Happy 5th Anniversary Patriot Renewable Fuels

Joanna Schroeder August 23, 2013

Patriot Renewable Fuels celebrated their five year anniversary today and dozens of community members, legislators, employees and those from the ethanol industry were on hand for the celebration. With fierce attacks from ethanol detractors on the corn-based ethanol industry, the celebration was proof that the ethanol industry is standing firm.

Bob Dinneen, RFA president and CEO attended the celebration touting the five year milestone. “Today is truly a day of celebration for everyone involved in Patriot Renewable Fuels,” said Dinneen to the crowd gathered at the plant for the celebration. “It is often said that the first year of business is always the hardest. It is truly an accomplishment that you have long passed the first year and have reached the five year anniversary. There have been times of prosperity and times of drought, but as a company you have shown perseverance, dedication and hard work. Today is a day to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of your labor.”

Patriot Renewable Fuels is located in Annawan, Illinois and employs 55 full time employees at a plant that produces 110 million gallons of ethanol and 300,000 tons of DDGS per year. Over the past few weeks, plant partners have been congratulating the bioenergy plant on five years of success and wished them success for many more years.

“The last five years in business has been both challenging and uniquely rewarding. I have seen the company grow and thrive from an idea into reality,” said Patriot Renewable Fuels’ CEO and co-founder Gene Griffith. “I am proud of the positive impact we have had on our country, creating jobs, decreasing our dependence on foreign oil, and revitalizing our rural community. It is my hope that the next five years will be as rewarding as the last.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA

Chevrolet Funds Plug-In EV Chargers

Joanna Schroeder August 23, 2013

Two of the most popular State Parks in Southern California – Leo Carrillo State Beach and Malibu Creek State Park – now have free electric vehicle (EV) charging for plug-in electric vehicle owners. The EV charging stations were made possible through Chevrolet’s EcoAd advertising with CBS EcoMedia Inc. The two, 240 volt, chargers can accommodate up to four plug-in electric vehicles. The units were installed at the two parks by EcoMedia’s nonprofit partner, Adopt A Charger. Chevy’s funding will provide free charging and service and maintenance for the charging stations for three full years.

A ribbon-cutting celebration was held in front of the Malibu Creek State Park Administration Building. The ribbon-cutting celebration was hosted by Craig Sap, California State Parks Superintendent for the Los Angeles District; Chevrolet Group Manager, Western Region Communications, Dave Barthmuss; Kitty Adams, Executive Director, Adopt A Charger, Inc.; and CBS EcoMedia President and Founder, Paul Polizzotto. Special guests included Alexandra Paul, Co-Founder, Plug-In-America, a Chevy Volt owner; along with several other Chevy Volt and Chevy Spark EV drivers and other interested plug-in car enthusiasts.

Chevy brought out two Chevy Volts and a new Spark EV for test drives and several attendees had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the battery-powered vehicles.

“Electric vehicles are catching on and we’re proud that the Chevy Volt is the number one selling plug-in vehicle in the country,” said Dave Barthmuss, Chevrolet’s Western Region Group Manager. “These new chargers will allow EV drivers to enjoy trips out to Southern California beaches without range anxiety. Installing EV charging stations at destination locations like Malibu Creek State Beach, where vehicles will sit for several hours, is a perfect example of the kind of infrastructure that will help grow the EV market.”

California State Parks recreational activities and outdoor experiences draw approximately 85 million visitors each year –an increasing number of who drive plug-in vehicles. Installation of EV charging stations is part of the “Cool Parks” initiative by California State Parks that responds to the pressing challenges of climate change and seeks to educate park visitors, and motivate the broader public to be part of the solution. By “adopting” these chargers, GM becomes a Proud Partner of the California State Parks.

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder August 23, 2013

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd has announced that it will supply 23MW of Solar PV modules to Swinerton Builders. The company will utilize JinkoSolar’s 300W 72 cells high-efficiency PV modules in its construction of the Westland Solar Farms, LLC ground-mounted solar plant in Fresno County, California. When completed, this utility scale solar farm will provide electricity to PG&E.
Pattern Energy Group LP has closed the financing and started construction of its Panhandle Wind project, a 218 MW wind power project located in the Texas Panhandle. The project will utilize Texas’ new Competitive Renewable Energy Zone transmission infrastructure, which connects to the state’s main power grid operator, Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
Globally renowned water conservationist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and environmental author Bill McKibben will join regional leaders this fall for the Midwest’s first partially-solar-powered Concert for the Climate. Music will link together workshops, Kennedy’s keynote speech, and McKibben’s featured presentation at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers at Kaw Point Riverfront Park on Saturday, September 28, 2013. The event will last from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The ZephIR 300 has been chosen by Babcock International Group to collect wind data on its pioneering floating lidar platform. The new platform allows the ZephIR 300 to collect data offshore without the need for post-processing or compensation, reducing the possibility of miscalculation or human error. The new technology will, once proven successful, significantly cut capital expenditure costs by removing the need for fixed meteorological masts. The platform provides the stability needed to collect accurate lidar data by utilising a low-motion buoy. Babcock’s marine expertise means the buoy has been shown to pitch and roll less than five degrees from vertical in waves of up to 4.25m Significant Wave Height (Hs).

Bioenergy Bytes

Interactive Map Shows Biofuel Friendly Policies

Joanna Schroeder August 23, 2013

According to the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA), 62 countries now have biofuels friendly policies in place that have driven global demand to over 1 million barrels per day. To help people around the world keep track of the changing political landscape, GRFA has launched an Interactive World Biofuels Map available on their new website.

“It is amazing to watch the growth of the biofuels industry from a global perspective,” said Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA. “Today, governments have embraced biofuels in every corner of the world, from Australia to Zimbabwe.”

One of the latest countries to enact a biofuels mandate is India. Currently their mandate is set at 5 percent ethanol content and scheduled to increase to 10 percent as soon as production capacity is in place. India has ultimately set a goal of 20 percent for all biofuels content by 2017.

“Enacting biofuels friendly policies in developing countries and growing economies like India will be crucial for the continued growth of the global biofuels industry and reducing our reliance on crude imports,” said Baker. “The GRFA applauds the government of India for taking the steps to reduce its reliance on crude oil and setting a plan in place to become a global leader in biofuels use and production.”

Baker explains that the new Interactive World Biofuels Map clearly shows that biofuels production and policies are no longer limited to the United States and Brazil, but have spread to numerous countries that are struggling to reduce GHG emissions and reduce their reliance on crude imports.

“It is interesting to note that several African countries now have biofuels friendly policies in place. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan and Mozambique all now have biofuels friendly policies in place to encourage the use and production of renewable fuels. In total, ten African countries have implemented biofuels friendly policies to reduce their crude oil reliance,” concluded Baker.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, International

Wallace Goes Full Throttle for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder August 23, 2013

Bristol Motor Speedway will see a familiar face and a familiar brand Saturday for the Food City 250, as American Ethanol again joins forces with veteran driver Kenny Wallace. Wallace climbs back behind the wheel of the No. 29 RAB Racing American Ethanol Toyota Camry.

“I’m so excited to be going to Bristol Motor Speedway, the ultimate short track, for grassroots racing just like I grew up on. The night race at Bristol is absolutely electrifying, and I’m really excited to be a part of it and looking forward to showing off our new American Ethanol paint scheme,” said Wallace. “It’s been almost a full year since I’ve raced an American Ethanol Camry, and I’m so happy to be debuting a brand new paint scheme for them on a very special day for me, my 50th birthday.”

Wallace, a veteran of the .533-mile oval, has not only won at “Thunder Valley”, but has finished in the top ten in half of his Nationwide Series starts (18 of 36). Additionally, Wallace has two top-ten finishes and two laps led in Sprint Cup Series competition at Bristol Motor Speedway.

“We (NASCAR drivers) have driven more than four million miles on American Ethanol. It’s been well accepted in the sport because it works. The transition was easy. We got more power and better performance,” said Wallace. “Unlike imported oil, ethanol is good for our economy and creates jobs in America both in ethanol plants and on family farms.”

This will mark the first NASCAR Nationwide Series race in 2013 that American Ethanol will be the primary sponsor on the No. 29 of Kenny Wallace, with RAB Racing. This will also be Wallace’s 897th NASCAR start.

“Away from the track Kenny is an outspoken advocate for American Ethanol and family farmers,” said Jon Holzfaster, a Paxton, Neb. farmer and chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s NASCAR Advisory Committee. “He is a fan favorite and has played a big role in building fan support for ethanol within the sport. Today, NASCAR fans are 50 percent more likely than non-fans to support the use of ethanol in their own cars.”

American Ethanol, Ethanol, NASCAR, NCGA

Univ. of Tenn. Develops More Sensitive Biodiesel Sensor

John Davis August 23, 2013

An issue that biodiesel runs into in the jet fuel field is the lack of tolerance for ASTM D1655, the jet fuel specification at just 5 parts per million (ppm) of allowable amount of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) contamination. Biodiesel Magazine reports while that traditional analytical equipment, such as gas chromatography, Fourier transform infrared and high-performance liquid chromatography, cannot detect levels that low, scientists at the University of Tennessee have developed a more sensitive sensor:

[R]esearchers at the University of Tennessee have developed thin-film sensors with high sensitivity toward biodiesel contamination in jet fuel. Small strips of these sensors have been tested to detect the trace biodiesel contaminant in diesel at as low as 0.5 ppm in less than 30 minutes. The sensor also gives quick response to B20 in less than five minutes and may be used with the naked eyes. The sensors, developed by UT chemistry professor Ziling Xue, are intrinsically small, easy to use, inexpensive, and can be mass-produced for disposable applications. When combined with a portable reader, the sensors can be potentially used as a compact portable device for field applications. The university is seeking partners to commercialize the technology.

According to the article, another track in the biodiesel-jet fuel saga is getting a higher contamination tolerance allowed. Officials with the National Biodiesel Board make the case that allowing a higher level of biodiesel in the ASTM specifications for jet fuel than 5 ppm will make it much easier for pipelines to manage shipments of biodiesel blends in a manner that ensures jet fuel will always meet the specifications. In addition, the U.K.-based Energy Institute wants to test biodiesel at 400 ppm, four times the proposed allowable limit.

Biodiesel, biojet fuel, Research

Biodiesel Board Defends RFS in USA Today

John Davis August 23, 2013

The National Biodiesel Board is coming to the defense of the renewable fuels standard (RFS) in a national newspaper. In USA Today’s “Your Say” opinion piece asking readers for their thoughts on the importance of biofuels, Anne Steckel, vice president, federal affairs, for NBB in Washington, D.C., made the case that the RFS has helped her industry grow from a niche fuel to a billion gallons a year, while creating jobs and choice in the marketplace:

USA TODAY’s editorial suggests renewable fuels are no longer as vital, thanks to new domestic oil discoveries. But surely your readers have noticed news stories highlighting that consumers are paying near-record prices for fuel despite record domestic oil production.

The fact is that oil is a globally traded commodity whose price is heavily influenced by geopolitical developments beyond our control.

Steckel goes on to say no matter how much oil is drilled in the U.S., drivers will continue to be held “hostage to global oil prices” unless the market is diversified, which the RFS is doing.

Biodiesel, NBB, RFS

Haiti To Build BioEnergy Zones

Joanna Schroeder August 22, 2013

Haiti-based Sonamar, S.A. and Bangalore-based VayuGrid have entered into a partnership to develop BioEnergy Zones across Haiti. These bioenergy pockets will produce renewable energy through elite biofuel trees developed by VayuGrid. The two companies believe the project will deliver social, environmental and economic benefit to the country.

The zones will be developed in non-arable land across Haiti to supply biodiesel, cooking briquettes, and high-protein animal feed. Social benefits will be realized, say the companies, through jobs and economic opportunities for the communities servicing the BioEnergy Zones; environmental benefits via renewable energy and reduction of deforestation through biofuels, and economic benefits by way of an agriculture financial model that is sustainable without government subsidies.

“We see great benefit in developing a high yielding crop that not only produces clean energy, but will also supply the cooking fuel to significantly reduce the large scale deforestation across Haiti,” said Alix Douyon, President of Sonamar S. A.

Sonamar, S.A. has an agreement with the Energy Ministry in Haiti for development of energy crops and has access to large tracks of barren land. As the local execution partner, Sonamar will work with local communities to develop the services-based ecosystem around BioEnergy Zones, creating long term opportunities for jobs and income within the communities.

“There is significant attention on how to make lasting changes in Haiti,” said Douglas Peterson, CEO of VayuGrid. “We are pleased to develop this agreement with Sonamar and expect significant benefit for Haiti directly and foresee that Haiti will become a demonstrator for the region for deploying large scale and sustainable renewable energy projects.”

The initial project will be for 1,000 acres and supply over 1.2 million gallons of biodiesel per year, and 15,000 tons of green coal. The project will be expanded to over 20,000 acres over the next 4 years.

Biodiesel, bioenergy, biofuels, International

Better Biodiesel Lab for Loyola

John Davis August 22, 2013

Loyola University Chicago is giving its biodiesel lab an upgrade. This Biodiesel Magazine story says the school has given students hands-on, real-world, experiential learning in sustainability education for the past five years. But it was time to update the whole lab.

“We were space-constrained, and limited to what we could do in that space,” said [Lab manager Zach] Waickman. The old lab, only 425 square feet, included a crude 2,000 gallon per year (gpy) processor and Waickman’s office space. Inputs like methanol had to be stored elsewhere and carted in, and the lab’s bulk biodiesel storage was also inconveniently located off-site. In the new lab, everything will be fully connected in a 3,000-square-foot space integrating biodiesel production, bulk storage, soap processing, product development, research and testing. “We were in a separate building before, two blocks off campus,” Waickman said. “Now we’ll be in a single building with all the other environmental projects.” The heating and cooling is coupled with the biodiesel generator in the basement, and 90 percent of the heating and cooling needs in the building will come from biodiesel and geothermal. Now, instead of draining glycerin one graduated cylinder at a time, for example, it’ll be piped over to the new methanol distillation apparatus.

Biodiesel Experts International was contracted to provide the lab’s new biodiesel production unit. BEI owner Ernie DeMartino said the unit is a traditional chemical batch system, but all the piping is color-coded for educational purposes, and there are site glasses on all the tanks. The skid-mounted unit also has separate flash evaporation for biodiesel and glycerin. The new system is scaled at 100,000 gpy, but Waickman says his goal is to produce about 30,000 gpy. Feedstock will remain used cooking oil from Loyola, Northwestern University and other area colleges. Most of the fuel produced is sold back to area college shuttle buses, with the rest going to private wholesale by appointment.

Loyola officials say the new instruments will enhance the students’ experiences. The biodiesel lab is also working with many other colleges to help get sustainability programs up on those campuses.

Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder August 22, 2013

The International Bioenergy and Bioproducts Conference (IBBC) is taking place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on September 18-20, 2013. The focus of the event is to advance biorefineries in the forest products industry. Event topics will include biomass supply and demand, biochemical conversion of biomass, thermochemical conversion of biomass, conversion pathways, and modeling. Registration is still open.
Biomass Magazine is offering a free webinar, “My Old School: How Anaerobic Digestion is Gaining Traction on American College Campuses on Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 10:00 am CDT. Register here.
Washington County, Maryland is moving ahead with a project to develop a refused derived fuel (RDF) facility to process municipal solid waste as well as a waste gasification facility that will produce biofuels. The County, who has partnered with America First Inc., is also considering mining previously landfilled waste for additional feedstock. The County hopes the project will provide an economic development tool to attract companies looking for a sustainable community with zero waste opportunities.
Community-owned solar developer Clean Energy Collective (CEC) has signed a purchase power agreement with the Yampa Valley Electric Association (YVEA) launching YVEA Community Solar. The agreement allows YVEA to buy 500 kW of renewable energy from CEC’s solar power system under construction in Craig, Colorado.

Bioenergy Bytes

Page 850 of 1,946
←
1
...
849
850
851
...
1946
→