Ethanol Supporters Disappointed in Florida Bill

Cindy Zimmerman

A bill repealing Florida’s Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) was signed into law Friday by Gov. Rick Scott to the disappointment of many ethanol and other biofuel supporters.

deb-mayfieldState Representative Debbie Mayfield of Vero Beach, led the opposition to the repeal of the requirement which was passed in 2008 when her late husband Stan Mayfield chairman of the Florida House energy committee. “We said that we were going to be a renewable energy state,” said Mayfield.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) supported the repeal, but long-time member and strong ethanol supporter Bobby Likis says they did not speak for him. “The automotive industry, businesses and consumers SEMA is purported to serve will regret this action, which is not based on facts but rather on misinformation, myths and interests spear-headed by a few,” said the automotive technician and talk show host, adding that those supporting the repeal ignored the interests “of the consumer, advancing technology, independence from foreign oil and American business development and financial success.”

“As this country struggles to comeback from recent economic hardships, it is sad to watch a state legislate away good paying jobs in the renewable energy sector and the abundant economic opportunities that come along with them,” said Bob Dinneen of the Renewable Fuels Association and Tom Buis with Growth Energy in a joint statement, noting that the federal Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) supersedes any state law. “This toothless legislation might win favor with Big Oil supporters, but it has closed the door on job creation by the biofuels industry and sent investors packing for more visionary states. This is most definitely a lost opportunity for people of Florida.”

automotive, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Government, Growth Energy, RFA

Navy Welcomes 1st Solar-Powered EV Charging Station

Joanna Schroeder

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South officially welcomed into service the Navy’s first solar-powered electric car charging station with a ribbon cutting ceremony. During the ceremony NSA Mid-South Executive Officer Cmdr. Brad Meeks thanked the combined Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and Navy Solar EV Charging Station.jpgCommander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) team that brought the station online. He noted that the new photovoltaic carports are a sign of how the base is evolving to face new challenges.

“Naval Support Activity Mid-South is leading the way,” said Meeks. “This is the first solar power charging station in the Navy, and I want to thank our NAVFAC public works team for seeing this project through. Their efforts have ensured NSA Mid-South’s role in building a clean, sustainable future for our Navy and our nation.”

The carport will enable NSA Mid-South to recharge its current fleet of 17 electric vehicles with renewable electricity in approximately four hours, while reducing demand on the commercial power grid. In addition to charging vehicles connected through either 110V or 220V plugs, the carport will also provide excess electricity to the local power grid, further reducing the base’s electricity costs. The 150-foot-long panel structure tilts automatically to track the sun and includes several safety features to protect against high wind or lightning strikes. So far, the energy generated is enough power more than 60 average sized homes for a day.

Public Works Department Mid-South will monitor the carport’s production via a Web-based system and will rely on the base operations support contractor to maintain the individual solar arrays and components over its expected 25-year lifespan. The carport is part of an ongoing $10 million CNIC project to install seven sites with E85 (85% ethanol / 15% gasoline) stations, nine sites with solar carports and five sites with stand-along electric vehicle charging stations and Navy installations.

Alternative energy, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Solar

Farmers, City Slickers Connect Through Soy Biodiesel

John Davis

Empireaward1Farmers and folks from the city might not have a lot in common (although more than most people realize), but they’re united by their love of biodiesel. This week, the United Soybean Board (USB) and Empire Clean Cities are recognizing New Yorkers’ efforts to reduce dependence on foreign oil, while going green and creating American jobs.

“America’s soybean growers are excited to support many positive connections and products that bring benefits to New York City residents,” said Sharon Covert, an Illinois farmer and USB Customer Focus Action Team chair. “New York is a leader with biodiesel used in thousands of vehicles and buildings. Now soy-backed turf is newly installed at Battery Park and New York’s first LEED Gold certified restaurant chose soy-backed carpet. The United Soybean Board is pleased state-of-the art products, such as biodiesel, Signature Carpet and AstroTurf, use soy as a rapidly renewable ingredient for sustainability.”Read More

Biodiesel, Soybeans, USB

Introducing One Stop Solar Projects

Joanna Schroeder

One Block off the Grid (1 BOG) has introduced a new one-stop-shop model that allows homeowners to compare pricing and financial options such as leases and power purchase agreements (PPAs), much like they would on Kayak or Expedia. The difference: homeowners also receive unbiased guidance throughout the process from an independent 1BOG solar specialist.

1BOG is now offering PPAs and leasing options for homeowners in 15 states from the nation’s best solar providers. Based on a person’s location, electricity consumption and size of his house, a homeowner can compare different offerings to go solar for little or no money down, have the option to create custom payments 1BOG Solar Quoteand investment options, or explore pre-paid opportunities.

“Anyone who owns a home and has a high monthly electricity bill should consider solar. Now all they have to do is go to 1BOG to shop and compare options, and in minutes they’ll see what solar can do for them,” said Ousman Bah, managing director of 1BOG. “Our advisors will walk them through PPA or leasing options, help them understand what is the best option based on their area and their needs and give them the information they need to make an informed decision. It’s all free, and there is no hassle.”

1BOG’s says its success is based on demystifying the complexities around going solar. Many homeowners recognize that it’s a good idea, but have a hard time knowing where to begin. That’s where 1BOG comes in. And did you know that homeowners who go solar save an average of $1,200 U.S. per year and are able to lock in rates for up to 25 years?

“What 1BOG now offers will allow thousands of American families to compare and select the best solar provider in the nation without leaving their living room,” added Bah. “We believe this will be the key to unlocking the true potential of solar in the U.S. market.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

BioEnergy Bytes

Joanna Schroeder

  • BioEnergyBytesDFBorrengo Solar Systems has announced its solar expertise contribution to “The Green Schools Investment Guide,” a free resource guide available to K-12 schools that demonstrates how schools can implement healthy and resource-efficient building improvement. Development of the guide was led by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and Architecture for Humanity.
  • The Department of Environmental Protection has announced that it’s Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Natural Gas Vehicle program is now open. The program will provide an estimated $10 million in grants to help companies and organizations purchase or convert medium to light-weight natural gas vehicles.
  • VIASPACE has signed a Giant King Grass supply contract with Sagay Central of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines.
  • Sandia National Laboratories and SRI International are joining forces to explore, test and evaluate a broad range of hydrogen and natural gas fuel systems and components for transportation applications. The five-year memorandum of understanding is the first agreement in Sandia’s new Center for Infrastructure Research and Innovation (CIRI), an alternative fuel research and innovation facility whose goal is to accelerate hydrogen and natural gas infrastructure technologies into the marketplace.
  • Mounting Systems, Inc. has released the new open terrain PV racking system Sigma I XL that reduces pile-driving time and requires less site improvement and maintenance time than its two-post counterpart. Resembling the Greek letter “Pi”, the Pi-rail’s consists of a horizontal beam that provides strength and stability with minimal material usage.
Bioenergy Bytes

Ag Marketing is Not So Good

Talia Goes

Before we get to our new ZimmPoll let’s look at the results of our latest one which asked the question, “ Is agriculture doing a bad job of marketing?”

Our poll results: Sixty-five percent said Yes, Consumers Losing Trust, twenty-one percent said Yes, Industry Thinks It’s Not Needed, twelve percent said No, Consumers Trust Food Supply, and three percent said No, Industry Is Doing A Great Job.

Wow. That’s a huge percentage thinking we’re doing a bad job of marketing. Do you agree with these results? If so, why? What is wrong with the way marketing is being done in the ag sector? Do you think that some sensationalized stories in the media are contributing to a feeling that we are doing a bad job of marketing? If we are doing a really bad job of marketing is it hurting any farmer or company bottom line?

Untitled

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “What is MOST important when buying a tractor?” Today, it seems like tractors come with as many options as a new car or truck. Many of these options are for comfort and flexibility. When you are shopping for a new tractor are you just looking for the basics or do you want and need all the new bells & whistles? Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

ZimmPoll

Alabama City Switches Heavy Equipment to Biodiesel

John Davis

gadsdenlogoAn Alabama city is going green … and saving some green at the same time. According to AL.com, Gadsden is converting all of its heavy equipment to run on biodiesel and will net about $100,000 a year in tax credits and fuel costs from the move:

Gadsden began using propane for its city mowers about four years ago. Now the mowing tractors run on a B100 biodiesel fuel made from recycled restaurant and household grease. The city’s police fleet is currently transitioning to flex fuels, which use 85 percent corn-based ethanol. About 80 percent of its diesel fleet will be using the biofuel blend B20, which is a diesel fuel that is 20 percent domestically produced soy.

The city’s supplier is Ira Phillips Inc., a Gadsden-based wholesaler/distributor. The firm supplies the city with both flex-fuel and biodiesel, and installed the tank at a city refueling station. Mayor Sherman Guyton said the tank will mean that city trucks won’t have to “run all over town” to get fuel.

In addition to the monetary benefits, city officials also boast a 15 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by using B20. And they point out the increased lubricity of biodiesel keeps the engines running better, longer.

Biodiesel

Uesugi Farms Turns Barren Land Into Ripe Commodity

Joanna Schroeder

Usegui Farms has turned barren farm land into a rip commodity with solar energy. Vista Solar along with Uesugi Farms’ General Manager Pete Aiello and several local leaders dedicated the solar power project with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The solar project was installed by Vista Solar and is now producing enough power from the sun to offset 91.5 percent of the farm’s electrical demand. Along with a zero-down operating base lease, the system is projected to create more than $2.6 million in savings over the next 25 years.

“Vista Solar did an excellent job helping us turn a business liability into an asset,” said General Manager Pete Aiello. “Not only did they provide professionalism and expertise in designing and installing the system, but they excelled in all the aspects surrounding it, including obtaining the financing and educating our staff about solar.”

uesegi_solar_panelsWith a low base flood elevation, this parcel of farmland has been prone to flooding, making it nearly impossible to grow crops. Uesugi Farms contracted with Vista Solar to create a design that could transform the unusable land into a solar generation facility. Elevated six feet off the ground to avoid flood damage, the system comprised of 300 Watt Canadian Solar panels and 3-phase, transformerless Refusol string inverters is capable of producing more than 1.25 million kilowatt hours of solar energy annually – enough energy to power more than 100 homes.

“Forward-thinking businesses like Uesugi Farms are motivated by the significant savings that solar can provide for their bottom line, but at the end of the day, they often have several other mission-critical places where their capital is needed. Being able to provide a way to start saving with solar right away while preserving precious capital and lines of credit is one of the things that makes this project and Vista Solar so unique,” said Jaymes Callinan, vice president of Vista Solar.

With the commissioning of their new solar system, Uesugi Farms has deepened its commitment to environmental stewardship by converting a barren plot of land into a carbon-offsetting, renewable energy-generator while adhering to their fiduciary duties as a family business. Aiello said this is a legacy decision that will benefit generations to come.

Agribusiness, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

Hawaii Co. Uses High-Vacuum Distillation for Biodiesel

John Davis

BigIslandlogo1Making the cleanest, highest quality biodiesel is the goal of most refiners of the green fuel. A Hawaii company has completed testing on a high-vacuum distillation (HVD) unit at its new biodiesel facility, and this article from Biodiesel Magazine says the folks at Big Island Biodiesel, a part of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies and in partnership with Hawaii Renewable Energy Development Venture, are pretty pleased with the results:

BigIslandplant1The state-of-the-art biodiesel refinery, with a capacity of 5.5 MMgy, has since been ramping up production and dialing in the procedures for the HVD unit—a technology that has proven to be an important component in recycling even the most highly degraded waste oils into premium quality biodiesel…

Distillation of biodiesel under high vacuum is a new approach to addressing the shortcomings of traditional biodiesel refining techniques when dealing with degraded feedstock. The biodiesel produced with the new process is an extremely pure fuel.

Due to this advanced technology and the efficiency of the Keaau facility, laboratory test results from BIB distilled product “have been astounding,” according to industry pioneer Bob King, president of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, the company that developed Big Island Biodiesel. King noted that the fuel quality is exceeding all of the individual biodiesel test component requirements of ASTM standards.

The article goes on to say that the sulfur content of the biodiesel is just a fraction of ASTM D6751 limits, and the glycerin content is 20 times smaller than maximum allowable levels. And officials point out that’s using biodiesel made from used cooking oil and grease trap oil with a 65 percent free fatty acid (FFA) content. In other words, they’re getting higher quality biodiesel from lower-quality feedstocks.

Biodiesel

Groups Ask For Water “Road Map”

Joanna Schroeder

Leaders of the Committee for the American Clean Energy Agenda (ACEA) praised Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and 22 of her House colleagues for urging new U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to release the long overdue “road map” on how to manage the development of U.S. energy resources without harming the quality and supply of water supplies. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 required water-related recommendations, but as of yet, have not been submitted to Congress.

The coalition comprised of more than 120 citizen organizations and 2 million members, is concerned about the link between energy development and a clean, safe Waterwater supply. With this mission in mind, ACEA applauded the letter submitted by several U.S. House members to Energy Secretary Moniz.

“Without this information, Congress is flying blind when it comes to developing an energy policy so reliant on the availability of fresh water. As we enter the summer months when the impacts of droughts on agriculture and water shortages are felt across the country, access to these recommendations become all the more crucial,” said Pam Solo, president and founder of the Civil Society Institute.”We should have an energy policy where people mater and that includes having access to clean and safe water.”

Back in January, an ACEA survey found that 92 percent of Americans think “U.S. energy planning and decision making” should be based on a “comprehensive understanding of what our natural resources are.” In essence, this is the “road map” that Congress requested but which was never produced. According to ACEA, the national water road map attracts the support of 92 percent of Republicans, 89 percent of Independents, and 94 percent of Democrats.

“This letter from lawmakers echoes the sentiment of the American people that we must better understand how our energy policy impacts this country’s precious water resources,” stressed Heather White, executive director of the Environmental Working Group. “The Department of Energy cannot afford to delay any loner the release of the ‘Water Nexus’ road map when energy production increasingly threatens water quality across the country, as well as quantity in places where water is scare.”

Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, water