UConn Establishes New Fraunhofer Center

Joanna Schroeder

The University of Connecticut (UConn), has established a new Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation (CEI). The role of the center is to develop advanced technologies related to energy storage, fuel cells, in-stream hydro, power management and distribution through contact research.

Dr George Rosenfeld,jpg“The sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly use of energy is one of the major global challenges of the future,” said Fraunhofer President Professor Reimund Neugebauer during a dedicated ceremony. “Consequently, we combine our advanced energy competencies in the USA with an excellent research partner, the University of Connecticut. The Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation expands Fraunhofer USA’s portfolio of energy related technologies and will closely cooperate with the Fraunhofer Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (CSE) in Boston.”

Fraunhofer and UConn will cooperate in several areas. In order to develop highly efficient and cost-effective energy conversion and storage systems, the research will concentrate on modern functional materials, such as metals, ceramics, micro-and nanostructures, as components for fuel cells and electrolyzers. On the UConn campus, components and subsystems will be validated and integrated into flexible microgrid architectures. New methods of membrane and catalyst preparation will be developed, particularly for energy-efficient biofuel production.

“The Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation (CEI) combines the expertise of the founding partners for the development and commercialization of new materials and technologies to improve future energy production and storage owing to an efficient use of resources,” added Dr. Prabhakar Singh, the director of the Center. His aim is to accelerate the global supply of affordable and sustainable energy technologies.

Alternative energy, Energy, Energy Storage

ABFA Gives RFS Testimony

Joanna Schroeder

The Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA) gave testimony last week regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). One of the issues ethanol detractors are using in their attempt to modify or even repeal the RFS is the so-called blend wall.

hearing-mcadamsABFA Executive Director, Michael McAdams said in response to this issue, “Calling for the full repeal of the RFS over a short term issue impacting less than 1% of all the fuels we use doesn’t make a lot of sense as a public policy issue.”

One area of concern for the advanced fuels industry, noted McAdams is the uncertainty of the annual obligations, or Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO)s for 2013 and 2014. He echoed the wishes of others to have the numbers released as soon as possible. McAdams also called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide an extra year of clarity with the 2015 RVO. This would help rapidly defuse much of the economic pressure the industry is facing.

Listen to Michael McAdams testimony here: PlayMichael McAdams RFS Testimony

advanced biofuels, Audio, RFS

Offers Made to Buy Biodiesel Maker Syntroleum

John Davis

DynamicSyntroleumSomeone is interested in the biodiesel making efforts of Syntroleum. The Tulsa-based company is in a joint venture with food giant Tyson Foods to make biodiesel from animal fats, and according to the Tulsa World, that has got the attention of some unnamed third parties looking to buy the company, assets or patents:

A news release from Tulsa-based Syntroleum indicated that the unsolicited queries prompted the company earlier this month to announce the hiring of Piper Jaffray & Co. to scout “strategic alternatives.” Syntroleum said the current and long-term prospects of gas-to-liquids production and renewable fuels – both company objectives – were helpful to seeking those alternatives.

“Given the favorable commercial environment, the company believes that now is an appropriate time to broadly review its strategic alternatives with respect to its renewable and GTL intellectual property and its ownership and licensing interest in Dynamic Fuels.”

Syntroleum’s venture with Tyson includes Dynamic Fuels LLC, a refinery in Geismar, La., that began operating several years ago but is now on hold. No re-start for the plant has been given.

Biodiesel

Growth Energy Submits More RFS Comments

Cindy Zimmerman

As the Renewable Fuels Association did, Growth Energy also submitted answers today in response to the request from the House Energy and Commerce Committee for stakeholder input regarding implementation issues and the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

hearing-buisThe answers echoed CEO’s Tom Buis’ testimony on the RFS during the stakeholder hearing this week.“The RFS was enacted nearly six years ago – it is time for the petroleum industry to move to higher biofuel blends and comply with the law,” said Buis. “The easiest way to comply is to simply blend E15 and higher ethanol blends.”

Buis also noted that moving to higher blends of ethanol would address RIN costs as well, stating: “The easiest way to bring down RIN prices and reduce compliance costs is to increase market access for higher blends of biofuels. If the major oil companies stop erecting artificial hurdles to E15 and midlevel ethanol blends, there would be ample RINs available to meet obligations under the RFS.” PlayTom Buis RFS testimony

Audio, Ethanol, Government, Growth Energy

RFA Says Flexibility is Key to RFS

Cindy Zimmerman

Today, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) touted the flexibility of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) while responding to the last in a five part series of whitepaper questions posed by the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee. The last whitepaper examines “implementation issues” of the RFS.

Questions answered by RFA in the paper include:
Does EPA’s annual (Renewable Volume Obligation) setting process work well or are there concerns?
Are the cellulosic biofuel provisions in the RFS working well or do they need to be changed?
How can EPA improve its enforcement of the RIN credit trading program?
What is responsible for the rise in ethanol RIN prices in 2013?
Are increases in RIN prices likely to affect the production or marketing of renewable fuels?

hearing-dinneenRFA president and CEO Bob Dinneen touched on most of these issues during his testimony to the committee this week. “Congress did an excellent job crafting the RFS and building in a great deal of administrative and market flexibility,” he said. “There’s nothing wrong with the RFS that can’t be fixed by what is right with the RFS.”

On the subject of RINS (Renewable Indentification Numbers), Dinneen had this to say. “RINS are free!” he said. “Ethanol producers are required to give RINS to refiners and gasoline marketers when they purchase a gallon of ethanol. Buy a gallon of ethanol, get a RIN for free.”

Listen to Dinneen’s opening remarks here: PlayBob Dinneen RFS testimony

Audio, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, RFS

Senate Ag Committee Approves USDA Nominees

Cindy Zimmerman

usda-nomineesThe Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee this week unanimously approved the nominations of Krysta Harden to serve as deputy secretary of agriculture and Robert Bonnie to serve as under secretary for natural resources and the environment.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) congratulated Harden on her confirmation. “Krysta Harden is the right person for the job,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the RFA. “Her years as Chief of Staff at USDA, her work on Capitol Hill, and her vast understanding of value-added agriculture gleaned from years working for farmers and biofuels have all given her the knowledge and insight needed to fill this very important position as Deputy Secretary at USDA. Just as she has been confirmed in the past, we are eager to see her sweep through the approval process and look forward to her full confirmation by the U.S. Senate.”

Harden has been nominated to succeed Kathleen Merrigan in the second-highest post at USDA Bonnie, while Bonnie, who has been a senior advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, would succeed Harris Sherman in the post of natural resources under secretary.

biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, USDA

Refuel Colorado Fleets

Joanna Schroeder

Refuel Colorado Fleets, a pilot project to boost the use of alternative fuel vehicles in public and private sector fleets, has announced a new pilot program for several Colorado communities. The program is funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant to the Colorado Energy Office. Counties selected for the year-long pilot are Routt, Larimer, Boulder, Jefferson, Adams, Garfield, Mesa, Montezuma and La Plata. A is funding the project.

Energy coaches employed by four community-based nonprofits will help business and government fleet owners work together with auto dealers, fuel providers, business leaders and local governments in the nine counties to pursue or expand use of alternative fuels. The program is aimed at accelerating the deployment of alternative fuels, reducing Refuel Colorado Fleets logopetroleum imports and increasing fuel cost efficiency in public and private sector vehicle fleets. Alternative fuels being considered include compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), propane, biofuels and plug-in electric vehicles.

“The Refuel Colorado Fleets energy coaches will support the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles,” said Jeff Ackermann, director of the Colorado Energy Office. “Each community will determine what makes sense for them, be that electric, natural gas, propane, or other vehicle types. Each of these provides economic and environmental benefits, making this an exciting project.”

Energy coaching will be done by Northern Colorado Clean Cities, Denver Metro Clean Cities, Garfield Clean Energy and Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency. The pilot project is being led by CLEER: Clean Energy Economy for the Region, a Carbondale nonprofit with expertise in alternative fuel vehicle technology, energy coaching and community engagement.

“Colorado has built a strong reputation as a leader in renewable energy and other innovative industries,” said U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo. “Refuel Colorado Fleets’ work on these projects in counties across the state only enhances that reputation. “There is great promise in alternative fuel vehicles and these types of programs help proliferate their use and allow communities to see how best to implement proven green technologies.”

In the coming weeks, energy coaches will work with businesses and local governments in the nine counties to analyze their fleets, including miles driven and age, vehicle type and purpose, to determine the optimal alternative fuel to focus on.

Alternative Vehicles, biofuels, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Electric Vehicles, Liquefied natural gas (LNG), Propane

Alaska and Hawaii Combine for Biodiesel Deal

John Davis

AlaskaAirlinesCompanies from numbers 49 and 50 (in the state-numbering race) are combining forces to provide biodiesel for aircraft. Alaska Airlines and Hawai`i BioEnergy LLC announced an agreement to provide biodiesel for the airline starting as soon as 2018.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Hawai`i BioEnergy to encourage the production and commercial distribution of sustainable fuels,” said Keith Loveless, Alaska Air Group’s executive vice president and general counsel. “Beyond the environmental advantages, it improves the fuel supply integrity in the state of Hawaii, which will allow for the further growth of our airline operations throughout the Islands.”

“Alaska Airlines shares our goals of environmental responsibility and our commitment to sustainable, local energy production,” said Joel Matsunaga, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Hawai`i BioEnergy. “The development and commercialization of local, renewable energy is of critical importance to Hawaii, given the state imports 95 percent of its energy needs. Use of locally grown feedstocks for biofuel production will improve Hawaii’s energy sustainability and security while creating jobs in our communities.”

Hawai`i BioEnergy is a consortium of three of Hawaii’s largest landowners and three venture capital companies who plan to use locally grown feedstocks to produce biofuels.

Biodiesel

Appalachian State University Receives Biomass Grant

Joanna Schroeder

Appalachian State University Department of Technology and Environmental Design professors David Domermuth and Ok-Youn Yu have received a $45,000 grant from the N.C. Agricultural Foundation for a project to economically convert biomass to biofuel and useful biobiomasschar. The grant, along with a current grant from the EPA, is being used to complete the university’s bioshelter/greenhouse at the Watauga County Landfill where the biomass conversion will occur. When testing is complete, the project will move to the Energy Xchange in Spruce Pine and be used for public outreach and education.

For the past four years, researchers at Appalachian have worked to develop the most economical method for converting agricultural and forest biomass to useable products and energy and subsequently provide a source of revenue.

“To test our system we are using wood chips, which are a plentiful resource in the mountains,” said graduate assistant Miranda Harper who is assisting with the project. “Wood waste from wood processing also can be recycled into useful products. Any kind of biomass can be used in the system including agricultural waste, yard brush and even animal waste.”

A process called bio volatilization (BV) converts biomass into biochar, pyrolosis oil, fuel gas and heat. The biochar created from the BV process can be used as a soil additive to increase soil fertility and protect against soil-borne diseases. Biochar also improves water quality and reduces agricultural productivity and reduces nutrient leaching and soil acidity.

The waste energy created from the BV process will be used to heat the university’s bioshelter/greenhouse at the Watauga County Landfill. The fuel created will be used to run a generator to produce electricity for day lighting in the winter at the bioshelter/greenhouse.

advanced biofuels, biomass

A New Use for Algae in Biofuel Production

Joanna Schroeder

According to an article in the journal Phycologia, a recent research study examined a promising freshwater algal strain for possible genetic engineering applications that could make it a viable biofuel. The research, conducted by a research team in Japan, was aimed at reducing the time from research to commercial production of algal-based biofuels.

Phycologia52.4.coverThe article takes an in-depth look at the genetic structure of a unicellular green alga, Botryococcus braunii, and explores its unique ability to be utilized in the genetic engineering of biofuel development. Botryococcus braunii was initially selected for large-scale biofuel production because of its extraordinary ability to synthesize large amounts of hydrocarbon oils.

Several difficulties were encountered in the initial production and harvesting processes, leaving it by the wayside. However, this latest research reintroduces B. braunii as the perfect vehicle for genetic engineering applications when compared with three other species of green algae, five species of land plants, and eight other phyla species, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and mammals.

The research focused on the codon usage, or DNA compatibility, of B. braunii with the other organisms. Codon usage for this particular alga is one of the fundamental genetic markers that had not been explored. Codons are greatly affected by the vast amount of guanines (G) and cytosines (C), two of the four nucleotides that make up a DNA molecule. Many green algal species having high GC content, which causes codon usage bias, or poor compatibility, with other organisms. Surprisingly, B. braunii had comparatively low GC content and its codon usage was similar to that of bacteria, mammals, and land plants.

Although further study is necessary, the researchers found that the ability of B. braunii to synthesize hydrocarbons, combined with the newly discovered codon usage and GC content data, could lead to new genetic engineering techniques that could hasten biofuel development and production.

advanced biofuels, algae, Research