July 1st – Independence Day for Iowa Fuel Retailers

Joanna Schroeder

July 1, 2013 has now become “Independence Day” for Iowa fuel retailers as today marks the enactment of a new Iowa law that frees Iowa retailers from some Big Oil restrictions.

“Today, new liberties go into effect for Iowa’s fuel retailers. They now have the freedom to offer the fuel options they choose, not what Big Oil dictates,” said Iowa Renewable Fuel Association (IRFA) Executive Director Monte Shaw. “These new protections amount to a ‘Retailer Bill of Rights,’ providing relief from Big Oil’s heavy handed, branded contracts that E15 Approvedoften dictate if and how retailers offer certain fuels, like E15 and E85.”

H.F. 640, which takes effect today, includes language that prevents oil refiners’ supply agreements from directly or indirectly limiting the ability of local retailers to offer the ethanol and biodiesel blends they choose. The provisions are based on a law enacted in South Dakota in 2011 and addresses specific, anti-competition provisions from refiner supply agreements.

As a result, new supply agreements will not be allowed to:

  • Restrict installing a blender pump;
  • Restrict using current equipment from offering higher blends, like E15, E85, and B20;
  • Restrict ethanol or biodiesel blends from being advertised;
  • Restrict the locations where a retailer may offer the higher blends (like under a canopy); and
  • Restrict payment for higher blends to cash only (no credit cards).

“While protecting Big Oil trademarks, this piece of legislation not only gives Iowa retailers more freedom to offer the ethanol and biodiesel blends they choose, it also allows Iowa’s consumers greater access to low-cost, homegrown, renewable fuel options,” added Shaw. “More ethanol and biodiesel blends at the pump equates to greater fueling freedom, American jobs and American energy security—all great things to celebrate on Independence Day.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, E15, E85, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

EnVirAnized Biofuel – Burns Like Coal, But It’s Not

Joanna Schroeder

EnviraCarbon, Inc. has announced the commercialization of a patented and proprietary technology which molecularly alters renewable biomass feedstock into EnvirAnized Biofuel™ (EBF). According to the company, EBF is a product that looks, transports, stores, EnviraCarbon Hybrid Treespulverizes and burns like coal. The only thing it doesn’t do that coal does, they say, is pollute. The super fast process changes woody biomass into clean carbonized EBF in a matter of minutes.

The company say the Enviranization process forces biomass to take on the physical characteristics of coal and as a result can be directly used by coal-burning or biomass fired power plants and industrial facilities without any modification or retrofitting to their existing boiler systems. According to EnviraCarbon since EBF can be used interchangeably with coal or biomass, it eliminates the need for coal burning facilities to spend the billions of dollars in capital expenditures necessary for compliance.

According to information from the company, the EBF product has the same heat value as bituminous coal from the eastern U.S. (12,000+ BTUs), it exhibits a much greater heat value than wood pellets and unlike wood pellets, it is hydrophobic. The EBF product contains negligible amounts of sulfur and non-detectable levels of mercury, arsenic and lead which are toxic elements in coal. EBF is also, by most standards, at or near carbon neutral.

ECI facilities use only certified sustainable biomass and/or waste wood as feedstock and EnviraCarbon has its first EBF commercial facility presently under construction, with export expected to begin in the first quarter 2014.

bioenergy, biomass, Electricity

KiOR Announces Cellulosic Milestone

Joanna Schroeder

KiOR has announced that its commercial scale cellulosic gasoline and diesel production facility in Columbus, Mississippi has achieved several key operational milestones. The first achievement was that the facility’s Biomass Fluid Catalytic Cracking, or BFCC, unit has completed its first uninterrupted 30-day run. In addition, the facility made its first shipment of cellulosic gasoline on June 28, which represented the first fuel shipment since March, 2013. On the same day, the facility commenced regular shipments of both gasoline and diesel.

kior_logo_CMYK“Commencing regular shipments of gasoline and diesel is very significant for KiOR, as it reflects the continuous improvements in our operations at the Columbus facility,” said Fred Cannon, KiOR’s president and CEO. “We have been undertaking considerable reliability and optimization efforts in areas of the facility unrelated to KiOR’s core technology. The success of these efforts gives us confidence, more than ever, that the performance targets for the Columbus plant are attainable in the months ahead and that our operating assumptions for our next, larger Natchez plant are reasonable.”

Cannon continued, “With the facility operating stably and producing cellulosic gasoline and diesel at commercial scale, we believe we are on track to achieve steady-state operations before the end of the calendar year and to demonstrate improving performance metrics over that timeframe. The largest commercially producing cellulosic production facility in the world, we expect Columbus — enhanced with our recent optimizations — to be the basis of our second facility’s design at Natchez,”he concluded.

advanced biofuels, blends

Geothermal Summit a Success

Joanna Schroeder

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) recently gathered in for its third annual National Geothermal Summit and the key topic was how to move geothermal forward.

GEA- geothermal plant tourOne way, as identified by Stacey Crowley, director, Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy and Karen Edson, vice president, policy and client services for California ISO, noted that as intermittent power grows, states have an urgent need for power that can fill the gaps and keep the system reliable. They said that geothermal energy can be part of the solution. In addition, Crowley and Edson stressed the geothermal should no longer be considered to be a baseload technology, but rather a firm, yet flexible energy option that can meet the needs of today’s power systems- especially as aging coal plants are replaced with clean energy.

“The industry has seen slow but steady growth over the past decade,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “The industry has had outstanding support from the Obama Administration. We’ve seen an average of 4% growth per year, but we would like to see 4% per month. How do we get there?”

One way discussed is to ensure the value of geothermal power is recognized, particularly its minimal system integration costs and high reliability values. Industry spokespeople noted that in order to support geothermal expansion, its full value must be recognized in the procurement process. It was observed that as the power grid adds more intermittent renewables to address Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) or climate policies, reliability problems and integration costs are expected to grow making geothermal more attractive.

The Summit also heard from companies working with advanced EGS technology. The development of EGS technology will improve the economics and offerings of geothermal energy, panelist Aason Mandell, Chief Commercial Officer, AltaRock Energy noted. The group heard from a panel of companies that have just completed successful demonstrations of EGS technologies on how EGS technology could expand geothermal production.

In addition, the Summit hosted the third annual student competition held by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The University of Rochester took home the top prize, highlighting a solution to leverage geothermal energy at a superfund site.

Geothermal, Renewable Energy

Cellectis Genetically Engineers Algae for Biofuels

John Davis

cellectisFrench-based genome engineering specialist Cellectis announced it has successfully used engineered nucleases to genetically reprogram diatoms, a major group of algae, to produce biofuels. The company says its VP of Synthetic Biology and Technology, Dr. Fayza Daboussi, presented his research results at a meeting in Paris:

The results presented at the “Molecular Life of Diatoms” meeting by Dr. Fayza Daboussi, who led the study, demonstrate the strength of Cellectis’ engineered nucleases for efficient gene inactivation and/or gene insertion in diatoms. Cellectis has generated a lipid‑rich diatom which highlights the significance of this breakthrough. This work will lead to new opportunities in synthetic biology and especially biofuel production from photosynthesis and CO2.

Cellectis officials say genome sequencing of several diatom species, such as Thalassiosira pseudonana and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, has opened a new era of post‑genomics research and the possibilities for new industrial applications.

algae, biofuels, International

Diamond Green Renewable Diesel Plant Opens

John Davis

darlingRendering and recycling leader Darling International Inc. and energy giant Valero announce that their joint venture renewable diesel plant opens in Louisiana. This Darling International news release says the Diamond Green Diesel plant, when fully operational, will crank out 9,300 barrels per day of the green fuel made from animal fat, used cooking oil and corn oil:

Darling International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randall Stuewe said, “We are proud to report the mechanical completion and startup of Diamond Green Diesel. This joint venture will be a producer of high quality renewable diesel capable of fulfilling the RFS2 biomass-based diesel mandate. Our partnership with Valero will benefit Diamond Green Diesel through multiple operational synergies.”

Darling International Inc. is the largest and only publicly traded provider of rendering and bakery residuals recycling solutions to the nation’s food industry. The Company recycles beef, poultry and pork by-product streams into useable ingredients such as tallow, feed-grade fats, meat and bone meal, poultry meal and hides. The Company also recovers and converts used cooking oil and commercial bakery residuals into valuable feed and fuel ingredients.

Company officials say the renewable diesel can be shipped by pipeline and meets low-carbon fuel standards.

Biodiesel

Small Biz Gives Thumbs up for Climate Plan

Joanna Schroeder

There have been several polls conducted in the wake of President Obama’s new plan to fight climate change. This week, a poll focused on small business owners shows that ASBC logoregardless of party affiliation, they support safe, cleaner, more efficient and renewable energy. The poll was commissioned by the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) and asked a range of energy and environment questions.

“Large majorities of small business owners want the country to develop energy that is clean and renewable,” said Richard Eidlin, Director of Public Policy for ASBC. “Whether Republican, Democratic or Independent, they want the government to promote energy efficiency and clean technologies and they don’t want our tax dollars to continue subsidizing coal, oil and gas.”

The poll, conducted by Lake Research, gauged opinions on several policy issues currently under consideration in states and in Washington, DC. Of the business owners surveyed, 47 percent were Republicans, 27 percent Democrats and 14 percent Independents. Key findings from the survey included:

  • ASB Council Poll79% of small business owners support increasing energy efficiency by 50% over next ten years.
  • 72% of small business owners think incentives for clean energy are a priority.
  • 63% of small business owners support EPA efforts to limit carbon dioxide emissions of power plants.
  • 62% of small business owners oppose continuing subsidies to oil, gas and coal companies.
  • 63% of small business owners support a national renewable energy standard.
  • 57% of small business owners want banks and other investors to include environmental benefits in business investment decisions.
  • 80% of small business owners support requiring disclosure of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing (fracking).

Confirming the poll results, Susan Labandibar, President of TechNetworks of Boston said, “Reducing the use of fossil fuels would benefit all businesses, but especially small businesses that are most affected by damage from severe weather. It makes sense that opinion polls would show that small businesses owners want the government to set and enforce standards for safer, cleaner energy sources. They understand that reducing fossil fuel pollution and boosting clean energy will help small businesses and assure economic stability over the long term.”

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment

Which is Faster – EV Battery Switch or Gas Fill Up?

Joanna Schroeder

Here is something fun for a Friday.

A Model S battery pack switch that takes less time than filling your tank with gas or biofuels such as ethanol or biodiesel. The Model S is manufactured by Tesla and is an all electric vehicle. The EV design is focused on performance – driving this car is like driving a sports car.

  • 0 to 60 in 5.4 seconds
  • Top Speed 125 miles per hour
  • O tailpipe emissions
  • With an 85 kWh battery, estimated driving miles at 55 miles per hour is 300 miles before charging or swapping out the battery

Here’s out it works. When you go to a Tesla station, you can choose the supercharge option or you can choose the swap the battery option. So the big questions – do you prefer faster or free? Watch below.

Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Video

RFS Fact Check

Joanna Schroeder

Energy Fact CheckTrue or False? Natural gas is an approved alternative fuel under the Renewable Fuel Standard. False.

It’s questions like these that arise as the debate around the RFS heats up. But minus having your own personal RFS assistant at your beck and call, the next best option may just be the new Energy Fact Check site created by the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE).

CLAIM: The Renewable Fuel Standard is costly, mandates unrealistic fuels and takes away the incentive for biofuel producers to lower costs and grow the industry.

FACT: The Renewable Fuel Standard supports a rapidly expanding biofuels industry, producing modern fuels that lower gas prices, lower carbon emissions and produce jobs and economic investment.

This is just one example of the type of questions and answers you can find on the site.

In addition to information on the RFS, the website covers energy issues including costs, deployment, investment, jobs and national security. The website also has energy industry contacts and an energy library.

Click here to check out Energy Fact Check.

biofuels, Renewable Energy, RFS

Energy Development on Federal Lands Growing

Joanna Schroeder

During President Obama’s speech on climate change earlier this week he said that more energy projects needed to be developed on federal land. While some are in favor of this strategy, many are not. Yet according to outgoing U.S. Department of the Interior Deputy Secretary David J. Hayes, energy development on federal lands is robust and opportunities abound for oil and gas production as well as renewable energy projects Hayes made these remarks at a Platts Energy Podium newsmaker event in Washington.

David Hayes Sec of InteriorHayes, who is leaving his post to teach at Stanford Law School in the fall, defended his department’s efforts despite criticism from some in Congress that the Obama administration isn’t moving fast enough to make more public lands available for energy development.

“It is incredibly frustrating how politicized this issue has become,” Hayes said. “On the oil side, onshore, we’ve gone up by 35% in terms of oil being produced on our public lands.”

Offshore development has also increased and Hayes said production in the Gulf of Mexico has not only recovered from delays caused by the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, but is higher than it’s been in years. He also noted there are increased federal safety standards in place.

While oil production is up, Hayes said natural gas production is down with companies focusing on finds in shale formations (fracking) that are on private and state lands. On the renewables side, Hayes said the Interior Department has approved 25 utility-scale solar facilities, nine major wind farms and 11 geothermal plants – more than 13,000 megawatts of renewable energy power approval since 2009.

“We have done proof of concept that in this country we can have utility-scale renewable energy providing a major energy source to major population centers,” Hayes added.

Environment, Natural Gas, Oil, Renewable Energy