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

More Must Be Done to Develop Aviation Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

Screen Shot 2013-06-28 at 9.59.22 AMThe commercial aviation industry has a clear path toward cleaner, more economical and more secure energy alternatives through the increased use of advanced biofuels developed in the Midwest, according to a report issued by the Midwest Aviation Sustainable Biofuels Initiative (MASBI). The report was produced following a yearlong analysis of the benefits that could be delivered from a robust sustainable aviation biofuels industry in the Midwest.

Noting the progress made in developing biofuels, including its use on more than 1,500 commercial aviation flights globally, the coalition agreed that more must be done to achieve the sustainable production of commercial-scale and cost-competitive advanced biofuels from sources such as non-food crops and waste products and issued several recommendations:

  1. Streamline the approval process for new biofuel production methods;
  2. Level the policy playing field for advanced biofuels with the conventional petroleum industry;
  3. Tailor agriculture products such as oil-seed crops for jet-fuel production;
  4. Improve biofuel production through agricultural innovation; and
  5. Pursue deal structures that balance risk and reward for early adopters of technology.

MASBI Executive Committee“We’ve been developing a new industry – one that has the ability to reduce carbon emissions, create green jobs, drive innovation in clean technology and bolster the successful future of the airline industry which is vital to communities all around the world,” said Jimmy Samartzis, managing director of global environmental affairs and sustainability for United Airlines. “We need to focus on this today, so that we can have these options tomorrow as we build a more sustainable future.”

Expanding the availability of sustainable aviation biofuels will have clear business benefits for the airline industry and the broader Midwest economy. From 1990 to 2012, fuel costs increased by 574 percent and are now the single largest expense for commercial aviation, accounting for up to 40 percent of an airline’s operating budget. Commercial aviation spends $6.3 billion on jet fuel a year for flights originating in the Midwest. MASBI estimates that replacing five percent of petroleum jet fuel in the Midwest with aviation biofuel would create more than 3,600 jobs and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 700,000 tons.

“The Midwest can be a leader in this effort because it boasts the experience, technological innovation, and resources to do so,” said Samartzis. “The impact of MASBI goes well beyond the Midwest and influences the development of the advanced biofuels industry nationally and globally.”

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels

DF Cast: Algae Backers’ Beef with DOE

John Davis

Backers of algae, especially for biofuel production, say while the Department of Energy provides millions for universities to do research through the DOE Biomass Program, commercial enterprises are being left by the wayside. And they say that isn’t fair, and after 60 years of looking at the green microbes, researchers have developed nothing.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk with Barry Cohen, the Executive Director at the National Algae Association, about how the commercial side of his industry is getting shut out, and he argues if they had just 10 percent of the money that universities get, we would have a commercialized algae-based biofuel within a year.

It’s a pretty interesting conversation, and you can listen to it here: Domestic Fuel Cast - Algae's Beef with DOE

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

algae, Audio, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, Research

Brazil’s First Biodiesel Export Headed to EU

John Davis

BSBIOS1The first batch of Brazilian biodiesel for export is headed for the European Union. BSBIOS announced that its first load of 22 tons of biodiesel is on a ship headed for The Netherlands.

The CEO of BSBIOS, Erasmo Carlos Battistella, emphasizes that this is a great step towards the market opening. “There are many difficulties, with relation to taxes mainly, and cost Brazil that make negotiations difficult with the European market. But this is an important advance we need to fulfill to demonstrate that Brazil can also export biodiesel,” he said.

Since March 6th, 2008, when BSBIOS became the first company in Brazil to receive authorization from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels – ANP to export biodiesel, the company waited for the moment to achieve this goal. “BSBIOS has tried to make partnerships official to export biofuel,” asserted Battistella.

The company’s operation director says this is just the first shipment of what they hope is an expanding market.

Biodiesel, International