Plug Power Awarded $650,000 DOE Grant

Joanna Schroeder

Plug Power Inc. has been awarded a $650,000 contract from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to demonstrate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells to power the refrigeration units in semi-trailer trucks that transport perishable and frozen foods. The company was selected by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office within the DOE’s Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) to showcase its fuel cells in transport refrigeration
units (TRUs). These units are large air conditioners that regulate cold temperatures for Plug Power logoitems such as frozen pizza, fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products and other goods that must be kept chilled or frozen during transport from distribution centers to retail destinations.

According to Plug Power, the majority of the approximately 300,000 TRUs traversing U.S. highways are powered by diesel generators. Diesel is costly and produces environmentally hazardous particulate matter and nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions. A typical TRU will consume about 10 gallons of diesel per day, and emit roughly 101 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2).

By comparison, hydrogen-powered fuel cells emit only a small amount of heat and water, making them an environmentally friendly alternative energy source. Fuel cells operate more efficiently, cleanly and quietly, at lower cost than diesel. In addition, Plug Power says its customers that use hydrogen fuel cells to power material handling forklift trucks will benefit from deployment of fuel cells in their TRUs, by leveraging the hydrogen infrastructure already in place. Increased on-site hydrogen consumption would result in lower fuel expenses overall, due to economies of scale.

“Plug Power’s leadership in the material transport industry is generating interest and development funds for implementation of fuel cells in adjacent markets,” said Andy Marsh, CEO of Plug Power. “This TRU award demonstrates how Plug Power is now executing on its market expansion strategy to architect fuel cell solutions across a wider range of opportunities.”

Plug Power’s TRU fuel cells, which will be based on its GenDrive technology, will cool Carrier Transicold refrigeration units on trailers delivering products for a Sysco Corp. distribution center on Long Island in New York. Each TRU will run for a minimum of 400 hours over the two-year contract period. Hydrogen will be supplied by Air Products. Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a contractor that manages government programs for the DOE, will oversee the program.

Alternative energy, Hydrogen

REG, Franken Mark Expansion of MN Biodiesel Plant

John Davis

Renewable Energy Group (REG) officials were joined by federal, state and local leaders, including U.S. Senator Al Franken, for a ribbon-cutting of a southern Minnesota biodiesel plant. This REG news release says the upgrades to the 30-million gallon refinery in Albert Lea was a $21 million project started last October and will allow the plant to use multiple raw materials such as waste animal fats and greases and inedible corn oil, as well as vegetable oils it was originally built to use.

“We completed the upgrades at REG Albert Lea on time and on budget,” said Daniel J. Oh, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer. “That is a testament to the hard work of our team and contractors.”

REG LogoWithin days of start-up, all biodiesel produced at Albert Lea met the company’s REG-9000® quality specifications, which exceed the industry’s ASTM B100 standard. Multi-feedstock biodiesel has been available at Albert Lea since June 19. The upgrade project supported between 70 and 80 construction jobs.

“With these upgrades, REG Albert Lea stands ready to supply more high-quality biodiesel in Minnesota as the state prepares to increase its blending from B5 to B10,” Oh said. “Minnesota is one of a growing number of states that recognize how biodiesel helps make us more energy secure and environmentally sustainable.”

Sen. Franken, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Energy Subcommittee, says the Albert Lea plant is one shining example of how biodiesel is a true success story of the Renewable Fuels Standard.

REG initially built the plant for SoyMor in 2005 before buying it two years ago. REG now has eight active biorefineries in five states with a combined annual production capacity of more than 255 million gallons.

Biodiesel

GPRE Cuts Ribbon on Atkinson Ethanol Plant

Joanna Schroeder

IMG_0481[2]Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) held a ribbon cutting for their newly acquired ethanol plant in Atkinson, Nebraska. GPRE bought the idled plant in June 2013 after being offline for nearly a year. The plant employs 42 people, a third of which were employed at the plant prior to its shutdown, and is now in full operation. With the acquisition of the biorefinery, GPRE now has 10 ethanol plants in operation and is the fourth largest producer of ethanol in the world.

The Atkinson ethanol plant will produce 50 million gallons of ethanol each year from approximately 15-17 million bushels of corn and will also produce 145,000 tons of distillers grains (DDGs – livestock feed).

Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer lauded the community of Atkinson and surrounding area for it’s accomplishments and also thanked GPRE for their investment in north central Nebraska. She said GPRE is a great company and they not only recognized the great community of Atkinson, but that they are also looking to build a strong partnership with the community.

Sen. Fischer is a rancher who feeds her cattle DDGs. “One thing I always tell folks about agriculture: We have to stick together,” said Sen Fischer. “We need to stick together in rural communities. And when we have a business partner like Green Plains that is willing to come in to this community, willing to make a pretty darn big investment in this community to provide good jobs, to provide a market for your crops, to provide a by-product for livestock producers, I think we all need to thank them for making that investment.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Darling Int’l Buying Canadian Rendering for Biodiesel

John Davis

darlingTexas-based rendering leader Darling International Inc. is buying all the assets of Canadian company Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. for approximately CAD $645 million in cash. This Darling news release says the deal includes machines to turn fats and proteins into biodiesel feedstocks, as well as an actual biodiesel operation itself.

Rothsay has a network of five rendering plants in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia and a biodiesel operation in Quebec, Canada. Rothsay employs approximately 550 people and generated approximately CAD $85.0 million of EBITDA over each of the past two fiscal years.

Randall C. Stuewe, Darling International’s Chairman and CEO said, “The combination of our two companies will create North America’s leading provider of independent rendering and recycling services. The opportunity to add Rothsay to our North American platform is an exceptional honor. Rothsay is Canada’s premier recycler of animal by-products and a leading biodiesel manufacturer. We look forward to joining forces with Rothsay’s management team and employees and to the opportunity this brings our shareholders for future growth.”

Earlier this summer, Darling opened a joint venture renewable diesel plant with energy giant Valero in Louisiana. That plant also uses animal fat to make the renewable diesel, as well as using waste cooking oil and corn oil.

Biodiesel

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFPOET-DSM Advanced Biofuels is now hiring full-time, quality team members to operate its 20 million-gallon-per-year cellulosic ethanol plant, which is set to open in early 2014. Project LIBERTY is a cellulosic biorefinery under construction today in Emmetsburg, Iowa that will use crop residue (corn cobs, leaves, husk, some stalk) to produce 20 million gallons of ethanol per year, later ramping up to 25 million gallons per year. The plant is currently filling a number of positions, including: environmental health and safety specialist, plant engineer, accountant, and plant technician.
  • Solar Power International 2013 is taking place in Chicago, Illinois from October 21-24, 2013 at the McCormick Place. New show programming and events for 2013 include multiple featured areas on the show floor for companies to showcase their technologies and foster new business ventures along with new educational sessions. Click here to learn more and to register.
  • IMPCO has announced the availability of its bi-fuel CNG fuel system for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L sedan. The company says this system eliminates “range anxiety” by including a trunk mounted Type 3 tank (8.4 gasoline gallon equivalent) that provides over 200 miles of additional range.
  • EnterSolar hasannounced the receipt of more than $6 million through multiple rounds of NYSERDA funding to facilitate the construction of 10 new large-scale commercial solar installations. The awards are being funded under the Competitive PV program as part of Governor Cuomo’s NY-Sun initiative. EnterSolar is currently working with a number of businesses and seeking others that may have interest in participating in round 3 of the Competitive PV Program.
Bioenergy Bytes

Farm Bureau: RFS Bendable, Just Don’t Break It

John Davis

afbf-logoFarm Bureau officials are making the case that the Renewable Fuels Standard has some flexibility… but just don’t break it. In this story on its newsline, American Farm Bureau energy economist Matt Erickson makes the case that the RFS is working, but Americans are using 10 billion fewer gallons of gasoline this year than in 2007 when the law was passed. That drop makes mandated amounts in the RFS unrealistic. But he believes the flexibility in the law still makes it beneficial.

“It’s reduced our dependence on foreign crude oil. Now we’re importing over 40 percent instead of 60 percent that we saw in 2007-2008. It also creates good paying jobs in rural America, creates environmental benefits to society. It’s a good energy policy and I’d rather have my energy source come from a farmer than a Middle East dictator.”

Erickson dismisses Big Oil’s claims that the law is causing economic harm, and he says it just needs a little tweaking.

“EPA does have the flexibility to adapt within a changing environment. The world is changing quite frankly. We had the recession. We have CAFE standards which are higher fuel efficiencies within our transportation system.”

Finally, Erickson makes the case that if we abandon the RFS, we would pull the plug on new cellulosic technology.

“Looking at cellulosic, we’re going to sources such as algae or corn residue containing the corn cob anything that’s left in the field that’s not the food.”

Biodiesel, Ethanol, Farm Bureau, RFS

Senator Michael Bennet Visits Gevo

Joanna Schroeder

Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) recently toured and met with Colorado-based Gevo to discuss renewable fuels and chemicals for Colorado and the U.S. economy. Senator Bennet met with Gevo executives including chief executive officer Patrick Gruber, Ph.D. to discuss energy policy and see first-hand the research and development Gevo has done on creating isobutanol to be converted to biochemicals and renewable fuels.

photoIsobutanol is a drop-in product that can be used in existing infrastructure. Gevo’s isobutanol has successfully cleared registration with the U.S. EPA as a fuel additive, is the first isobutanol to be listed in the EPA’s Fuel Registration Directory, making it approved for blending with gasoline. Last June Gevo worked with the United States Air Force (USAF) to provide fuel for the first successful “alcohol-to-jet” (ATJ) fuel test flight in an A-10 Thunderbolt II.

“We applaud Senator Bennet’s support for the renewable energy industry and appreciate his visit to our headquarters to learn about the technology that makes Gevo a leading renewable chemicals and advanced biofuels company,” said Gruber.

Senator Bennet remarked that he very much enjoyed his visit to Gevo and said, “Colorado has a strong reputation as a hub for innovation and firms like Gevo are leading the way. By developing innovative techniques for converting biomass to fuel, Gevo is a critical part of developing a balanced national energy portfolio.”

advanced biofuels, biobutanol, biochemicals

Happy 5th Anniversary Patriot Renewable Fuels

Joanna Schroeder

Patriot Renewable Fuels celebrated their five year anniversary today and dozens of community members, legislators, employees and those from the ethanol industry were on Community tour of Patriot Renewable Fuelshand 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.”

Rock KatschnigPatriot 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

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.

Screen Shot 2013-08-23 at 11.38.43 AMA 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

  • BioEnergyBytesDFJinkoSolar 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