Prediction: Demand for Solar PV Will Rise

Joanna Schroeder

According to the latest NPD Solarbuzz North America PV Markets Quarterly, demand for solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in the U.S. is forecast to grow significantly during 2013 and post another record high of 4.3 gigawats (GW). In addition, solar PV demand from the U.S. market now contributes over 12 percent of annual global demand compared to just five percent three years ago.

In second quarter 2013, demand is forecast to reach 1 GW with over 70 percent coming from California, Arizona, New Jersey and North Carolina. Residential and small commercial rooftop PV installations will account for 18 percent of this demand with another 14 percent from large commercial rooftops. The utility dominated ground mount segment will account for the remaining 68 percent.

gI_120916_US Solar PV Market Demand by State“The strong commercial and utility-based solar PV being deployed in the U.S. is stimulated by state specific mandates that require solar to meet target levels, or carve-outs, of total energy production,” explained Chris Sungon, analyst at NPD Solarbuzz. “Meanwhile residential demand is being driven by new third-party ownership models that allow homeowners and businesses to install PV systems with minimal upfront commitments.”

New solar PV incentive policies and additional utility-scale projects are also starting to diversify PV demand across a greater number of states within the US, moving away from the traditional strongholds limited to the East and West Coasts. Six of the 10 fastest-growing U.S. states for solar PV demand in 2013 are located in the South or the Midwest, providing annual growth rates averaging above 180 percent.Read More

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

ICM & NCAT Sign Software Deal

Joanna Schroeder

ICM has signed a software development and marketing agreement with Houston, Texas -based NCAT, Inc. to co-develop and market the Inseo Suite line of software services. ICM has been granted exclusive rights to market the first release to Inseo Suite, the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Module, to the biofuels and alcohol manufacturing industry worldwide The Inseo Suite application utilizes NCAT’s Plant Intelligent Life Cycle Platform data repository.

The KPI Module was the first Inseo Suite application developed with ICM for the biofuels industry, and integrates ethanol plant operational data and produces dashboard-driven information that provides both critical overview and detailed views ICM Inseo Suiteof plant performance. The KPI Module gathers, analyzes and stores over 30 key process metrics including: cook, fermentation, distillation and evaporation, key enzyme ratio, dried distillers grain (DDGs) and modified distillers grains.

Tom Ranallo, ICM vice president of operations said, “ICM is pleased to collaborate with NCAT to market the Inseo Suite and introduce its first KIP module product release. This proprietary suite of products has the capability to convert data into actionable information and deliver sustained profitability for our customers. We look foward to working with NCAT in the rollout of the Inseo Suite product line in our industry,” added Ranallo.

According to ICM, the Inseo Suite design greatly reduces the need for paper records, graphically illustrates all KPI metrics on one display and allows deep analysis into the data to better understand and proactively correct issues with out-of range processes as they arise. In addition, the software enables plant operational and management personnel to manage optimal plant ethanol yield based on current market conditions.

“We feel very proud to have been chosen by ICM as their software development partner for the Inseo Suite,” added Bobby Anderson, chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of NCAT. “Our professionals have spent their careers in developing leading edge software for process plant industries and our team will bring the latest thinking in integrating the operations, maintenance and financial information for ethanol plants. It’s ultimately about driving shareholder value and that only happens with elegantly managed data collection, analysis and decision making.”

biofuels, Company Announcement, Ethanol

Pacific Ethanol Providing Corn Oil for Biodiesel

John Davis

Pac-ethanol-logo2An Idaho ethanol plant is producing distillers corn oil that could go in to biodiesel production. Pacific Ethanol Inc. announced that it is using ICM Inc.’s Advanced Oil Separation System™ to get the corn oil at its 60 million gallon a year Magic Valley, ID plant.

Neil Koehler, the company’s president and CEO, stated: “Corn oil is a high value co-product with multiple markets including animal feed and biodiesel. Corn oil sales at our Magic Valley plant diversifies our revenue streams, providing greater financial stability to the plant, and is expected to contribute as much as $4.5 million or seven cents per gallon of operating income annually.”

Pacific Ethanol, Inc. touts itself as the leading marketer and producer of low-carbon renewable fuels in the Western United States, with an 83 percent interest in and operating four ethanol plants in the West with a combined operating capacity of 200 million gallons.

Biodiesel, corn, Ethanol

Climate Change Raises Stakes on US Biofuels Policy

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new study by Rice University and the University of California at Davis, if the climate continues to evolve as predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the U.S. stands little to no chance of satisfying its current Rice Corn Ethanol and Waterbiofuels goals. The study, published in journal Environmental Science and Technology suggests that in 40 years, a hotter planet would cut the yield of corn grown for ethanol by an average of seven percent while simultaneously increasing the amount of irrigation necessary by nine percent.

Principal investigator Pedro Alvarez, the George R. Brown Professor and Chair of Rice’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, said that this could sharply hinder a mandate as being executed by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that mandates 15 billion gallons of ethanol (corn) per year by 2022. The policy, Alvarez explained, is based on the idea that blending ethanol reduces harmful tailpipe emissions, but the cost in water may outweigh these concerns.

“Whereas biofuels offer a means to use more renewable energy while decreasing reliance on imported oil, it is important to recognize the tradeoffs,” Alvarez said. “One important unintended consequence may be the aggravation of water scarcity by increased irrigation in some regions.”

The authors of the new paper have long questioned the United States’ support of biofuels as a means to cut vehicle emissions. In a 2010 white paper on U.S. biofuels, the authors found “no scientific consensus on the climate-friendly nature of U.S.-produced corn-based ethanol” and detailed what they saw as economic, environmental and logistical shortcomings in the renewable fuels policy and suggested a need for further study of water impacts.

In the most recent study, the team built computer simulations based on crop data from the nation’s top 10 corn-producing states – Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Kansas. Read More

biofuels, Climate Change, Ethanol, Research, water

IKEA Adds More Solar to Stores

Joanna Schroeder

solar_panels_atop_IKEA_Charlotte,_NC_-_1_-_hiIKEA has added another solar installation to one of its stores, this one located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 122,000 square foot PV array consists of a 1,015 kW system, built with 4,228 panels. The system is estimated to produce 1,330,000 kWh of solar power each year.

This solar installation is the 39th for IKEA in the U.S. increasing its solar presence to nearly 90 percent of its locations with a total generation goal of 38 MW. Unlike many other companies, IKEA owns and operates all of its solar PV energy systems as opposed to a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPV). The company has set a goal of becoming energy independent by 2020 and to date, has more than 250,000 solar panels installed on buildings around the world.

“The installation of solar panels at IKEA Charlotte is another way we can build upon our ongoing commitment to sustainability,” said Richard Castanon, IKEA Charlotte store manager.  “At IKEA, we believe in creating a better every life for the many people, so investing in renewable energy accomplishes helps contributes to that goal. We appreciate the support of the City of Charlotte, Duke Energy, and Gehrlicher Solar, our partners in this project.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Study: EPA Lacks Transparency in Feedstock Approvals

John Davis

epa-logoA study from a pair of University of Illinois researchers says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lacks “transparency and clarity” when it comes to approving new feedstocks for biofuels as new pathway determinations. In farmdocdaily.com, James McCubbins and Bryan Endres say that if it’s not biodiesel or corn ethanol, it seems to take a lot longer to get the agency’s approval… twice as long in some cases… and that affects the biofuel producer’s ability to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs):

Under the RFS2 pathways process, EPA assess biofuels based upon an energy balance equation that considers a biofuel’s feedstock, process, and type of fuel produced. EPA requires that if a particular fuel type, process, or feedstock varies significantly from any of the already modeled pathways found in the regulations, then companies seeking to develop biofuel through non-modeled pathways must petition EPA to determine the energy balance of that biofuel production process. Before conducting an assessment of the new pathway, EPA also will consider how close the new pathway is to actual production. Based upon priority, EPA will then determine the energy balance of the new fuel, feedstock or process, and assign it an applicable D-code that categorizes the biofuel as renewable, advanced, cellulosic or biodiesel. The D-code assignment allows producers of the biofuel, using approved pathways, to generate Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) to a batch of biofuel, for the purpose of tracking its production, use, and trading.

The length of time between filing of the petition and final determination suggests that there may be a lack of transparency and clarity of the data EPA needs to conduct its assessment, especially for petitions involving substances or processes other than biodiesel or corn ethanol.

The study goes on to say that going forward, the EPA must develop clear guidance on the pathway approval process. If more hurdles are removed, the researchers contend that more advanced biofuels could meet RFS2 mandates.

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Government, News, RFS, RINS

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFDyadic International’s President and CEO, Mark Emalfarb, is presenting at the World Biotechnology Congress 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts June 3-6, 2013 and the BIO World Congress, June 16-19, 2013 on Industrial Biotechin Montréal, Canada. He will be joined by James Moe, Chairman and Steve Hartig, General Manager, both with POET-DSM who will also be presenting at the Fuel Ethanol Workshop in St. Louis, Missouri June 10-12, 2013.
  • Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits has unveiled its new website. It is designed to provide information of the company’s products as well as educational and technical service offerings for the Fuel and Beverage Alcohol industries.
  • Dr. Jeremy Martin, a senior scientist in the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Clean Vehicles Program, will testify before members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Wednesday, June 5 on proper implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). He will discuss the importance of expanding the production of biofuels, the flexibility Congress granted EPA to manage the goals of the RFS, and how the agency can use its existing authority to set ambitious but realistic goals for production goals in the coming years.
  • The 5th annual All-Energy Australia is taking place in Melbourne October 9-10, 2013. The focus of the event is the country’s clean energy sector and is co-located with Australian Sustainability and Waste Expo.
  • Platts 2nd annual Biomass Power Generation conference will take place in London on September 23 & 24, 2013. The agenda has been finalized, and registration is open.
Bioenergy Bytes

Jordan to Get First Wind Research Plant & Lab

Joanna Schroeder

Wind Energy in JordanAn agreement has been signed that will establish the first research plant and lab for wind energy in Jordan. The National Center for Research and Development of the Higher Council for Science and Technology has signed an agreement with Elsewedy for Wind Energy Generation (SWEG) to establish a pilot plant and research lab for wind energy in Al Fujaij, Al Shobak, having a 1.65 MW capacity at a cost of €2.92 million.

This agreement is part of a project to develop a national industry in concentrated solar energy and wind energy that is financed by the European Union and European assistance program to Jordan for renewable energy. The project aims to provide Jordan with technical assistance on running feasibility studies for the renewable energy system, calculate the cost of electricity generation from wind energy and help the country in pricing the cost of energy generation based upon the practical operation of these plants to boost investment in the renewable energy market in the Kingdom.

Electricity, Energy, International, Solar, Wind

Facts About Farmers and Farming

Joanna Schroeder

Pillar_2The Corn Farmers Coalition is educating policymakers in D.C. about how U.S. family farmers produce corn, (also used to produce ethanol) the top crop in the nation. Sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and its state affiliates, the campaign showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become by introducing a foundation of facts about farmers and farmers. The campaign will also benefit consumers, who according to a recent ZimmPoll, ag marketing is “not so good”.

“This has always been a crucial time of year in Washington to make sure our lawmakers and those who influence them remember the importance of corn farming to our nation and our economy,” said Pam Johnson, NCGA president and a corn grower in Iowa. “Our state corn checkoff programs have seen the importance of this program each year for educating a very important audience about this essential crop  and its high value.”

TwoSheets_3The campaign launched June 1, 2013 with a major advertising presence in Washington that puts prominent facts about family farmers in front of thousands on Capitol Hill, starting with “station domination” at Union Station through the month of June. The large-format ads will travel to the Capitol South Metro station for July. In addition, online advertising will appear influential Hill publications.Read More

Agribusiness, corn, Ethanol, NCGA

Project Volt Gas Volt – A Breakthrough Program?

Joanna Schroeder

During the EU Parliament in Brussels, a “breakthrough” green renewable energy program coined Project Volt Gas Volt was called for to make fossil fuel and first generation biofuel use obsolete. The call was made by Corinne Lepage, Member of the European Parliament (also the former French Minister of the Environment) and American Professor of Management, Robert I. Bell.

According to Lepage and Bell, renewable energy can now “keep the lights on” without disruption due to new technology and long term financing proposal for the project allowing surplus energy from wind and solar to be stored. Project Volt Gas Volt (VGV) offers a reliable, safe, Project Volt Gas Voltphase-out of nuclear power and fossil fuels with the possibility of enhancement rather than a reduction in life style.

“With Project VGV, industry and government have the solution for a successful energy transition, to optimize wind and solar energy,” said Lepage and Bell.

An element of the program would rely on new technology that converts surplus electricity generated by wind farms and solar parks to methane, that can then be stored for months in the existing natural gas grid. Bell and Lepage say the methane would become the “battery” for renewable energy while simultaneously making fracking obsolete.

“We will use the surplus energy from nuclear, now largely wasted at night, to help pay for the exit from nuclear. And we will use the CO2 generated from burning waste, biomass and from steel mills and cement plants to generate the methane,”  explained Bell.

Lepage added, “From now on, the question of exiting from nuclear while maintaining a continuous and sufficient production of electricity should not be a taboo, but a realistic political choice, one which will determine the employment of tomorrow.”

Alternative energy, biofuels, Environment, Solar, Wind