Online Bioenergy Systems Class Set for Spring 2013

Joanna Schroeder

With the success of its online bioenergy classes, the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at the University of Illinois (U of I), is offering the online class Bioenergy Systems (ACES 409) for the Spring 2013 semester. The class begins on January 15, 2013 and ends on May 7, 2013 meeting Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm CST.

ACES 409 Bioenergy Systems is an online introductory survey course of a wide range of bioenergy issues from the life cycle of biofuels to feedstock production to end-product utilization. Lectures will be presented by the course instructors as well as several experts from industry and academic research. Presentations will be delivered via an online virtual environment an online tool that enables students to interact with presenters and other classmates.

“We’re excited to offer this class in bioenergy online. We’ve been teaching it on campus for five years and have had students from around the world take the online version of the class. The diversity among students and countries provides rich opportunity for discussion of technology and policy in various countries,” said Dr. Hans Blaschek, Director of CABER. “Technology is changing so quickly in the bioenergy arena. This class should be beneficial to people throughout the world who are interested in learning more about bioenergy technology and research initiatives at the U of I.”

Students will learn about individual bioenergy issues as well as how each issue fits into the broader bioenergy context and the challenges that remain. This course was designed for students wanting to know more about the status of current bioenergy systems in the U.S. and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Click here to learn more and to register.

advanced biofuels, bioenergy, Education, Renewable Energy

SolarX Energy Unveils Hybrid Solar Energy System

Joanna Schroeder

SolarX Energy has launched the SolarX Hybrid – a solar system that combines thermal (hot water) production output of over 100,000 btus per day with electrical power production of up to 1.0 kilowatt per day.  The system combines the company’s SolarX-164 parabolic solar thermal collector with peripherally mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels. The stand-along system can be scaled to fit project needs and is designed to work in remote areas, such as off-the-grid agricultural operations and hospitals in emerging countries.

Using the SunHound tracking device, the system follows the path of the sun improving efficiency and output. According to SolarX Energy, the Hybrid PV panels have the ability to increase electrical production by more than 25 percent over traditional fixed PV tracking. The solar system produces enough energy to power the SunHound tracking system and the excess power production can be used or fed into the grid.

Edward Penson, SolarXEnergy chairman said, “The beauty of this system is that massive energy-consuming (and polluting) enterprises will be able to capture more of the sun’s power more consistently, more affordably and without any external power source, thereby increasing their ability to generate clean energy more easily and reduce their overall energy costs – wherever they operate in the world.”

A common question for companies or people considering the adoption of solar, is why now? Why shouldn’t I wait a few years until the technology gets better? According to David Matalon, the company’s chief technology officer, as PV technology evolves, the more advanced panels can be integrated into the system without affecting the main system.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

eStorage Wins Wind Integration to Grid Grant

Joanna Schroeder

The European Commission has awarded a €13.3 million grant to eStorage, a group of European stakeholders representing the electric power value chain. The grant is to help develop a solution for cost-effective integration of renewable energy generation, such as wind or solar, to the electrical grid.

One challenge with renewable energy is that is can be intermittent – if the wind isn’t blowing, then wind turbines are not operating. Another challenge is that there is no great way to store renewable energy for later use. With this in mind, some forms of renewable energy technologies cannot be used as a sole source for generating power. This in the goal of eStorage – to develop energy storage technologies that are cost-effective and can be widely deployed.

The first phase of the project will focus on upgrading the Le Cheylas fixed speed Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant (PSP) to a variable speed PSP. Once complete, Le Cheylas will provide 70 MW of additional power at night that will allow the integration of several hundred MW of intermittent renewable generation. This will demonstrate that a significant portion of European PSP capacity can be upgraded to variable speed, providing up to 10 GW of additional power with no environmental impact and at a much lower cost than developing new plants.

The consortium will also develop and demonstrate solutions for coupling the dispatch of storage plants with renewable generation using advanced energy and market management systems. This will enable PSPs to maximise their value in the balancing markets.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar, Wind

66 Projects Receive ARPA-E Funding

Joanna Schroeder

Sixty-six research projects were selected to receive funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E), part of the Department of Energy’s “OPEN 2012” program. The projects, which show fundamental technical promise but are too early for private-sector investment, will receive a combined total of $130 million.

The selected projects encompass 11 technology areas in 24 states and focus on a wide array of technologies: advanced fuels, advanced vehicle design and materials, building efficiency, carbon capture, grid modernization, renewable power and energy storage. Approximately 47 percent of the projects are led by universities, 29 percent by small businesses, 15 percent by large businesses, 7.5 percent by national labs, and 1.5 percent by non-profits. The “OPEN” funding began in 2009 and to date, there nearly 285 projects that have been awarded approximately $770 million in awards.

There were a wide-range of projects selected. For example, Plant Sensory Systems was awarded $1.8 million over three-years to develop an enhanced energy (sugar) beet optimized for biofuel production. The beets will be engineered to use fertilizer and water more efficiently and produce higher levels of fermentable sugars compared to current feedstocks.

Another example is Metabolix, who received a subaward to work with UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science to reengineer biochemical pathways for carbon fixation into camelina. Carbon fixation is the key process that plants use to convert carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into higher energy molecules, such as sugars, using energy from the sun.

Click here for the full list of 66 OPEN 2012 winners.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, Research, technology

ecoSolargy Secures $150M for Project Financing

Joanna Schroeder

ecoSolargy Inc. has raised $150 million through private equity investors for its 2013 financing program. Led by the company’s utility project development division, the program’s goal is to finance utility-scale solar projects in various stages of development.

“ecoSolargy’s commitment to clean energy expands beyond the provision of high-quality solar products and the development of strategic and installation solutions,” said Alan H. Lee, CEO of ecoSolargy. “Our position in the solar industry has allowed us to effectively collaborate with private investment partners to raise funds that will help propel utility-scale projects in both the U.S. and abroad.”

ecoSolargy’s utility project development division was created four years ago to acquire, develop, and operate large scale solar projects throughout the world. The company offers project consulting and investigation, environmental studies, utility and government agency negotiations, project design and engineering and logistics. ecoSolargy is currently looking to finance utility-scale solar projects for 2013 that are in pre-development, development or construction stages, or that are already owned and operated.

Jimmy James Nhieu, vice president of project develop for ecoSolargy added, “We anticipate ecoSolargy’s utility-scale project development program to be quite successful in 2013 as we add to our portfolio and help develop solar projects throughout the United States. We welcome owners and developers of projects at all stages to contact us and inquire more information regarding our financing program.”

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

Holiday e-cards from Fuels America

Chuck Zimmerman

Because it’s already growing you might want to consider taking a few seconds to send someone a Fuels America e-Card.

Hi there,

The holidays are upon us.

That means parties, gift giving, and finding that perfect card to send to your loved ones.

Send your friends and family a Fuels America holiday e-card to spread the joy and holiday spirit this season:

Whether young or old, everyone’s life can be improved by renewable fuel, especially during the holidays. Just this past Thanksgiving — the busiest travel time of the year — ethanol helped American families reduce their gasoline usage by an average of $29.13.

That reduction in gasoline usage means more money to spend on gifts for your friends and your loved ones this season.

So don’t just spread holiday cheer — spread the word about the benefits of renewable fuel at the same time. Send a Fuels America e-card now.

Happy Holidays,

Fuels America

Ethanol, Growth Energy

First Long Span R5 Canopy Completed

Joanna Schroeder

Solaire Generation has completed of its first Long Span R5 canopy, a solution specifically designed for new and existing parking garages. The 684 kWp installation, is at the New England headquarters of an undisclosed Fortune 100 company. According to the company, features of the canopy include Solaire’s Max Rack Water Management System and Max Rack Snow Guard, that provide protection for employees and vehicles against sun, snow and rain. The canopy was designed to withstand 55 psf snow load and 100 mph winds.

According to Solaire, its patent pending Long Span R5 design optimizes system size and productivity, providing a 5-degree tilt with southern exposure, regardless of garage orientation. A ground parking lot version of the Long Span is also available.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

BioPro EX Gets GRA Endorsement

Joanna Schroeder

The Green Restaurant Association (GRA) has endorsed Springboard Biodiesel’s BioPro EX made in America alternative refueling station. The technology converts grease to ASTM standard biodiesel, which according to the California Air Resources Board, emits up to 90 percent less carbon dioxide and 50 percent less particulate matter than regular diesel fuel.

“Innovative technology such as the BioPro EX has made it possible for restaurants to recycle their grease in a simple, cost-efficient manner,” said Michael Oshman, the Founder & CEO of the GRA. “While the average restaurant washes about 15 pounds of grease down the drain for every 150 meals served, restaurants that use the BioPro EX device help both the environment and their budgets.”

The machine is located on site, giving restaurants the ability to convert used grease into biodiesel without having to pay a third party company a fee to come and pick up the used cooking oil for disposal – a requirement for many restaurants throughout the U.S.

“We’re delighted by this endorsement,” said Springboard Biodiesel’s CEO Mark Roberts. “Making a clean burning fuel in an automated appliance and saving money at the same time is a truly great combination of benefits. The BioPro™ enables restaurant owners to both save money and differentiate themselves in the eyes of their customers, who are increasingly valuing green initiatives.”

Restaurants who adopt the technology will earn 2.5 GreenPoints toward becoming a Certified Green Restaurant, based on the association’s certification standards in the environmental category of eliminating waste.

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Biodiesel, Environment

B20 Powering Navy Building

Joanna Schroeder

The first Navy plant in the Mid-Atlantic region to use B20 is located in St. Julien’s Creek Annex in Portsmouth, Virginia. The biodiesel blend will provide steam to heat 16 office buildings and 13 warehouses. Over the course of the winter, 235,000 gallons of B20 are expected to be used to create the heat.

Previously the plant used traditional, petroleum-based fuel oil. According to the National Biodiesel Board, the B20 blend is priced competitively with the petroleum based diesel, and will not increase the Navy’s costs to heat the base, while helping to meet the Secretary of the Navy’s goals for greater energy security.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Energy) Tom Hicks recently experienced a first-hand look at how biodiesel is being used to heat a Navy base. “The Navy uses an annual average of 30 million barrels of fuel per year which equates to about $4 to $5 billion of fuel cost,” Hicks said during the tour. Because of this, it is important to explore additional and alternative sources like we see here today at St. Julien’s Creek.”

Hicks continued, “This is a perfect example of what the Navy is trying to do by using B20, a 20 percent biodiesel, 80 percent conventional fuel to run the steam plant from domestic sources that are competitively priced.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, blends

Uruguay Expands Wind Power

Joanna Schroeder

With the support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Uruguay is planning to expand its wind power generation through the construction of two wind farms: Libertador and Palmatir. Loans totaling $107.7 million will help the country diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on hydroelectric generation, which during dry seasons, increases the country’s dependence on energy produced from fossil fuels.

“These projects will be the first two wind farms to be financed by the IDB that are developed within the program launched by UTE, the state-owned electricity company, to promote private sector participation in the renewable energy sector,’’ said Jean-Marc Aboussouan, Chief of the Infrastructure Division at the Structured and Corporate Finance Department, the IDB unit responsible for large-scale private sector project financing.

Aboussouan continued, “The long-term financing provided by the IDB will allow Uruguay to take advantage of the global advances in the wind energy sector as well as improvements in technology and cost reductions that have made wind power a competitive energy source.”

WPE, a fully-owned subsidiary of Brazilian-based IMPSA, will develop the El Libertador wind farm that will feature 44 Vensys IMPSA wind turbines and be located in the department of Lavalleja. The project will receive a $66 million IDB loan. Abengoa S.A. will develop the Palmatir wind farm that will be located in the department of Tacuarembó. This wind farm will feature 25 Gamesa wind turbines and receive a $41.7 million IBD loan.

When the two wind farms are completed, they will have the capacity to produce 115 MW of electricity.  Today, Uruguay has 2.578 MW of power generation capacity, of which approximately 60 percent provides from hydropower plants, 33 percent from fossil fuels and the remaining from biomass and wind energy.

Alternative energy, biomass, Electricity, Hydro, International, Renewable Energy, Wind