Solar Helps to Lighten the Load

Joanna Schroeder

According to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) a recent field test that entailed Marines wearing a solar-powered system to extend the battery life of crucial electronic devices was successful. The exercise took place at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. The Marine Austere Patrolling System (MAPS) combines solar power and an individual water purifier to help lighten the load of Marines conducting lengthy missions in remote locations with few or no options for resupply.

OfficeofNavalResearchlogo“The primary challenge facing the Marine Corps in expeditionary environments is that we’re carrying too much weight,” said Capt. Frank Furman, logistics program manager for ONR’s Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department.

Furman noted that MAPS gives individuals the ability to manage power and filter water on the move. A key feature is a flexible solar panel, about the size of a piece of paper, made possible by breakthroughs at the Naval Research Laboratory.

The new gear proved to be a go-to power source to keep radio communications up and running during the field test with the 1st Battalion 5th Marines at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, California. While in a remote mountainous area, company and platoon commanders had to rely on Marines using the MAPS gear because their radios were the only ones that still had power.

“As engineers, we rely heavily on Marine feedback to improve system function, form and fit,” said Justin Miller, MAPS lead systems integrator. “Actually observing Marines use the system in this challenging terrain to sustain their gear is very positive, because we can incorporate their feedback into the design.”

Marines use an exceptional amount of electronic devices including radios, night-vision goggles and GPS systems. Each comes with its own set of batteries and spares, which can add several pounds to what they have to carry and charge.

“Marines planning a 24-hour mission may need four batteries, but we bring eight as a safety factor, because we can never risk running out completely,” said Furman, an infantry officer who served in two tours to Afghanistan. “MAPS provides two benefits. First, we can lessen the risk of batteries running out completely. Second, the weight of spare batteries and extra water is eliminated. This directly affects on our endurance and ability to move and stay alert.”

For a 96-hour patrol, MAPS has the potential to reduce the weight of batteries and water carried by a Marine from more than 60 pounds to 13 pounds. The system’s ability to sustain Marines for longer stretches reduces the need for dangerous logistics resupply operations, a goal stated in the Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Strategy and Implementation Plan.

military, Renewable Energy, Solar

Biodiesel Import Ban Boosts Feedstocks to Europe

John Davis

eu-flagAs the European Union (EU) blocks biodiesel imports to the continent, demand for biodiesel feedstocks are getting a boost. Bloomberg reports imports of of palm oil and rapeseed oil to Europe are going up, as is domestic production of the green fuel.

Biodiesel production is climbing within the EU as the bloc implements duties on imports from Argentina and Indonesia, the Hamburg-based researcher said. The EU imported 494,000 metric tons of biodiesel from Argentina this year, down from 1.273 million tons in the first 10 months of 2012, Oil World said. Anti-dumping duties may go into effect at the end of November, ranging from 217 to 246 euros ($299 to $339) a ton on Argentine biodiesel and 122 to 179 euros a ton on supplies from Indonesia, it said. Provisional tariffs have been in place since May.

“The steep decline in arrivals of biodiesel has triggered a recovery in EU biodiesel production, thus raising feedstock requirements, primarily of palm oil and rapeseed oil,” Oil World said. “Permanent hurdles for biodiesel imports from the two key countries will lift the dependence on rapeseed oil as a feedstock for the European biodiesel market.”

Palm oil imports to the EU for this year through July are up 63 percent compared to the same time a year ago. Rapeseed exports from the Ukraine reached near-record levels.

Biodiesel, International

Methes Energies to See Best Biodiesel Quarter Ever

John Davis

Methes1Several developments are prompting a biodiesel company to predict its best production quarter ever. Methes Energies International Ltd., a company with biodiesel production operations north of the border in the form of Methes Energies Canada Inc., says its $1.5 million facility has helped it really get its biodiesel operations moving.

Over the last several weeks Methes Canada has made good use of the facility resulting in September 2013 being the highest production month in gallons in its history. Furthermore, Methes Canada has already secured sufficient feedstock for the months of October and November 2013 to produce biodiesel which it expects will allow for its fiscal fourth quarter to be its best on record in production volume.

BQ-9000® Quality Management Program – Methes Canada is proud to have initiated the process of becoming an accredited BQ-9000® Producer. The program is a unique combination of the ASTM standard for biodiesel and a quality systems program that includes sampling, testing, storage, retain samples and shipping. The program helps companies improve their fuel testing and greatly reduce any chance of producing or distributing inadequate fuel. To receive accreditation, companies must pass a rigorous review and inspection of their quality control processes by an independent auditor. This ensures that quality control is fully implemented.

Methes Canada is also boasting its sales of its Denami 600 and Denami 3000 equipment to help ethanol producers extract corn oil from their corn for refinement into biodiesel. The “bolt-on” Denami equipment is seen as ideal for ethanol plants across North America and overseas. The company also points to increased capacity at its Sombra, Ontario facility from 13 Million gallons per year (MGY) to 26 MGY using the Denami technology.

Michel G. Laporte, Chairman and CEO of Methes Energies said, “We are pleased to provide this general business update covering several projects that are on the go. Our focus remains on making more biodiesel, improving efficiency and quality at our Sombra facility. Thanks to the working capital facility, September was our best month in production volume. The team is doing a great job and the morale is high.”

Biodiesel

Minnesota Welcomes E15 With Open Arms

Joanna Schroeder

20131030_092937Minnesota welcomed its first E15 station with open arms this week. The Penn Minnoco service station in Minneapolis now has four dispensers selling E15 to drivers of vehicle model year 2001 or newer. The Penn Minnoco service station is located at 6001 Penn Avenue South in Minneapolis.

When asked by DomesticFuel why E15, station owner Rick Bohnen, who is also offering E30 said, “E15 gives my customers a price break while providing me with a competitive advantage.” Bohnen’s family has owned the fuel and repair station for more than 30 years and he has been telling his customers to use E15 because in his words, “ethanol is great fuel”.

The fueling equipment of the new Penn Minnoco service station was made possible, in part, through a public-private partnership between Bohnen and a coalition comprised of E15 Bargain!the American Lung Association in Minnesota, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Growth Energy, Minnesota Biofuels Association and the Minnesota Corn Growers Association/Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council.

“Today is a great day for Minneapolis area consumers looking for more affordable fuel choices that are better for the economy and the environment. E15 is a proven fuel, a cheaper fuel, a cleaner fuel, and I know that it will be a major success for Penn Minnoco and its customers,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy.

As part of the partnership, four additional retail locations are planned to begin offering E15 within the state by the end of the year.

biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Legislation to Eliminate Corn Ethanol A “Killer”

Joanna Schroeder

Senator Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Coburn (R-OK) are introducing legislation to eliminate conventional biofuels from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). According to a story first published by Greenwire, the impending bill would leave the advanced biofuel targets in place, but would eliminate the corn-based ethanol target.

Corn crop“I think the mandate for ethanol, which is forcing a lot of additional use, is really not wise,” Feinstein told Greenwire.

Some may remember that back in 2011 Feinstein and Coburn teamed up and introduced a bill called the “Fuel Feedstock Freedom Act,” that according to the duo, was designed to allow for a more sensible implementation of corn-ethanol policy while encouraging greater competition in the pursuit of advanced biofuels. The Bill, that did not pass, would allow fuel markets to respond to consumer demand for ethanol free gasoline where it exists. In addition, the bill would have given individual states the option to not participate in the corn ethanol portion of the RFS. There is speculation that the new legislation may mirror some of the goals of this Bill.

“This legislation is incredibly short-sighted. This legislation is nothing more than a job killer that will also gravely damage innovation and the robust rural economy. More than anything, it seems like legislation is appeasing the wishes of Big Oil,” responded Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy in response to the news of the impending legislation.

“You cannot have advanced biofuel without conventional biofuel, and the reality is that if such legislation were to move forward it would embrace the status quo of our dependence on foreign oil, concede we no longer are serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and are seeking to pursue a policy that would result in massive uDont Mess with RFSpheaval and job loss in today’s booming rural economy.

“It appears to me, this legislation is nothing more than a large concession to Big Oil, which continues to have a stranglehold on the liquid fuels marketplace. Furthermore, this is a slap in the face to consumers who deserve a choice and savings when they go to fill up at the pump.”

For many years Feinstein has been a vocal critic of corn-based ethanol and has repeatedly called for changes to the RFS and the new legislation is the latest in her battle to modify the energy policy.

“This legislation is monumentally stupid,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “Eliminating the conventional ethanol portion of the Renewable Fuel Standard would eliminate the opportunity to further evolve the biofuels industry and commercialize new technologies and feedstocks. We all understand that Senator Coburn just wants a world free of competition for his oil industry. But, Senator Feinstein professes to support second generation biofuels. What she is failing to understand, however, is that we will never see those technologies develop if the policy is gutted and the investment community is given the unambiguous signal that Congress is not serious about reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

biofuels, corn, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFA, RFS

Wind Farms in Northern Cape Move Forward

Joanna Schroeder

Three large-scale wind energy projects in the Northern Cape, South Africa with a total generation capacity of 300 megawatts is moving forward and on track to be fully operational in mid-2014. A consortium led by global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power has been awarded Preferred Bidder by the Department of Energy in South Africa. The award was made under the third round of the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Procurement Programme. The Mainstream consortium was awarded 238 megawatts of wind and solar projects in the first round of the programme back in 2011.

The projects, which represent an investment of approximately ZAR 9 billion, are expected to reach Financial Close by August next year and commence construction shortly thereafter.

Mainstream Renewable PowerCommenting on the announcement, Eddie O’Connor, Chief Executive of Mainstream Renewable Power said, “The team here in Mainstream is delighted with our success today. I understand the quality was very high; there were 93 bids submitted, only 17 were successful today and we won three of those. Mainstream is now the leading developer of renewable energy in South Africa; we have three wind and solar projects due to be operational in the coming months and now a further three large-scale wind farms due to start construction next year. More than five years ago Mainstream identified the future potential of the South African market and we are delighted that the quality of our projects and the experience of our team has been recognised today.”

O’Connor congratulated the South African government for putting in place a “world-class” process and for the “superb manner” in which it has been executed. He noted that the win underpins the company’s long-term commitment to working with partners to bring the benefits of renewable energy, not only to South Africa but to the continent of Africa.

“This marks an extraordinarily successful time for Mainstream globally. This month we closed a €100 million equity investment with Japanese Trading House Marubeni Corporation, we signed a ground-breaking deal with Actis in Chile to build 600 MW of wind and solar projects by 2016; more than 500 private landowners have signed up for our 5,000 MW wind export project in Ireland and IKEA purchased our Carrickeeny wind farm in Ireland,” added O’Connor.

The wind farms awarded under this round are:

  • The 140MW Khobab Wind Farm located in the District Municipality of Namakwa in the Northern Cape.
  • The 140MW Loeriesfontein 2 Wind Farm located in the District Municipality of Namakwa in the Northern Cape
  • The 80MW Noupoort Wind Farm located in the Local Municipality of Umsobomvu in the Northern Cape
Electricity, International, Renewable Energy, Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFAmerex Energy Services has hired three new team members. Stuart King has been appointed Vice President of Northeast Energy Consulting, Will Matthews has been appointed Director of Portfolio Management, and Brett Zeitz is Amerex’s newest Energy Consultant. All will report to Jeff Shoaf, SVP of Amerex Energy Services. Mr. King will be based in Connecticut, while Mr. Matthews and Mr. Zeitz will be based in Houston.
  • REF-2013 Moscow, Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Forum in Russia and CIS, will take place on November 12-13, 2013 in Moscow. The event is devoted to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects development in Russia and CIS. The event was organized by IBCentre in close cooperation with the Ministry of Energy of RF and the State Duma of Russian Federation and in partnership with the leading Russian and international Associations working for sustainable energy development. REF-2013 Moscow is the meeting place for professionals, whose activities are connected with the Russian market of energy efficiency, smart grid and renewable energy (solar energy, wind energy, small hydropower and energy from biomass).
  • POET-DSM Advanced Biofuels, a joint venture between U.S.-based POET and Dutch-based DSM, was named the “Bio-based Deal of the Year” Tuesday by GreenPower Conferences. The award recognizes “a deal that is of particular relevance for the long-term development of the bio-based industries.” It was announced during the World Bio Markets USA conference in San Francisco.
  • Chint Power Systems America has announced it will provide over 300 20kW inverters for PV installations across New Jersey. The projects include a variety of applications that reflect the broad flexibility benefits of string inverter architecture; a single inverter design can address rooftop, carport and ground mount applications of varying overall kW capacities. Chint’s 20kW platform has been independently tested by PHOTON Labs and published as a “Top 10” inverter of all models evaluated (as of November, 2011). It is a 600Vdc product with dual independent MPPT’s and integrated wire box with all fusing, DC and AC disconnects included. In 2013, CPS has launched 14kW 208Vac and 23/28kW 1000Vdc models – all UL approved.
Bioenergy Bytes

Renewable Energy in Mining Industry to Reach $4B

Joanna Schroeder

EmergingRenewables_IconAccording to a new report, “Renewable Energy in the Mining Industry” the worldwide market for renewable energy systems in the mining industry will grow from $210.5 million in 2013 to $3.9 billion in 2022. Today, less than 0.1 percent of power consumed by the mining industry is generated from renewable energy; yet, mining operations consume enormous amounts of power- as much as 400 terawatt-hours of electricity per year.

“The mining industry has clearly reached a tipping point, with a growing consensus that renewable energy at mine sites, both grid-tied and off-grid, is doable and, in many cases, desirable,” said Kerry-Ann Adamson, research director with Navigant Research, who conducted the study. “This understanding now needs to be coupled with an understanding of how best to deploy these solutions. Renewable energy developers are realizing that mining companies need solutions, not just technology.”

Of the renewable energy technologies in which the mining industry is investing, wind power is the technology nearest to eliciting wide-scale adoption. A number of mines are already utilizing large-scale wind power, but these sites were chosen based on extreme needs and/or ideal wind characteristics. According to the report, over the next 2 to 3 years, mining companies will begin deploying wind power for broader use rather than considering it only on a case by case basis.

“Renewable Energy in the Mining Industry,” analyzes the global market for renewable energy in the mining industry and provides an analysis of developments in the sector from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. Global market forecasts of revenue and capacity, segmented by region, technology, and investment scenario (base and aggressive), extend through 2022. The report also examines market and technology issues related to the adoption of renewable energy in the mining industry and profiles key industry players.

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Research, Wind

Arkansas Town to Brew Camelina into Biodiesel

John Davis

aaef_logoAn Arkansas town will soon be home to a new biodiesel refinery that makes the green fuel out of a new crop for the region, camelina. The Stuttgart (AR) Daily Leader reports DeWitt is home to the the first Farm to Fuel project, an Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) initiative.

According to AAEF, the mini-biorefinery, operated by Johnny Davis, will utilize a technology developed by Springboard Diesel to produce small batches of biofuel with an annual capacity of 80,000 gallons per year. As demand increases, DeWitt will obtain a larger micro‐biorefinery designed by Dr. Srikant Gir and developed at the Marion Berry Renewable Energy Research Center at Mid‐South Community College. It will have a production capacity of 200,000 to 1 million gallons per year. Once DeWitt has outgrown the mini‐biorefinery, alt.Consulting will move it to develop the next Community of Innovation.

DeWitt became the first Community of Innovation after city leaders saw the opportunity in developing a biofuel resource. The fuel will utilize feedstocks from Camelina and waste vegetable oil. Once processed into ASTM standard biodiesel, it will be sold locally to power municipal trucks and equipment, school buses, farm vehicles and other private vehicles. Any excess fuel will be sold to fuel blenders in Arkansas and Memphis. And, because of no transportation costs and ready availability, the locally‐produced biodiesel will be price competitive in Delta communities with petroleum products while creating jobs and business opportunities locally.

City officials are looking forward to growing enough feedstock and making the refinery viable and eventually pass the technology on to another town.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel Supply & Demand Curves and RIN Pricing

John Davis

The latest in a series of thoughtful analyses by the folks at the University of Illinois Ag and Consumer Economics is out and shows the relationship between the biodiesel supply and demand curves and Renewable Identification Number (RIN) pricing. This article from Scott Irwin shows how RIN prices are made of two components – intrinsic and time value.

[T]he model in Figure 1 actually predicts the “intrinsic” value of biodiesel RINs. In options market parlance, this refers to the immediate value of exercising an option. This is equivalent to the loss blenders incur today by blending biodiesel, and it is represented by the blending margin. There is a second component of option value that is also relevant. This value is called “extrinsic,” or “time,” value and it reflects the value to an option owner of waiting until later to exercise the option when the intrinsic value may be even higher than it is today.

RINsupplydemand1

From a conceptual standpoint, RINs prices can be thought of as consisting of two components – intrinsic and time value. The intrinsic value should track current blending margins, and it was shown that this is generally true for D4 biodiesel RINS. The time value of RINs reflects the chance that blending margins will be even larger (bigger losses) in the future and it has typically represented about one-third of RINs prices. A particularly interesting dimension to RINs pricing right now is that time values have been driven basically to zero, precisely when there is great uncertainty about the outcome of EPA rulemaking and the status of the blenders tax credit. Variation in soybean oil prices adds to the uncertainty. Estimated supply and demand curves can be used to generate plausible D4 biodiesel RINs values for 2014 anywhere from $0.16 to $2.07 per gallon (in ethanol equivalents).

The piece goes on to show how it’s tough to evaluate the RINs market in relation to high vs. low blending margin scenarios, central to determining the time value of a RIN.

Biodiesel, RINS