U of L Establishes $50,000 Renewable Energy Prize

Joanna Schroeder

The University of Louisville (U of L) is now offering a new $50,000 award – the Leigh Ann Conn Prize for Renewable Energy – to recognize outstanding energy ideas or achievements that have shown or likely will have global impact. The goal of the award is to spotlight wide-ranging research related to the science, technology, engineering and commercialization of renewable energy and energy efficiency throughout the world.

The prize, managed by U of L’s Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research, is named for the late daughter of Hank and Rebecca Conn of Atlanta, research center supporters and prize benefactors. The recipient will be announced in fall 2013 and will give a public talk in Louisville about the winning work and participate in community and campus events as well as a medal ceremony.

“This unique prize will show the world that U of L and the Conn family are serious about growing, fostering and rewarding innovation in energy research,” said U of L President James Ramsey.

Nominations will be judged on factors such as economic effect, level of challenge, originality, creativity, scientific merit, commercialization and global impact on energy use and demand reduction. Organizers encourage nominations from scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, technologists, professional groups, publishers and university leaders. Award submissions will go through several levels of review, including an external panel with representatives from industry, academia and national laboratories.

Nominations for the first Leigh Ann Conn Prize recipient will be accepted through March 1, 2013. To learn more visit the Leigh Ann Conn Prize website.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Renewable Energy

Vidaris Expands Renewable Energy Division

Joanna Schroeder

Vidaris Inc. has expanded its Vadaris Renewable Energy Division to address the growing demand for renewable energy solutions. The company’s industry list includes solar photovoltaic, building-integrated building-integrated photovoltaic, building-applied photovoltaic, wind, and solar thermal integrated technologies. More specifically, the company has expertise in renewable energy systems including solar photovoltaic, BIPV, BAPV, wind, and solar thermal systems for both new construction projects and existing building upgrades.

The company provides clients with an independent, third-party advisor to evaluate project opportunities and assist in the design, integration and implementation of renewable energy technologies.

“Our Renewable Energy Division enables clients to strategically navigate the renewable energy marketplace and take advantage of the many benefits renewable energy offers to building value,” concluded John Hannum, PE, VP of Energy Services.

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Company Announcement, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

This December Head to Canada

Joanna Schroeder

This December head to Ottawa, Canada for the 9th Annual Canadian Renewable Fuels Summit (CRFS) being held December 3-5, 2012. This year’s theme, “Sustainable, Secure & Diverse Energy Now!” will focus on Canadian policy for the ethanol and biodiesel industries.

Program topics include: The Future of the Bioeconomy in Canada; Forces Shaping the North America Biodiesel Industry; Ensuring Market Opportunities and Fuel Quality Throughout the Supply Chain; Dedicated Crop Opportunities for Drop-In Renewable Jet Fuel; Industry Perspectives on Next Generation Production in Canada; and Updates from International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Association (ISCC) and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Conference keynote speakers include: Chantal Hébert, Columnist for the Toronto Star; Mark Jaccard, Professor, Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University; Senator JoAnne L. Buth, Senate of Canada; and many more.

Click here to learn more about this year’s program and to register online.

Alternative energy, Biodiesel, biojet fuel, conferences, Ethanol

Propel & Solazyme Deliver Algae-Based Fuel

Joanna Schroeder

Propel Fuels is believed to be the first in the nation to sell consumers algae-based fuel at the pump compliments of Solazyme Inc. The two companies have joined together to offer Solazyme’s algae-based Soladiesel®BD in the Bay Area. The month long pilot program provides the biofuels industry the first opportunity to test consumer response to the advanced biofuel.

According to a statement from Propel, Solazyme’s high quality algae-based SoladieselBD meets or exceeds ASTM quality specifications and has shown performance enhancements including cold temperature operating performance. The fuel is compatible with existing diesel engines and Propel is guaranteeing the fuel’s performance. The algae-based fuel will be sold at the same price as conventional diesel fuels and will be available exclusively at Propel’s Clean Fuel Points in Redwood City, San Jose (N. First St.), Berkeley, and Oakland.

“Propel is committed to providing our customers with access to the highest quality, most sustainable, domestically produced fuels, so we’re proud to introduce the next generation of fuels to the retail market,” said Matt Horton, CEO of Propel Fuels. “Propel’s growing station network provides the critical link between these future fuels and today’s consumer fuel tanks, giving our customers a chance to make history.”

Solazyme’s technology platform converts plant sugars into oils in a few days. Testing undertaken by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) shows that, in a 20 percent blend, SoladieselBD significantly outperforms ultra-low sulfur diesel in total hydrocarbons (THC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter tailpipe emissions. This includes an approximate 30 percent reduction in particulates, a 20 percent reduction in CO and an approximate 10 percent reduction in THC.

“Solazyme’s revolutionary algae-based technology platform has supplied our development partners and customers with advanced biofuels that meet or exceed some of the world’s most stringent fuels specifications and requirements, “ added Bob Ames, VP of Fuels, Solazyme.  “We’ve successfully demonstrated our land-based fuels in fleet vehicles and corporate busses, and are excited about this pilot program with Propel because it enables us to make these fuels available to the public.”

advanced biofuels, algae, Biodiesel, blends, Renewable Energy

Lallemand & NABC Create New Business

Joanna Schroeder

A new partnership has been formed in the biofuels industry. Lallemand Ethanol Technology and North American Bioproducts Corporation (NABC) have joined together to form a new business: Lallemand Biofuels & Distilled Spirits (LBDS).  According to a company statement, the name change reflects their continued commitment to both of these industries by combining the best elements from both companies to form a more “fermentation focused” entity.

Kevin Dailey, President of LBDS says this combination makes them the clear #1 fermentation ingredient supplier to both the fuel ethanol and distilled spirits industries.

“We are very excited about our new corporate image. It represents the combination of these two highly respected former competitors into one entity,” continued Dailey. “We feel that taking the strengths from both companies will better position us to be able to meet the fermentation needs of our customers and focus on improving their margins in these tough economic times.”

Alternative energy, biofuels, Company Announcement

Dyadic Receives 12th Patent

Joanna Schroeder

Dyadic International has received its 12th patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,304,212 entitled “Methods and compositions for degradation of lignocellulosic material”. The patent covers methods and compositions for using enzymes mixtures to convert plant biomass into fermentable sugars for the production of various products. The patent also covers novel combinations of enzymes including those that provide a synergistic release of sugars from plant biomass.

“In developing and selling industrial enzymes, our customers and partners not only benefit from Dyadic’s patented C1 platform technology but also from Dyadic’s fungal strains and technologies based on the Trichoderma fungal organism,” said Dyadic’s President and CEO, Mark Emalfarb. “Dyadic uses these strains to produce specialty enzymes that can be used for a variety of applications in such fields as animal health and nutrition, biofuels and bio-based chemicals. As with our growing portfolio of patents covering the C1 technology, this patent will provide Dyadic, its customers and licensees with additional protection for our Trichoderma-based enzyme mixtures.”

The patent also specifically describes methods of increasing the yield of fermentable sugars from fermentation of dried distillers grains (DDGs) using enzyme mixtures comprising glucoamylase, beta-glucosidase and alpha-arabinofuranosidase. More specifically, it specifically covers Trichoderma-based enzyme mixtures, which significantly and unexpectedly increase the yield of fermentable sugars from DDGs. DDGs are obtained after the fermentation of the starch derived from a number of grains including corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice, and rye and are typically used for animal feed. DDGs are also a byproduct of ethanol production which creates synergies in using enzymes for both biofuels and animal feed applications.

Alternative energy, biochemicals, biofuels, biomaterials, Distillers Grains

Global Biofuel Enzymes Industry to Grow

Joanna Schroeder

A new report, “Biofuel Enzymes Market – Global Industry Size, Market Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecast, 2012 – 2018,” published by Transparency Market Research, concluded that global biofuel enzymes demand was worth USD 1,021,9 million in 2011 and is expected to reach USD 1,653.1 million in 2018. This would be a CAGR growth rate of 7.6 percent during this timeframe.

Today, North America represents the largest market; however, Asia Pacific is growing steadily. The European Union is making progress and in China is an attractive market for biofuel enzymes due to its low cost structure.

According to the report, the global biofuel enzyme market is primarily driven by growth in end application markets, for example growing consumption of biodiesel and bio-based ethanol. This growth, in turn, has been driven by an increase in awareness regarding biofuel sustainability and changing economics of fossil fuels, when combined have encouraged governments to pass biofuel legislation and consequently, grow  biofuels markets, and finally grow the biofuel enzyme market.

The biofuel enzyme market includes amylases, industrial lipases and others with amylase representing the fastest growing segment of the global biofuel enzymes market due to its capability to withstand a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. The market for amylases enzymes is growing at a CAGR of 8.0 percent from 2013 to 2018 and it is further subdivided into two types:  cellulase and industrial proteases enzymes. The market for industrial proteases is growing rapidly at a CAGR of 8.7 percent from 2013 to 2018.

The research estimated and analyzed the demand and performance of biofuel enzymes, for various enzyme segments, in a global scenario. It also provides an in-depth analysis of biofuel enzymes manufacturers, product segments and sales and trend analysis by segments and demand by geography.

Alternative energy, biofuels, Research

ACE Elects Officers

Cindy Zimmerman

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Board of Directors has elected officers for 2013. Ron Alverson, Chairman of Dakota Ethanol LLC, was elected President, replacing Lars Herseth, who served as ACE President since 2010.

Alverson raises corn and soybeans with his son Keith and his brother Larry on their farm near Madison, SD. He is a founding member and past president of the South Dakota Corn Growers Association and served on the National Corn Growers Association board of directors in 1991 and 1992. Alverson was a founding member and chairman of Lake Area Corn Processors LLC, the owner entity of Dakota Ethanol LLC, and continues to serve as Chairman of LACP. Dakota Ethanol was the first farmer-owned ethanol plant in South Dakota.

“I’m thrilled to be the new Board President of ACE, I think it’s a great organization, and I am enthusiastic about working with ACE members and staff on a forward-looking action plan to expand market access for ethanol, win the battle over the RFS, and secure the profitable future for our industry,” said Alverson.

Other officers elected by the ACE board for 2013 include Brian Wilcox of the Nebraska Public Power District as Vice President, Duane Kristensen of Chief Ethanol Fuels as Secretary, and Owen Jones of Full Circle Ag, a farmer-owned cooperative, as Treasurer. The officers will be joined by Herseth and Scott Parsley of East River Electric Cooperative on the ACE Executive Committee.

ACE, Ethanol, Ethanol News

REG Buys Georgia Biorefinery

Cindy Zimmerman

Renewable Energy Group (REG) today announced the purchase of a 15 million gallon-per-year biodiesel production plant near Atlanta, Georgia.

The multi-feedstock facility, which will operate as REG Atlanta, LLC, is located in Ellenwood, Georgia, 11 miles southeast of Atlanta with easy access to major Southeast transportation routes. REG acquired the former BullDog Biodiesel operation for cash and in-kind consideration of approximately $2.6 million. No stock was issued related to the deal.

“Renewable Energy Group is focused on strategically expanding our footprint of biodiesel production facilities,” said REG President and CEO, Daniel J. Oh. “Once repaired, upgraded and restarted the REG Atlanta facility will offer us additional long-term capacity to meet high-demand diesel markets across the Southeast.”

The company has not yet set a production date for the re-start of the former BullDog Biodiesel facility, which has run intermittently since January 2008.

REG tolled the facility from April 2011 through April 2012 to support REG’s biodiesel sales in the Southeast. BullDog ceased operations in April 2012 due to a combination of poor market conditions and upgrades needed to make the facility more efficient.

“Our team has demonstrated a successful model for integrating new technologies into our network and upgrading facilities to utilize lower cost raw materials,” said REG Vice President, Manufacturing, Brad Albin. This refinery was designed to produce biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks, including used cooking oil.

Since 2008, Renewable Energy Group has acquired ten biodiesel-related firms or production facilities. Last month, REG acquired a 15 million gallon-per-year biodiesel facility in New Boston, Texas slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2013.

Biodiesel, REG

New Holland Ethanol Video Contest for FFA

Cindy Zimmerman

*Deadline Updated*

New Holland Agriculture is calling on FFA members to get their creative engine running on ethanol.

New Holland is inviting FFA members between the ages of 14 and 23 to research, film and edit a 60 to 90 second video about why ethanol is important to their communities, American farmers, the nation, and the economy. Completed videos need to be uploaded to YouTube and entries must be submitted by December 17, 2012.

The winning individual’s or group’s FFA Chapter will receive a $5,000 award and the video could be featured in future New Holland marketing efforts.

The video contest is sponsored by New Holland, in partnership with Growth Energy and RFD-TV. “FFA has a played a large role in building our agricultural leaders and sparking an interest in innovation and our nation’s heartland,” said Growth Energy President Jim Nussle. “As leaders of the American ethanol industry, we need to keep building that momentum. FFA, and students across the nation, embraces the importance of biofuels like ethanol. With their help, our industry will continue to move forward.”

Entry form is available on-line.
See the official rules here.

Education, Ethanol, Ethanol News, Growth Energy, New Holland