Enogen Trait Technology for Ethanol

Joanna Schroeder

Syngenta has signed a commercial agreement with Plymouth Energy of Merrill, Iowa to use grain featuring Enogen trait technology in 2013. According to the company, Enogen trait technology eliminates the need to utilize liquid alpha amylase enzyme in dry grind ethanol production. Once incorporated into an ethanol production process, the plant will see improvements in ethanol production and also reduce energy, gas and water usage.

“As profit margins in the industry continue to shrink, we’re always looking for ways to be more efficient,” said Eamonn Byrne, CEO of Plymouth Energy. “We believe Enogen grain can help us do that and ultimately boost our bottom line.”

Plymouth will begin using Enogen grain for the first time in the fall of 2013. Currently, Syngenta is working with growers who provide corn to the ethanol plant to contract them to grow Enogen corn for 2013. Growers who sign on will deliver the specialty grain next fall. Enogen grain production contracts require growers follow specific, yet simple stewardship protocols. In return, growers are paid a premium price for each bushel of Enogen grain delivered to the ethanol plant per the contract terms.

David Witherspoon, head of renewable fuels for Syngenta, added, “Enogen corn adds tremendous value for both ethanol plants and their local communities. With Enogen corn, ethanol plants not only create greater profit potential for their business, but they help put money back in the growers’ pocket as well.”

corn, Ethanol

2013 Clean Energy Challenge Kicks Off

Joanna Schroeder

The 2013 Clean Energy Challenge, funded by the Clean Energy Trust, has kicked off with more than $300,000 in cash prizes waiting to be won. Researchers, students and entrepreneurs with transformative clean tech business ideas based in the Midwest, are encouraged to submit their businesses and concepts through the Clean Energy Exchange.

The Clean Energy Challenge is a two-track competition for projects in different stages of development. The Early Stage Challenge is for clean tech projects with fully-developed business plans and established start-up companies. The Student Challenge is for students in eight-state Midwest region who have a great idea, and need assistance in developing a clean energy business.

“The very best clean technology innovations are being developed in the Midwest and the Challenge ensures that those ideas are presented to the venture capitalists, businesses and investors who can bring them to market,” said Amy Francetic, executive director of the Clean Energy Trust. “The cash prizes and commercialization support kick start Clean Energy Challenge Finalists, which have all gone on to receive significant venture and federal funding.”

Applications are encouraged from Midwest entrepreneurs working in: Energy Storage; Hydrogen & Fuel Cells; Geothermal; BioEnergy; Solar Technologies; Wind Energy; Water-Energy Nexus; Recycling and Remediation; Energy Efficiency; Building Materials; Energy Management; Smart-Grid; Next Generation Transportation; and Manufacturing Efficiency.

Finalists will receive mentoring from the Clean Energy Trust in preparation for the Challenge finals taking place in Chicago on April 4, 2013. The judging panel is comprised of nationally renowned investors and clean technology business leaders. The application deadline is December 3, 2012. Complete rules and eligibility for the Challenge are available at www.cleanenergytrust.org.

bioenergy, Energy, energy efficiency, Geothermal, Hydrogen, Solar, Wind

USDA Announces 6th Regional Biofuels System

Cindy Zimmerman

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a research grant to develop next generation biofuels in the Northeast.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today awarded Pennsylvania State University a five-year research grant valued at roughly $10 million to develop biomass supply chains for the production of liquid transportation and aviation biofuels in the Northeast. This is the sixth such award made through USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), aimed at developing regional, renewable energy markets, generating rural jobs, and decreasing America’s dependence on foreign oil. In September 2011, the Secretary announced five major AFRI grants for the formation of five regional systems in the Pacific Northwest, the Northwest, Northern states, Southern states, and the Southeast. Today’s announcement underscores USDA’s support for public and private research in building the framework for a competitively-priced, American-made biofuels industry in every major American region.

During a press conference this morning, Vilsack said the goal is to develop alternatives to corn-based ethanol, with each different part of the country focused on different feedstocks and production methods. “This particular project is going to look at miscanthus and switchgrass and willow,” said Vilsack. “It’s possible that we can grow these biomass products on strip mines to restore the land or on marginal flood plane lands.”

Vilsack noted that the project will include support from a number of different educational institutions and companies, including Ernst Conservation Seeds, Case New Holland, Praxair, Inc., Idaho National Lab, Mascoma Biofuels, Primus Green Energy, and Double A Willow. “All of these companies are identifying feedstocks or processing by which these feedstocks can be grown and harvested, so it’s a coordinated effort,” said Vilsack.

Listen to Vilsack’s press conference here: USDA Pennsylvania Biofuels Announcement

advanced biofuels, Audio, biofuels, Ethanol, Ethanol News, USDA

Ethanol Report From CARS

Cindy Zimmerman

Ethanol helped to power events held as part of Automotive Service and Repair Week (ASRW) in New Orleans, October 11-13 at the Morial Convention Center.

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) teamed up with Bobby Likis Car Clinic Network and Ricardo on the trade show floor of the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) and during a Myth Busters panel at the National Automotive Service Task Force meeting. The Ricardo EBDI (Extreme Boost Direct Injection) engine was on display in a GMC Sierra and Car Clinic Network television and radio programs were broadcast live from the event.

Ethanol Report PodcastThis edition of “The Ethanol Report” features comments from Automotive Service Association president Ron Pyle, RFA Director of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis, Ricardo Chief Engineer Powertrain Controls Dr. Matti Vint, and automotive talk show host Bobby Likis.

Listen to or download the Ethanol Report here: Ethanol Report from CARS

Subscribe to “The Ethanol Report” with this link.


CARS Event Photo Album

Audio, automotive, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Ethanol Report, RFA

Ricardo Engine Optimizes Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

It’s called the EBDI – Extreme Boost Direct Injection – and it may be the “little engine that could” revolutionize the automotive world to produce cars that get drastically improved fuel mileage while optimizing the higher octane properties of ethanol.

The engine was developed by Ricardo, Inc., and it was on display for automotive mechanics and technicians at the 2012 Congress of Automotive Service and Repair last week in New Orleans. Attendees were able to see the engine in model form and in a GMC Sierra testbed. Ricardo representatives, including Chris Talware (left) and Dr. Matti Vint, were on hand to talk with those at the event and participate in live broadcasts of the Bobby Likis Car Clinic Network from the trade show floor.

Vint says they designed the engine to run efficiently on straight gasoline up to 85% ethanol. “We got good savings with both E-0 as well as E-85, so we designed engines to be flex fuel capable,” said Vint, explaining how they used a systems approach that adjusted a number of variables to increase the “sweet spot” area of the engine.

“The net result is we’ve gotten equivalent performance of a 6.7 liter diesel engine that is in the Sierra truck with a 3.2 liter gasoline engine,” said Talware. That enables what they call “extreme downsizing” that allows it to be scalable to perform in a variety of applications. “The same technology could be applied to a tourist size vehicle, with a 1.4 liter engine,” said Vint. It’s also scalable in terms of market, whether it’s agricultural, light duty trucks or passenger vehicles.

Listen to an interview with Talware and Vint here: Ricardo's Chris Talware and Matti Vint

Watch Dr. Vint explain more about the engine and how it optimizes ethanol below.


CARS Event Photo Album

Audio, automotive, Car Makers, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, Video

Book Review – Rebuild the Dream

Joanna Schroeder

This week I read Rebuild the Dream, by Van Jones, which ironically turned out to be a great book to read with the presidential election just three weeks away. Personally, I believe this country is in an economic mess and I wonder at the so called leaders in Washington who threw up their hands and left early without making several key policy decisions that have such an economic impact. But I realize these leaders are in DC because we the people put them there. In an age of instant entertainment TV, Americans seem to no longer go to the polls and vote on import issues like economy and foreign policy and rather vote on social issues. It has been this way, as far as I can tell, since President Regan was in office.

What, I’m sure you are wondering, does my diatribe have to do with Rebuild the Dream? A lot. Van Jones hits the mark in the book about the economic struggles this country is having and offers suggestions on turning things around. And it starts at the grassroots level with people just like you and I.

Jones’s true calling is working with the private sector and policy leaders to spread the benefits of green job opportunities into struggling communities. Many of the green job opportunities he refers to include educating youth and adults about things such as solar panel installation and installing wind turbines. Many will recall that for a short time, Jones worked as part of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy (he did not work directly with President Obama). Quite frankly, I think his work has and will continue, to have greater impact in the private sector because this is where true change evolves and succeeds as his book aptly demonstrates.

But what the book really focuses on are the main insights Jones has gleaned from reviewing the past years of political struggle in the U.S. (2003-2011).  He focuses on three areas in the first part of the book: the political movements around Barack Obama in 2007-2008; the Tea Party movement in 2009-2010; and the emergence of Occupy Wall Street and the 99 percent movements. (I am part of the 99 percent and more than likely you too are part of the 99 percent.)Read More

book reviews, Energy, global warming, Government, Opinion, Solar

Solar Industry Responds to Solar Anti-Dumping Rulings

Joanna Schroeder

After a year, The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) has released its final findings regarding the Countervailing Duty and Anti-Dumping rules regarding the imports of billions of dollars of solar cells from China.

DOC ruled that there will be no change of scope with the exception that small consumer goods are now excluded. In addition, the effective rate on Suntech has gone up a few percentage points, down four percent for Yingli and Canadian Solar with Trina down 12 percentage points from the preliminary numbers. The DOC also recommended anti-subsidy duty percentages of 14.78 percent for imports made by Suntech, 15.97 percent Trina Solar and 15.24 percent for all other Chinese manufacturers. Lastly, critical circumstances are in effect save for Suntech’s anti-dumping tariffs.
Jigar Shah, the president of The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE) responded by saying, “We are gratified that the scope of today’s decision is limited only to solar cells made in China and that the Department did not significantly increase the tariff from its preliminary decision in May. We are hopeful that continued innovations in technology, a competitive global marketplace, and demand-generated pressure for lower prices will take precedence moving forward. At the same time, we remain concerned about the growing global trade war, which will only hurt American solar industry jobs, growth and consumers.

He added that CASE believes global competition is good for American solar consumers and companies and that the tariffs will not stop the development of solar energy.

In its final decision, the DOC determined that crystalline silicon photovoltaic (“PV”) cells produced in China, whether or not assembled into modules, would be subject to antidumping and countervailing duties. Under the ruling, solar modules assembled in China from cells produced in third countries do not fall within the scope of the duties. Based on this, PV cells produced in China by JA Solar will be subject to an antidumping duty of 25.96 percent and countervailing duty of 15.24 percent.

Jonathan Pickering, president of JA Solar USA, commented, “We are pleased that the dispute is coming to a close and that the scope of the investigation was not expanded. JA Solar cooperated fully with the DOC during its investigation, and we continue to state our case to the International Trade Commission (ITC).” The ITC will make its final ruling on or before November 23, 2012.

Pickering added, “We remain focused on addressing our customers’ need for high-quality, high-performance products, and we’re determined to play an active role in the rapid growth of the U.S. market.”

Energy, International, Solar

Navy: Biofuel Technology is Here

Joanna Schroeder

According to an article on Military.com, biofuel technology has arrived. While several legislators fight to stop the military from pursuing the use of biofuels, Secretary Ray Mabus says the Navy will continue to develop biofuel technology for use in its ships and aircraft. During a luncheon on October 9th, Mabus said the technology is already here.

Research shows that between 2018 and 2024, biofuels will be a viable alternative fuel. What Mabus is focusing on is how to speed up that timeframe and make biofuel technology more competitive with current technologies.

The Navy is currently putting together a “Green Fleet” of ships that use alternative fuels. They are also developing a “Green Hornet” F-18 based on the same concept they are using for their ships.

Mabus says one of the more interesting technologies the Navy is pursing is to hone the chemistry for producing jet fuel while in “theater”. In other words, the ability to develop alternative jet fuel when a troop is deployed. The most promising pricess would catalytically convert carbon dioxide hydrogen gas directly to liquid hydrocarbon fuel used as JP-5, a process being developed and honed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).

The article says that NRL has already successfully developed and demonstrated technologies for the recovery of carbon dioxide and the production of hydrogen gas from seawater using an electrochemical acidification cell. From there the hydrogen gas is converted to hydrocarbons that can be used to produce jet fuel.

Yet despite the promising technology, Mabus says the Navy doesn’t have a favorite technology and their goal is to simply keep develop alternatives.

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, Government

Ethanol Myth Busting at Automotive Event

Cindy Zimmerman

A panel consisting of an automotive technician, an automotive engineer and an ethanol industry representative had the opportunity to bust some myths about ethanol at the National Automotive Service Task Force meeting in New Orleans on Saturday.

Renewable Fuels Association Director of Regulatory Affairs Kelly Davis, Ricardo Chief Engineer for powertrain controls Dr. Matti Vint, and automotive talk show host/service center owner Bobby Likis each addressed one myth about ethanol related to the vehicle industry.

Vint busted the myth that ethanol ruins engine performance by detailing the benefits of the fuel’s higher octane rating, which is a measure of its anti-knock properties. “The higher octane, the higher the cylinder pressure you can operate without causing destructive damage to the engine,” he said. “So high octane is good for extracting the maximum performance of the engine and improving the efficiency.” He explained how designing engines like the Ricardo EBDI (Extreme Boost Direct Injection) engine will better utilize ethanol’s higher octane rating.

Likis busted the myth that ethanol poses repair and service problems. “In the 41 years I’ve been in the automotive service business, I’ve never had a single engine fail as a result of ethanol,” he said, noting that engines have been designed to run on E10 for the past 30 years.

Finally, Davis busted the myth that consumers don’t want choice at the pump. “A recent survey complete by American Viewpoint showed 61% were in favor of replacing imported fossil fuel dependency with renewable fuels like ethanol,” Davis said, pointing out that the approval of E15 allows more options for model year 2001 and newer vehicles.

Listen to the panel presentations here: Ethanol Myth Busters Panel

Watch Dr. Matti Vint’s presentation below:


CARS Event Photo Album

Audio, automotive, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, Video

Gevo Awarded Two Patents

Joanna Schroeder

Gevo, a company focused on developing biobutanol technology,  has been awarded two patents. The first is US Patent No. 8,273,565, entitled “Methods of Increasing Dihydroxy Acid Dehydratase Activity to Improve Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Amino Acids.” The patent covers suppression of a glutaredoxin protein called GRX3. In combination with other Gevo patented technologies, deletion of GRX3 significantly increases the production of isobutanol by yeast cells.

The second patent awarded was U.S. Patent No. 8,283,505, which protects Gevo’s Integrated Fermentation Technology (GIFT). The GIFT system permits the continuous removal of isobutanol as it is formed in the fermentation broth. This increases productivity of the genetically modified yeast cells because yeast does not thrive in high concentrations of isobutanol. The technology also increases final isobutanol concentrations extracted from the fermentation broth.

advanced biofuels, biobutanol