region’s economy and to keep our country safer and more secure by standing with both Democrats and Republicans in opposing this insensible proposal.”
Patriot Renewable Fuels, an ethanol plant based in Annawan, Illinois is also taking action. On Wednesday, November 27, 2013 Congresswoman Bustos will show her support by visiting Patriot for a roundtable discussion and tour.
Patriot is encouraging the industry as well as consumers to show their support as well by contacting legislators and let them know you are against this proposal. In addition, people can voice their opinion to the White House.
E15 Now Available in Northern Illinois
E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol, 85 percent gasoline, is now available in Rochelle, Illinois complements of the partnership between Illinois River Energy and the Rochelle Petro Travel Plaza.
E15 is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for vehicles 2001 and newer and is the most tested fuel in EPA approval history. It has been available for more than 16 months and driven over 45 million miles with no known cases of engine damage. 
According to data cited by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), ethanol is revitalizing rural communities and saved consumers on average $1.00/gallon at the pump in 2012 and 2013. It has created over 87,000 jobs while sustaining an additional 295,000 and has reduced America’s foreign oil dependence to 41 percent, compared to 48 percent without ethanol.
“Today’s launch of E15 is an example of local businesses coming together to help consumers. We are proud to offer drivers in Rochelle, and all of northern Illinois, another choice at the pump,” said Illinois River Energy Group CEO Rich Ruebe. “We encourage everyone with a 2001 and newer vehicle to come by the Plaza and check out the new fuel.”
Robert White, director of market development for RFA, said, “The E15 offering at Rochelle Petro Travel Plaza is another step forward in E15 use and expansion. I have seen firsthand the hard work and dedication from both Illinois River Energy and Rochelle Petro Travel Plaza to get E15 into the local marketplace. As more companies follow this example, we will see the expansion of E15 across the country.”
Ray Newton, general manager of the Petro Travel Plaza, said the of higher ethanol fuel blend, “The Petro Travel Plaza in Rochelle, Illinois is delighted to be the first retail location in Northern Illinois to offer motorists expanded fuel choice. With our grand opening celebration this week, motorists with any gasoline-powered 2001 and newer light duty car, truck, or SUV will have the choice to purchase a less expensive, higher octane, cleaner burning fuel, E15 containing 15 percent American-made ethanol, which is a better value than the traditional 10 percent ethanol blends.”
Illinois River Energy, owned by GTL Resources USA, Inc., will mark their seventh anniversary next month. Based out of Rochelle, Ill., the company employs over 60 local residents and what began as a 50 million gallon of ethanol facility grew into more than a 120 million gallon per year facility. The local community is vitally important to Illinois River Energy as they receive a majority of their corn from farmers within 40 miles of their processing facility. Additionally, Petro Travel Plaza – the largest full service plaza in northern Illinois – opened their doors in 1992. They offer high level ethanol blends including E85 (85 percent ethanol, 15 percent gasoline) and now E15.
Iowa Gov Launches Site to Boost Biodiesel, Ethanol
Considering the fact that Iowa leads the nation in biofuels production, being a major player in the biodiesel and ethanol industries, it only makes sense the state’s governor launches an effort to protect the green fuels. This post from the Des Moines Register blog says Gov. Terry Branstad launched a new website to oppose the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to roll back Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) – how much biofuel is blended in the nation’s fuel supply.
The new site is www.ProtecttheRFS.com. Leaders say the website was built without state funds.
“The EPA’s ruling to slash the RFS will have a negative ripple effect through the American economy,” Branstad said. “The result of this proposed rule change would mean corn prices would plummet below the cost of production, loss of jobs and increased dependence on foreign oil. Concerned citizens cannot sit on the sidelines and wait for the comment period to open. Now is the time to defend and protect the RFS.”
ProtectTheRFS.com will allow visitors to sign a petition urging the EPA “to reverse its ill-advised rule aimed at eroding the RFS,” Branstad’s office said.
Though the official comment period hasn’t opened yet, Branstad and [Lt. Gov. Kim] Reynolds said “it’s critically important for Americans to speak up now to push back on the EPA’s ruling.” The comments submitted to ProtectTheRFS.com will be sent the EPA prior to the closing of the comment period.
Iowa has seen great job growth over the past few years, thanks in large part to the biodiesel and ethanol industries. State officials are worried the EPA changes will hurt that positive economy.