Rebuffed in EU, Argentina Aims for US Biodiesel Market

John Davis

argentinaflagShut out of selling biodiesel the the European Union, Argentina is now trying its hand at getting into the U.S. biodiesel market. Reuters reports the Argentinians believe it will be easier to meet U.S. environmental laws than overcome Europe’s block

“We’re going through the process of getting EPA approval, which takes some time,” Luis Zubizarreta, president of the Argentine Biofuels Chamber, told the Reuters Latin America Investment Summit.

“We’re well-positioned and we’re very confident of achieving this. In the next few months, we should have that approval.”

Argentina is the world’s top exporter of biodiesel – made from soybean oil – but shipments to its main client, the EU, plunged this year after the bloc launched investigations into possible dumping by Argentine suppliers.

The European block on the South American green fuel has cut in half Argentina’s production. If the EPA approves Argentinian bodiesel for RINs, the article says it would obviously help that country’s market while helping U.S. refiners, importers and others comply with biofuel blending requirements.

Biodiesel, International

New Colorado Biodiesel Plant to Run on Cooking Oil

John Davis

ClearEcos1A new Colorado biodiesel plant will be supplied with used cooking oil as its feedstock. Bio Plant Technologies LLC (operating as ClearEcos) and GHP Biodiesel USA Inc. are joining forces to set up an 11.5 million gallon refinery in conjunction with ClearEcos’ Boulder, Colorado used cooking oil (UCO) collection business.

Kurt Lange, CEO of Bio Plant Technologies states: “Together with our restaurant partners, we will create a cleaner environment and cleaner communities in Colorado. The usage of local restaurants’ grease to create biodiesel for our municipal fleets ensures that the economic and environmental benefits of our business stay in the region. As our business grows, we will continue to create jobs for Colorado.”

Gregory Gettinger, CEO of GHP Biodiesel USA states: ”We are happy to announce this strategic merger between the UCO collection and the biodiesel production. The synergies in production and logistics are striking. Moving up the value chain from used oil collection to an integrated energy provider is a logical strategic step in this industry.”

Bio Plant Technologies touts itself as the only closed loop UCO-biodiesel-return to local communities system in Colorado.

Biodiesel

Wind Changes Course in Texas

Joanna Schroeder

Wind components for export in Corpus ChristiPort Corpus Christi is a leader in import facilities for major manufacturers including wind energy component cargo from global markets. But the wind is changing course. New wind energy market trends have created a reverse trade this year, and on May 18, 2013, wind components destined for export markets were loaded at Port Corpus Cristi for the first time.

Vessel carrier NYK-Hinode’s m/v Kuwana loaded 36 Mitsubishi wind blades destined for Japan at Port Corpus Christi’s cargo dock 9. The operation marks a first-time export opportunity for wind cargo components via the Port. The blades were staged at Mitsubishi’s laydown yard located in Santa Teresa, New Mexico and manufactured in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. In April, the blades were trucked from New Mexico to a Port Corpus Christi open storage area to await the export operation.

“The Port anticipates additional wind cargo export opportunities within the upcoming months. We continue our commitment to better serve the logistics of wind energy markets,” said John LaRue, Executive Director, Port Corpus Christi.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Energy Exec Survey: Energy Independence by 2030

Joanna Schroeder

According to the 11th annual Energy Industry Outlook Survey conducted by the KPMG Global Energy Institute, 62 percent of energy executives believe the U.S. can attain energy independence by 2030, eliminating dependency on foreign oil. The survey polled more than 100 senior energy executives in the U.S. and found that this is a 10 percent increase from last year’s survey. Of this number, 23 percent believe the country can attain energy independence as soon as 2020.

Utility owned Wind-farmIn addition, 17 percent of respondents believe that U.S. energy independence will never happen, a drop of 10 percent.

“Increased domestic production, particularly from shale assets, is having a profound impact on the global energy sector, introducing new sources to the energy matrix,” said John Kunasek, national sector leader for energy and natural resources for KPMG LLP.

He continued, “This ‘shale gale’ is certainly contributing to the increased optimism among energy executives on the potential for U.S. energy independence and driving large investments into the development and production from these shale assets, including ‘Greenfield’ investment plays.”

The survey shows that natural gas is predicted to play an important role and 79 percent of those surveyed agree that the energy industry’s emphasis in developing environmentally friendly technologies should focus on natural gas, followed by nuclear (39 percent), solar (33 percent), and clean coal technologies (32 percent), indicating a slight shift away from the total bullishness around natural gas seen in the 2012 survey results, to a more balanced view with solar and wind technologies making gains.

Ninety-five percent of energy executives expect continued R&D investment in alternative energy projects this year while 55 percent anticipate investments will remain unchanged in 2013. However, the percentage of respondents predicting a 10 percent increase in R&D investment nearly tripled, from 11 percent in 2012 to 30 percent in 2013.Read More

Alternative energy, biofuels, Natural Gas, Nuclear Energy, Oil, Solar, Wind

Foreign Fuels Reduction Act – Good for Biofuels?

Joanna Schroeder

Joe_Manchin_official_portrait_112th_CongressA fancy title does not good biofuels policy make.

Mixed emotions are emanating from the introduction of the “Foreign Fuels Reduction Act,” introduced by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn). The legislation would allow only domestically-sourced fuels to be used to meet the requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

“It is time for America to create an all-of-the-above energy policy that will help lead us to energy independence,” Manchin said. “It’s simply common sense to use all of our resources, and that includes non-food based biofuels. I am proud to cosponsor this bill with my good friend Senator Bob Corker to make sure that we continue to develop domestic non-food based biofuels while stopping the current system’s incentives to import food-based ethanol products from foreign countries.”

Corker-090707-18364- 0004According to Corker, the RFS is having some unintended consequences. “This bill is a common sense step toward potentially mitigating gasoline price increases the RFS may contribute to in the near future,” he said. “Because its mandated biofuels volumes are too high, the RFS is also unintentionally incentivizing ethanol imports.  Our bill helps to correct that problem by more properly aligning mandated levels with what we produce domestically.”

The potential challenge with the bill? It would require a reduction in the volume of cellulosic biofuel required under the RFS. It would also result in a pro rata reduction to the total volume of renewable fuel and advanced biofuels,a fight many anti-biofuel camps have been engaged in for years. While this would “ensure” only domestically produced biofuels are used, it would lower the total amount required until production levels ramp up significantly.Read More

advanced biofuels, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Legislation, RFA, RFS

Ethanol Production Inches Up

Joanna Schroeder

ethanol production eiaAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), fuel ethanol production capacity was 13.9 billion gallons per year (903,000 barrels per day) as of January 1, 2013 with the majority of production located in the Midwest. The report shows a slight increase in the total capacity of operating ethanol plants (193) compared to the same time last year (194). Total nameplate capacity is 12.6 billion gallons per year (822,000 barrels per day) and this report included plants that were idled or temporarily shut down during 2012.

The next EIA annual report on ethanol production capacity is expected to be released during the spring of 2014. This report will include facility-level nameplate production capacity data, which EIA says will increase the transparency of the ethanol industry data.

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Solar Boat Breaks Speed Record

Joanna Schroeder

Switzerland’s MS Tûranor PlanetSolar, the world’s largest solar boat, has set a new speed record for a transatlantic crossing by solar electric vessel. The boat left  from Las Palmas, Spain, on April 25, 2013, and sailed 2,867miles (5,310 kilometers) across the Atlantic Ocean at the average speed of 5.3 knots before reaching Marigot, St. Martin, in the French West Indies on May 18, 2013. The first-of-its-kind catamaran completed this year’s passage across the Atlantic in 22 of days, PlanetSolar Arrives at St. Martinbesting last year’s record by 4 days. This new world record undertaken by an initiative from Switzerland is currently undergoing an authorization process at Guinness World Records.

“Once again, the boat provided a brilliant demonstration of solar energy’s potential by breaking its own speed record for a transatlantic crossing set in 2010 by completing this year’s journey in 22 days, 12 hours and 32 minutes,” said Gérard d’Aboville, Captain of the MS Tûranor PlanetSolar.

He continued, “It is difficult to compare the two crossings because they were conducted at very different times of the year. But it is certain that in light of the lessons learned during the trip around the world, the major maintenance projects carried out last winter—particularly to the propulsion system—have greatly improved the ship’s performance.”

The PlantSolar team had to carefully manage energy consumption in order to maintain an efficient speed and reach St. Martin in less than 26 days. During the transatlantic crossing, the crew encountered phases of substantial cloudiness for several consecutive days and had to adjust the route. The adjustments increased the travelling distance by 7 percent, but enabled the PlanetSolar crew to avoid winds and unfavorable swells.

The new world record is part of PlanetSolar team’s commitment to push the limits of solar technology. After having demonstrated the potential of solar energy by accomplishing the first around the world tour only powered by the sun, PlanetSolar is now touring the world to illustrate the practical applications of such a vessel. In June, the vessel will arrive in the United States, with stops in Miami, New York and Boston. When docking at the ports the ship transforms into an educational platform to share the excitement and the potential of solar power.

Alternative energy, Energy, Solar

ReneSola & Positive Energy Offering Solar Grants

Joanna Schroeder

DesignGroup-470x320ReneSola and Positive Energy Solar are offering three 2.5 kilowatt solar grants for non-profit organizations in Las Cruces, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Positive Energy Solar is committed to clean, affordable solar electricity in our communities,” said Regina Wheeler, chief executive officer of Positive Energy Solar. “Through these grants, non-profits that might not otherwise be able to, can reduce long-term energy costs and use clean, renewable energy that is aligned with their values.”

The first step in the process is for applicants to create a video about how having solar power would benefit their organization. The videos will be posted on the solar grants Facebook page and the organizations whose videos get the most likes will make it to the next stage of evaluation. Click here for complete grant criteria and step-by-step application instructions.

Brian Armentrout, director of marketing at ReneSola, added, “ReneSola is humbled to have been asked by Positive Energy Solar to support a program that is providing solar for not only the most creative and deserving non-profits, but also for the community as a whole. Both Positive Energy Solar and ReneSola understand the importance of providing such donations and capitalizing on this effort to educate the public about the tremendous financial and environmental benefits associated with solar electricity.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Solar

Sant Lucia Joins “Ten Island Renewable Challenge”

Joanna Schroeder

During the Caribbean Conservation Summit held on Necker Island, Saint Lucia announced that it will join Carbon War Room’s Ten Island Challenge. The event was co-hosted by Sir Richard Branson, the Prime Minister of Grenada and the Premier of the British Virgin Islands.

“Solving the energy challenge and marine conservation challenge in the Caribbean go hand-in-hand. I am very pleased that  Saint Lucia has decided to join the Challenge –  and hope more neighbouring islands will follow,” said Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin.

Caribbean Conservation Summit Photo Washington PostLaunched at Rio+20 Summit last June the Ten Island Challenge is working with pioneering island economies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels through the acceleration of commercial opportunities on islands. The Challenge is also attracting engineering firms and investment.

“We are joining the Ten Island Challenge because it is consistent with the goals of our government to develop a renewable energy sector and transition to a Green Economy,” said James Fletcher, Minister of Sustainable Development & Energy, Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia is focusing its efforts to transition off fossil fuels through a range of initiatives from renewable energies as well as waste and water efficiency. Although sustainability and low carbon plans aren’t new to island economies, successful implementation is. The Ten Island Challenge will highlight the opportunities on the island and Carbon War Room will reach out globally for the best solutions and most competitive bids. Saint Lucia joins its Caribbean neighbor, Aruba – who signed up for the challenge in 2012.

Jose Maria Figueres, President of the Carbon War Room, added, “We want to develop a renewables ‘ blueprint ‘ using those islands that are ready today – and provide replicable models for many more communities isolated by water, desert or just distance from the grid.”

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy

Free Fuel Workshops in Iowa

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) will be hosting a summer workshop series addressing upcoming changes in the fuels shipped to Iowa via the current pipeline system. According to IRFA, these workshops are aimed at assisting fuel retailers, suppliers and marketers in preparing for the first major change in the types of fuel available at retail locations since lead was phased out of gasoline starting in the mid-1970’s.

IowaRFAlogo“Upcoming changes in the types of fuels offered through the major pipeline running through Iowa will force Iowa’s fuel retailers and distributors to make some important business decisions,” said IRFA managing director, Lucy Norton. “These workshops will help participants prepare for this product change, understand the economic considerations and evaluate how renewable fuel blending fits into the new product mix.”

Magellan’s announcement to eliminate regular unleaded gasoline shipments to Iowa will require all retailers to evaluate their product offerings. The workshops will provide details of the new fuel options along with the impact on ethanol blends, future market conditions, and E15 as a new fuel option.

“Fuel distributors and retailers have a lot to take into consideration before the fuel shipped through the major pipeline in Iowa changes in September,” Norton added. “We want to assist the fuel industry in preparing for this significant change to their business portfolio and encourage fuel suppliers and retailers to attend one of the workshops to better understand the fuel options that will affect the future of their businesses.”

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Iowa RFA