7-Eleven Has Success with EV Charging Stations

Joanna Schroeder

7-Eleven is the first fuel retailer in the New York City area to offer fast charging services for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. Green Charge Networks (GCN) energy storage solutions worked with 7-Eleven as well as the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and several utility companies to leverage local solar generation and energy storage. This enables them to use high-powered electric equipment, including EV fast chargers, while avoiding or creating peak energy times and high energy prices.

Green Charge Networks logo.pjg“Even when the New York City electric grid experienced an all-time peak on July 19 during the recent heat wave, the GreenStation allowed for EV fast charging while reducing peak demand by 56 percent,” said Vic Shao, Green Charge Networks’ CEO.

Green Charge Networks’ energy storage system, GreenStation, manages the power consumption at the 5820 Francis Lewis Boulevard 7-Eleven location in Flushing, N.Y. It monitors the store’s load on a second-by-second basis and counteracts peaks and valleys by discharging and charging from an internal ion battery bank.

“Convenience retailing in today’s world increasingly requires the use of high-powered electrical devices, including foodservice equipment and EV fast chargers,” adds Tom Brennan, 7-Eleven’s vice president of infrastructure services. “Meeting our customers changing needs while keeping demand charges and thus our electricity costs in check is a very attractive value proposition for us.”

According to CGN, the GreenStation enables industrial and commercial ratepayers to manage power consumption and rising demand charges. The root technology is a stochastic controller with sophisticated software that flattens the power load curve during peak consumption periods.

Electric Vehicles, Energy

Deal Struck to Research Pongamia for Biodiesel

John Davis

TreeOilsIndia1A deal to research the potential of an oil feedstock has been struck. Biodiesel Magazine reports Tree Oils India Ltd. (TOIL) will collaborate for the next five years with the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) to look into the feasibility of using pongamia for biodiesel, in addition to several other projects dealing with sustainable agriculture.

The locations of the project thus far are TOIL’s R&D farm near Hyderabad, India, and the laboratories of CRIDA, also in Hyderabad. While the new research agreement is for five years, Sreenivas Ghatty, managing director of TOIL, said they hope to achieve meaningful outcomes in two to three years. “We may go to other locations in the next few years as we progress,” he said, adding that TOIL has MOUs with Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, University of Hyderabad and Bayer Crop Science for similar research collaborations. “The exact activities will be delineated while developing the detailed activities to ensure that the proposed research activities with all the collaborators are complimentary but not competitive,” Ghatty said. “We are implementing a pilot integrated Pongamia plantation project in Meghalaya, India, and that location could also be included in the project.”

Part of the study will look at the actaul pongamia pod borer itself as well as a mechanical harvester.

Biodiesel, International

I’ll Take Some Free Fuel Please

Joanna Schroeder

rfa-sturgis-13-12From Washington to Texas to New Jersey to Florida, motorcycle enthusiasts from around the country stopped by the Buffalo Chip Campgrounds during Sturgis to get some free 93 octane ethanol blended fuel. Riders familiar with the fuel were “stoked” to get a few gallons of free, premium ethanol fuel while those less knowledgeable were excited to try out the ethanol blend after speaking with the onsite Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) biker team including Robert White and Kristy Moore. During the Free Fuel Happy Hours, they answered questions and chatted with bikers across the country to spread the good word about ethanol and give away a bit of free fuel.

Tim Moe from Phoenix, Arizona stopped by the Buffalo Chip to cash in on the free fuel promotion. He said it was a nice consideration and a nice surprise. He rides a Honda Goldwing 1800. When asked about ethanol, he said he had no concern. “I think its a win, win, win. The farmers will benefit from this as they should, the environment will benefit and I will.”

Trace from Coer d’ Alene, Idaho said she was rocked to receive free ethanol.

You can hear what several riders had to say about ethanol in this audio clip. Free Fuel Happy Hour at Sturgis

John from Roll Tide, Alabama stopped by to fuel up and when asked if he had any concerns about fueling with ethanol, he said no. “I’d always heard it was a good thing.”

Rose from Western Colorado thought the free ethanol blended fuel was “absolutely wonderful”. She also said she learned a few things about ethanol including that it takes less units of energy to produce ethanol than gas.

A gentlemen from Odessa, Texas who filled up with free 93 octane ethanol fuel last year came back for more. He said his bike ran great on the blend and he had no adverse effects.

You can hear what several riders had to say about ethanol in this audio clip. Free Fuel Happy Hour at Sturgis


2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis

Penn State to Offer Renewable Energy Degree

Joanna Schroeder

PennState LogoPenn State is now offering an online master’s degree in renewable energy and sustainability systems beginning this fall. Elsevier Publishing ranks Penn State first among universities engaged in alternative energy research.

“The new Intercollege Master of Professional Studies in Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems (iMPS-RESS) is designed to prepare professionals to lead the world’s transformation from an unsustainable, fossil energy economy to a renewable, sustainable basis of operation,” said Ali Demirci, professor of agricultural and biological engineering and iMPS-RESS academic program chair.

Departments included in the program include the colleges of Agricultural Sciences (lead academic unit), Earth and Mineral Sciences (lead administrative unit), Engineering, and the Liberal Arts; and the departments of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Ecosystem Science and Management, Energy and Mineral Engineering, Marketing, and Plant Science.

Daniel Ciolkosz, academic program coordinator for iMPS-RESS, added, “This program is focused on giving students the technical expertise and advanced project management skills they will need to effectively create or manage successful renewable and sustainable energy systems. Options in bioenergy, sustainability management and policy, solar energy, and wind energy will allow students to tailor the degree to their career goals.”

The program will provide students with foundational knowledge in renewable energy and sustainability systems. It includes one course on energy markets, policy and regulation. Students also will complete a management and design project. Program options will provide specialized, technical knowledge. Applications are now being accepted.

Education, Renewable Energy

Energy Efficiency Programs and the Farm Bill

Joanna Schroeder

b_farmlaptopCongress is on vacation until September and while they are spending some time away from Washington, D.C. industries who need a farm bill passed are still working to not only a long-term bill passed, but one that keeps energy programs in tact and with funding. Yet the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) notes that many people don’t really understand what programs are in the bill nor what energy programs the United States Agriculture Department (USDA) oversees and funds to improve the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

This need spurred ACEEE to release a new white paper, Energy Efficiency Opportunities at USDA.” The white paper outlines the main programs at USDA that provide funding that can be used for energy efficiency. Some are more well-known as energy efficiency programs, like the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Others haven’t been used for energy efficiency in years. These programs, says ACEEE, make up a toolkit that the energy efficiency community should keep in mind when working in rural areas.

You can access the free white paper here.

energy efficiency, Renewable Energy

New Fuel Cell Technology Cuts Fuel Use

Joanna Schroeder

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) recently demonstrated some of its new technology for tactical generators designed to cut fuel use nearly in half compared to diesel system currently powering forward-operating bases.

According to a post on the Navy’s website, the Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell Tactical Electrical Power Unit’s goal is to reduce the need to transport fuel around the battlefield, especially SOFCin dangerous locations like Afghanistan. The solid-oxide fuel cell produces electricity through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The ONR says a key component to the new system is a small reformer inside the unit that converts high-sulfur military fuels-such as JP-8 jet fuel- into a hydrogen-rich gas capable of use in the fuel cell. Previous systems required heavy maintenance to operate with such fuels.

“This technology goes right to the heart of the Department of Defense’s Operational Energy Strategy,” said Dr. John Pazik, director of ONR’s Ship Systems and Engineering Research Division in the article. “Using less fuel ultimately means fewer convoys and more lives saved.”

The power unit decreased fuel consumption by up to 44 percent compared to a similar-sized 10 kilowatt generator now being used by the Army and Marine Corps during a June demonstration at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. In addition to an easy-to-deploy modular and compact design, the new technology allows for near-silent operation. Instead of the roar of a diesel generator, the fuel cell unit’s cooling fan produces a sound similar to the quiet hum of a refrigerator or air conditioner.

“Many useful power and energy technologies have been developed in the last decade,” added Jack Taylor, associate director of ground and sea platforms in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. “We are now at the tipping point to start packaging and deploying these.”

Funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the development of the fuel cell generator was the result of collaboration within the DoD Energy and Power Community of Interest, which brings together the four military services on a variety of energy and power programs.

Alternative energy, Hydrogen, military

Free Fuel Happy Hour at Sturgis

Joanna Schroeder

During this year’s Sturgis event in Sturgis, South Dakota, bikers from across the country who were staying at the Buffalo Chip Campgrounds were treated to free ethanol-blended fuel compliments of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

The “Free Fuel Happy Hours” promotion enabled motorcyclists to fill their tank, free of charge, with 93 octane E10 (10 percent ethanol). This high octane fuel was not available in the area, and was brought in specifically for the event. The Free Fuel Happy Hours spanned three days – August 6-8, 2013 – from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

During the event, RFA discussed ethanol blended fuel with riders and also heard some great feedback. Michael Price from Long Beach, Washington, said that he has the 93 octane ethanol blend in his hometown and has been using it for years. He said his engine runs great and he never had any trouble with the blend.

Ethanol urfa-sturgis-13-14se in motorcycles is not limited to the U.S. – a biker from New Zealand stopped by to fill up his Harley and said ethanol worked well for him.

You can hear what several riders had to say about ethanol in this audio clip. Free Fuel Happy Hour at Sturgis
2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Photo Album

Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Motorcycle, RFA, Sturgis, Video

REAP Funding Announced

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced funding for 631 projects across the country – including 45 in North Carolina – that will help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce their energy consumption and costs, use renewable energy Vilsack in Amestechnologies in their operations and/or conduct feasibility studies for renewable energy projects. Grant and loan funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which is authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill.

With this announcement, USDA is committing to more than $21 million in energy projects nationwide. Despite budget uncertainties, USDA remains focused on strengthening the rural economy.

“As part of the Obama Administration’s ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, USDA continues to work with America’s farmers, ranchers and rural businesses to help them save energy and improve their bottom line,” Vilsack said. “This program and others like it would not be available without a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill, and again I urge members of Congress to pass a bill when they return to Washington next month.”

REAP helps producers reduce energy costs and increase production efficiency. Projects range from installing geothermal systems to adding anaerobic digester systems to installing solar panels.

Under the terms of REAP, up to 25 percent of an eligible energy production or conservation project can be funded through a grant, and additional support can be provided in the form of a loan. Since the start of the Obama Administration, REAP has helped fund nearly 7,000 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide.

Agribusiness, biodigester, bioenergy, energy efficiency, Renewable Energy

In the Land of Oil, Biodiesel Making Inroads

John Davis

UAEflagYou would think that in a country awash in petroleum, biodiesel just wouldn’t stand a chance. But here’s another story of biodiesel making some inroads in the oil-rich United Arab Emirates. The Post & Parcel reports that TNT Express is trying out biodiesel in its vehicle fleet.

The global integrator’s commercial vehicles in Dubai will use a kind of diesel that has 5% used cooking oil blended with the petroleum-based diesel.

The so-called B5 Biodiesel is supplied by local firm Lootah Biofuels, a subsidiary of Dubai-based SS Lootah Group.

TNT Express said using the alternative fuel would help reduce the amount of used cooking oil requiring disposal, and also cut carbon emissions compared to conventional diesel.

The company said its project with Lootah Biofuels would cut carbon emissions by about 32 tons each year.

This comes on the heels of last month’s story about how Del Monte in the UAE is using used cooking oil from McDonald’s made into biodiesel by Dubai-based Neutral Fuels.

Biodiesel, International

Biodiesel Buses Take American U. Students to Class

John Davis

AU shuttle1Students at a major Washington, D.C. university will be breathing a little easier on clean-burning biodiesel shuttle buses. The National Biodiesel Board says American University will run three new biodiesel-powered shuttle buses as students come back to campus this month.

“The new design is the perfect opportunity to showcase our shuttles in a way that also highlights our commitment to the education process and our branding for the university as well,” said Mark Feist, AU’s assistant director of grounds, vehicle maintenance and support services.

AU transitioned to biodiesel for its entire diesel fleet in December 2012, after obtaining an on-campus 1,000-gallon storage tank.

NBB went on to mention how the Nation’s nearly half a million school buses and the environment could benefit from the transportation running on biodiesel, not to mention the cleaner air more than 25 million students could be breathing every day. Many colleges, universities and school districts around the country are already using the green fuel to power their fleets. More information from NBB on biodiesel buses is available here.

Biodiesel