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

ISU Researchers Growing Algae in Poultry Houses

Joanna Schroeder

A research project conducted by several Iowa State University (ISU) researchers is studying the feasibility of growing algae in poultry houses. Poultry manure generates ammonia, a health and safety concern for both animals and workers. Ammonia can burn the eyes, but if released into the atmosphere, could also cause acid rain. But if Honwei Xin, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at ISU he will turn a challenge into an opportunity.

Juhyon Kang, graduate research assistant in food science and human nutrition is joining Xin in the research and are working together, according to an article in the Iowa State Daily, to design and develop a bioreactor that will filter  ammonia out of the exhaust air. The gas will then be repurposed to grow algae in a controlled environment.

“We want to improve the environmental stewardship of the poultry operation,” Xin said. “It would be a perfect match if we could remove ammonia from the exhaust air in poultry houses and use it to grow algae.”

Algae can be used to create a myriad of products including biofuel, biojet fuel, biomaterials, biochemicals and animal feed. Algae thrives on gases that for humans, can negatively affect health such as carbon dioxide and ammonia.

Kang said tests have shown that up to 96 percent of the ammonia is removed from the [air] exhaust. She is currently working on scaling up the algal bioreactor ro commercial scale while other team members study optimal algae growth conditions, analyze algae to produce feed and exploring optimum amounts of ammonia concentration for the algae to grow.

Xin added, “Algae can serve as a feedstock for biorenewable energy or [an additive] for animal feed. It’s a win-win situation; you kill two birds with one stone.”

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, algae, Research

IRFA Elects 2013 Offers & Executive Committee

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced its new Board of Directors Officers and Executive Committee for 2013, elected during its annual meeting held on December 11, 2012. Each producer member has a seat on the Board and votes on officers. New officers will serve a one year term during the 2013 calendar year.

2013 IRFA Board of Directors Officers:

  • President, Rick Schwarck, Absolute Energy
  • Vice President, Steve Bleyl, Green Plains Renewable Energy
  • Treasurer, Brian Cahill, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy
  • Secretary, Tom Brooks, Western Dubuque Biodiesel
  • Executive Director, Monte Shaw (non-voting)

The IRFA Executive Committee is comprised of the IRFA Officers and other members as elected by the Board. Elected to join the IRFA Officers on the Executive Committee for 2013 are: Past President Brad Albin, Renewable Energy Group; At-Large Craig Willis, ADM; and At-Large Eamonn Byrne, Plymouth Energy.

“2012 was a challenging year for ethanol and biodiesel in Iowa,” said IRFA Executive Director Monte Shaw. “The next twelve months will greatly influence the future of renewable fuels. Leveling the playing field through the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and empowering consumers through wider availability of E15 and higher biodiesel blends will be vital to the continued success of Iowa’s ethanol and biodiesel producers in the future.”

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Renewable Energy

World Corn Supply and Demand

Cindy Zimmerman

USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE) out this week left corn stocks unchanged but lowered the season average price estimate by 20 cents to $7.40 per bushel.

USDA maintained corn ending stocks in the U.S. for the marketing year at a tight 647 million bushels, which is about three weeks worth of supply. Globally, USDA slightly lowered the projection for corn ending stocks in the current marketing year to 117.6 million metric tons, which is down 13.4 million from last marketing year. However, global coarse grains production was actually increased 7.9 million metric tons, as China reported a corn crop four percent larger than the November estimate.

“The drought reduced production by four billion bushels from what we thought earlier this year,” said USDA Chief Economist Joe Glauber. “No question that’s rationed demand and we’ve seen a really tight stock situation.”

Glauber says margins for ethanol producers have been very tight this year. “If you look at ethanol production, it’s been below 13 billion gallons on an annualized basis, if you look at weekly production numbers, and that reflects the lower margins for sure,” he said. Corn use for ethanol is forecast at 4.5 billion bushels, 10% lower than last year.

According to the Renewable Fuels Association, the U.S. ethanol industry is projected to use 78.9 million metric tons of grain (net distillers grains) or less than three percent of the world grain supply – the lowest rate in five years. “Further, more grain will be available for non-ethanol use than any other time in history with the single exception of last year,” said RFA Vice President, Research and Analysis Geoff Cooper. “In fact, grain available for non-ethanol use in 2012/13 will be 15% higher than 10 years ago in 2003/04. Meanwhile global population grew 9.8% during this period.”

corn, Ethanol, Ethanol News, RFA, USDA

Expiring Biotech Patents and Agriculture

Melissa Sandfort

Our latest ZimmPoll asked the question, ” What will expiring biotech patents mean for agriculture?”

Our poll results: fifty-two percent said more options; twenty-one percent said don’t know enough about it; fourteen percent said export concerns; ten percent said nothing and three percent said other.

Learn more about this issue from Cindy’s coverage of last week’s ASTA CSS in Chicago.

Our new ZimmPoll is now live and asks the question, “How do you plan to travel this holiday?” The price of fuel and a plane ticket usually increases around the holiday, so will that change how you travel this year? Or does it really not matter – you’re getting there the quickest way possible! Let us know.

ZimmPoll is sponsored by Rhea+Kaiser, a full-service advertising/public relations agency.

ZimmPoll

Franklin County Wind Farm Powering Local Community

Joanna Schroeder

Here is a story about a new wind farm that is just a stone’s throw away. The Franklin County Wind farm, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, has begun operations in Franklin County, Iowa. Consisting of 60 wind turbines, the farm is capable of producing nearly 100 megawatts of wind energy – enough to power close to 25,000 homes.

“We are very happy to have the Franklin County Wind Farm producing electricity,” said Patricia Kampling, chairman, president and CEO of Alliant Energy. “The construction team delivered this project on time and on budget with an exemplary safety record. We are also grateful to the landowners and the community for their strong support on this project.”

Franklin County Wind LLC continues to seek a buyer for the energy produced by the wind farm, but in the meantime it will sell the power it generates into the MISO market.

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Wind

Companies Shifting to Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

As climate talks begin to wind down in Qatar, a new report, “Power Forward: Why the World’s Largest Companies are Investing in Renewable Energy,” has been released by Calvert Investments, Ceres and World Wildlife Fund. The report concludes that many of the world’s largest companies are not waiting for binding treaties and subsequent polices, rather they are integrating clean energy and lower emissions into their business now.

The report shows that many Fortune 100 companies have set renewable energy commitments, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals, or both. While the movement is strong in the U.S., the trend to sustainability is even stronger internationally.

“The companies that are boldly setting either greenhouse gas or renewable energy goals and making progress on those commitments are demonstrating the business case and real leadership on climate change,” said Marty Spitzer, WWF’s Director of US Climate Policy.  “And, in the process, these companies are changing the game — driving significant renewable energy investment globally and pressing for the right policy and market conditions that will allow companies to do even more.”

The report finds that clean energy practices are becoming standard procedures for some of the largest and most profitable companies in the world. For example, many companies are shifting from purchasing short-term, temporary Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to longer-term investment strategies like Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and on-site projects, indicating a long-term commitment to renewable energy and reaping the benefits of reduced price volatility.

For some companies, there are still key barriers to achieving sustainability goals including: the fact that in some regions renewable energy is not yet at cost-parity with subsidized fossil-based energy; internal competition for capital; and inconsistent policies that send mixed signals to companies and investors in renewable energy projects, particularly instability in renewable energy incentives; and policies that prevent companies from signing green power purchase agreements.

The report also offers several recommendations for U.S. policymakers, including promoting tax credits or other incentives that level the cost playing field for renewable energy, specifically, extending the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind energythis year; establishing Renewable Portfolio Standards in states that do not have them; removing policy hurdles in states that prevent companies from contracting to buy the cheapest renewable power available and building on-site renewable power generation; and market-based solutions that put a price on the pollution from conventional energy generation.

Alternative energy, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Renewable Energy, Wind

Driving Forward Speakers Announced

Joanna Schroeder

Speakers for the National Ethanol Conference (NEC): Driving Forward being held Feburary 5-7, 2013 in Las Vegas have been announced. The conference will kick off with the Chairman of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) Neill McKinstray, who is the president, Ethanol Group, The Andersons. The line-up will then feature the much anticipated State of the Industry Address from RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen.

Featured speakers will also include:

  • Brooke Coleman, Executive Director of the Advanced Ethanol Council.
  • Rick Tolman, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association
  • Rob Vierhout, Secretary General, ePURE
  • Scott Turlow, President, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association
  • James Massie, Principal, The Alpine Group
  • Marty Durbin, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, American Petroleum Institute
  • Shane Karr, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
  • Louis Finkel, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, Grocery Manufacturers Association
  • Linda DiVall, Founder, President and CEO, American Viewpoint
  • Bruce Heine, Director Government Affairs, Magellan Midstream Partners LP
  • Michael Pacheco, Ph.D., Associate Laboratory Director, NREL
  • Scott Zaremba, President, Zarco 66, Inc….and many more.

Click here to see the full line-up and to register. We’ll see you there!

E15, Ethanol, National Ethanol Conference, RFA