Top Reasons to Attend Biodiesel Conference

Joanna Schroeder

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) is celebrating its 20th anniversary and its 10th biodiesel conference. Don’t miss out on next year’s event: Momentum – National Biodiesel Conference & Expo 2013. The conference will take place February 4-7, 2013 in Las Vegas. But in this case, what happens in Vegas should not stay in Vegas. The tips you learn, contacts you make and insights you gain into important biodiesel policy, cutting edge technologies and more will be things you want to take home and try out. That’s why #3 on the list of the top 10 reasons that the National Biodiesel Board gives for attending the conference is…Bring it Home!

Here is a sampling of the some of the sessions you’ll not want to miss.

  • Betting on Biodiesel: Will We Reach 100% B20 Approval?
  • RINtegrity
  • The Future is Unwritten: Going “All-in” with Biodiesel Feedstocks
  • Chain Link: Developing a Supply Chain for Biodiesel
  • State of the States: Legislative and Regulatory Update
  • You Say You Want an Evolution? How a Bioheat Campaign Created Change

You can learn more about Momentum as well as register online by visiting the conference website.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, National Biodiesel Conference, NBB

New York All Bioheat All the Time

Joanna Schroeder

It might not seem like winter will come this year, but it will. New Yorkers are preparing for colder temperatures and on October 1, 2012, all the heating oil (oilheat) will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. Known as Bioheat fuel, it is gaining momentum in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. states.

In 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed an air quality bill that included a Bioheat provision for heating homes and buildings. This move was followed by a New York State bill requiring a switch to Ultra Low Sulfur Heating Oil, which took place in July.

“Our members truly recognize Bioheat as the evolution of oilheat,” said John Maniscalco, CEO of the New York Oil Heating Association, which strongly supported the Bioheat mandate. “NYOHA has worked closely with the National Biodiesel Board in ensuring that our member companies and their customers recognize the many environmental and other benefits of Bioheat and we are proud to say that Bioheat usage has already increased dramatically. We are just getting started.”

The beauty of biodiesel is that is can be produced from waste oils including recycled restaurant grease, in abundance throughout the city. Recognizing this resource, the city along with entrepreneurial New Yorkers began using Bioheat and in some cases in even higher blends than the 2 percent biodiesel blend required by law. As often happens when the city adopts a trend, other states have followed.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) hailed the groundbreaking municipal legislation, and Paul Nazzaro, who heads up the Bioheat education program for NBB said, “The consumer is the ultimate benefactor of this law, now having access to truly 21st Century heating oil. The entire petroleum supply chain deserves credit for making the changes needed to embrace blending biodiesel with heating oil to deliver Bioheat.”

No other city has a Bioheat requirement in place, but several states have passed requirements that will go into effect when contingent states pass similar laws.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, NBB

Solar as Art

Joanna Schroeder

There are many reasons why people believe solar is not a good solution and one is aesthetics. In other words, many people believe that solar panels are just plain ugly. Then I came across a company that just may be able to put this argument to bed: Solaire Generation. Based in New York, this company is turning solar into an artform. Although the company’s forte is installing solar carports, they have also developed a rooftop solar array shaped as an American Flag. The company has also developed really cool PV sculptures including the Solaire Energy Nest and the Solaire Sun Dial.

While this solar art is beautiful, it is also functional. Solar energy is created with each and every design. As many people adopt solar energy as a way to reduce energy costs and promote energy independence, now they can produce energy from the sun while showcasing their patriotism.

Solaire has a mission of dramatically increasing the use of solar power by providing a mounting canopy for every commercial parking structure in the U.S. Founded in 2008, the company began designing structures and in 2009/2010, installed its Solaire Parking Canopy at Johnson & Johnson headquarters. What I find so interesting about the company is not what they are doing, but how they are doing it. Each solar system, including the parking canopies are a work of art.

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Nextgen Offers Attendees Free Clinics

Joanna Schroeder

The nextgen conference is set to take place in UK’s Stoneleigh Park on October 10 and 11, 2012. Unique to the event that showcases emerging renewable energy technologies, attendees can meet with industry experts during a series of drop-in clinics. The clinics are geared for those developing green energy projects or for those already involved in renewable energy production. Visitors will have the ability to learn in more detail about planning, operations and legal frameworks as well as learning the practical steps a business will need to take to achieve its goals.

One-to-one sessions are being offered by Ofgem, the National Farmers Union (NFU), The National Non-Food Crops Centre (NNFCC), Agrii, and National Grid.

“At nextgen, the one-to-one clinics are another way for visitors to get the latest policy and technical advice from renewable energy specialists and plug into world leading industry expertise, products and investment opportunities,” commented Lucy Pitt, group marketing manager of Nextgen Media.

In addition to the clinics, event attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from the Environment Agency about environmental regulation, planning policies and development procedures when seeking permits and consents for renewable energy technologies. The clinics are just one aspect of the show that also offers a trade show area with more than 200 exhibitors and conference sessions. Click here to learn more about nextgen and to register.

advanced biofuels, conferences, Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Environment

Megawatt Solar Stations Selected for Solar System

Joanna Schroeder

The Megawatt Solar Stations (MSS), developed by Solectria Renewables, have been chosen by the 5 megawatt (MW) True North solar farm in Salisbury, Massachusetts. When completed, the solar farm will be the largest solar installation in New England and the first direct-to-grid solar farm in the state. Power Partners MasTec awarded the project to Solectria due to its past successful projects and competitive cost per installed watt.

“We evaluated several inverter companies for this project. We found Solectria Renewables to be the best overall choice due to superior technical solutions, personalized service, and their knowledge and experience with large scale direct-to-grid projects,” said Kevin Taylor, Group President, Mastec Renewables. “Solectria Renewables also had the lowest cost per installed watt and highest efficiency products of all the inverter manufacturers evaluated.”

Five Megawatt Solar Stations (MSS) will be used to complete the project. Four stations are 1MW and one is 750 kilowatts. Each MSS is skid mounted and includes a factory wired 22.9 kV medium voltage transformer and switch gear to connect the inverters directly to the grid.

“We were honored to be selected by Power Partners MasTec to be the inverter manufacturer for the True North Solar Farm,” said Scott Bowden, Director of Business Development for Solectria Renewables. “EPCs like Power Partners MasTec realize that Solectria Renewables’ inverters provide them with the highest performance, reliability and efficiency in the market today. Massachusetts has some of the best solar initiatives and incentives in the United States and holds incredible potential for solar farms and installations.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Drought Solution for Biodiesel Industry

Joanna Schroeder

This summer was the hottest on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the forecast for October could be much of the same: hotter than usual temperatures with less than normal precipitation. A major drought has affected much of the U.S. with Texas feeling the worst impact followed by Colorado, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Arkansas, Indiana, and Hawaii. With the heat and dry weather, concerns over biofuel production also began to heat up.

Crop estimates from the United States Agricultural Department (USDA) predict that the corn harvest will be down around 13 percent and soy production down about 12 percent from 2011. Yet as the harvest continues, the U.S. is still estimated to have the eighth largest corn crop on record and the second largest corn crop globally.

Genuine Bio-Fuel believes they have a technological solution for the biofuel industry to mitigate the negative effects the drought is having on the environment. The company says that unlike other biodiesel production technologies that use water for washing fuel, their manufacturing process does not use water and therefore there is no need to dispose of contaminated water.

“Our patent pending manufacturing and cleaning processes were designed with the environmental impact in mind. We believe creating green energy should not compromise the safety of our environment,” said Jeff Longo, Executive Vice President of the company.

Genuine Bio-Fuel produces biodiesel from waste vegetable oil, used cooking oils and other waste feedstocks but does not use soy or other crops that have been impacted by the drought. The weather has caused higher prices for corn and soybeans and this has caused some plants across the U.S. to reduce production and or go temporarily offline. The company believes that their technology is a good solution for other biodiesel producers from both an economic standpoint and an environmental standpoint.

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel

And the Survey Says…

Joanna Schroeder

With the legislative races in the home stretch, the American Coalition for Ethanol has released survey responses covering key Congressional and Senate races across the country.

The two major party candidates in races including the Indiana Senate, Iowa Congressional Districts 03 and 04, Minnesota Congressional District 07, Missouri Senate, North Dakota Senate, and the South Dakota At-Large Congressional District responded to questions about keeping the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) intact, extending key cellulosic biofuel tax incentives, and reforming the tax code to provide a level playing field between oil and advanced biofuels.

ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings said while the organization would have preferred more candidate responses, the survey shows support for the RFS and other biofuel policy priorities. “Our survey reveals strong bipartisan support for the RFS and for leveling the playing field between oil and biofuels. In addition to making these survey results public, ACE will take a number of steps prior to the election to mobilize grassroots support for the RFS.”

ACE surveyed candidates from select States and Congressional districts. Comments are included from those that responded. Those that did not respond were left blank. For those living in key areas where the races are heated, the survey is a good tool to learn about a candidate’s view of biofuels before you head to the polls.

ACE, biofuels, Ethanol, RFS

Survey Says More Solar

Joanna Schroeder

In a survey focused on clean energy, nine in ten (89%) U.S. adults agree that renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, should be a bigger part of America’s energy supply.  The poll was conducted by Ipos on behalf of global solar company Sungevity. The survey showed strong support for solar energy with 80 percent of respondents expecting their elected officials to support solar energy initiatives. Eighty-one percent believe regardless of who is in office, the White House and other official federal and state residences should use solar energy.

“The continued uptake of solar power can drive considerable economic growth for the American economy and provide critical long-term benefits to the environment,” said Danny Kennedy, co-founder of Sungevity and author of new book, Rooftop Revolution, How Solar Power Can Save Our Economy – and Planet – From Dirty Energy. “It’s clear that Americans support and see the bottom-line benefits of solar power.  I’d encourage anybody with an interest in saving money, creating jobs and powering their home with clean energy to discover the ease and affordability of incorporating solar energy into their daily lives.”

The survey shows that respondents see both the economic and environmental benefits associated with wider adoption of renewable energy. Eighty-one percent agree that reducing our dependency on coal, oil, nuclear energy and gas is the right thing to do for the environment and the economy.

Other key survey findings included: respondents support job creation; respondents believe solar energy will reduce energy costs; respondents believe more consumer education is necessary; and respondents believe there are still misperceptions about solar energy.

“The survey makes it clear that solar companies must do a better job communicating how easy and affordable it is to incorporate solar power into your home,” added Kennedy.  “Whether it’s the ability to design a solar system through our Sungevity website or getting a system installed for no money down through our solar lease program, companies like Sungevity are trying to make the customer experience with going solar as easy as possible.”

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Napiergrass Potential Biofuel Crop

Joanna Schroeder

There is another potential biofuel crop you don’t hear much about being studied for the Southeast: napiergrass. The potential feedstock is currently used in the tropics to feed cattle, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist William Anderson, it could be a good biofuel feedstock as well. Napiergrass is fairly drought-tolerant, grows well on marginal lands and filters nutrients out of runoff in riparian areas says Anderson, who is a geneticist.

The study, recently published in BioEnergy Research, monitored several potential bioenergy crops including cane, napiergrass, switchgrass and giant reed for four years and compared biomass yields and soil nutrient requirements. The team included Joseph Knoll, Timothy Strickland and Robert Hubbard, ARS scientists with the agency’s Southeast Watershed Research Unit in Tifton, Georgia, and Ravindra Malik of Albany State University in Albany, Ga.

With the need for biofuels to be produced from diverse feedstocks, the Southeastern U.S. is expected to play a large role with longer growing seasons than other areas of the country. The team’s initial research is showing that napiergrass could be a viable biofuel crop in the Southeast’s southern tier. Although it is not as cold tolerant as switchgrass, it has other advantages including the ability to produce biomass until the first frost.

The research team is continuing to study napiergrass with an eye toward improving yields, usable fiber content, and disease resistance. They are also evaluating production systems that use chicken litter, synthetic fertilizer, and winter cover crops, as well as different irrigation levels, harvest times and planting dates. Preliminary findings in those studies show yields are sufficient without irrigation, and that there is little difference in yield when poultry litter is used instead of synthetic fertilizers.

advanced biofuels, biomass, feedstocks, Research

“Semi-dwarf” Trees May Enable a Green Revolution

Joanna Schroeder

Researchers at Oregon State University recently published results of a study looking at the advantages of growth traits of “semi-dwarf” trees. Through genetic modification, advantageous growth traits could be developed to grow trees better suited for bioenergy or more efficient water use in a drier, future climate.

According to the research team, this approach is contrary to the conventional wisdom of tree breeding which operates under the philosophy that larger and taller is better. Yet similar to how the green revolution in agriculture helped crops such as wheat and rice produce more food on smaller, sturdier plants, this same strategy could be successfully applied to forestry.

“Research now makes it clear that genetic modification of height growth is achievable,” said Steven Strauss, an OSU professor of forest genetics. “We understand the genes and hormones that control growth not only in crop plants, but also in trees. They are largely the same.”

In a study published in Plant Physiology, researchers inserted a several genes into poplar trees, a species often used for genetic experiments, and valuable for wood, environmental and energy purposes. The report details 29 genetic traits that were affected, including growth rate, biomass production, branching, water-use efficiency, and root structure. All of the changes were from modified gibberellins, plant hormones that influence several aspects of growth and development.

The researchers found that the range and variation in genetic modification can be accurately observed and selected for, based on hormone and gene expression levels, to allow production of trees of almost any height. Other genes could be modified to produce trees with a larger root mass that could make them more drought resistant, increase water efficiency, increase elimination of soil toxins, and better sequester carbon. This could be useful for greenhouse gas mitigation, bioremediation or erosion control.

Although researchers can already point to beneficial results of genetic modification of poplar trees, and eventually other trees, it may be difficult to actually use the research for the greater good.

“The main limitation is the onerous regulatory structure for genetically-modified plants in the United States,” Strauss said. “Even short, safe and beneficial trees are unlikely to be able to bear the high costs and red tape inherent to obtaining regulatory approval.”

bioenergy, biomass, Research