Team Austria Wins 2013 Solar Decathlon

Joanna Schroeder

Team Austria has won the 2013 Solar Decathlon by building the most energy-efficient solar-powered house at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. Team Austria was made up of students from the Vienna University of Technology, who won top honors in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) event by designing, building and operating the Team Austria 2013 Solar Decathlonmost cost-effective, energy efficient and attractive solar-powered house. In second place was the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and in third place was the Czech Republic comprised of students from the Czech Technical University.

“The Solar Decathlon is inspiring and training the next generation of clean energy architects, engineers and entrepreneurs, and showing that affordable, clean energy technologies can help homeowners save money and energy today,” said DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz. “Congratulations to the Solar Decathlon 2013 competitors – your hard work and creativity is helping to build a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.”

According to the DOE, the winning teams’ final scores were the closest they have ever been since the beginning of the Solar Decathlon competition. Team Austria earned 951.9 points out of a possible 1,000 to win the competition, followed by University of Nevada Las Vegas with 947.6 points, and Czech Republic with 945.1 points. Contributing to their overall win, Team Austria performed well in several of the individual contests, finishing first in the Communications Contest, second in Market Appeal, and tied for first in the Hot Water Contest. Every house in the 2013 competition produced more energy than it consumed.

Over the 10 days of competition, 19 collegiate teams from across the country and around the world competed in 10 contests that gauged each house’s performance, livability and affordability. The teams performed everyday tasks, including cooking, laundry, and washing dishes, that tested the energy efficiency of their houses. The winner of the overall competition best blended affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

The results of the Engineering Contest also were announced with Team Ontario, comprised of students from Queen’s University, Carleton University and Algonquin College, taking first place by scoring 95 out of 100 possible points. Each competing house was evaluated by a group of prominent engineers who determined which house best exemplifies excellence in energy-efficiency savings, creative design innovations, and the functionality and reliability of each system.

Engineering Juror Kent Peterson, chief operating officer and chief engineer at P2S Engineering, said, “Team Ontario demonstrated a complete understanding of building science, a very good building envelope for the target climate, and excellent integration of passive and active strategies.”

Czech Republic claimed second place in the Engineering Contest with 94 points, and University of Nevada Las Vegas, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Team Austria all tied for third place with 93 points each.

Education, energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, Solar

Rep. King Exposes Federal Petroleum Mandate

Joanna Schroeder

In a letter sent to U.S. Representative Steve King (R-Iowa), the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) thanked the Congressman for exposing the Federal Petroleum Mandate and reiterating his unwavering support of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) during this week’s National Journal forum titled, “Biofuels Mandate: Defend, Reform, or Repeal.” The forum was sponsored by the American Petroleum Institute (API), the national trade association representing the oil industry.

During the forum, Rep. King noted the RFS “is the only thing that gives market access so that corn and other product-based alternative fuels can get into the tank and be sold in competition with petroleum. If we lose (the RFS), then we have a government mandate, a federal mandate for petroleum only in our vehicles.”

In the letter, IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw wrote, “Your strong defense of the RFS at the National Journal/API event clearly articulated the importance of this policy in achieving market access for non-petroleum fuels, creating fuel competition, and adding value to the agricultural sector. In addition, IRFA would like to thank you for exposing the impact of the Federal Petroleum Mandate in your remarks at the forum.”

National Journal RFS ForumShaw explained that for nearly 40 years federal law has required that any fuel consumers put in their tanks must be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Unless you own a flexible fuel vehicle, the only EPA-approved fuels are regular unleaded gas, E10, and E15. This means the approved fuels range from 100 percent petroleum to a minimum of 85 percent petroleum. Federal law dictates that if motorists use an unapproved fuel, meaning a fuel containing less than 85 percent petroleum, they are subject to a $25,000 per day fine.

The letter concludes, “IRFA greatly appreciates your efforts to expose the federal petroleum mandate and defend the RFS at the recent National Journal/API forum. As you well know, ethanol is cheaper, cleaner and higher octane than gasoline. As such, the ethanol industry stands ready to compete in a truly free market – a free market the petroleum industry works hard to ensure never exists.”

In addition to Rep. King’s keynote speech, a panel discussion was held featuring:

  • Paul Beckwith, Chief Executive Officer, Butamax Advanced Biofuels
  • Michael Brower, Interim President & Chief Executive Officer, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
  • Rob Green, Executive Director, National Council of Chain Restaurants
  • Kris Kiser, President & Chief Executive Officer, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
  • Peter Lehner, Executive Director, Natural Resources Defense Council
  • Damon Wells, Vice President, Government Affairs, National Turkey Federation
biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, RFS

Mission NewEnergy Sells Malaysian Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

MissionNewEnergyAustralian biodiesel maker Mission NewEnergy Ltd. has sold its 30 MMgy biodiesel plant in Malaysia. Biodiesel Magazine reports that through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mission Biotechnologies Sdn Bhd, the $11.5 million deal was finished with Felda Global Ventures Downstream Sdn Bhd.

Mission NewEnergy stated that Mission Biotechnologies will use all of the proceeds from the sale to reduce loans from the holding company, which, in turn, will be used by the holding company to reduce borrowings at the group level, leaving a small amount to fund the group‘s general working capital.

Mission NewEnergy stated that, with the sale, Mission Biotechnologies will cease to have any operations and will become a dormant company.

Besides the biodiesel assets, Mission NewEnergy also has a wind energy operation in India. Felda Global Ventures Downstream deals in diversified agri-commodities with operations in 10 countries across four continents.

Biodiesel, International

Lack of Soy Crushing Hurting Wisconsin Biodiesel

John Davis

SoybeansA lack of soybean crushing facilities could be hurting the biodiesel industry in Wisconsin. This article from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says no soybean crushing facilities of any meaningful size in the state means farmers have to send their beans out of state, where they’re more likely to be turned into value-added products, including the green fuel, meaning lost revenues for Badger State producers.

In response to a marketing board study in 2006, at least three soybean crushing plants were proposed, including an $80 million plant in Rock County that would have been built next to a biodiesel fuel facility…

Landmark Services Cooperative and investors wanted to build a plant in Evansville, known as the soybean capital of Wisconsin, with assistance from a $4 million state grant.

When developers canceled plans for the biodiesel facility that would have been next to the crushing plant, Landmark didn’t back down. But a short time later, a combination of collapsed financial markets and changes in commodity prices killed the deal…

One of the proposed crushing plants could have processed about 40% of the state’s soybean crop and was tied to biodiesel production, with farmers benefiting from soybean meal as livestock feed. Two smaller plants planned for 2007 and 2008 also would have been pegged for biofuels and animal feed.

“We came close, several times, to having someone build a crush plant,” [Mike Cerny, president of the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and a soybean farmer in Walworth Count] said.

State officials expressed support for a facility that would capture more of Wisconsin’s commodities’ value.

Biodiesel, Soybeans

FS Propane Autogas Demos in Illinois and Wisconsin

Cindy Zimmerman

fs-propaneGROWMARK and local FS member companies in Illinois and Wisconsin are hosting five events this week to share information about Propane Autogas as an alternative to petroleum and compressed natural gas (CNG) fuels.

“There’s quite a few sectors, such as schools, municipalities, buses, and fleets, that are starting to convert their fleets to Propane Autogas,” explains GROWMARK propane marketing and business development manager Scott Long. He says while it’s been around for years, the cleaner-burning, economical features, including saving up to 40 percent above what petroleum-based products cost, are really making big impressions on the fleets. “The city of Springfield, Ill. is running bifuel (able to take both propane and regular gasoline), they converted 24 vehicles to propane this past year, and they’re saving about $82,000 per vehicle.”

The tour kicks off today, making stops today in Carbondale, Ill., in Springfield, Ill. and Bloomington, Ill. tomorrow (Tuesday), Wednesday in Madison, Wisc., and finishing up in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc. on Thursday. In addition to industry representatives, the events will have propane powered buses, service trucks, and vehicles on display. Attendees will have an opportunity to participate in demonstrations of the vehicles. Local FS dealers have more information on where and when to be to see the demonstrations.

Scott goes on to say that with the environmental benefits of 12 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions, a 20 percent drop in nitrogen oxide emissions, and 60 percent fewer carbon monoxide emissions than traditional petroleum-based fuels, using Propane Autogas makes sense for big cities and rural areas.

“The benefits, not just from the economic savings are there, but also from an environmental side, too.”

Listen to more of the interview with Scott here: Interview with Scott Long, GROWMARK

GROWMARK, Propane

Government Shuts Down, Ethanol Rumors Abound

Joanna Schroeder

The government is shut down and rumors abound about ethanol and the 2014 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) to be set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS). 2014 RVOS are anticipated to be announced within the next few weeks. With speculation and misinformation circulating at breakneck speeds, I went to Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), who noted there was no “adult supervision” in Washington, D.C. right now, to give the country a much needed RVO 101 lesson.

“Every year EPA has got to set the Renewable Volume Obligation, or RVO, based on the amount of renewable fuel they believe will be produced in that year,” explained Dinneen. “But there are certain constraints because there is a baseline number for renewable fuel. And for 2014 that baseline number is 14.4 billion gallons. That can’t be changed. That’s set in the statute.”

DinneenRFAThere is great flexibility for the EPA; however, to set the numbers for advanced biofuels, biodiesel and for cellulosic ethanol, continued Dinneen who noted there is flexibility which EPA has used in the past to reduce the volumes if they do not believe there is going to be the production to meet the statutory requirements. For example, said Dinneen, for 2013 the cellulosic ethanol RVO was 1 billion gallons but because the EPA didn’t believe the volumes could be met they reduced it to 6 million gallons because that is how much the EPA estimated would be produced.

However, said Dinneen, in the RVO process the EPA can’t just reset the numbers. “Congress was very clear as to how they might be able to reset the numbers and that is if only an economic hardship was determined. That’s not the process that is going on right now,” Dinneen said. Instead, there is speculation about what the 2014 RVOs might be and misinformation about where EPA is going with the numbers for next year.

The next obvious question should be, have the past and current RVOs caused obligated parties any “economic harm”? “No, not at all,” answered Dinneen. “The argument that is being made is that refiners won’t be able to blend more than 10 percent ethanol in gasoline and it would drive up the price of gasoline and they’ll have to export. The problem is that none of that is happening today. Ethanol continues to drive down the price of gasoline and there most certainly has not been any type of economic harm from this program.”

In fact, while the RFS has been in place, oil companies have still made record profits. Dinneen noted that Exxon just had their most profitable quarter ever and is the most profitable company “in the history of the universe”. In fact, even if they quit whining about the RVOs and invested in the infrastructure for E15 and E85, big oil would still continue to see record profits. Interestingly, Dinneen pointed out that if the RFS goes away, and ethanol disappears and the technological advancements being made in the advanced biofuels arena stop, the only economic harm that will happen is to consumers who have to pay even more for their gas at the pump.

“This is why the RFS was created. Because for too long oil companies have had a stranglehold on our motor transportation fuels,” said Dinneen. “The RFS is about access. The RFS is intended to wrest control of our energy future from the shareholders of Exxon, and Tesoro and the other oil companies that are just upset that they are finally losing a bit of market control. We’ve taken 10 percent of the barrel. We’re on the way to taking a third of the barrel. And the only way that is going to not occur is if EPA rewards their bad behavior. It won’t happen.”

Listen to my interview with Bob Dinneen here: Government Shuts Down, Ethanol Rumors Abound

For more information about the speculation surrounding the 2014 RVOs, click here.

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, RFA, RFS

Corn Crop Enough to Meet RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

ncga-logo-newThe National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is weighing in on the speculation about what the 2014 volume requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) might be.

NCGA president Martin Barbre, a corn grower from Illinois, says the statute currently calls for corn starch ethanol to account for 14.4 billion gallons, an amount that can easily be provided by the industry.

“Across the country right now, our nation’s corn farmers are harvesting what the USDA and others are estimating to be the largest corn crop ever,” said Barbre. “We’re looking forward to not only meeting all needs for food, feed and fuel, but to ensure ending stocks, or surplus, of nearly 2 billion bushels. Those who want to reduce how much corn ethanol is in the RFS for 2014 need to realize the tremendous productive capacity of the American farmer to meet all needs.”

While this week’s supply and demand report is delayed because of the partial government shutdown, as of last month USDA was estimating increased amounts of corn to be available for feed, ethanol and export uses – and 1.9 billion bushels in ending stocks.

The last USDA estimate of the 2013 corn crop forecast 13.8 billion bushels of corn will be harvested this fall, for a total available corn supply of 14.5 billion bushels – more than 2.5 billion bushels more than the corn available last year.

“The fact is, while we are doing our part to grow the corn needed for the RFS, others have not been doing their part to expand the infrastructure to meet the standard,” Barbre said.

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, NCGA, RFS

Boeing & SAA Partner for Aviation Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Boeing and South African Airways (SAA) have announced a partnership to develop and implement a sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, a first for the continent. The companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding for sustainable aviation biofuel supply chain development at The Corporate Council on Africa’s 9th Biennial U.S.-Africa Business, attended by executives from leading U.S. and African firms and government representatives from several countries.

South African Airways PlaneThis collaboration between Boeing and SAA is part of the companies’ broader efforts to support environmental sustainability for the airline’s operations and the commercial aviation industry overall, in addition to advancing South Africa’s social and economic development.

“South African Airways is taking the lead in Africa on sustainable aviation fuels and, by setting a best practice example, can positively shape aviation biofuel efforts in the region,” said Ian Cruickshank, SAA Head of Group Environmental Affairs. “By working with Boeing’s sustainable aviation biofuel team, which has a history of successful partnerships to move lower-carbon biofuels closer to commercialization, we will apply the best global technology to meet the unique conditions of Southern Africa, diversify our energy sources and create new opportunities for the people of South Africa.”

Boeing has collaborated extensively with airlines, research institutions, governments and other stakeholders to develop road maps for biofuel supply chains in several countries and regions, including the United States, China, Australia and Brazil. The aerospace company’s plan to work with SAA is the first such project in Africa.

“Sustainable aviation biofuel will play a central role in reducing commercial aviation’s carbon emissions over the long term, and we see tremendous potential for these fuels in Africa,” said Julie Felgar, managing director of Environmental Strategy and Integration, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Boeing and South African Airways are committed to investigating feedstocks and pathways that comply with strict sustainability guidelines and can have a positive impact on South Africa’s development.”Read More

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, International

UWGP Sponsoring Ethanol Education Events

Joanna Schroeder

United Wisconsin Grain Producers (UWGP) is inviting the public out to educational events about the ethanol industry this month to tell consumers the truth about ethanol fuel blends. The ethanol plant is sponsoring a series of informational sessions at Madison and West Bend car dealerships. Both events will feature ethanol experts as well as a live radio broadcast from Ag reporter Pam Jahnke (“the Farm Babe”).

UWGP logoThe first event is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th from 9 am to 11 am at Zimbrick Buick GMC West in Madison, Wisconsin (1601 West Beltline Highway, Madison, WI, 53713; Radio-106.3FM/Online at www.q106.com). The second event is scheduled for Saturday, October 26th from 9 am to 11 am at Heiser Chevrolet in West Bend, Wisconsin (2620 West Washington Street, West Bend, WI, 53095; Radio-92.1FM/Online at www.wbwifm.com).

UWGP General Manager Barb Bontrager says the dealership events provide a great venue to educate the public and bring the consumers in touch with technical experts. “These events are not just about answering ethanol questions. By giving access to ethanol experts, while doing giveaways and displaying some of the flex-fuel vehicles that are out there, we are highlighting the many advantages to use ethanol blended fuels. We think events like this will help consumers to understand they have a choice of what fuel they use right here in Wisconsin.”

Participation in the events include: the Wisconsin American Lung Association, Glen Bower (Automotive Faculty Advisor from the University of Wisconsin’s SAE program), Michael Lewan (Growth Energy), Alice in Dairyland and many more.

biofuels, Education, Ethanol

Strong Optimism for Geothermal Globally

Joanna Schroeder

Craig Mataczynski President GEAThe GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo hosted nearly 2,000 delegates in Las Vegas, Nevada for an event that featured the latest technologies in geothermal, and frank discussions on opportunities and challenges internationally as well as within the United States. Optimism was felt throughout the conference and was underscored by the release of Geothermal Energy Association’s (GEA) release of a report featuring more than 700 global geothermal projects.

“Each year, the GEA brings together the geothermal business community from all around the world at its EXPO,” noted GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “The sense from the industry was strong optimism for sustained growth in the global market despite lagging U.S. markets, and hope that as the United States works to meet higher state RPS requirements and new climate change goals the value of geothermal will be recognized which will spur growth.”

The report released prior to the event estimated that projects in the pipeline would more than double current worldwide capacity from the 12,000 Megawatts (MW) expected to be on-line by year’s end, and beyond that “developers are actively engaged with 27,000 MW of geothermal resource globally.”

In the U.S., GEA pointed out that as the percentage of electricity produced from intermittent sources increases, the stress on an aging power system designed for fossil fuels encourages geothermal’s continuing role as an important part of the power supply mix.

“The market will turn around as geothermal’s full value to the grid is recognized,” Gawell said. “Its baseload capacity makes it valuable for replacing retiring fossil fuel facilities, and its ability to provide flexible support will add to power system reliability.”

This year’s gathering incorporated a wide range of activities supporting U.S. companies working in the international market. Both the U.S. Trade and Development Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development supported delegations from Turkey and East Africa, respectively. Presentations in the EXPO hall featured delegates from several countries seeking to develop their geothermal power potential. GEA also held a standing room only dialogue with U.S. companies discussing how to expand U.S. exports of goods and services in key world markets.

A wide range of technology was on display at the GEA Geothermal Energy Expo, which featured 125 booths. EXPO booths highlighted the latest in technology to support today’s power projects and tomorrow’s “enhanced geothermal system” developments.

At the event, GEA also held its annual members meeting and elected a new President for the Association. Craig Mataczynski, President and CEO of Gradient Resources, was elected as GEA’s President. Speaking in the Opening Session of the event, Mataczynski laid out a bold new vision for the industry: “to contribute in excess of 5% of the electric energy needs in the United States and globally.”

conferences, Geothermal, Renewable Energy