VIASPACE Inc. has announced that Mr. Khurram Irshad has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Irshad will take an active role in the company and will help lead additional Giant King Grass bioenergy project developments, especially in Pakistan.- Boralex Inc., has closed financing for the 22 MW Jamie Creek hydroelectric project in Canada and the 8 MW Vron wind power project in France. Construction at Jamie Creek is underway with operations expected to begin in first quarter 2014 while the Vron wind power project is expected to go online in September 2013.
- Greg Staiti of Weaver and Tidwell. L.L.P. has been announced as the latest speaker confirmed for the RIN Academy on August 26, 2013. Staiti will explain best strategies for risk and liability mitigation in today’s biofuels marketplace; provide step by step detail on how the EPA’s enforcement team handles cases of non-compliance; and offer advice on how to respond to notices of violation (NOV).
- Solar enthusiasts – expert or novice — are invited to volunteer as Solar Area Educators with the Minnesota Renewable Energy Society (MRES) and the Connect To The Sun exhibit in The Eco Experience building at the Minnesota State Fair. MRES needs volunteers (18+ years) to staff the Solar Area of The Eco Experience. Volunteers receive free State Fair admission, solar training, and an Eco Experience t-shirt.
- Goldwind USA has closed a $71 million project financing deal for the 55 MW Penonome wind farm located in the Province of Cocle, Panama. According to the company, this project is the largest wind energy project utilizing Goldwind’s wind turbines financed by western leaders.
Legends Ride Features Ethanol
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in full swing and one of the highlights of the event is the 2013 Legends Ride. It began yesterday in Deadwood, South Dakota and ended at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground where the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is a sponsor. This is the site where RFA will also be pumping free 93 octane E10 today and tomorrow for riders.
Chuck Zimmerman caught up with RFA’s motorcycle expert and enthusiast Robert White just before he rode off with the tens of thousands of other riders for the Legends Ride. White said that this is the fifth year Ethanol, Fueled with Pride has sponsored the event. The event is limited to 200 riders, comprised of celebrities, motorcycle builders, riders and more and the event is designed to raise money for charity. This year White said all the funds raised will go to the Black Hills Special Olympics and part of the effort is to fund the vehicle they take to the events.
RFA, or “ethanol” is also involved in other events taking place at Sturgis including the art exhibit at the Buffalo Chip Campground, where motorcycles that can’t be seen anywhere else are on display as well as a few other events. But White said beyond that, they are here for one main reason and that is to promote ethanol.
“This year we’ve had a lot of push back from the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA) and it’s really focused around E15 and it has gotten really confusing to a lot of people. We want folks to use the right fuel; to know what type of fuel they can use, and in fact Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1-4 pm at the Buffalo Chip, we have 93 octane E10 that I has especially blended for the riders who can come and fill their tanks for free….And we’ll show them that indeed E10 will work just fine.”
You can listen to Chuck’s interview with Robert here: Interview with Robert White
EPA Publishes 2013 RVOs
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the final 2013 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumetric blending requirements, or Renewable Volume Obligations (RVO). The EPA determined that based on an evaluation of the volumes of cellulosic biofuel expected to be available for 2013, the 2013 standard for cellulosic biofuel will be 6 million ethanol-equivalent gallons.
The renewable fuels industry has come out in support of the rule. Following are some brief statements from several leading biofuel organizations.
Brooke Coleman, Executive Director, Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC): “It is clear that U.S. EPA has done its homework when it comes to setting the 2013 standard. The commercial cellulosic biofuel facilities that U.S. EPA projected to start up in 2013 are indeed operating, and the adjusted targets reflect the number of actual gallons expected to be available through the end of the year. We agree with U.S. EPA that there will be sufficient quantities of advanced biofuels in the market to maintain the broader advanced biofuel standard, which is consistent with the legislative intent of the RFS to promote advanced renewable fuels.”
Anne Steckel, Vice President of Federal Affairs, National Biodiesel Board (NBB): “With this decision, the EPA is helping consumers, creating jobs and reducing emissions. This target will clearly be met, and it will continue to diversify our fuel supplies so that we’re not at the mercy of global oil markets every time we fill up at the pump.”
Tom Buis, CEO, Growth Energy: Tom Buis CEO of Growth Energy: “Growth Energy is pleased that the EPA has finalized the 2013 biofuel volumes and has continued to show its strong commitment to the RFS. We look forward to closely reviewing the final rule and we strongly support increasing levels of renewable fuel into our nation’s fuel supply. The RFS continues to be a resounding success, helping create jobs in America that cannot be outsourced, revitalizing rural economies across the country in addition to reducing our dependence on foreign oil and improving our environment, all while providing consumers with a choice and savings at the pump.”
Bob Dinneen, CEO and President, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA): “First and foremost, by decreasing the cellulosic requirement by 99.4 percent to a very realistic, achievable number, the EPA has totally obliterated Big Oil’s myth that the RFS is inflexible and unworkable. As in years past, the finalized annual requirements are a testament to the inherent flexibility that is the backbone of the RFS.”
Brian Jennings, Executive Vice President, American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE): “ACE appreciates that the EPA has issued the final volumes for 2013, keeping the total volume intact and thoughtfully used the flexibility given to it by Congress to set the final cellulosic target at 6 million gallons. We think that total is realistic to reach this year. To ensure that the RFS drives sufficient demand for E15 and higher blends of ethanol, and serves as a catalyst for innovation in advanced and cellulosic biofuels, ACE will continue our constructive dialogue with EPA as it considers its flexibility to address the volumes for 2014 and beyond.”
Michael McAdams, President of the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA): “ABFA salutes the EPA and today’s announcement of the 2013 RVOs. We are delighted to see EPA validate the significant contributions that advanced and cellulosic biofuels are making to the American biofuels sector. Today’s announcement of 6 million gallons of cellulosic fuels should put to an end the argument that refiners are being taxed to pay for phantom fuels. Advanced and cellulosic biofuels will continue to grow over time, giving Americans a diversity of lower carbon fuels for our future.”
New Corn Ethanol Plant to Break Ground
According to an article in the Jamestown Sun, the Dakota Spirit AgEnergy plant located at the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp. will be breaking ground on its corn-based ethanol plant on August 9, 2013. Once the first shovels of dirt are moved, Rich Garman, project engineer for Great River Energy, said construction crews will hit the ground.
The $150 million ethanol plant will employ approximately 275 people during construction. Once in operation, the plant will employ around 36 people, produce 65 million gallons of ethanol each year and use around 23 million bushels of corn per year.
“We’ll start out as corn-based and see what the future brings,” Garman said in the article.
Garman said the plant will also use steam from Spiritwood Station, which is currently shut down due to a lack of demand for electricity in Minnesota. “Starting up Spiritwood Station is in response to this. We’ve already started the process of getting it ready to come online.”
Electricity production at Spiritwood Station and ethanol production at DSA are set to begin in January 2015.
Solar Science Academy Inspires Cali Students
Nearly 250 students from 10 California school districts are participating in this summer’s SunPower Solar Science Academy, an academic program launched last year by SunPower Corp. The project- and work-based learning program is delivered over the course of one week in each participating district, immersing district students and teachers in a solar-focused curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
School districts participating in this summer’s program include Antioch, Cutler-Orosi, Dublin, Fresno, Mount Diablo, Oakland, Oxnard, Porterville, San Ramon Valley and Santa Ana. Several of the districts also participated in the 2012 SunPower Solar Science Academy, which served 140 students at six school districts.
This week, approximately 30 students and four teachers from Fresno Unified School District’s (FUSD) Edison High School began their Solar Science Academy experience, hosted by Fresno City College.
“At Edison High School, we are excited about working with SunPower to offer new opportunities to students and staff,” said FUSD’s Organization Development and Change Management Program Manager Ellie Honardoost. “The SunPower Solar Science Academy helps our educators bring relevant and real-life applications of knowledge into the classroom while preparing students for challenges of the 21st century. We’re grateful for the chance to participate, and support development of our community’s young people during the summer months.”
Over the course of one week, students and teachers participating in the program work with industry professionals, and participate in learning laboratories and field trips to nearby solar system installations. The academy concludes with student presentations to a panel of industry executives, school board members, teachers and community leaders.
“As solar power plays an increasingly critical role in meeting global energy demand, students participating in the SunPower Solar Science Academy may be the engineers and business leaders charting our energy future,” said SunPower Managing Director Bill Kelly. “In the process of learning about solar technology and energy solutions for residential, commercial and power plant applications, the students’ enthusiasm and ability to understand complex concepts is very inspiring. SunPower is proud to provide this opportunity, and of the increased number of participants in the Solar Science Academy program this year.”
SunPower has teamed with the Contra Costa Economic Partnership (CCEP), Tulare County Office of Education and Vital Link of Orange County to offer the Solar Science Academy.
Buffalo Chip Founder Loves Ethanol
The founder and President of The Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground is Rod Woodruff. Here’s Rod after being presented with a special surprise during a dinner here at the Chip during the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Apparently his staff and friends had his motorcycle completely re-designed with a very cool look.
I visited with him just before the presentation and found out that the Chip had a record opening weekend. He says it just keeps growing. I know I’ve seen a lot more riders here than when I attended the event two years ago. When it comes to the sponsorship relationship with the Renewable Fuels Association he is very happy. Especially happy that RFA is supplying free 93 octane E10 for riders in the Chip.
You can listen to my interview with Woody here: Interview with Rod Woodruff
Free Fuel at Sturgis Buffalo Chip
Ride Safe. Fuel Right.
Today and tomorrow motorcycle riders at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground can fill up for free. The Renewable Fuels Association is once again making a blend of 93 octane E10 gas available at the CrossRoads area of The Chip from 1 to 4pm. While riders get filled up they can talk with RFA staffers to learn what blends of ethanol can be used in their motorcycles and other engines.
I’m looking forward to talking with some of these riders and will be sharing their stories right here on Domestic Fuel.
USB Farmers Reminded of Role in Helping Biodiesel
Farmers with the United Soybean Board (USB) recently got a history lesson of how one of their products helped the biodiesel industry … an industry that is paying dividends back to those farmers in the form of better prices for their beans. AgriNews tells how during the USB’s See for Yourself program, those farmers heard from Steve Rober, Schaeffer Oil national sales manager, how their checkoff dollars helped the fledgling biodiesel industry take off:
Among other products, Schaeffer produces a diesel fuel additive designed to make engines run more efficiently. An ad in a trade publication touting the product — SoyShield — caught the eye of someone at the National Biodiesel Board.
Rober told the group that the biodiesel board was working on receiving federal tax incentives for biodiesel, which was much more expensive than petroleum diesel. The board wanted to go after the trucking market, but officials at Schaeffer recommended instead that the product be marketed to farmers.
“We took a product that was 50 percent petroleum, and we substituted biodiesel into that product and made the first biodiesel-based fuel additive in the country,” Rober said.
“The National Biodiesel Board used checkoff dollars to fund research and development of this. They did the research and got all the data to make claims that were verified by science.”
The article goes on to say that once that market was found, Congress started providing subsidies for biodiesel, making the green fuel affordable and giving the fledgling fuel the boost it needed. And that is paying off boosting a bunch of bottom lines for soybean farmers.
International Trade Key Topic at Ethanol Conference
International trade will be a key topic at the upcoming American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Conference in Des Moines, IA August 27-28th. Executive Vice President for the ACE, Brian Jennings, said that Doug Newman, who is an International Trade Analyst with the International Trade Commission (ITC), will be a good fit for the conference. “Doug brings timely perspective on key issues such as EU anti-dumping duties and the important role export markets play for profitable returns on ethanol and distillers grains.”
Newman has covered a variety of industries and trade issues in his 34 years at the ITC. His current portfolio includes biofuels, sugar, confectionary and cocoa products. Doug was also responsible for calculating the CBI ethanol dehydration quote until its expiration at the end of 2011 and has worked to improve the accuracy of ethanol trade data. Doug has a BS in Economics and a MA in International Transactions, both from George Mason University.
“While our primary focus has been on developing the U.S. market for E15, E85, and mid-level ethanol blends, it’s also critically important to pursue ways to increase the size of the global market for ethanol and co-products. Doug’s presentation will shine light on the global opportunities and challenges for ethanol producers,” said Jennings.
He added, “Combined with other sessions such as Opportunities for Ethanol Producers to Reduce Carbon Intensity, RFS Pathways to Innovation, Co-Product Power: Diversification and the Financial Health of Today’s Ethanol Plant, and Taking Advantage of RINs in the Marketplace, we’re offering a diverse conference for ethanol producers, one that will arm them with information they need to be succeed today and well into the future.”
To view the conference agenda and to register, click here.
Emerging Markets in Geothermal Energy
During the Geothermal Resources Council Annual Meeting and GEA Geothermal Expo in Las Vegas from September 29-October 2, 2013 the international geothermal community will discuss emerging market opportunities and successes. One of the largest geothermal events in the world, last year’s event brought together more than 2,300 people from 39 countries and six continents to discuss the future of geothermal energy.
Many recent reports show that geothermal energy is poised for tremendous global energy growth. Installed geothermal capacity is on track to surpass 12,000 MW globally by the end of the year in 25 countries, and over 60 countries are reported to have projects in development. Countries including Chile, Philippines, Japan, and Kenya have demonstrated impressive progress. Developers in these countries continue to secure financing, PPAs, exploration permits and leases or enter the construction phase of development.
Several sessions will focus specifically on international markets including:
- Monday, September 30th (12:00 pm-1:30 pm): International Luncheon: A ticketed lunch focusing on geothermal development in Kenya.
- Monday, September 30th (1:30 pm -4:45 pm): International Session: A series of speakers summarizing geothermal developments in international regions. Open to participants in the GEA Expo or GRC Annual Meeting.
- Tuesday, October 1st (First Program: 10:00 am; Second Program: 2:00 pm): International Visitors Presentations: Informal presentations by international participants on business developments and opportunities around the world. Open to participants in the GEA Expo or GRC Annual Meeting.
“We are developing a program that reaches out to meet the needs of the international geothermal community. If you are in the geothermal business in Africa, Europe, the Pacific Region, or elsewhere, this is where you can do business, make connections, and meet companies with the latest technology,” said GEA Executive Director Karl Gawell. “We expect participants will find the program content rich, timely and appealing.”