Wind & Solar to Growth Significantly

Wind & Solar to Growth Significantly

Joanna Schroeder July 30, 2013

According to a recent report by Worldwatch Institute, global use of solar and wind energy continued to grow significantly in 2012. Solar power consumption increased by 58 percent, to 93 terrawatt-hours (TWh), and the use of wind power increased by 18 percent, to 521 TWh. Although hydropower remains the world’s leading renewable energy, solar and wind continue to dominate investment in new renewable capacity and are quickly becoming the highest-profile renewable energy sources.

The report found that global solar and wind energy capacities continued to grow even though new investments in these energy sources declined during 2012. Global investment in solar energy in 2012 was $140.4 billion, an 11 percent decline from 2011, and wind investment was down 10 percent, to $80.3 billion. But due to lower costs for both technologies, total installed capacities grew sharply.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity grew by 41 percent in 2012, reaching 100 gigawatts (GW). Over the past five years alone, installed PV capacity grew by 900 percent from 10 GW in 2007. The countries with the most installed PV capacity today are Germany (32.4 GW), Italy (16.4 GW), the United States (7.2 GW), and China (7.0 GW).

Europe remains dominant in solar, accounting for 76 percent of global solar power use in 2012. Germany alone accounted for 30 percent of the world’s solar power consumption, and Italy added the third most capacity of any country in 2012 (3.4 GW). Spain added the most concentrating solar thermal power capacity (950 MW) in 2012 as well. However, Italy reached the subsidy cap for its feed-in tariff (FIT) program in June 2013 while Spain recently made a retroactive change in its FIT policies, meaning growth in solar energy will likely slow in these countries in the near future.Read More

Alternative energy, Electricity, Hydro, Solar, Wind

Quad County: The Ethanol Plant That Could

Joanna Schroeder July 30, 2013

Remember the story about the little train that could? Well, Quad County Corn Processors should be known as the “smallest plant that did the greatest things“. Yesterday the ethanol plant broke ground on its bolt-on cellulosic ethanol technology coined Adding Cellulosic Ethanol “ACE” project. On hand for the event, along with a standing room only crowd, was Monte Shaw, executive Director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA).

“It’s exciting to see one of the smaller ethanol plants in Iowa adding some forward-looking technology,” said Shaw during his remarks. “This new bolt-on process will greatly improve many efficiencies at this plant, ultimately reducing the amount of energy used to produce a gallon of ethanol. With other cellulosic projects underway in the state, Iowa is poised to lead the way in advanced ethanol production.”

The “ACE” project will allow more products to be produced from the same kernel of corn – starched-based ethanol, fiber-based ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. It was this ability that the plant demonstrates that inspired Shaw to wear his “corn” shirt, complements of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) several years ago.

Listen to Monte Shaw’s remarks here: The Ethanol Plant That Could

Visit the Quad County Corn Processors “ACE” Groundbreaking photo album here.

advanced biofuels, Audio, corn, Ethanol, Iowa RFA

Pleasant Valley Biofuels Opens UT Biodiesel Refinery

John Davis July 30, 2013

The folks in Southern Utah enjoy some of the most stunning views I have ever seen. Now, thanks to a new biodiesel plant in the area, the air might just be a little cleaner and clearer to see those sights all the better. The St. George (UT) Spectrum reports Pleasant Valley Biofuels in Washington City, Utah, will be able possibly to crank out up to four million gallons a year of the green fuel from waste grease.

“We are glad to be here,” [co-owner Brandon Thurman] said.

Thurman said the process to convert resources like grease into biofuel includes having it brought in by the truckload, usually about 65,000 gallons at a time. The fuel produced at the plant has to undergo standard quality checks to ensure it is worthy to be sold.

“The process is pretty simple, which is why some people have been known to do it at their house in their garage,” Thurman said.

With its current equipment, the company can produce up to one million gallons per year, with the hope that it will eventually expand to its full capacity of producing about four million gallons per year, Thurman said.

Pleasant Valley Biofuels recently located to Southern Utah from Idaho. Company officials say they get their feedstock locally and sell the biodiesel mostly to trucking companies working in the area. They hope to get some local city fleets to convert to the green fuel.

Biodiesel

Mercer County Community College Goes Solar

Joanna Schroeder July 30, 2013

Mercer County Community College (MCCC) located in West Windsor, New Jersey is going solar. The project was developed by MasTec, who selected Solectria Renewables’ SGI 500 inverters for the 8MW solar system located on a 45 parcel of land. The project is estimated to save MCCC nearly $750,000 in energy costs per year.

“We’ve worked with Solectria Renewables on other projects, including a 4.75MW solar system in Massachusetts, so we already have experience with the reliability and durability of their products as well as the responsiveness of their sales, operations and customer services teams,” said Aron Anderson, Director of Estimating of MasTec. “When this project arose, there was no doubt that we would engage Solectria again. We truly value their products and company as a whole.”

Patricia C. Donohue, MCCC President, said the solar farm moves MCCC forward on many fronts. “The solar farm will save critical dollars and enable us to restore to our budget many cuts in programs and services we have made over the past two years. It also helps us fulfill our sustainability goals. We have committed to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality.”

The annual electricity produced from this project will provide 70 percent of the power needed to run the campus.

“Being chosen by MasTec is an honor and we value our partnership with them,” added Bob Montanaro, Southeast Regional Sales Manager of Solectria Renewables. “We know that our inverters are the best choice for this 8MW project – they have been deployed across all of North America because of their reliability, bankability and highest return on investment (ROI).”

Alternative Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

Sapphire Energy Pays Off USDA Loan

Joanna Schroeder July 30, 2013

Sapphire Energy has paid off the entire loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In December 2009, the company was awarded $54.5 million through the Biorefinery Assistance Program, administered by the USDA Rural Development-Cooperative Service (and one of the energy programs in jeopardy in the current House version of its farm bill). The funds were to be used to build a fully integrated, algae-to-crude oil commercial demonstration facility in Columbus, New Mexico In partnership with the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The result known as the Green Crude Farm is completed and was built on budget. Today, the Farm is operational and producing renewable crude oil on a continuous basis. As a result of the USDA’s loan guarantee and DOE’s support, Sapphire Energy is now producing renewable crude oil, and is in the process of scaling up the technology.

“The investments being made in low-carbon biofuel production are paying off and moving technologies forward, which will produce savings at the pump for consumers, and spur sustainable, new-wealth creation here in the United States, and make our land more productive,” said Doug O’Brien, Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development.

The operational crude oil farm has led to additional investment in the company and commercial partnerships. The company repaid the remaining loan balance in full after receiving additional equity from private investors, making the loan no longer necessary to complete the next, planned phase of development. According to Sapphire Energy, the early repayment of this loan and on-target development roadmap for Sapphire Energy’s algae crude oil technologies further solidifies the USDA’s role in catalyzing new energy technologies in rural communities, increasing domestic energy production, and creating new jobs. The USDA’s investment has advanced the use of algae as a feedstock to produce crude oil and as a viable new crop to produce homegrown energy while creating valuable rural economies.

“Sapphire Energy is very grateful to the USDA for supporting algae crude oil as an alternative source of energy as well as our vision to make this industry a reality,” said Cynthia ‘CJ’ Warner, CEO and chairman of Sapphire Energy. “With their backing, we did exactly what we set out to do. We grew our company, advanced our algae technologies, and built, on time and on budget, the first, fully operational, commercial demonstration, algae-to-energy facility that delivers a proven process for producing refinery-ready Green Crude oil.”

“We could not have built this first of a kind facility without the support of the USDA. Moving forward, our focus is on commercializing our technology and expanding operations to bring crude oil production to commercial demonstration scale as planned,” she added.

advanced biofuels, algae

RFA Congrats Quad County Corn Processors

Joanna Schroeder July 30, 2013

There was great news for the biofuels industry yesterday afternoon as Quad County Corn Processors, a biorefinery based in Galva, Iowa, broke ground on its Adding Cellulosic Ethanol (ACE) project. There were dozens from the local community on hand for the celebration and joining them was Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO, Bob Dinneen.

In speaking to the crowd gathered Dinneen said, “I applaud Quad County for proving that the first and second generations of ethanol are literally ‘bolted’ together. The future is now and the present is future. Cellulosic production will soon begin side-by-side with conventional ethanol. Delayne Johnson and his team are to be congratulated for their vision, determination, and innovation.”

“The technology behind today’s announcement is a direct result of Quad County Corn Processors Cooperative receiving a $4.25 million investment from USDA and the Department of Energy as part of the Biomass Research and Development Initiative. The R&D process spanned four years,” he continued.

Dinneen added, “Milestones like the one we celebrate today demonstrate the U.S. ethanol industry’s barrier-breaking innovation and unparalleled ability to create jobs, particularly in small cities and rural communities all across the country. Today is also further proof of the success of the Renewable Fuel Standard to spark innovation and investment, to stimulate job creation and economic development, and most important to produce millions of gallons of domestic renewable fuel in the name of energy independence.”

Listen to Bob Dinneen’s remarks here: RFA Bob Dinneen Congrats Quad County Corn Processors

Visit the Quad County Corn Processors “ACE” Groundbreaking photo album here.

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, corn, Ethanol, RFA, Video

Malaysia Starts Biodiesel Mandate, Looks for More

John Davis July 30, 2013

Building on the success of a biodiesel mandate in the central part of the nation, Malaysia is starting a 5 percent biodiesel mandate in the southern part as well. And this article from Biodiesel Magazine says the Southeast Asian country could be looking to expand that requirement even more.

[Malaysian Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities] says implementation of the biodiesel program in the south will create an additional annual demand of 37,270 tons, displacing about 11 million more gallons of petroleum diesel per year. Since July 1, 415 fueling stations across south Malaysia have been selling biodiesel blends. Once the B5 program is implemented nationwide in July 2014, the total target palm biodiesel consumption will reach 500,000 tons (150 million gallons) per year.

MPIC said the biodiesel program has contributed to a 44 percent increase in palm biodiesel production, from 173,220 tons (52 million gallons) in 2011 to 249,213 tons (75 million gallons) in 2012, while helping stabilize the price of crude palm oil through increased biodiesel demand.

But the government of Malaysia has already decided to move beyond 5 percent blends, according to MPIC. “To achieve this, the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities through [the] Malaysian Palm Oil Board is formulating action plans, which include undertaking studies on the suitability of B10 (or at a higher blending ratio) as required by the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), especially on engine warranty,” MPIC stated.

The mandate in the central part of Malaysia is already helping drive usage of about 34 million gallons of palm biodiesel annually.

Biodiesel, International

Quad County: Versatile Renewable Energy

Joanna Schroeder July 29, 2013

“I’m listening to the presentation that Delayne [Johnson] gave you and looking around at the faces of the people I know that have stepped up for years – you put your capital on the line, you put your ideas on the line, and you put your hard work on the line,” began Congressman Steve King during his remarks at the celebration of the groundbreaking of a fast-forward innovative technology – Adding Cellulosic Ethanol “ACE” project. The technology adopted and developed by Quad County Corn Processors in Galva, Iowa will create advanced biofuels from the “corn slurry” created during the ethanol production process.

King noted that if you took a picture from a plane above the plant, you would see the most versatile of renewable energy locations. He also noted that years ago he remembered reading a study that said a plant could only get around 2.7 gallons of ethanol per bushel of corn but today- not even 3 gallons per bushel is the ceiling.

“That’s a phenomenal thing to do,” said King.

The Congressman also noted that here in Iowa, we know more about producing renewable energy than any other state in the world and we have the knowledge base here.

Listen to Congressman Steve King’s remarks here: Versatile Renewable Energy

I had an opportunity to ask Congressman King if he felt the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) was at risk and he said “absolutely.” But he said it is important for the industry to keep moving forward, and the “ACE” project demonstrates the innovation of the industry.

Listen to my interview on the RFS with Congressman Steve King here: Congressman King on the RFS

Visit the Quad County Corn Processors “ACE” Groundbreaking photo album here.

Quad County Breaks Ground on “ACE” Project

Joanna Schroeder July 29, 2013

Quad County Corn Processors officially broke ground today in Galva, Iowa on its Adding Cellulosic Ethanol “ACE” project. Dozens of local community members joined ethanol industry reps and local politicians to celebrate the milestone that ethanol plant General Manager Delayne Johnson said was four years in the making in the R&D lab.

Delayne explained during his remarks, “With the addition of this new cellulosic process, we will stretch the production capacity of each and every corn kernel that passes through our plant. We will increase our ethanol yields by 6 percent, increase our corn oil extraction three times over, while also creating a higher protein livestock feed. This is value-added agriculture at its best.”

As a result of the new process, Johnson noted, the DDGs will be much more similar to a corn gluten meal. It will increase the protein content by about 40 percent.

“The greatest benefactors will be the Galva community, our shareholders, the ethanol industry, and the consumer,” added Johnson. “Investing $8.5 million in our new process will add several jobs here at the plant, allow us to produce more ethanol from the same amount of corn, help us contribute to the nation’s supply of cellulosic ethanol, and will continue to lower prices at the pump for consumers.”

You can listen to Delayne Johnson’s comments here: Delayne Johnson's Opening Remarks

You can view Sandy O’Brien’s reading of Senator Tom Harkin’s comments here or listen to her comments here: Senator Tom Harkin Remarks

You can listen to Delayne’s reading of Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey’s comments here: Iowa Ag Secy Bill Northey Remarks

Visit the Quad County Corn Processors “ACE” Groundbreaking photo album here.

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, corn, Distillers Grains, Ethanol, Video

ACE to Congress: Big Oil Manipulating RIN Market

Joanna Schroeder July 29, 2013

In response to the release of the fifth white paper on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Executive Vice President of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Brian Jennings submitted comments showing how the RFS is working and Big Oil companies are desperate to repeal it so they can control the fuel market.

Jennings said in the comments:

With respect to a question from the Committee asking who is responsible for the rise in RIN prices: “The question isn’t what is responsible for the rise in RIN prices, rather, the questions are who is responsible for the rise in RIN prices and why. RIN prices have risen this year because oil companies don’t want to comply with the law. While oil companies were reluctantly comfortable with 10 percent ethanol in all gasoline, they prefer to control the remaining 90 percent of the gasoline market by preventing the sale of E15 and other mid-and-high-level blends of ethanol called for under the RFS.”

How the oil industry is manipulating the RIN market: “That oil companies are willing to pay $1 or more for a RIN, just to avoid buying ethanol at 70 cents per gallon less than gasoline and offering consumers safe, tested, and affordable blends such as E15 and E85, should tell Congress everything it needs to know about the RFS: it is needed now, more than ever. The lack of transparency in the RIN trading marketplace leaves open the possibility that unscrupulous traders or even oil companies could create skewed transactions for the purpose of manipulating the RIN market for financial gain or to make a political point. If Congress reduces or repeals the RFS, it rewards oil companies’ bad behavior, ensures they will control 90 percent or more of the gasoline market, and forces consumers to pay more for dirty fuel by restricting their access to more affordable and cleaner blends such as E15 and E85.”

Why the RFS was enacted and how EPA has implemented it: “The RFS wasn’t enacted by Congress to make life comfortable for oil companies or vertically-integrated food conglomerates who managed to operate quite comfortably before the RFS and continue to generate handsome profits today. The RFS was enacted to dramatically improve the way we produce and use transportation fuel, to reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil, to create jobs, to reduce gas prices and greenhouse gases, and to spark innovation in new technologies. In its wisdom, Congress provided EPA with appropriate authority and flexibility to implement the RFS, and EPA has judiciously and exercised that authority.”

Click here to read ACE’s full comments.

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS, RINS

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