Natural Power Expands Operations

Joanna Schroeder

Natural Power The Green HouseRt Hon Ed Davey, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, recently opened Natural Power’s newly expanded ControlCentre at their global headquarters, The Green House, located in the foothills of Rhinns of Kells in rural Dumfries and Galloway.

The company’s NP/ControlCentre (previously known as WindCentre) is a 24/7/365 operational control room, providing site management services round the clock for a range of renewable sectors including onshore and offshore wind, biomass and solar PV projects. Manned by experienced engineers, the 24 hour control room service is facilitated by a software solution for health & safety management, work order recording and access control – all in line with industry best practice, such as the RenewableUK Wind Turbine Safety Rules.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey said during the event, “It’s great to see first-hand the work carried out at Natural Power’s ControlCentre. This shows the vital role renewables play in our energy mix and their contribution to our energy security. The Centre has already helped over 100 clients improve the efficiency of their wind turbines, increasing the amount of renewable electricity provided to the grid.

20130905-NaturalPower-5928The company’s Asset Management team currently manages 139 wind farms globally, including 14 sites in Ireland, representing 1,360 turbines. The company is also breaking into the U.S. market and is already providing services to a number of operational wind farms. This represents operational management of 37 percent and 20 percent of the UK’s and Irish installed onshore capacity respectively.

Commenting on the company’s acheivements, Natural Power’s Director of Asset Management, Andy Howie, said: “It is a great achievement to be in a position to double the size of NP /ControlCentre, and to know it has become the heart of one third of all operational sites in the UK.  As the sector continues to grow our focus remains on achieving the highest safety standards on site for all. We are extremely proud, at Natural Power, to be chosen as the No. 1 provider of Asset Management services in the UK.”

Davey also noted that is he “delighted” that Natural Power has chosen to expand the Centre’s services to solar and bioenergy sectors in the UK. “The UK has some of the best renewables in Europe,” said Davey, “and if we are to meet our carbon reduction and renewable targets, it is vital that we make the most of this potential.”

“I wish Natural Power every success with their endeavours,” added Davey.

Alternative energy, biomass, Electricity, offshore wind, Solar, Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFNorthern Power Systems (NPS) has announced easier installation of their wind turbines through a series of upgrades. Core components such as the transformer are now built into the NPS60 and the NPS100. Other improvements include a new GSM network data connection package to allow seamless connectivity to wind turbines in the most remote areas. The new standard configuration is grid-ready and also offers a mobile network modem to provide a high speed data connection.
  • Join the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society for an informative and engaging 12 mile bicycle tour on Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Participants will explore renewable energy technologies at homes and businesses around Minneapolis, Minnesota. This unique bike ride highlights solar installations, electric vehicles and more. The event is geared for persons who are considering buying a solar power system or are interested in sustainable living.
  • There is still time to register for the OnSite Energy Conference taking place September 24, 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. The event will bring together solar, wind, biomass and biofuels stakeholders in a strategic event designed to carve a path forward for clean energy on a micro level. The program designed to help bring energy independence down to the level of community, business and industry by establishing small independent clean, alternative energy production facilities on site. Click here for more information and to register.
  • Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, has awarded the DSM Science and Technology Award, Americas 2013, to Christopher M. Bates of the University of Texas in Austin (USA). The theme of this year’s award was Mastering Macromolecular Morphology. Bates received the award for his PhD research on block copolymer thin film orientation, which he conducted under supervision of prof. C. Grant Wilson. The award was presented to Bates by DSM’s Chief Technology Officer Marcel Wubbolts during the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Bioenergy Bytes

Rep Kristi Noem Wins “Fueling Growth” Ethanol Award

Joanna Schroeder

kristi-awardRepresentative Kristi Noem (R-SD) has received a the “Fueling Growth” award for her leadership in supporting domestic energy production and pursuing energy independence through the production and use of ethanol. The award was given by Growth Energy and this is the third year she has been honored with the award. Rep. Noem was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee.

“Ethanol has helped lower costs at the pump, produced thousands of jobs in South Dakota and is crucial to our pursuit of an all-of-the-above American energy plan,” said Rep. Noem. “I am honored to receive this award and will continue to support ethanol and our journey to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”

Jeff Broin, Growth Energy co-chair and POET founder and Executive Chairman of the Board, added, “In a year when the oil industry is coming after renewable fuel like never before, Rep. Noem’s support has been invaluable. She is a staunch advocate for biofuels and the role they play in supporting South Dakota’s economy, saving drivers money at the pump and lowering our dependence on foreign oil.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy

Biodiesel Maker & User Receive Breathe Easy Award

John Davis

MaineStandardBiofuels2A company that makes biodiesel and its customer that uses its green fuel are honored with a “Breathe Easy” award. Biodiesel Magazine reports Maine Standard Biofuels, which makes biodiesel from used restaurant oil, and Oakhurst, northern New England’s largest independent, family-owned dairy, received a Breathe Easy Leadership Honorable Mention Award from the Northeast Diesel Collaborative, recognizing their seven-year partnership.

[T]his year alone Maine Standard Biofuels supplied Oakhurst with more than 120,000 gallons of biodiesel produced less than 10 miles away from the dairy’s processing facility. The result of the partnership has allowed Oakhurst to decrease its diesel fuel emissions up to 70 percent annually.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our fuel emission reduction efforts alongside our partner Maine Standard Biofuels,” said David Green, Oakhurst fleet and facilities manager. “Today it’s possible for trucking fleets to use biodiesel without having to make equipment modifications and the benefits are really significant. Not only are we able to reduce our overall fuel emissions—a positive for the environment and our community—but we are also able to decrease total fuel costs, a positive for our business bottom line.”

“Maine Standard Biofuels is honored to be recognized alongside Oakhurst by the NEDC for our combined efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Jarmin Kaltsas, president of Maine Standard Biofuels. “We believe that by working with customers like Oakhurst we can make a difference in the environment as well as the economy. We are proud to be working with a company that has the vision of making the world a better place to live in.”

The two companies were nominated for the award by the Maine Clean Communities for their unique partnership.

Biodiesel

USDA’s Doug O’Brien Visits Novozymes’ Facility

Joanna Schroeder

USDA 9-12-13 034--Doug O'Brien, Dwayne Breaux (crane operator)During the Advanced Biofuels Conference that took place last week in Omaha, Nebraska, Novozymes hosted USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Doug O’Brien. Following his keynote address, O’Brien headed to Blair, Nebraska, the home of Novozyme’s enzyme manufacturing facility.

Also on the tour of the Novozymes facility were several members of Novozymes plant management, Jim Realph, Mayor of Blair, Neb., and Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development Director for Nebraska.

Novozymes operates two enzyme manufacturing plants, one of which opened in Blair in May of 2012. This plant produces enzymes for both first generation biofuel production, such as corn-based ethanol, as well as advanced biofuels such as cellulosic fuels produced from corn stover and cobs, switchgrass and more. Novozymes has dozens of strategic partnerships with biofuel companies around the world to help develop efficient and cost-competitive biofuels from a wide-range of feedstocks. The Blair production facility employs 100 people.

advanced biofuels, conferences, feedstocks

Reducing Wildfires and Making Biodiesel

John Davis

GoodearthpowerA project designed to cut back on wildfires in northern Arizona’s forests will also result in the green fuel biodiesel being produced. This story from the Mojave Valley Daily News says the project looks to thin 300,000 acres in four forests over 10 years with the harvested trees to go into biodiesel production, among other products.

Pioneer Forest Products was selected in 2012 to thin 300,000 acres in four Arizona forests over 10 years. But the Montana-based company had trouble with financing and talked to the U.S. Forest Service earlier this year about transferring its contract.

The Forest Service on Friday announced the approval of a transfer to Good Earth Power AZ LLC., whose parent company in Oman primarily does work outside the U.S. Forest officials said they determined that Good Earth is financially and technically sound to carry out the work.

The stewardship contract that the Forest Service has called the largest in its history is meant to restore a 2.4 million-acre area along the Mogollon Rim to reduce wildfire risks and create sustainable forest industries.

Good Earth has a $50 million mill in Winslow, Ariz., and a power plant to produce synthetic gas to be turned into biodiesel as part of its plans.

Biodiesel

Emotions Mixed on EU Biofuels Vote

Joanna Schroeder

There are very mixed emotions with the European Union’s (EU) vote on the biofuels and indirect land use change (ILUC) that took place earlier this week. The EU voted for 6 percent cap. In October of 2012, MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) were voting to cap the amount of land-based and food-based biofuels used in transport fuel. In October, the cap of 5 percent on the amount of food that can be used to meet the overall 10% target for renewable energy in transport by 2020 was proposed. Since then, a cap of 6.5 percent was also offered.

Citris peel waste for ethanolThe 6 percent cap voted for by MEPs represents an increase on the current figure of 4.5 percent. They also voted to recognize the link between biofuel production and the destruction of forests and other landscapes, (i.e. indirect land use change or ILUC) but not until 2020. And backed a 2.5 percent target for so-called second generation biofuels – made from non-food sources such as agricultural waste, sewage and algae.

UNICA, the Brazilian sugarcane industry association was pleased with the final vote – sugarcane ethanol is considered an advanced biofuel in the U.S. as well as in Europe.

“UNICA very much appreciates the efforts over the past several months of Members of the European Parliament to push for the consumption of biofuels that have the highest environmental credentials and technical performance,” said UNICA CEO, Elizabeth Farina. “UNICA is pleased to see MEPs voted Wednesday to approve measures to incentivize the production of more advanced biofuels, including those made from bagasse and straw,” she said.

A 2.5% sub-target for promoting the production and consumption of advanced biofuels in transport fuel, as voted by the European Parliament, is a step in the right direction, added Farina.

“UNICA also applauds the European Parliament’s rejection of proposals that would have applied protectionist measures and made it difficult, if not impossible, for sustainably, EU-compliant biofuels produced in non-European Union nations to be legally counted toward meeting EU renewable energy and fuel quality requirements,” added Geraldine Kutas, Head of International Affairs at UNICA. “However, it is unfortunate that the Parliament gave into biofuel critics’ pleas to put an arbitrary, 6% cap on the use of all food-based biofuels.”Read More

biofuels, Indirect Land Use, International, Legislation

Pope Car Can Run on Biofuel

Cindy Zimmerman

pope-car-1According to a story in an Italian Catholic publication, the Pope’s new/old car is able to run on biofuels.

The National Catholic Reporter reports that Italy’s Famiglia Cristiana interviewed the priest who gave Pope Francis the 1984 Renault 4L as his personal vehicle.

“Knowing Francis’ environmental activism, (Fr. Renzo) Zocca proudly told Famiglia Cristiana that the Renault can run on biofuel,” NCR reports. Pope Francis had the same type of vehicle in his native Argentina.

The 69-year-old priest presented the Pope with the car last Saturday.

biofuels

New Ethanol Survey Misleads Consumers

Joanna Schroeder

A new online survey conducted by Harris Interactive finds that U.S. consumers are ill-prepared for the introduction of higher ethanol fuel blends such as E15. Commissioned by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) the survey is misleading because E15 and higher blends of ethanol are not approved for any small engines, including boats and the ethanol industry has been very specific about this fact.

E15 labelIn a phone conversation with Micheal Frohlich, director of communications for Growth Energy, he notes that this attempt is misguided because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only approved E15 for vehicles manufactured in 2001 or newer and other higher blends of ethanol are only approved for flex fuel vehicles. He said that the labeling required for E15 and higher blends was designed specifically as an education tool for consumers so they don’t “mis-fuel”. He also noted that to date, no retailer currently selling E15 has ever has a mis-fueling claim or fuel complaint regarding E15.

While OPEI acknowledges E15 is not approved for use with small engines, they couch the problem by saying because they will be sold next to E10 or E0 fuels, consumers aren’t smart enough to choose the right, or “legal” fuel at the pump for their small engine.

Ron Lambery, a retail station owner and vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) notes, “Seventy-five percent of cars in the country are approved for E15 fuel. The fact that OPEI refers to that as ‘a small, subset of automobiles’ should tell you all you need to know about the accuracy of this report. This so-called ‘small subset’ will use nearly 100 times the fuel that could be used by all of the small engines in the United States combined.”Read More

ACE, biofuels, E15, Equipment, Ethanol, Growth Energy, RFA

California Stays Strong on Solar

Joanna Schroeder

CA Assembly Member Henry PereaCalifornia is staying strong on solar with the passage of Assembly Bill 327, authored by Assembly Member Henry Perea (D-Fresno). The legislation helps ensure that the rooftop solar industry can continue to grow and create jobs across California. In addition, AB 327 addresses several important residential electricity rate design issues.

According to The Alliance for Solar Choice (TASC), AB 327 is a rare example of California’s Investor-Owned Utilities (IOU’s), the solar industry and rate payer advocates all supporting the same bill.

“This bill is the result of hands-on executive leadership from the nation’s most experienced Governor,” said Bryan Miller, co-Chair of TASC and Vice President of Public Policy and Power Markets for Sunrun. “Governor Brown has once again proven his ability to bring disparate sides together to benefit all Californians.”

Key elements of the Bill include directives that pave the way for uncapped net metering. Net metering is the cornerstone solar policy that gives solar customers full retail credit for the excess energy they put back on the grid.

“Passage of this legislation means more Californians will now have access to cleaner, cheaper, and better energy,” said John Stanton, co-Chair of TASC and Vice President of Policy and Electricity Markets for SolarCity. “And greater market stability creates the opportunity for more jobs across California’s rooftops.”

AB 327 will provide much-needed stability for the rooftop solar industry by preserving net metering and removing the ceiling on California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). To help grow solar energy in California, AB 327 will:

  • Remove the current suspension on net metering that would go into effect at the end of this year.
  • Eliminate uncertainly over how the current net metering cap is calculated.
  • Provide a framework for removing the net metering cap altogether.
  • Provide certainty that net metering customers’ investment expectations are respected.
  • Remove the 33% ceiling on the state’s RPS. This means the 33% becomes a floor, not a ceiling.

Randy Bishop, a TASC member and CEO and co-Founder of Verengo, added, “AB 327 recognizes that net metering is smart policy and should continue in California without restrictions. With this bill, our state’s leaders are helping ensure all Californians have the choice of using clean solar energy. ”

After passing the Legislature on September 12, 2013, AB 327 moves to Governor Brown’s desk for its official signing.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar