Biodiesel Maker Advocates for New Distro Strategies

John Davis

sequentialpacificA biodiesel maker in the Pacific Northwest is advocating for new strategies to distribute the green fuel. In a piece written for Biodiesel Magazine, Director of Sales for SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel, Gavin Carpenter, made the case for a system that works with wholesalers and retailers alike:

Biodiesel distribution has largely followed the same model as petroleum-based fuels. Manufacturers partner with third-party distribution companies, providing wholesale product that is then bought by retailers and other end users. This model is still valuable and widely used today. It’s efficient and enables high-volume sales, but a drawback to this model is that it can limit or even remove the manufacturer from interactions with retailers…

Recognizing that wholesalers were invaluable to our ability to move product, we decided to redefine our partnerships to maintain wholesaler relationships while offering greater direct access to retailers. Instead of relying on the distributor to order fuel, SeQuential-Pacific approached retailers directly, highlighting the benefits of offering biodiesel at their stations. Interested retailers would then purchase SeQuential-Pacific product through one of our partner distributors. This simple shift opened up a host of new retail sales opportunities for SeQuential-Pacific while also enabling us to provide personalized topnotch customer service, and the ability to quickly address any concerns coming from retailers before larger issues arise.

Carpenter went on to say they have also worked to brand pumps with their B99 fuel, educating customers and taking ownership for what the retailers were selling. In addition, those same pumps would automatically switch to a B50 blend in the colder winter months.

He concluded by pointing out the dividends this strategy has paid for SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel, producing more than 6 million gallons of fuel each year and a retail partner network of more than 30 stations, and Carpenter sees it as a model other biodiesel makers could adopt.

Biodiesel

Algae Products Producer Gets Expansion Funding

John Davis

heliaeAn Arizona-based producer of algae products, including biofuels, has secured nearly $30 million in funding that it hopes to use to expand its operation. Biofuels Journal reports Heliae raised the $28.4 million that will be used for support and expansion of its first commercial facility in Gilbert, Ariz., set to startup this September.

“With Heliae’s first commercial plant on schedule for startup in the third quarter, the company is in the final stages of proving the viability of our flexible Volaris™ production platform and demonstrating economics at a commercial scale,” said Dan Simon, president and CEO of Heliae.

“It’s an exciting time for Heliae and the sustained support of existing investors, as well as the addition of new investors, demonstrates our momentum and continued success in scale-up.”

Heliae’s flexible Volaris platform combines the best of existing algae production models, utilizing both sunlight and low-cost carbon feedstocks to optimize output.

Volaris is a mixotrophic algae production platform, a hybrid of known phototrophic and heterotrophic models, which affords decreased capital costs, reduced contamination and increased productivity and product optionality.

The plant is being built in two phases, with the first phase delivering high-value nutraceuticals made under high light conditions and the second making a personal care product in lower light conditions.

algae

European Wind Installs Double But Orders Weaken

John Davis

europewindThe amount of new offshore wind energy installed in Europe during the first half of this year has doubled compared to a year ago, but a lack of future orders is troubling wind energy advocates there. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) says 277 new offshore wind turbines, totalling 1,045 megawatts (MW), were connected to the grid during the first six months of 2013, but the group also points to issues with future projects:

“Offshore wind power installations were significantly higher than in the first six months of last year” said Justin Wilkes, Director of Policy at the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). “But financing of new projects has slowed down with only one project reaching financial close so far this year. This, together with a lack of orders being placed for offshore wind turbines, substructures and components, reflects the regulatory uncertainty in key offshore markets including Germany and the UK. It highlights the significant challenges faced by the offshore wind sector.

EWEA says governments in Europe need to provide a stable regulatory framework with a binding renewable target for 2030.

Nearly 60 offshore wind farms off European coasts now have a capacity at 6,040 MW.

International, Wind

Carbo Analytics Recieves DOE Grant

Joanna Schroeder

Carbo Analytics, developers of sugar analysis systems, has received a Department of Energy (DOE) grant for the development of a biofuels sugar analysis system. The company was awarded a $150,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for FY 2013. Their application “Simple and Rapid Determination of Total Accessible C5 and C6 Content of Biomass Samples” was one of 79 that were selected to receive this grant.

CarboAnalyticsCarbo Analytics has partnered with CEM Corporation, the worldwide leader in microwave digestion systems, to prepare biomass samples. According to the company, this combined solution will give biofuel operators increased visibility into feedstock quality.

Fermentable sugar content of a given material is directly related to the total amount of biofuel that can be produced. Now, a simple and fast method for sugar measurement allows raw material value to be readily assessed. It also allows biofuel operators to flag potential feedstock problems and facilitate suppliers in developing and supplying the highest value products.

“We are excited to be partnering with Carbo Analytics,” said Michael J. Collins, President and CEO of CEM Corporation. “The powerful combination of their sugar analysis system and our microwave digester makes for a unique capability that no other technology can currently match.”

Renewable energy from bioethanol involves pretreatment of biomass, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and distillation. Biomass contains the C6 sugars (e.g. glucose, fructose and mannose), primarily from cellulose, and C5 sugars (e.g. xylose, and arabinose) from the hemicellulose part of the plant material. Fast measurement of these sugars is the key indicator of feedstock value and the potential production of a biofuel plant.Read More

advanced biofuels, feedstocks

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFThe 33rd Alcohol School, hosted by the Ethanol Technology Institute, is scheduled for September 15-20, 2013 in Montreal, Quebec. The school is designed to educate delegates on proven technology and advances in fuel ethanol and distilled beverage production, and delegates have the opportunity to attend either Fuel or Distilled Beverage lectures.
  • The Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) has received the status as an accredited American National Standards Developer. This designation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a result of a six-month application and review process including a public review period.
  • Trina Solar Limited has recently supplied 7 MW of photovoltaic modules to Ikaros Solar for an agricultural project in the United Kingdom (UK). The solar system will be installed at Goose Willow Farm in Abindon using 24,000 Trina Solar modules.
  • A new poll of business professionals conducted on PwC US’ recent webcast, Boosting your bottom line through eco-efficiency, found that 52 percent of respondents rank eco-efficiency as a high or growing priority. PwC also launched a new report, “Less can be more: better for the bottom line and the environment,” offering ideas for companies considering eco-efficiency strategies.
  • EcoEngineers has announced new speakers for its RIN Academy taking place August 26, 2013 in Des Moines, IA. Speakers include: Jon Scharingson, Executive Director of Sales and Marketing, REG; Sandra Dunphy, Director, Energy Services, Weaver and Tidwell, L.L.P.; Stephen Emmert, Regional Director, Biofuel Strategy, Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Chris Highsmith, Director of Market Research, Eco-Energy, Inc.; Shashi Menon, Managing Partner, EcoEngineers ; Jeff Hove, Vice President, RINAlliance; and Dr. Bruce Babcock, Iowa State University, BioEconomy Institute.
Bioenergy Bytes

New FOE Study Slams Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

A new study by Friends of the Earth slams biofuels and bases many of its conclusions on indirect land use change (ILUC) a hotly debated theory. The report, “Understanding the Biofuel Trade-offs between Indirect Land Use Change, Hunger and Poverty,” authored by 2013_01_malawi_09 Photo UNTimothy Searchinger, relies on ILUC theory and leaves out several underlying causes of global hunger when making an attempt to connect biofuels production and food security.

In response to the study, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) who says that Searchinger’s theory attempts to predict future land use patterns globally that might result from the increased production of biofuels, has been disproven and discredited by a significant number of scientists and academics.

“ILUC has proven to be faulty because modeling relies on hundreds of assumptions, not facts, to predict future land use patterns around the world,” said Bliss Baker, spokesperson for the GRFA. “There is an abundance of evidence that shows ILUC to have no ability to accurately predict future land use patterns and that Searchinger was wrong.”

Bliss continued, “When attempting to draw a link between biofuels production and hunger, Mr. Searchinger conveniently ignores the fact that the world produces twice as much food as is consumed. It is well understood that food security and hunger are directly related to poverty, accessibility, and a lack of investment in agriculture to name a few of the underlying issues.”

A recent study, Global Food – Waste Not, Want Not, by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) found that half of all global food, 1 to 2 billion tons, goes to waste before reaching people’s stomachs each year. According to the IMechE study, food is wasted at every point in the supply chain, including: poor harvesting practices, storage, transportation, market waste and consumer waste. In developing countries, waste occurs mostly at the farmer-producer end of the supply chain and moves up the chain the more developed the country. In developed countries, grocery stores often reject produce because it does not meet certain appearance standards.Read More

biofuels, Indirect Land Use, International

Bioheat Seen as Warming Biodiesel Trading

John Davis

BioHeatMandates for biodiesel-blended heating oil … better known as Bioheat … are seen as good news for the growth of biodiesel, and traders are taking note. This article posted on SECFilings.com says the Bioheat mandates, coupled with other biodiesel mandates, will make the green fuel an investment that could make some real green, too.

In early July, the New York State Assembly and Senate passed legislation requiring that all heating oil sold in the state contain at least 2% biodiesel by 2015. The new regulation will replace about 30 million gallons of petroleum each year with cleaner burning, renewable fuel that is safe, seamless and improves fuel efficiency throughout the state…

Interestingly, New York City regulators have also been considering broader biodiesel mandates for their municipal vehicle fleets earlier this year. While no official plans have been announced, city officials are reportedly planning a move from a B5 fleet to a B20 fleet and even considering public biodiesel requirements that could impact private companies…

With a population of 19.57 million in 2012, New York State’s 30 million gallon increase in biodiesel demand equates to about 1.5 gallons per person per year. These metrics suggest that a nationwide heating fuel program along the same lines could represent an additional 471 million gallons of demand per year, given the U.S. population in the year 2012.

The article goes on to say some of the companies you might want to consider when investing in biodiesel includes Renewable Energy Group Inc., Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc., and Methes Energies International Ltd.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel of Las Vegas Becomes BQ-9000 Certified

John Davis

biodieseloflasvegastanks1Biodiesel of Las Vegas becomes BQ-9000 certified by the National Biodiesel Board. Biodiesel Magazine says the 4 million gallon per year refinery is the first and only biodiesel producer in Nevada to receive this certification and joins a select group of 46 other biodiesel producers in the U.S.

“We are pleased to welcome Biodiesel of Las Vegas into the BQ-9000 program,” said National Biodiesel Accreditation Commission Chairman Scott Fenwick. “Their efforts to become BQ-9000-certified show their continued commitment to fuel quality and will help ensure they are delivering the highest quality fuel to their customers.”

According to the NBB, to receive accreditation, companies must pass rigorous review and inspection of their quality control process by an independent auditor to ensure the program is fully implemented.

“Becoming BQ-9000-certified shows our industry that we are committed to producing quality fuel for our community,” said Brandon Buff, vice president of Biodiesel of Las Vegas. “This certification also reinforced to our team what we have accomplished and becomes a milestone in our roadmap for the future.”

The BQ-9000 accreditation includes the ASTM D6751 quality standard for biodiesel, as well as considering a system of storage, sampling, testing, blending, shipping, distribution, and fuel management practices.

Biodiesel, NBB

Propane Road Tour Hits the Road

Joanna Schroeder

The Propane Road Tour is hitting the road today sponsored by Blue Bird, a manufacturer of propane autogas powered school buses and ROUSH CleanTech. The Screen Shot 2013-07-11 at 3.12.15 PMsingle-bus tour will stop at iconic American landmarks on its way to deliver the last bus from the largest single order of 434 propane-fueled buses to Student Transportation of America’s (STA) new terminal in Omaha, Neb. The bus tour begins at Blue Bird’s headquarters in Fort Valley, Ga., on Thursday, July 11, and ends in Omaha on July 17, with multiple stops in Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri.

“The purpose of the Propane Road Tour is to provide the opportunity for school districts and communities to learn about the outstanding benefits of using propane autogas,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. “Communities along the tour route, from Georgia to Omaha, have an opportunity to talk with key industry representatives about the economic, safety and environmental benefits of propane-powered school buses. This bus tour also showcases STA’s commitment to becoming a frontrunner in creating a cleaner environment for the Omaha and Millard Public School Districts that the buses will serve.”

The goal of the Propane Road Tour is to raise awareness of propane autogas as a clean, safe and efficient alternative fuel for school bus use that is more cost-effective to operate than diesel. Along the route, the bus will refuel at existing public propane autogas fuel stations.Read More

Propane

St. Louis Scientists Invited to the White House

Joanna Schroeder

The White House invited Dr. Terry Woodford-Thomas, director of science education and outreach at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center along with Dr. Cindy Encarncion, director of life sciences at the St. Louis Science Center to D.C. during a recent Champions of Change award program event. The event recognized American citizens’ contributions to their communities and highlighted “citizen science” projects across the nation.

champions-of-changeDr. Woodford-Thomas and Dr. Encarncion, were invited to attend the event because of their contributions to a White House report on the impact of citizen science programs across the nation, as well as for leading Backyard Biofuels, a collaborative program between the Danforth Plant Science Center and St. Louis Science Center.

With funding from National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy, the Backyard Biofuels project opened to the public in 2010. Since then, thousands of algae collection kits were distributed and several hundred “algae hunters,” ranging from the age of six to adults contributed algae from across the nation. The Backyard Biofuels Project not only contributed valuable sets of naturally-occurring oil-producing algae to bioenergy scientists for investigative research; importantly, it allowed students whose interest in science could be enhanced by working side-by-side with “real” scientists in cutting-edge research laboratories to be identified and nurtured.

“Citizen science drives people to engage in discovery, both scientific discovery and self-discovery. It also helps to translate this understanding of science into action,” said Dr. Woodford-Thomas.

For three years, a celebration of “All Things Algae” or Algae Palooza, was held at the Saint Louis Science Center to engage citizens in various activities such as algae identification from pond water, making biofuel from plant vegetable oil, painting with algae, making algae ball “bling”, observing science grade algae photobioreactors in action and meeting Danforth Center scientists engaged in algae biofuels research.Read More

advanced biofuels, algae, bioenergy