Shanghai Buses to Run on Waste Oil Biodiesel

John Davis

Shanghai1Some 1,000 public buses in Shanghai, China could soon be running on biodiesel made from kitchen waste oil. The Global Times reports it’s a pilot program by the city’s Food Safety Commission Office to get rid of what is known locally as “gutter oil.”

The city started requiring some restaurants and food companies to install grease traps in 2011 so their waste oil could be collected more easily. About 70 tons of waste oil is collected each day, according to the Shanghai Food Safety Commission Office.

The oil is then sent to Shanghai Zhongqi Environment Technology Co to be processed into biodiesel. Zhongqi Environment Technology is one of two companies in Shanghai with government approval to process kitchen waste oil.

The companies producing the biodiesel aren’t new to the green fuel, but this will be the first time they are producing it for transportation fuel. Previously, their biodiesel was used in industrial boilers.

Biodiesel, International

Ethanol Says “Tanks-a-Lot”

Joanna Schroeder

IMG_0391The American Lung Association in Wisconsin Clean Air Choice Team will be traveling throughout Wisconsin for the next few months to reward motorists through their “Tanks-a-Lot” promotion.  As part of their effort to support cleaner burning fuels, members of the Wisconsin Clean Air Choice program will surprise lucky motorists who pull up to refuel with E85 at Wisconsin gas stations that offer this higher ethanol blend.

“Buying a tank of E85 for an unsuspecting motorist is one way that we can say thanks to people who regularly use the cleaner burning, renewable fuel,” said Jerry Medinger, manager of the Clean Fuels & Vehicle Technologies program for the American Lung Association in Wisconsin. “I encourage anyone who sees our colorful red, white, blue flex-fuel Chevy Impala at the stations to ask us about E85 and find out how it helps our environment.”

TAL _ WatertownOn July 30th Carrie, a loyal E85 user, was more than surprised and appreciated the free fuel she received at the “Tanks-a-Lot” stop made in Watertown, WI. Not only was the tank near empty, it was also just before payday and not having to pay for Tuesday’s fuel purchase couldn’t have come at a better time she said.

On August 7th Carol picked the right time to fill up with E85 in Lake Mills, WI.  She received 14.5 gallons of clean, renewable fuel – for free.

Clues to the “Tanks-a-Lot” stops are posted on the Clean Air Choice Facebook page.

biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Promotion

Highlighting Algae’s Potential for Biofuels & More

John Davis

ABOA trade organization for the algae industry is trying to raise awareness of the green goo’s potential to serve as a feedstock for biofuels and more. The Algae Biomass Organization launched its second annual “Summer of Algae” campaign that will feature a series of open-house style events and news announcements to give “local and national officials an opportunity to experience the research, products and jobs being created by leading algae companies and research institutions.”

The events feature a wide range of technologies and end products, and stretch from coast-to-coast, including: Algenol (Florida); Algix (Alabama); Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (Maine); Duke Energy (Kentucky); Matrix Genetics (Washington); Montana State University (Montana); Sapphire Energy (New Mexico and California); and the University of Arizona (Arizona).

“As members of Congress return to their districts, it’s a great time for ABO’s members to showcase their technologies and products, and how they are creating jobs, economic development and domestic supplies of sustainable fuel, food and feed from algae,” said Mary Rosenthal, executive director of ABO. “As concerns mount about water supplies, drought and high gas prices, the algae industry continues to deliver on its promise of a sustainable solution to fuel and chemicals, human health and animal nutrition.

The “Summer of Algae” culminates in the 7th annual Algae Biomass Summit in Orlando, Florida September 30th – October 3rd. You can register for the event here.

algae, biofuels

From Toilet to Tank

Joanna Schroeder

The All-gas project, funded by the European Union, has achieved a milestone: successful crop of algae biomass at its site in Chiclana in Southern Spain. The goal of the project is to develop low-cost biofuel from algae grown in wastewater. The All-gas project proposes using this wastewater, as well as CO2, generated in biomass boilers from residuals such as garden waste or olive pits to feed the algae, which in turn are converted into biogas. A part of the biogas is CO2, which gets separated from the biomethane and recycled.

According to a news release, the algae crop has produced outstanding results – the biomass obtained shows a particularly high energy potential relative to its digestibility level, with a methane production capacity of around 200-300 litres of gas per kilogram of biomass processed by anaerobic digestion. The microalgae also successfully purified wastewater.

Launched in May 2011, the five-year project has already completed its pilot phase (the first two years) in a 200 square meter facility. The plans for the construction of the biomass plant are on schedule, and a one-hectare prototype is under construction. The project’s final phase will span 10 hectares – the equivalent of ten football fields – believed to be the largest in the world.

All-gas ProjectIt is expected that by 2016, the biofuel produced by the All-gas project will be enough to power 200 vehicles. When the project reaches its demonstration phase, the biogas produced will be used to power public buses and garbage trucks in the region of Cadiz.

According to Frank Rogalla, Project Coordinator and FCC Aqualia’s Director of Innovation and Technology, “This original new approach to bioenergy means that Spain’s 40 million population could power 200,000 vehicles every year with a single toilet flush. The All-gas project is going to change the face of wastewater treatment by generating a valuable energy resource from what was previously considered undesirable waste.”

As Nicolas Aragon, Chiclana’s environmental councilor, adds, “This is not only an R&D project, but also a way of reducing costs and investing in the protection of our natural environment. Chiclana is a worldwide tourist destination and from now on, we will show that along with attracting visitors with our sunshine and beaches, we can also grow sustainable biofuel with our natural resources.”

The All-Gas consortium is led by FCC Aqualia, and comprises five other organisations, from Germany (Fraunhofer – Gesellschaft), Austria (BDI), the Netherlands (Feyecon y Hygear) and the UK (University of Southampton).

advanced biofuels, algae, biogas, biomass, Waste-to-Energy

GEA Seeks Entries for Best in Geothermal

Joanna Schroeder

gea_logoThe Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is in search for nominees for its GEA Honors 2013. Nominations will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 6, 2013 for the awards program. Applications may be submitted for more than one award category. This year, awards will be given to GEA member companies in the following categories:

  • Technological Advancement: Awarded to an individual or company that has developed a new, innovative or pioneering technology to further geothermal development.
  • Environmental Stewardship: Awarded to an individual or company that has fostered outstanding environmental stewardship through the use of geothermal systems. This award will be presented in conjunction with the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI).
  • Economic Development: Awarded to an individual or company that has made a substantial contribution to the development of local, regional or national markets through the development of geothermal systems.
  • Special Recognition: Nominations will also be accepted for special recognition of individuals and companies for outstanding achievement in the geothermal industry. These awards are open to GEA members, as well as non-member companies and individuals.

“After two successful years of honoring the best in the business, we are pleased to have the opportunity to again recognize the inspiring innovators and developers in the geothermal industry over the past year,” said Geothermal Energy Association Executive Director Karl Gawell. “Honorees will exemplify the great accomplishments and potential for the geothermal energy industry in the United States.”

Finalists will be named at the GRC Annual Meeting & GEA Geothermal Energy Expo on Monday, Sept. 30. Winners will be announced in December.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Geothermal, Renewable Energy

Corn Farmers Look to Produce Fertilizer from Wind

John Davis

MNwindmillFarmers in Minnesota soon could be turning wind energy into fertilizer. Research funded by the Minnesota Corn Growers Association is developing a way to have the wind turbines put up in corn fields produce the very nitrogen fertilizer that helps those same crops grow.

“We take water, and we separate the hydrogen and oxygen. We pull nitrogen from the air and combine the hydrogen and nitrogen to form anhydrous ammonia, the predominant nitrogen fertilizer source farmers use,” explains Mike Reese, the Renewable Energy Director for the University of Minnesota at the school’s West Central Research Station in Morris, Minn.

This first-in-the-world research project still uses the tried-and-true process of producing ammonia for fertilizer… but hopefully more locally and efficiently. Reese says they need to figure out how to make this wind-powered process commercially scalable.

“Right now, anhydrous ammonia and nitrogen fertilizer is produced on a massive scale in central locations. What we’re trying to do is make this so we could have community production or co-op facilities to produce the nitrogen fertilizer locally,” he said.

Reese added that there are enough resources in Minnesota to make all the fertilizer needed for the state’s entire corn crop, a possible $400 million industry that is now done completely out of the state.

Wind

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFAdmirals Bank, has opened a Renewable Energy Lending Business Development Center in San Francisco, CA. This marks the Bank’s second major initiative following the launch of their new division, Admirals Alternatives, earlier this year.
  • Principal Solar, Inc has announced the appointment of Jeff Heller, former vice chairman of Electronic Data Systems, Inc. (EDS), to its Board of Directors.
  • JA Solar Holding has announced that it will supply 38.6 MW of solar modules to Phoenix Solar for the Simon Solar Farm in Georgia.
  • Omitek Engineering Corporation has announced the appointment of Tallman Truck Centre, based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, as an authorized installation center for its diesel-to-natural gas engine conversation systems in the region.
  • Vivint Solar, a full-service residential solar integrator, has announced it has secured two new tax equity funds worth $200 million. The funding will be used to continue delivering simple, affordable solar solutions to homeowners inside and outside of Vivint Inc.’s 775,000 home automation customers.
Bioenergy Bytes

Study: E85 Can Help Break the Blend Wall

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new analysis by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University, the so-called ethanol “blend wall” can be overcome and Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirements can be met in 2014 and beyond through increased use of attractively-priced E85. The analysis is titled “Price It and They Will Buy: How E85 Can Break the Blend Wall.”

Card E10 blend wall study“Pricing E85 low enough to generate fuel cost savings has the potential to quickly increase ethanol consumption, perhaps by three billion gallons over the next year or two,” write the study’s authors, Profs. Bruce Babcock and Sebastian Pouliot. “Rather than being a physical barrier to increased ethanol consumption, the E10 blend wall is an economic barrier that can be overcome by increasing the incentive for drivers to use E85 to fuel their vehicles.”

The analysis demonstrates how the RIN market works to lower the effective cost of E85 at the retail level, and explains the interaction among corn, ethanol, gasoline and RIN prices.

“Current RIN (Renewable Identification Number) prices are high enough to achieve modest increases in ethanol consumption above 13 billion gallons and to create incentives to increase the ability to consume lower-carbon ethanol in 2016 and beyond,” the authors write. “Current high RIN prices create a large incentive for oil companies to increase consumption of E85 because expansion in E85 consumption will decrease RIN prices.”

The authors conclude that it will be less expensive for oil companies to invest in E85 infrastructure than it would be to continue to pay high RIN prices.

The authors also point out that the current fleet of flex fuel vehicles (FFVs) has the capacity to conservatively consume 6.6 billion gallons of ethanol annually and more FFVs are on the way. Further, they found that more than one-third of FFV owners have access to E85 within five miles from their home.Read More

biofuels, E85, Ethanol, Flex Fuel Vehicles, Research, RFA, RFS, RINS

“More B for Me” Biodiesel Messages Greet Fair Goers

John Davis

Biodiesel Billboard-2Visitors to the Iowa State Fair will be greeted with a message promoting the use of biodiesel. The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced the “More B for Me” billboard campaign aimed at increasing the use of biodiesel in the state, particularly on farms. In addition, farmers could win $1,000 worth of biodiesel:

The IRFA is delivering the biodiesel message on 12 billboards throughout the Des Moines area, focused on routes to the state fairgrounds. The campaign urges the public to increase its use of biodiesel, and encourages farmers to enter for a chance to win $1,000 in biodiesel at www.MoreBforMe.com.

“Iowans greatly benefit from increased biodiesel production and use, especially Iowa’s farmers,” stated IRFA Communications Director T.J. Page. “Biodiesel production boosts an Iowa farmer’s bottom line by increasing the value of soybeans and animal fats, while decreasing the costs of animal feed.”

IRFA goes on to cite a study that shows biodiesel production can up a crop and cattle farmer’s net income by nearly 17 percent and nearly 20 percent for farmers raising crops and hogs.

Farmers can enter to win $1,000 in biodiesel at www.MoreBforMe.com or by visiting the Renewable Energy Group (REG) booth at WHO Radio’s Crystal Studios at the Iowa State Fair. The campaign is part of a joint effort by the IRFA, REG, the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), and the Iowa Biodiesel Board (IBB).

Biodiesel, Iowa RFA

Clean Energy Inks CNG Deals in Several Sectors

John Davis

CleanEnergyCNG1California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced several new agreements the company struck in some varied compressed natural gas (CNG) sectors, to include transit, trucking and manufacturing.

On the transit side, Clean Energy signed a 10-year deal with LA Metro to provide in total up to 36 million gallons a year of CNG for the country’s largest clean air fleet:

la-metro-bus1LA Metro Board approved a 10-year compressed natural gas (CNG) station operation and maintenance contract with Clean Energy for four of LA Metro’s CNG bus fueling stations. With this award, Clean Energy will continue to operate and maintain all of the Agency’s 10 CNG bus fueling stations as well as an 11th station currently under construction by Clean Energy.

From the trucking sector, Clean Energy will provide a CNG for 100 medium-duty delivery trucks for Fox Transportation:

fox-truck1Once fully deployed, the fleet is expected to consume approximately 600,000 diesel-gallons-equivalent of CNG fuel per year.

Fleet is anticipated to make approximately 900,000 deliveries annually to hospitals throughout California, traveling over five million miles per year.

ngadvantage1And in manufacturing, Clean Energy and NG Advantage struck a first-of-its-kind, 10-year deal to build a new natural gas compression facility in central New Hampshire to reach customers not on a natural gas pipeline throughout New England:

Operated by Clean Energy, the facility is intended to provide a minimum of 10-million gasoline-gallons-equivalent of CNG per year. This potentially represents more than double the CNG fuel volume supplied by Clean Energy’s highest-volume CNG station.

Clean Energy’s President and CEO, Andrew J. Littlefair says these moves help eliminate perceived barriers and limitations of natural gas to demonstrate economic and environmental advantages of transitioning to the fuel.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)