- The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has elected Andrew Garrad as its new President. Garrad joined the wind energy industry in 1979 and most recently was Chairman of GL Garrad Hassan.
Amyris, Inc. has joined Bonsucro, the world’s leading sugarcane sustainability standard. Amyris is the first advanced biofuels and chemicals company of its kind to join Bonsucro, paving the way for certification of Amyris’s renewable products.- The Sacramento International Jet Center, the Sacramento County’s airport system partner for general aviation at the Sacramento International Airport, has installed a 130 kilowatt solar electric system on their state of the art hangar and office facilities. The system is comprised of 562 Conergy PM 235 watt solar modules affixed to the Jet Center rooftop using more than 5,600 feet of Conergy SunTop mounting systems. The entire system is connected to the grid using two Solectria 60 kilowatt inverters.
- According to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, wind generated electricity in2012 provided 24.5 percent of all the electricity generated in Iowa. The state was the first in the nation to exceed 20 percent of all generation from wind and generated 18.8 percent of all electricity from wind in 2011. While South Dakota was first nationally in 2011, Iowa reclaimed the number 1 spot in 2012.
- It’s not too late to register for the 6th Annual Iowa Wind Power Conference March 25-27, 2013 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The conference will include a brief celebration of Iowa’s wind generation accomplishment and will feature state and national leaders such as Iowa Governor Branstad, U.S. Representatives King and Loebsack, an official from the US Department of Energy, transmission project updates, new wind energy research, and more.
Buis Highlights Priorities for 2013
During Growth Energy’s fourth Annual Executive Leadership Conference, CEO Tom Buis discussed the significant progress the industry has made despite constant attacks, the strategic goals for the upcoming year and how critics like Big Food and Big Oil are trying to kill renewable energy. He began by stressing that market access and defending the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) continue to be the most pressing issues moving forward in the biofuels industry.
“This week four years ago, Growth Energy officially filed the Green Jobs E15 waiver to break through the blend wall and this past year has been one of major notable accomplishments,” said Buis. “We have seen the Green Jobs Waiver successfully upheld in the courts and E15 is being sold by a number of retail stations. But make no mistake, Big Oil is actively trying to undermine the RFS and prevent E15 from entering the marketplace.”
“They are erecting as many barriers as possible,” Buis continued. “They will not give up their monopoly on the liquid fuels market quietly. But make no mistake; the leaders in this room are among the most talented and resilient. We may not have the deep pockets of Big Oil, but we have the facts and at the end of the day we are going to win this fight.”
Additionally Buis discussed the various international trade cases and how the biofuels industry will continue to fight unfair trade practices by Brazil and the European Union, stating that Growth Energy would “Explore all options and possibilities of trade challenges for those who don’t play fair.”
Buis concluded by thanking the membership of Growth Energy for their continued efforts, noting that the success achieved and the opportunities of tomorrow are all possible because of the collective work of Growth Energy’s diverse and engaged membership.
“We have weathered many challenges, and others will arise, but we must never lose sight of the important work our industry does to create jobs, improve our environment and reduce our dangerous addiction to foreign oil, all while providing consumers with a choice and savings at the pump.”
ProCOT Launches Propane Education Campaign
The Propane Council of Texas (ProCOT) has launched a new campaign, Propane Autogas: Fueling Texas, to educate Texans about the benefits of running fleet vehicles and equipment on clean-burning propane autogas. The campaign officially kicked off last week during Texas Propane day, a ride and drive event at the Texas Capitol. The campaign will feature a series of statewide autogas presentations and road shows to provide fleet operators, drivers and community members a hands-on experience with clean 
autogas technology.
According to ProCOT, Texas is one of the leading states in converting fleet vehicles to run on propane autogas. The Texas Department of Transportation operates the state’s largest autogas fleet and the Dallas, Houston and Austin Independent School Districts also use propane. The fuel is widely available in Texas with more than 700 fueling stations throughout the state.
“Vehicle fleets that use autogas save an average of 30-50 percent on fuel costs compared to fleets that use gasoline or diesel,” said Jackie Mason, education and marketing director for ProCOT. “Plus, 98 percent of the U.S. propane autogas supply is made in America, and Texas is home to the world’s largest propane storage capacity. Choosing autogas contributes to a greener, stronger economy on both a national and state level.”
A new website was launched as part of the campaign, FuelingTexas.com, and will be regularly updated with news, educational resources and more. Fleet owners will find an array of information on the benefits of propane autogas, as well as available incentives, tax credits, upcoming events and details about autogas for both on-road vehicles and off-road options.
Advocates Show & Tell Ethanol’s Benefits
Nearly 50 advocates from around the country are flying into Washington, D.C. this week to tell lawmakers about the importance of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) and the importance of consumer choice and E15. Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) who is hosting the event, says there are nearly 100 new freshman members of Congress.
“Whether we make visits to their offices or veteran lawmakers, the fact that we need to do a better job about educating people about ethanol through telling our story but also showing our story is really important. That’s what this fly-in enables us to do,” said Jennings.
He said there is a good diversity in the mix of participants. There are several livestock producers attending who will be meeting with key legislators to talk about dried distillers grains. There are also ethanol producers along with some bankers and some enzymes companies as well.
“Ethanol isn’t some narrow, special interest program that benefits only ethanol producers,” said Jennings. “That’s what oil producers would certainly like members of Congress to think. We want to show them that main street businesses, and bankers and livestock producers and consumers all benefit in a variety of ways from ethanol and we feel we have some good ways to show and tell that story.”
The big story out of Washington this past week has been the sequestration and budget cuts and I asked Brian about the mood in DC. He noted that the RFS has delivered benefits across America without costing tax payers a single dime.
“So we’re going to capitalize on that mood in Washington which is concern about debt, concern about the budget deficit. Subsidies for ethanol ended in 2011. We are not subsidized by the government oil companies still are. We have this thing called the RFS that levels the playing field. Oh by the way we’re cheaper than gas. Oh, and did we mention we’re not subsidized? I don’t think we can say that enough.”
Jennings believes the ethanol industry has a compelling story to tell when the event begins Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
Learn more about the Biofuels Beltway March by listening to my full interview with Brian: Ethanol Advocates Show & Tell Ethanol's Benefits
Biofuel Flights Take Air from New York
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) in partnership with Schiphol Group, Delta Air Lines and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have begun a 25-week series of biofuel powered international flights. Last week A KLM B777-200 fueled in part by biofuel derived from cooking oil, departed from JFK International Airport and landed in Schiphol Amsterdam Airport. According to KLM, carbon dioxide emissions from aircraft account for more than half of all airport-related emissions and the use of biofuels are expected to reduce CO2 emissions.
“I am proud that KLM is once again demonstrating its leading role in developing sustainable biofuel,” said Camiel Eurlings, KLM’s Managing Director. “For eight years in a row, KLM, together with Air France, has been sector leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Alongside this biofuel series, we are starting a study to further identify sustainability gains in fuel, weight and carbon dioxide reduction throughout the entire flight process.
“We are striving to achieve the ‘optimal flight’ together with research institutes, suppliers, airports, and air traffic control. We are combining new and existing technology, processes, and efficiency initiatives to achieve this,” Eurlings concluded.
One challenge the aviation industry has faced is small volumes of aviation biofuels packaged with high costs for the fuel. Read More
ROUSH Debuts New Propane Ford F-550
During the NTEA Work Truck Show this week, ROUSH CleanTech and Green Alternative Systems (GAS) debuted the new Ford F-550 chassis cab powered by propane autogas. The F-550 features 65 usable gallons, making it, according to ROUSH, the longest driving range of any dedicated alternative fuel counterpart on the market. The fuel tank sits between the frame rails and behind the aft axle. Customizable to carry up to 33 passengers as a shuttle, the Ford F-550 suits the delivery, construction, transit and utility markets. Equipped with a 6.8-liter, V10 engine, the propane autogas alternative fuel system is available beginning with 2013 model year vehicles or newer.
GAS, a certified Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) installer, integrated the ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system technology into the F-550 chassis cab. The vehicles maintain the factory Ford warranty and the same horsepower, torque and towing capacity as their gasoline counterparts.
“Partnering with Ford QVM installers allows us the flexibility to launch products faster and package our fuel system to fit customer needs,” said Todd Mouw, vice president of sales and marketing for ROUSH CleanTech. “With gas and diesel prices soaring, companies looking for an alternative fuel that doesn’t compromise functionality will see significant savings to their bottom line using this cleaner-burning, American fuel.”
According to Mouw, fleet professionals running propane autogas vehicles can expect to save at least 40 percent on the price of fuel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25 percent compared to gasoline. There is also a nationwide, large propane autogas refueling network.
“This is a monumental new product release for the fleet industry,” added Sean Connolly, general manager of GAS. “With an industry-leading fuel capacity, this dedicated propane autogas vehicle fills the gap for a reliable alternative fuel option for this commonly used application.”
Kountry Korner in Baxter, IA Offering E15
Kountry Korner in Baxter, Iowa has become the third retail location in the state to offer E15 as a registered fuel. E15, a blend of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in 2001 or newer vehicles.
“Our company is dedicated to environmentally-friendly practices and growing our local economy, so offering E15 was an easy decision,” said Kountry Korner Owner Bryan DeJong. “The people of Baxter will really benefit from cleaner-burning, lower-cost, more American-made E15.”
Kountry Korner is located in central Iowa at 312 E. Buchanan Street in Baxter. In order to offer E15, a retailer must register with the EPA. The retailer was helped throughout the process by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA), who assists retailers in the registration process to ensure they comply with all federal and state E15 regulations.
“E15 is starting to gain some traction in Iowa, and retailers are seeing value in offering fuel choice to consumers,” commented IRFA Managing Director Lucy Norton. “The IRFA expects more stations in the state to offer the fuel in the near future as more and more Iowans begin to realize the benefits of this cleaner, less-expensive, high octane fuel.”
ENOGEN: Profitable for Corn & Ethanol Producers
Growers looking for a more profitable corn crop should consider planting ENOGEN corn. Ethanol producers looking for more gallons from a bushel of corn should look to farmers growing ENOGEN corn. I learned about the emerging corn trait designed specifically for ethanol production from Jeff Carver who is the ENOGEN Accounts Manager for Syngenta, when we spoke during the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit.
Carver explained that the trait is expressed in the endosperm so it works really well in the ethanol production process. He said the competitiveness of the hybrid is great for the farmer as well. “It transcends value across both the ethanol plant and the direct payback to the farmer.”
So why is this trait unique? Carver said that one difference is that it is an end-use trait that is expressed in the endosperm. During the hydrolysis of the protein, it allows for a very rapid viscosity break. This allows the plant to reduce the amount of water used in the process. With that, based on market conditions, the plant can either push additional through-put through the plant or actually slow the plant down to produce more ethanol.
So in a “corn kernel” you’re actually producing more ethanol from the same bushel of corn. Carver also discussed the benefits of the trait for the production of dried distillers grains and corn oil.
The ENOGEN program is designed around ethanol production and there are trials currently underway. Ethanol plants who are interested in joining the next trial (2014 and beyond) should contact Jeff now.
Listen to my interview with Jeff Carver here: ENOGEN Corn - Profitable for Corn & Ethanol Producers
View the IRFA Renewable Fuels Summit Photo Album.
Ethanol – The Biggest Rural Success Story
According to Robert White, the Market Development Director for the Renewable Fuels Association, ethanol is the biggest rural success story for American farmers in the past decade. White discussed with Jamie Johansen how ethanol has been a boon for farmers during the 2013 Commodity Classic held last week in Kissimmee, Florida.
Most farmers, says White, understand what impact ethanol has had on their local community. “But we’re trying to educate them on how they take that message to their elected officials. As each year goes by, more and more people are sent to Washington to represent their home state with no rural background whatsoever. And so the rural message, the ethanol message, can get lost in the urban and city environment and conversations. We want to make sure when they have those opportunities to talk to their elected officials that they pass on the message, Don’t Mess with the RFS.”
White noted that the RFS is working as intended and has already shown to be a very effective policy. He also said the industry needs a nationwide, one message approach to make sure the RFS continues and this is a big issue on Washington and on top of RFA’s priority list for 2013.
Listen to Jamie’s interview with Robert on why ethanol has been so successful for rural America: Ethanol - The Biggest Rural Success Story
BioEnergy Bytes
The Renewable Energy Group (REG) has announced its 2012 fourth quarter results. The company’s annual revenue exceeded $1 billion, up 23% compared to 2011; fourth quarter revenues were $232 million, down 13% from the prior year period; 188 million gallons sold, up 25% compared to 2011; adjusted EBITDA of $96.5 million for 2012; net income of $22.3 million for 2012; and nameplate production capacity increased to 227 million gallons/year.- The 9th annual F.O. Licht’s Sugar and Ethanol Brazil takes place in 2 weeks in Sao Paulo. The event is March 18 -20, 2013 and registration is still open.
- Duke Energy is transferring the power purchase agreement for its 5.2 MW waste-to-energy plant in North Carolina to Blue Spere’s subsidiary, Bino Sphere.
- Panasonic Eco Solutions Energy Management North America and Pristine Sun have aligned to begin the first phase of a portfolio build-out of solar PV farms in California over the next 24 months. 50MW of solar power will be connected to the grid and sold to PG&E.
- Walmart has worked with SolarCity to install solar panels on 12 Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs throughout Ohio. The solar panel installations will add approximately 6,000,000 kWh of generation production – enough energy to power more than 820 homes – and are expected to supply approximately 5-20 percent of each store’s overall electricity use.
- Trojan Battery Co. has received the “Application Solar Project of the Year” award at the Middle East Electricity 2013 tradeshow held in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). Trojan’s renewable energy group and Trojan’s master distributor Hydroturf International were recognized for the implementation of a first of its kind solar-powered rural street lighting project in 2012 which was commissioned by the country’s Ministry of Public Works.