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

DF Cast: Creating, Not Extracting, Sugars for Biofuels

John Davis

One of the big issues that continues to dog the biofuels business, especially ethanol production, is the use of food crops as fuel sources. While many have made the case that the crops can provide both food AND fuel (consider the dried distillers grains from ethanol production, for example), a New Jersey-based company thinks it has a way to remove the food part from the debate altogether.

Proterro CEO Kef Kasdin1In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we talk to Kef Kasdin, CEO of Proterro, as she tells us about her company’s method of actually creating, not extracting, sugars. You’ll be able to hear how this process makes sugar for as low as 5 cents/pound… a pretty good bargain compared to 10-20 cents/pound of more conventional methods.

You can listen to the Domestic Fuel Cast here: Domestic Fuel Cast - Proterro Creating Sugars for Biofuels

You can also subscribe to the DomesticFuel Cast here.

And you can check out the video below to get a better explanation of how the process Kasdin describes works.

Audio, biofuels, Domestic Fuel Cast, Ethanol, food and fuel, Video

Canadian Biodiesel Plant Plans to Ship to Germany

John Davis

gm-map1A Canadian biodiesel plant plans to crank out 7 million gallons of the green fuel a year, but none of it is intended for use north or south of the border. Biodiesel Magazine reports Biofuel Weiss Inc.’s Halifax, Nova Scotia, multifeedstock biodiesel refinery product will go to Germany:

“We are different than the other [biodiesel facilities] in Canada because our business model is based on 100 percent export to Germany,” Weiss said. “We went through the difficult double certification process, Canadian and German (DIN)/EU (EN).”

Feedstock for the 7 MMgy facility will mostly be used cooking oil (UCO) from Atlantic Canada, as Weiss said the company is partners with a majority of the regional collectors. In addition to UCO, other feedstocks will include animal fats, fatty acids and, as a last option, second-grade virgin canola oil, if the price and availability work, Weiss said.

Biofuel Weiss had hoped to start operations in September or October but is now looking at a test start by the end of the year.

Biodiesel, International

Advanced Biofuels Payments Go Out to Producers

John Davis

USDA Rural Development LogoBiofuels producers in 38 states recently received payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Acting Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien made the announcement, pointing out these payments of nearly $14 million to 162 producers are still going out, even with the current budget cuts:

“These payments represent the Obama administration’s commitment to support an ‘all of the above’ energy strategy,” O’Brien said. “Producing advanced biofuels is a major component of the drive to take control of America’s energy future by developing domestic, renewable energy sources.”

The funding is being provided through USDA’s Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste material; vegetable oil; and animal fat. Biofuel can be from a variety of non-food sources, including waste products.

Biodiesel Magazine reports most of the current payments are to biodiesel producers.

In the five years the program has been in effect, the USDA says more than 280 producers in 45 states and territories have received $192.5 million, supporting the production of more than 3 billion gallons of advanced biofuels. A full list of payees is available here.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Government, USDA

GM Adds Solar, EV Charging

Joanna Schroeder

General Motors has added four new solar photovoltaic solar projects to its Warren Technical Center campus located in Warren, Michigan. The installations, done by Empower Energies, included a ground-mounted solar array and three solar electric vehicle charging stations. The 49kW ground-mounted array is situated on the north side of the pond adjacent to the GM Vehicle Engineering Center, and according to GM, is outperforming energy production expectations.

“General Motors is committed to promoting the use of 125 megawatts of renewable energy by 2020, which includes solar installations,” said GM’s Manager – gm-website-1Renewable Energy, Rob Threlkeld. “As the leading automotive user of solar power, we understand the importance of solar projects like this, and we continue to work with companies such as Empower Energies to activate new projects at our facilities around the globe.”

The three EV charging stations are located in parking areas adjoining the Vehicle Engineering Center and the Advanced Engineering Center. The latest of these solar EV charging stations is situated in the parking lot across from GM’s new IT Center. These solar charging stations enable Chevy Volt-owning GM employees to power-up their vehicles while they spend their work-day engineering next-generation EV technologies or taking existing vehicles, such as the Chevy Volt, to market.

“These EV Charging Stations may be small in stature by today’s solar-industry standards,” said Len Jornlin, Empower Energies Chief Executive Officer, “but they represent a huge commitment to Clean Transport Infrastructure, and our ability to scale the technology domestically and abroad using our expertise and extensive relationships, including strategic partners such as China Triumph International Engineering Company (CTIEC).”

Installations such as the solar charging stations at the Warren Tech Center enable Empower Energies and market leaders such as GM to refine product design while honing commercial understanding of EV owner requirements.

Alternative energy, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, Solar