Students Raise the Green Flag for Algae

Joanna Schroeder

5217a9d137b67.preview-300Students and professors at Utah State University are raising the green flag for algae with a record breaking small engine dragster. Earlier this month at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Aggie A-Salt Streamliner clocked in at 73.977 miles per hour – beating the current record in their division of 72.102. The team hopes to set additional records with their algal-biofueled dragster during the World of Speed taking place in Utah’s west desert this week.

“The big benefit, once the price is brought down to where it’s competitive with regular diesel fuel, is that it would be a totally renewable fuel,” said USU Chemistry and Biochemistry Professor Lance Seefeldt in an article in the Cache Valley Daily. “It would come from CO2 and sunlight. Then when you burn it, it turns back into CO2 again.”

The team of students is racing with algae biodiesel fuel that they are researching, producing and testing themselves. Graduate student Rhesa Ledbetter said that a benefit of using algae is that other resources are not being burned up.

“Producing fuel from things like corn and soybeans, things that we actually use as food products, that’s a major concern. We are taking something that’s food and using it as another resource. It can also start driving up costs,” said Ledbetter. “So if we can use something like algae that’s naturally present, I think people are much more open-minded.”

5217a979e8f83.preview-300A year ago, the dragster set a land speed record while running on yeast biodiesel fuel. Seefeldt says the big difference is that yeast biodiesel fuel comes from cheese waste while algae captures carbon dioxide out of the air and uses energy from sunlight to turn it into usable fuel.

The multi-department project began six years ago and has been featured in such places as the National Biodiesel Board’s annual conference where attendees were fascinated to learn about both the research and the racing.

“This is super exciting because many of the other schools working on this don’t have what we have in our hands,” said Research Assistant Mike Morgan who is also the driver of the dragster. “It’s the opportunity to raise the flag for everybody else and show that it’s doable.”

advanced biofuels, algae, Education, Racing, Research

E15 Additions At the Right Price

Joanna Schroeder

According to some new information from the Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), the cost of upgrading an existing retail gas station to sell E15 is much less than recently suggested by ethanol opponents. For the past year, several stations throughout the Midwest have been offering E15 and seen increases in both overall fuel sales and in-store sales.

Yet some retailers who want to offer E15 have been off put by concerns around price being fostered by biofuel opponents. Those detractors have claimed that adding E15 will cost retailers $200,000 to $300,000. However, the ethanol industry has repeatedly stated that such estimates represent an absolute worst-case scenario that would be far from the norm. In fact, the stations that offer E15 today have spent an average of just $10,000 per station to add the product—or slightly less than $0.01 per gallon of gasoline sold for the average retail gas station according to the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

ICM ethanol retail stationPEI has now further underscored the ethanol industry’s point that E15 station conversions can be done affordably. By request from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), PEI examined the potential cost of installing E15 at retail gas stations under 10 different scenarios. For example, stations that are just required to have compatible equipment can offer E15 with minimal investment. Those that can use existing dispensers—such as the Kansas station that was first in the country to sell E15 last summer—can offer E15 for under $1,200 on average per station. In this case, the investment in converting the station to sell E15 can be recouped in just one month (due to the potential for increased profitability from the sale of E15).

Those that require a listing by a testing laboratory also have inexpensive options. Stations can choose to retrofit their dispensers to offer E15 for under $4,200 per dispenser on average or replace dispensers to offer E15 for under $20,500 per dispenser on average. Even new stations being built could add E15 for under $10,000 per dispenser on average.

How do retailers pay for these upgrades? The good news is the return on investment (ROI) is quick given today’s markets. Given ethanol’s discount to gasoline and the current value of RINs, retailers offering mid-level ethanol blends like E15 can quickly recoup their investments in infrastructure.

Retailers should also keep in mind that the PEI cost estimates do not include any available incentives that help defray installation costs. Federal, state and local incentives and grant programs are available in most areas, and would further help reduce the cost of equipment and installation. One example, the USDA’s REAP Program, has funded hundreds of blender pumps that can offer a range of ethanol blends like E15. Click here to learn more about adding E15 to your current station offerings.

biofuels, E15, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, RFA

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFFuelCell Energy has announced a co-marketing agreement with NRG Energy for the marketing and sales of FuelCell Energy power plants. NRG will market the power plants to its customer base, offering a financing option utilizing a power purchase agreement whereby NRG will purchase and own the power plant and sell the electricity and high heat to the end-user or the customer can purchase the power plant. The agreement also includes the option of NRG Energy purchasing and owning fuel cell power plants for its own portfolio and selling the power to the electric grid.
  • Clariant, a global specialty chemicals company, has received the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) for its sunliquid demonstration plant in Straubing, Germany, which opened in July 2012. The certificate confirms that the cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues produced with the sunliquid technology is compliant with the sustainability criteria set out in the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
  • Trimble has announced that Eco2 Ltd. will be implementing its forestry bioenergy solution from Cengea, a Trimble Company and part of its Forestry Division. The Cengea solution will be used to manage Eco2’s supply chain operations for its state-of-the-art, straw-fired Sleaford Renewable Energy Plant in Lincolnshire in England.
  • ReneSola Ltd. has announced its ReneSola Jiangsu Product Center Laboratory has successfully completed an audit performed by TUV SUD, one of the world’s leading providers of testing and certification services. The audit certifies that the Company’s laboratory is qualified for potential induced degradation (PID) testing on photovoltaic modules according to International Electrotechnical Commission standards.
Bioenergy Bytes

US Navy Battery Testing Facility Goes Solar

Joanna Schroeder

The Battery Innovation Center in Newberry, Indiana, adjacent to the US Navy’s largest battery testing and research base, is the home of an isola solar power carport developed by renewz sustainable solutions. The solar charging carport system is the first energy lab in the country to feature Silfab solar panel technology.

gI_80421_Ltgovindiana“The completion and deployment took just a matter of days for this first solar power canopy on our new facility grounds,” said Charles LaSota, President of the Battery Innovation Center. “renewz’ rapid-assembly design, combined with an innovative solar technology and power management package, proved to be fastest and least disruptive to our operations of any others we found on the market, something we believe will be of great importance to future opportunities for our armed force bases in their pursuit of energy independence around the world. The need for robust solar-recharged energy storage operating systems becomes more apparent as the number of electric vehicles in our defense arenas increases.”

“Built right at the front steps of the US Navy’s largest battery development facility,” said Sass M. Peress, CEO of renewz, “this modular two-car solar canopy took just two days to assemble without need for any foundation trenching thanks to its ballasted design. Having now built several solar carports in 2013 of this type, our technology and team have clearly demonstrated how armed forces, educational institutions, governments, power utility and corporate entities around the world can quickly and easily deploy renewable, clean energy supplies for their electrical vehicle charging infrastructure, while powering their electric fleets towards true ‘zero-emission’ targets.”

Paolo Maccario,General Manager and COO of Silfab added that his company understands the importance of batter energy storage for the continued expansion of alternative energy. He also noted that the mission critical operations of the country’s armed forces require robust, reliable and innovative solutions.

“This aligns with the business philosophy Silfab prides itself of. High density and “smart” solar PV modules are just some examples of such innovation. I wish to congratulate all the partners in this project for sharing the same relentless pursuit of perfection and technological advancement,” concluded Maccario.

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Energy Storage, Solar

Argentinean Biofuels Production

Cindy Zimmerman

ifaj13-biodieselArgentina ranks third behind the United States and Brazil in soybean production, but first in the export of soy products, including biodiesel.

The International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) held its annual Congress in Argentina last week and those who attended learned quite a bit about farming and biofuel production in this South American nation.

Soybeans are the number one crop in Argentina with 50 million tons produced annually and production of biodiesel was 2.8 billion liters last year with exports totaling 1.77 billion. Argentina has been able to become very competitive in the export market for biodiesel and other soybean products since the country’s soybean growing regions and crushers are located close to port facilities, they have a highly developed crushing industry and a relatively small domestic market.

ifaj13-ag-secyArgentine ethanol production is much smaller, but on the rise. “I would say that Argentina is moving forward with corn-based bioethanol, but we are betting on sugarcane bioethanol,” Argentina’s Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture Lorenzo Basso said in an address to the IFAJ Congress.

Ethanol production is forecast to grow to 400 million liters this year and 600 million in 2014 with five new refineries using corn instead of sugarcane coming on line. All of the country’s ethanol production is for domestic use with a 5% mandate for fuel. Argentina is not big in either corn or sugarcane production, so Basso says they are looking ahead to using biomass for bioethanol production. “Biomass is in everybody’s agenda,” he said. “Argentina has a great potential to use biomass from forestry, as well as residues and wastes.”

Listen to some of the Secretary’s comments via an interpreter: Argentine Agriculture Secretary Lorenzo Bosso
2013 IFAJ Congress Photo Album

Audio, Biodiesel, Ethanol, International

Coffee Cup Could Become the Next Biodiesel Tank

John Davis

yangliu1That hot cup of Joe in the morning could become more than just a jolt to get your body going; it could be the next tankful of biodiesel to get your vehicle going. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are figuring out how to turn old coffee grounds into biodiesel, and Yang Liu, from the school’s College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS), will present his findings at the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) 246th National Meeting & Exposition this week in Indianapolis.

Liu and fellow researchers Qingshi Tu, a UC doctoral student in environmental engineering, and Mingming Lu, a UC associate professor of environmental engineering, used a three-pronged approach to converting waste coffee grounds into energy sources including biodiesel and activated carbon by:

Extracting oil from the waste.
Drying the waste coffee grounds after oil removal to filter impurities in biodiesel production.
Burning what was left as an alternative energy source for electricity, similar to using biomass.

The researchers launched the project in 2010, gathering waste coffee grounds in a five-gallon bucket from a Starbucks store on UC’s campus. After collection, they removed the oil from the waste coffee grounds and converted triglycerides (oil) into biodiesel and the byproduct, glycerin. The coffee grounds were then dried and used to purify the biodiesel they derived from the waste coffee grounds.

The researchers found that the oil content in the waste coffee grounds was between about 8 and 20 percent, while making a biodiesel that meets the ASTM International D6751 standard.

Biodiesel, Research

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