UPS Ups Its LNG Game

Joanna Schroeder

UPS is once again increasing its commitment to liquified natural gas (LNG) with plans to invest nearly $50 million to build an additional nine LNG fueling stations bringing the total number of stations to 13. Four were announced in April of 2013 and these stations should be operational by the end of 2014.

The enhanced LNG fueling infrastructure will support the operation of approximately 1,000 UPS_LNG_tractor_high_resUPS LNG tractors that will displace more than 24 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. UPS has used LNG vehicles for more than a decade and says they have benefited from lower fuel prices compared to imported petroleum.

“The natural gas industry needs companies to commit to using natural gas to help establish a reliable alternative to traditional fuel, and that is just what UPS is doing,” said David Abney, UPS chief operating officer. “The UPS strategy is both environmentally friendly and economically viable. LNG is becoming more readily available, plus it’s more insulated from market volatilities than diesel fuel.”

The expansion will include on-site fueling stations in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Construction is already underway at previously-announced UPS facilities in Tennessee and Texas. Currently, UPS operates LNG tractors in Las Vegas, Nev., Phoenix, Ariz., Beaver and Salt Lake City, Utah and, Ontario, Calif. UPS began using LNG tractors in its delivery fleet in 2002.

“Building these fueling stations is a solid future investment for UPS,” said Abney. “Since vehicles represent approximately 35 percent of UPS’s carbon footprint, a cornerstone of the company’s environmental strategy is to support the development and use of lower-emission alternative fuels. By 2017, our goal is to reach one billion miles driven by our alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet. To accomplish this goal the company must continue to innovate and help pave the way toward more sustainable transportation solutions.”

UPS operates one of the largest private alternative fuel fleets in the industry with more than 2,700 alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. This includes all-electric, hybrid electric, hydraulic hybrid, CNG, LNG, liquid propane gas (LPG), biomethane, and light-weight fuel-saving composite body vehicles.

Between 2000 and the end of 2012, the UPS alternative fuel and advanced technology fleet logged 295 million miles. In 2012, the growing fleet drove 49 million miles, a 43 percent increase compared to 2011.

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Liquefied natural gas (LNG)

SGB Gets Financing to Turn Jatropha into Biodiesel

John Davis

SGBlogoA California-based biofuel maker has lined financing to grow jatropha to turn into biodiesel in Guatemala. This news release from SG Biofuels (SGB) says the company inked a deal with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the debt financing of a 25,000 acre Jatropha bioenergy project that is estimated to cost about $76 million.

“The IDB’s decision to accept the mandate letter is a significant milestone and confirms that the project’s vision and benefits are aligned with the bank’s funding priorities,” said Kirk Haney, president and chief executive officer of SGB. “We look forward to working with the IDB to assure that the project meets the bank’s rigorous financial, technical and environmental standards.”

The project utilizes SGB’s improved Jatropha hybrids – an energy crop that is native to the Guatemala region – grown on sub-prime land that is not desirable for food production.

“The development of locally produced renewable energy is an important goal for Guatemala,” said Edwin Rodas, Guatemala’s deputy minister of mines and energy. “The ministry of energy supports the efforts of SGB and its team of partners and investors to develop a project that will directly address our objectives related to energy security, while promoting rural development through the creation of jobs in areas of the country that needs it most.”

The project is expected to 6.2 million gallons of plant oil and 640,000 metric tons of biomass per year while creating more than 1,000 new jobs.

Biodiesel, International

Pacific Ethanol Extracting Corn Oil for Biodiesel

John Davis

Pac-ethanol-logo2In an effort to add value to its ethanol operation, a western green fuel refinery is now extracting non-food grade corn oil that could be turned into biodiesel. This article from the Sacramento (CA) Business Journal says the Stockton, Calif. operation for Pacific Ethanol Inc. adds the corn oil extraction to the list of other products the plant produces, including wet distillers grain for animal feed.

“Corn oil production at our ethanol plants is an important strategy to further diversify our plant revenue streams and significantly improve operating income,” CEO Neil Koehler said in a news release.

The company operates plants in Stockton, Madera, Boardman, Ore., Burley, Idaho. The plant in Madera is currently idled. The Stockton plant is working at near capacity, [company spokesman] Paul Koehler said.

Pacific Ethanol is based in Sacramento and started in 2003.

Biodiesel, corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News

Is Government Shutdown Affecting You

Talia Goes

zp-nhOur latest ZimmPoll asked the question, “Is there a difference between animal welfare and animal rights?” Per the dictionary definition, animal welfare is the physical and psychological well-being of animals; animal rights is the idea that some or all nonhuman animals are entitled to the possession of their own lives, and that their most basic interests – such as an interest in not suffering – should be afforded the same consideration as the similar interests of human beings. Looks like the majority of you are aware of the difference between the two.

Our poll results:

· Yes, different definitions – 56%
· Similar but not same – 26%
· Other – 10%
· No, mean the same thing – 8%

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “Is shutdown affecting you?” We want to know if you can tell a difference in your daily work, those issues affecting you and your family, or if you really can’t tell a difference. Let us know!

ZimmPoll

Hydro Dynamics Makes “ShockWaves” in Biogas Plant

Joanna Schroeder

Hydro Dynamics, Inc. (HDI) has announced Azienda Agricola Luzi, located in the Marche region of Italy, has installed the ShockWave Power Reactor (SPR) in their biogas plant. The plant has installed the BioSPR 15 model sized for its 100 KW capacity. It is the second fully commercial install of the SPR technology for biogas in Italy with several more planned
yet this year.

Hydro Dynamics LogoHDI has partnered with Three-Es of Milan, Italy for distribution of its ShockWave Power
Reactor (SPR) for biogas and other industries. Three-Es has created a strong foothold for the SPR technology in biogas in Italy and is looking to continue that success in other
countries and other applications.

Through the biogas process, waste food and agricultural products are converted to natural gas through bacterial digestion. The BioSPR makes the fats, sugars, proteins and starches more accessible to the bacteria, which increases yield and can reduce viscosity. The Italian biogas market is one of the world’s largest with more than 700 plants.

“Three-Es offers their customers a beautifully engineered SPR solution that, as their
motto says, is “One Step More’ ahead of the competition”, said Doug Mancosky, VP of
R&D for HDI. “Three-Es is helping to revolutionize biogas in Italy and the rest of
Europe. We are extremely excited about the immense biogas potential in both Italy and
worldwide.”

Alternative energy, biogas

Electric Vehicles Sales Continue to Surge

John Davis

PluginDay1Sales of electric vehicles continue to surge. During the recent 3rd annual National Plug In Day, the Sierra Club touted the accelerated growth in the market.

“Americans are finding out how liberating it can be to drive electric. We noticed a significant increase in electric vehicle sales following the last National Plug In Day, and the numbers keep rising,” said Plug In America president Richard Kelly. “More EVs are hitting the pavement, and they are selling. We’ve gone from 345 electric vehicles sold in December 2010 to 18,000 by December 2011 to 70,000 by the end of 2012. Last month American consumers bought more than 11,000 EVs, doubling EV sales from the previous month. To date, more than 130,000 EVs have been sold in the U.S. since late 2010 – with sales effectively growing by about 200% a year.”

“I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Today automakers are competing on innovation and efficiency, America has cut its oil use by 10 percent in the past eight years, and EVs are a big part of that success,” said Michael Brune, Sierra Club executive director. “National Plug In Day is our chance to take our electric cars on a victory lap. Sales are exploding, plug-in technology is beating gasoline-powered cars while saving Americans money on gas and reducing pollution.”

National Plug In Day, celebrated Sept. 28-29, is a cooperative venture between Plug In America, the Sierra Club, and the Electric Auto Association to demonstrate the advantages of electric vehicles to prospective buyers.

Electric Vehicles

GEA Announces Finalists for GEA Honors

Joanna Schroeder

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) has announced the finalists for the GEA Honors, which recognize companies and individuals that have made significant contributions during the past year to advancing technology, spurring economic development and protecting the environment. Now in its third year, GEA also provides special recognition of companies and individuals who have made notable advances and achievements for geothermal energy.

gea_logo“This diverse group of honorees is leading the development, financing and implementation of geothermal energy both within and outside the United States,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “It takes a community of stakeholders to develop and operate a renewable, sustainable energy source. We at GEA are pleased to honor these companies and individuals for their contributions to this growing industry.”

GEA has named the finalists for GEA Honors in the following categories: Technological Advancement, Economic Development and Environmental Stewardship. GEA will announce a final winner in each category in December. Additionally, GEA will award the Special Recognition award to GEA or non-member companies or individuals making significant contributions to the geothermal energy industry.

Technological Advancement is awarded to an individual or company that has developed a new, innovative, or pioneering technology to further geothermal development. Finalists include: AltaRock Energy, SPX Heat Transfer LLC, and U.S. Geothermal’s 22 MW Neal Hot Springs Geothermal Power Plant.

Economic Development is awarded to an individual or company that has made a substantial contribution to the development of local, regional or national markets through the development of geothermal systems. Finalists include: GGE Chile and GeothermEx.

Environmental Stewardship is awarded to an individual or company that has fostered outstanding environmental stewardship through the use of geothermal systems. This award will be presented in conjunction with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI).  Finalist is Dale Merrick with Canby Geothermal.

The Special Recognition Award is open to individuals or companies either within the GEA membership or beyond for outstanding achievement in the geothermal industry. This award will be announced later this year when the winners in the categories above are announced.

Click here for more information about the finalists.

Alternative energy, Company Announcement, Geothermal

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFRenewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas), a leader in the development and construction of wind and solar projects in North America, has announced the hiring of two senior executives. Robert Morgan and Glen Davis will join RES in the roles of Chief Development Officer and Chief Commercial Officer, respectively. Morgan and Davis join RES Americas from Agile Energy, a company they co-founded and led for more than nine years. RES Americas plans to acquire Agile Energy¹s key solar development assets.
  • Morrison & Foerster has announced the addition of Julian E. Hammar to the firm’s Energy and Financial Service Regulatory Practices in Washington, D.C. His practice will focus on futures, derivatives and commodities, energy regulatory compliance and enforcement, corporate and securities matters.
  • SunPower Corp. has announced that marketing veteran Erin Mulligan Nelson has been named the company’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer. In this role, she will drive SunPower’s overall global brand and marketing strategies. Nelson has significant executive-level marketing experience with both Fortune 50 and high-growth pre-IPO companies, including chief marketing officer of Dell and Bazaarvoice. Her position is effective immediately and she will be based in the company’s Austin, Texas office.
  • SolarCity Corp. has announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for SolarCity to acquire Zep Solar, Inc. for approximately $158 million. The purchase price is payable in shares of SolarCity common stock, and is subject to reduction for the amount of net indebtedness of Zep Solar as of the closing. Zep Solar is one of the leading providers of residential photovoltaic module mounting systems in the U.S., and has been one of SolarCity’s primary component suppliers for residential systems in 2013. Upon close of the acquisition, Zep Solar will operate as an independent business unit of SolarCity.
Bioenergy Bytes

Abengo’s Solana Solar Plant Acheives Milestone

Joanna Schroeder

World-wide renewable energy company Abengoa has announced that Solana, the world’s largest parabolic trough plant with a total installed capacity of 280 gross megawatts (MW) and also the first solar plant in the United States with thermal energy storage, has successfully passed commercial operation tests. Abengoa says this milestone marks a major accomplishment for the company and the Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) industry. The solar plant has the ability to provide electricity for nearly 70,000 average sized homes.

Solana is the first solar plant in the U.S. with a thermal energy storage system that is able to generate electricity for six hours without the concurrent use of the solar field. This is a turning point for renewable energy in the U.S., serving as a tangible demonstration that solar energy can be stored and dispatched upon demand.

Solana solar power plantSolana, located near Gila Bend and about 70 miles southwest of Phoenix, Arizona, began construction in 2010 and, on Monday, October 7, successfully fulfilled production forecasts required to-date and testing for commercial operation. These tests included operating at the turbine’s full capacity while charging the thermal storage system, continuing to produce electricity after the sun goes down, and starting up the plant and producing six hours of electricity using only the thermal storage system. These tests successfully demonstrated the various operation modes of the plant’s operation.

Abengoa’s first utility-scale solar plant in the United States employs parabolic trough technology. This technology consists of parabolic shaped mirrors mounted on structures that track the sun and concentrate the sun’s heat, later transforming water into steam and powering a conventional steam turbine. This mature technology has additional value since the heat can also be stored and used to produce clean electricity after the sun goes down or during a transitory period.

This ability to generate electricity when needed, or dispatchability, is one of the unique characteristics of concentrating solar power versus other types of renewable energy sources. The six hours of clean energy generated by Solana’s thermal storage system without the use of the solar field will satisfy Arizona’s peak electricity demands during the summer evenings and early nighttime hours. Dispatchability also eliminates intermittency issues that other renewables, such as wind and photovoltaics, contend with, providing stability to the grid and thus increasing the value of the energy generated by CSP.

Arizona Public Service (APS), the largest utility in Arizona, will purchase all of the electricity produced by the solar plant for 30 years through a power purchase agreement with Abengoa.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy Storage, Solar

World’s Largest Advanced Biofuels Plant Opens

Joanna Schroeder

Today marked the official opening of what is believed to be the world’s largest operational, commercial scale advanced biofuels facility. Situated in the fields outside the city of Crescentino, Italy, Beta Renewables, part of the Mossi Ghisolfi Group, along with Novozymes celebrated the first plant to be designed and built to produce bioethanol from agricultural residues and energy crops as commercial scale using enzymatic conversion. The advanced biofuels plant features Beta Renewables’ PROESA™ engineering and production technology alongside Novozymes’ Cellic® enzymes.

“The advanced biofuels market presents transformational economic, environmental and social opportunities, and with the opening, we pave the way for a green revolution in the chemical sector,” said Beta Renewables’ Chairman and CEO, Guido Ghisolfi. “We will continue to commercially expand Beta Renewables’ core technology throughout the world, and we are very confident at this stage given the demand we see around the globe.”

“The opening today presents a leap forward and is truly the beginning of a new era for advanced biofuels,” says Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO of Novozymes. “Here, at this plant, enabled by Novozymes’ enzymatic technology, we will turn agricultural waste into millions of liters of low-emission green fuel, proving that cellulosic ethanol is no longer a distant dream. It is here, it is happening, and it is ready for large-scale commercialization.”

The plant uses wheat straw, rice straw and arundo donax, a high-yielding energy crop grown on marginal land. Lignin, a polymer extracted from biomass during the ethanol production process, is used at an attached power plant, which generates enough power to meet the facility’s energy needs, with any excess green electricity sold to the local grid.

At the inauguration, Guido Ghisolfi and Peder Holk Nielsen were joined on the ground for the celebrations by Italy’s Minister for Economic Development, Flavio Zanonato, and representatives from the European Commission, as well as more than 500 global stakeholders.

During the event, both companies stressed that with the technology ready at commercial scale, it will be vital to create stable and conducive policy conditions worldwide, to harvest better the vast opportunities in cellulosic ethanol and advanced biofuels.Read More

advanced biofuels, bioenergy, Cellulosic, Ethanol, International, Renewable Energy, Video