Indian Trains to Run on Biodiesel

John Davis

indiatrain1Trains in India could soon start running on biodiesel. The Business Standard reports that Research Design Standard Organisation (RDSO), the research wing of Indian Railways, will conduct field trials of Jatropha-based biodiesel developed by the Central Salt Marine & Chemical Research Institute.

“A few more approvals are required and possibly in next 3-4 months we shall commence the trials on two locomotives in Jetalsar,” a Western Railway official said.

“During initial trials it would be 10 per cent bio-diesel and 90 per cent conventional diesel, but as we progress the bio-diesel content will be scaled up,” he said.

“Laboratory tests have been conducted to test locomotives on B-100 bio-diesel (neat bio-diesel), but there are some issues with it. Hopefully once resolved, we aim to run the locomotives on hundred per cent bio-diesel,” the official said.

The institute is using a U.S.-patented technology to make the biodiesel from Jatropha.

Biodiesel, International

Neil Young Rocks for Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Rocker Neil Young showed he has a “heart of gold” for ethanol during a press event in Washington D.C. Monday with the National Farmers Union.

nfu-neil-young“I love ethanol. I love how it smells, I love the way it makes my car go, everything about it is great, it’s clean,” said Young. “It’s a beautiful fuel.”

But, Young told an audience of 300 farmers and numerous media outlets, America does not have freedom of choice when it comes to its fuel. “There’s a monopoly in existence,” he said. “Every time you get off the road, you enter a monopoly zone – it’s called Big Oil. There’s no reason why every fuel stop that has more than four fuel pumps cannot have an E85 pump…it gives Americans the freedom to choose the fuel they use.”

Young, who recently traveled cross country in a vehicle powered by cellulosic ethanol and electricity, says he is not being paid to support biofuels. “We have a very big problem, CO2 is going to be a huge issue in the next couple of years,” he said. “Ethanol and other biofuels, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, are the answer to this problem.”

The Grammy-winning recording artist believes the misinformation campaign against ethanol is fueled by the oil industry. “And the only thing that’s green about their product is the money that goes into campaigns,” he said to strong applause from the crowd.

Young also encouraged those who support alternative fuels to contact their lawmakers and urge them to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

Listen to some of Young’s comments here and watch the cell phone video sent by NFU staffer Melisa Augusto below: Neil Young for Ethanol

Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Video

Growth Expands You’re No Dummy Campaign

Joanna Schroeder

Growth Energy has launched the second in a series of television ads as part of the “You’re No Dummy” campaign. The latest ad focuses on Big Oil’s attempt to repeal the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“This ad is part of Growth Energy’s ongoing campaign to help Americans understand how the oil industry is trying to stop the growth of clean, green renewable fuels to protect its own bottom line,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “In conjunction with the release of this latest television ad, Growth Energy is holding its annual Advocacy Conference this week to highlight the importance of the RFS and higher blends of renewable fuels for our nation.”

Buis concluded, “Big Oil has made repeal of the RFS one of its top policy priorities and it is time the American people know that they are actively seeking to block the use of renewable fuels that are cleaner burning, less expensive and reduce our dependence on foreign oil – it’s time to put an end to Big Oil’s campaign of misinformation to protect their bottom line by trying to eliminate competition.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFS, Video

ABO Forms Joint Partnership with Japan

Joanna Schroeder

Cawthron Institute Alage ResearchThe Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) and the Algae Industry Incubation Consortium, Japan (AIIC), a group working to commercialize algae biofuels in Japan, announced a cooperative effort to share algae industry best practices and expertise during the International Symposium on Algal Biomass held in Tokyo, Japan. The AIIC contacted ABO for assistance in bringing together global algae expertise as part of the government of Japan’s efforts to diversify the country’s energy base.

“ABO and its members are honored to help the AIIC assemble an international community of experts to share knowledge about algae’s potential as a renewable source of energy,” said Mary Rosenthal, ABO’s executive director. “The high yields of algae and the ability to grow in saltwater with minimal impacts on agricultural land make algae-derived biofuels and other products attractive for any nation interested in sustainable sources of energy.”

ABO assisted the AIIC by facilitating contacts with global algae industry leaders, federal agencies and the research community.

“The AIIC is grateful for the cooperation of the Algae Biomass Organization and the international algae community,” said Isao Inouye of the University of Tsukuba and Board Chairman of AIIC. “Japan¹s energy goals and technical expertise can play a positive role in accelerating the commercialization of algae cultivation technologies that can provide sustainable fuels, chemicals and other products. We are looking forward to a productive partnership.”

advanced biofuels, algae, International

Lignol Energy Buying Stake in Dubai Biodiesel Maker

John Davis

Lignol Energy logoAn Australian biodiesel producer is expanding its reach, this time to Dubai on the Arabian Peninsula. Lignol Energy Corp. is paying $3.73 million to acquire 40 percent of Neutral Fuels Parent Company and a 51 percent interest in Neutral Fuels’ Australia and New Zealand biodiesel operation. As you might remember from earlier this summer, Neutral Fuels currently operates two closed-loop biorefineries located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Melbourne, Australia, and the Dubai facility makes biodiesel out of used cooking oil from McDonald’s restaurants.

“Neutral Fuels has developed world-class biorefineries employing state-of-the-art processing technology, which has established them as an emerging leader in the niche of small scale biofuel operators,” said Ross MacLachlan, CEO and chairman of LEC. “We are excited to be involved in this commercial venture. Their novel business model and collaboration with McDonald’s is an attractive and sustainable model both in terms of the environment and in commercial terms.”

“Partnering with LEC is the logical next step for Neutral Fuels,” said Karl W. Feilder, CEO and chairman of The Neutral Group. “Our current technology is able to efficiently convert used cooking oil to biodiesel today, and LEC’s next-generation technology provides us with some exciting options for the future.”

Neutral Fuels’ closed-loop business model was developed specifically for McDonald’s. The supply trucks in the UAE have driven more than a million miles on Neutral Fuels B100 biodiesel.

Biodiesel, International

Ethanol Safety Seminar Heads to Boardman, Oregon

Joanna Schroeder

There will be a free Ethanol Safety Seminar on September 16, 2013 at the SAGE Center in Boardman, Oregon. The event is sponsored by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Oregon State Police — Office of State Fire Marshal. There will be a morning session from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm and an evening session from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm. The morning session will be followed by an optional tour of the Pacific Ethanol, Inc. production plant at the Port of Morrow.

Ethanol Safety SeminarThis course was developed to give first responders, hazmat teams, and safety personnel an in-depth look at proper training techniques needed when responding to an ethanol-related emergency. A majority of this training is based on the “Complete Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response,” a training package created by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) that has been distributed throughout the United States and to several countries worldwide.

“Safety within the ethanol industry is of the utmost importance,” said Kristy Moore, RFA’s vice president of technical services. “Preparation in education must be the first step for first responders, and we strongly encourage all those with responsibilities inside their communities pertaining to the industry to attend this seminar.”

The Ethanol Safety Seminar focuses on numerous important areas of ethanol safety including an introduction to ethanol and ethanol-blended fuels, chemical and physical characteristics of ethanol and hydrocarbon fuels, transportation and transfer of ethanol-blended fuels, storage and dispensing locations, firefighting foam principles and ethanol-blended fuel, health and safety considerations for ethanol-blended fuel emergencies and tank farm and bulk storage fire incidents.

Registration is limited to the first 100 people per session. Lunch and dinner will be provided. Certificates of Attendance will be awarded to attendees at the completion of the course. Click here to register for this seminar.

biofuels, Education, Ethanol, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFThe Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) has updated and greatly expanded the “Reports and Studies” section of its web site, offering fast and easy access to more than 230 research papers, technical analyses, and studies on a wide variety of ethanol-related issues.
  • Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has won a $1.0 million funding award from the U.S. Department of Energy to enhance the commercial viability of its PowerBuoy wave-energy systems through mechanical component design changes to maximize power-to-weight output ratios and reduce overall installed capital costs.
  • Atlantic Wind and Solar Inc. has announce the commencement of construction on portfolio 101 representing 12 utility scale rooftop solar PV assets in Ontario, Canada. The utility scale projects, comprising 12 commercial buildings in Mississauga and Brampton in Ontario, represent 1.582 MW AC and approximately 1.9 MW DC of peak power production. Capital cost on the projects are approximately CAD $9.5 million. The projects are expected to generate 39.1 megawatt hours of clean electricity over the next 20 years. The energy produced will be sold to the Ontario Power Authority under the province’s Feed-In-Tariff at a rates of $.635/kWh for two of the projects (250 kW) and $0.713/kWh for the remaining ten.
  • Dominion Virginia Power, a subsidiary of Dominion bid $1.6 million to win the lease for 112,800 acres of federal land off the coast of Virginia to develop an offshore wind turbine farm capable of generating up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for 700,000 homes. The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) conducted the auction. Eight companies, including Dominion, were approved to bid, but only two firms participated. The auction lasted six rounds.
Bioenergy Bytes

Renewable Fuel Standard Debate This Week

Cindy Zimmerman

Representatives of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will be squaring off to debate on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) this week in Washington D.C.

AgriTalk and Agri-Pulse will be hosting the debate via broadcast and the web on September 12 starting at 11:00 am Eastern time live from the Longworth Building, Room 1300. Participants will be RFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen and NCBA Vice President Government Affairs Colin Woodall.

RFA-logo-13“The Renewable Fuel Standard is decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, creating jobs, and revitalizing rural communities. I am all geared up to explain the facts and debunk the negative attacks,” Dinneen says. “It is an excellent time for this debate. USDA is expecting a robust corn crop and just last month USDA issued a report showing that food prices are rising at a slower rate than expected.”

ncba-logo“We appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). America’s cattlemen and women are not opposed to renewable fuels; it’s the arbitrary mandate of their use that is at issue,” says Woodall. “This mandates places cattle feeders and the entire cattle sector on an un-level playing field for the finite amount of corn produced.”

Questions from AgriTalk and Agri-Pulse listeners and readers will be included in the debate led by Mike Adams and Sara Wyant. If you have questions on this topic, please submit them to Host@AgriTalk.com or to Sara@Agri-Pulse.com no later than Wednesday, September 11. The Agri-Pulse team will be live tweeting from the event @AgriPulse. Look for the hashtag #RFSdebate.

Ethanol, Ethanol News, livestock, RFA, RFS

GROWMARK Terminal Gets Biodiesel Certification

John Davis

BQ9000GROWMARK‘s Menard Terminal, near Petersburg, Ill., is being recognized for its quality biodiesel. The company received BQ-9000 certification by the National Biodiesel Accreditation Committee.

The National Biodiesel Accreditation Program, called BQ-9000, is a cooperative and voluntary program for the accreditation of producers and marketers of biodiesel fuel. The program’s criteria for certification combine the ASTM standard for biodiesel, ASTM D6751, with a quality systems program that includes storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices.

The facility features include heated storage, insulated piping, filtration and a pulse blending system. Biodiesel offered at Menard is 100% soy-based and meets all of the requirements of the industry standard, ASTM D6751, and the more stringent GROWMARK Quality Assurance Program. Blends in 2%, 5%, 11% and 20% for both clear and dyed diesel fuel are available. Dieselex Gold and SURE-FLO IV are also available for blending at the rack.

GROWMARK bought the Menard Terminal facility five years ago. It has storage capacity of more than 10 million gallons for gasoline, diesel fuel, ethanol and biodiesel, with the ability to custom blend biodiesel.

Biodiesel, GROWMARK

Ngatamariki Geothermal Power Plant Completed

Joanna Schroeder

ormat-ngatamariki-plant-1100x520Ormat has announced the successful completion of the 100 MW installed capacity Ngatamariki geothermal power plant in New Zealand. Mighty River Power’s modular Ngatamariki geothermal power plant is the largest singular binary power plant ever constructed. The Ormat Energy Converters are directly fed by a high temperature (380°F / 193 ºC) geothermal fluid. Until now, on such resources, only steam turbines or Geothermal Combined Cycle plants were used. In this configuration, 100 percent of the exploited geothermal fluid is reinjected with zero water consumption and low emissions, minimizing the impact on the environment with no depletion of the underground reservoir explained Ormat.

Dr. Doug Heffernan, Mighty River Power’s CEO, said, “The plant near Taupo was completed within the forecast and had proven performance above design specifications in testing over the past three months. We’re delighted with a project of this scale – the largest of its type in the world – to see it successfully completed, and with power output now expected to be 3MW (4%) higher than spec, which will be positive for the plant’s economics into the future. We also expect the project to come in slightly under the total cost forecast.”

The new station would add close to 700 GWh of annual electricity production, equivalent to the electricity use of about 80,000 households,” added Dr. Heffernan.

Ngatamariki was built in a record time of 24 months from the contract award. During commissioning, the power plant generated 150GWh and produced its first income stream for MRP.

“We are pleased with the outperformance of the Ngatamariki power plant and we are confident that the effectiveness and reliability of Ormat’s technology will continue to benefit our clients,” said Dita Bronicki, CEO of Ormat Technologies. “During the last 25 years, Ormat has installed in New Zealand approximately 350 MW in 14 power plants, 60% of the new geothermal capacity. We look forward to expanding our activity with our partners in New Zealand and share our accumulated knowledge and experience in future geothermal development in that county and around the world.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Geothermal, International