Gov. Branstad Chairs Governors’ Biofuels Coalition

Joanna Schroeder

IA Gov Branstad at Iowa Renewable Fuels SummitIowa Governor Terry Branstad has been selected to become Chair of the Governor’s Biofuels Coalition (GBC) for 2013. Rick Schwarck, president of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, wrote a letter to Branstad, who will be speaking at their upcoming Summit, congratulating him.

“Your leadership and willingness to serve as a great representative of Iowa has been instrumental in helping our state lead the nation in both renewable fuels production and policy. Your work as the original chair of what was then called the Governors’ Ethanol Coalition and your more recent accomplishments as Vice Chair of the GBC have truly helped lift the industry to where it stands today.”

“We look forward to working with you as GBC Chair to continue to expand E15 availability nationwide, maintain the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), and enact stable, long-term tax policies favorable to the further development and growth of the biodiesel and cellulosic ethanol industries.”

Click here to read the entire letter.

biofuels, Iowa RFA, Renewable Energy

U.S. Energy Initiatives to Build Biodiesel Plants

Joanna Schroeder

USEI logoU.S. Energy Initiatives Corp (USEI) has signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture that will provide support to build several small scale biodiesel plants in California featuring Methes Energies Canada’s Denami 600 technology. Methes Energies Canada is a biodiesel equipment provider and biodiesel Methes Energies logoproduction. Collaboratively, a biodiesel plant will be built in Southern California with a nameplate production capacity of 1.3 million gallons.

Anthony Miller, U.S. Energy Initiatives’ CEO, said, “We are excited to be working with companies with such stellar reputations.” He noted that in 2013, the company will focus on biodiesel and then move into oil and gas technologies. To implement the company’s strategy, USEI has entered into two joint partnerships.

According to Methes, the Denami 600 has one of the smallest footprints in the industry and can quickly and easily be set up anywhere to produce 1.3 million gallons of ASTM quality biodiesel per year.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Renewable Energy

You’re Invited – Green Guides Webinar

Joanna Schroeder

What’s it mean to be “green,” “non-toxic” and “renewable”? You’ll will be able to answer these questions after participating in the upcoming webinar: FTC ‘Green Guides’: Implications for biodiesel and biobased communications being held on January 17, 2013 at 1:00 CST.

NBB-logo1During the webinar, participants will learn what the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) revised “Green Guides” mean for biodiesel and biobased products manufacturers and marketers.  FTC has recently updated its “Green Guides,” which are designed to help marketers ensure that the claims they make about the environmental attributes of their products are truthful and non-deceptive.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is offering this webinar to NBB members and biobased products manufacturers. The featured speaker is FTC Senior Attorney Laura Koss. In addition to her extensive work on the “Green Guides,” Koss has worked on a variety of matters, including investigations involving the advertising and promotion of dietary supplement products and country-of-origin claims. Prior to working at the FTC, Ms. Koss was an Associate at the international law firm Crowell & Moring in Washington, D.C.  She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Click here to learn more about the webinar and to register.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Education, NBB

API’s Crusade Against Ethanol Continues

Joanna Schroeder

API 2013 State of Enery ReportYesterday the American Petroleum Industry (API) released its annual “State of American Energy” report. The release of the report was part of an event where API President and CEO Jack Gerard gave an energy highlight speech. Following the event, Tom Buis, CEO of ethanol industry organization Growth Energy, said that Gerard’s speech brought nothing new to table. Buis said that Bil Oil is fixated on on a “finite resource” and the industry fails to “acknowledge that renewable fuels will play an important role in meeting the nation’s future energy needs.

“While they may mention an ‘all of the above’ approach, the reality is they continue to pursue an ‘all of the above, except renewables.’ Special interests continue to be complacent, accepting the status quo of relying on foreign sources of oil and exporting America’s hard earned money to nefarious groups like OPEC and dictators from some of the most hostile and anti-American countries in the world,” continued Buis.

He noted that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is working and has helped to decrease foreign oil imports by 32 percent; created more than 400,000 good paying jobs; improved the environment; and allowed consumers choices at the pump.

Buis concluded, “What API really said yesterday is that they want to kill any competition that may threaten their bottom line and record profits. They will stop at nothing to maintain the blend wall, prevent market access for fuels such as E15 and ensure that their lock on the fuels market goes unchecked. The RFS is the most successful energy policy this nation has enacted in the last forty years. Not only is it creating jobs but it is revitalizing rural economies. The RFS is a win-win for America, as it is an essential part of a true “all of the above” energy strategy needed to meet the growing energy demands of the 21st century.”

biofuels, Ethanol, Growth Energy, Renewable Energy, RFS

Mexico’s Future Shines Bright

Joanna Schroeder

There is gold in Mexico. Not the kind you wear around your neck and fingers in the form of jewelry, but the kind that produces renewable energy. The field of energy dreams lies in the Sonora Desert in Northern Mexico, and some experts believe that only 25 square kilometers could provide enough solar energy to supply Mexico’s 114 million residents with power.

SolarPanel In Mexico community Photo: Jason WestAlthough the country is blessed with lots of sun, the solar industry is still in in infancy. The Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) averages nearly 5 kWh/m2/day, making Mexico a great place to invest in solar energy. But how do you attract investors in a time when many are hesitant to invest in renewable energy, despite it’s bright outlook? This will be one of the main themes during SolarPlaza’s El Futuro Solar: Mexico conference that will be held in Mexico City on February 28, 2013.

“We´re at the very beginning of formalizing the market,” said Carlos Flores, CEO of Conermex, a Mexico City-based company specializing in renewable energy solutions. He will be one of the speakers at the event. He notes there are still few incentives for investors in terms of subsidies or injection tariffs. “One of the problems is the cost of solar power for private users with high levels of consumption; the industrial sector pays much less.”

Although efforts have been made to make the market more attractive, there is still a long way to go to reach the country’s solar energy potential. To date, solar development has been mainly focused on small scale projects in rural areas to provide communities with off-grid electricity. This, however, is changing and more large solar projects are under consideration. Flores add that not only do solar projects needs to be developed, but the domestic market, including manufacturing, need to be developed as well.

Alternative energy, conferences, Electricity, Energy, International, Solar

Most Are Tired of Hearing About Congress

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ”How do you feel about the fiscal cliff compromise?”

Our poll results: Forty-one percent said Sick of Congress; thirty-two percent said Disgusted; 15 percent said Disappointed; five percent said Pleased and Hopeful; and one percent said Thrilled. Looks like the majority of you are tired of hearing about Congress!

1.9.13graph

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, ”What do you think is top story of 2012?” 2012 was a wild year for farmers. What do you think the top story was? We’re listing the top ones we’ve seen here and on other farm news sites like AgriMarketing.com. There certainly are more stories. Feel free to add your ideas if they’re not on the list here in comments or in comments on the poll.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by New Holland Agriculture.

New Holland, ZimmPoll

MyEnergi Lifestyle Initiative Launched

Joanna Schroeder

A new initiative, MyEnergi Lifestyle, has been launched to demonstrate how a typical American family can significantly reduce their electricity bills and carbon dioxide footprint. The campaign is a collaboration between Ford, Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool and combines energy efficiency tips with plug-in vehicle technology. Specifically, MyEnergi Lifestyle showcases how combining renewable energy generation with “time-flexible” loads optimizes energy consumption across a plug-in vehicle and home appliances.

FORD MOTOR COMPANY MYENERGIMy a home incorporates MyEnergi Lifestyle, A computer model developed by Georgia Institute of Technology predicts a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and savings of more than 9,000 kg of CO2 (55 percent reduction) from a single home. The new program is being featured during the 2013 International CES in Las Vegas this week.

“More than ever, cars are sharing the same energy source as the home,” said Mike Tinskey, global director of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford Motor Company. “The time is right for the home appliance and transportation sectors to converge if we are going to tackle a myriad of sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world.”

According to Warwick Stirling, global director for energy and sustainability for the Whirlpool Corporation, the average American home uses more than 11,000 kWh of electricity per year. However, he said, recent technologies can help a family use energy smarter and more efficiently.

“SunPower is offering Ford plug-in vehicle owners the world’s most efficient solar power systems to ensure they maximize emission-free power generation for use at home and for their vehicles,” said Ken Fong, SunPower general manager, Americas. “SunPower systems offer the industry’s best warranty, so homeowners can count on 25 years or more of clean power to support their sustainability goals and generate significant annual savings on their electricity bills.”

Joanne Edwards, added, that as innovation in home electrical technology advances, so does the need for safe, reliable power distribution. She is the vice president and general manager of Eaton’s residential division and notes that giving homeowners the tools to tap into distributed power in their homes allows them to modify their behavior and reduce energy consumption.

Alternative energy, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Smart Grid, Solar

Wind Power Makes Gains in China

Joanna Schroeder

According to Liu Qi, deputy director general of the National Energy Administration, wind power is the third-largest source of electricity in China. He proclaimed that there is no electric power to substitute the position of wind power as No. 3, during the 18th CPC National Congress. He added that China “is determined to promote the revolution of energy generation and consumption to control the total consumption of energy, to improve energy conservation, and to support the development of energy conservation and the low carbon industry as well as renewable energy in order to ensure the safety of national energy.”

Longyua Offshore Wind FarmLate last year, the State Council released the white paper, “China’s Energy Policy 2012,” stating that wind power has the greatest possibility of large-scale development and market utilization. The country’s development of wind power is the fastest in the world and China’s 12th Five-Year Plan, sets a goal of developing wind energy in both concentrated and distributed formats and the utilization of wind resources will be accelerated including the development of offshore wind power.

Qi also announced that China is committed to strengthening grid construction, improving grid dispatching, enhancing equipment performance, advancing wind power predictions and forecasts, more. The goal, by 2015, is for the country’s total wind turbine installed capacity to reach 100 million kW, including 5 million kW offshore.

On November 23, Longyuan Wind Power realized the completion of 150 MW in an offshore wind demonstration project in Rudong, Jiangsu Province. This is the largest offshore wind farm to date in China. As more projects continue to be developed, the county’s industry is hosting Offshore Wind China 2013 being held in Shanghai June 19-21, 2013. The event is being organized by the Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association, the National Renewable Energy Center, and Shanghai International Exhibition Co., Ltd.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, International, offshore wind, Wind

Just in – Results from 100% Biofuel Jet Flight

Joanna Schroeder

The results are in from a flight powered by 100 percent biofuel. According to data released by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), ReadiJet reduced emissions and provided better fuel efficiency than petroleum aviation fuel. ReadiJet is produced by ARA and Chevron Lummus Global using feedstocks developed by Agrisoma Resonance.

readijet-fuelingInformation collected in-flight on October 29, 2012 was analyzed by a team of National Research Council. The results showed a 50 percent reduction in aerosol emissions when using ReadiJet biofuel compared to conventional fuel. Additional tests from the static engine show a significant reduction in particles (up to 25 percent) and in black carbon emissions (up to 49 percent) compared to conventional fuel. These tests also show comparable engine performance, but an improvement of 1.5 percent in specific fuel consumption during the steady state operations. The jet’s engines required no modification as the biofuel tested in-flight meets the specification test property limits of petroleum-based fuels.

“We are pleased with these positive results. The flight went smoothly and the data collected enables us to better understand the impact of biofuel on the environment,” said John R. McDougall, President of the National Research Council of Canada. “We will continue to work with our partners Applied Research Associates, Chevron Lummus Global, and Agrisoma Biosciences, Inc. to bring this effective energy solution to market. The final product will be a sustainable option for reducing aviation emissions.”

Chuck Red, ARA’s Biofuel program manager added, “Partnering with NRC Canada’s outstanding team to fly the first ever 100% biofuels flight with a fuel that meets petroleum specifications test property limits without blending was historic. Their exceptional data collection capabilities and detailed analysis shows that our ReadiJet, which produces much lower lifecycle green house gas emissions than petroleum, will also contribute to a cleaner environment with significantly lower aerosol, particle, and black carbon emissions.”

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Renewable Energy

Future Trends for Ag, Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

2012 Iowa Renewable Fuels SummitOne of the key topics for discussion during the free, 7th Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit and Trade Show being held in Altoona, Iowa on January 30, 2013 is future trends for U.S. agriculture and fuels. The “Market Outlook for 2013 and Beyond” panel will include Robert Gough, Director of Renewable Fuels for the Oil Price Information Service (OPIS), who will provide an analysis of crude oil and renewable fuels price trends through the next decade.  Also joining the panel will be Nathan Kauffman, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, who will discuss his recent publication which highlights the role of markets in determining the scale of ethanol production and its use of corn in the future.  The final panelist and moderator, John Urbanchuk of Cardno ENTRIX, will highlight the impact of renewable fuels on Iowa’s economy.

“This panel will provide the Summit audience with a glimpse of what to expect for renewable fuels and gasoline production, demand and pricing and its impact on farm commodities now and in the future,” said Monte Shaw, Iowa Renewable Fuels Association’s (IRFA) executive director. “This panel will be an excellent compliment to announced speakers like Gov. Terry Branstad and Growth Energy’s Tom Buis.  Additional speakers will be announced soon.”

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit provides a great opportunity to hear experts address state and national issues facing the future of renewable fuels, as well as network with biofuels professionals and business leaders throughout the Midwest. Registration for this free summit is currently open and you can register online here. Can’t make it to Des Moines? The DomesticFuel team will be onsite to bring you live and post event coverage.

biofuels, E15, Education, Ethanol, Iowa RFA