Domestic Fuel

Big Oil is out astroturfing once again, this time under the guise of the group “Energy Citizens,” a front group set up by their Washington lobbying arm, the American Petroleum Institute. The goal of this effort is to stage rallies across the country in an attempt to kill the clean energy and climate plan now being considered by Congress.

It’s not only the biofuels industry that has had enough. Operation Free, a coalition of leading Veterans and national security organizations is fighting back and has denounced the claims of Energy Citizens and its ‘Oil Dependence Tour’ and cites that the groups efforts threaten our national security. Spokespersons for Operation Free note that they strongly support immediate Congressional action on clean energy and a climate plan that breaks the country’s addiction to oil, tackles global warming and enhances national security.

During a press conference held by the Florida Veterans, participants noted that you, “don’t often see veterans coming together to talk about national security,” as well as said that, “for us, there’s not a huge jump between energy and national security”.

Jason Whitaker, a 10 year Army veteran with multiple deployments, has seen first hand the devastation caused by climate change. He said, “There are few challenges facing America that are more urgent than climate change. Denial is no longer an acceptance response. The stakes are too high and the consequences are too serious.”

Previously, I told you about how General Motors was soon to debut a new heavy-duty, diesel engine designed to burn B20 biodiesel (see my post from Aug. 11, 2009). Well it looks like Ford is going to give GM a run for its money in the green, heavy-hauling pickup engine race.

This story from green.autoblog.com says Ford’s V8 diesel… code-named Scorpion… designed for the company’s Super Duty pickups will come out in 2011 to rival GM’s so-called LML Duramax engine:

Officially the Scorpion retains the Power Stroke badge, but that and eight cylinders in a V-configuration are all that are carried over. The Scorpion engine picks up a variety of technologies that have been appearing on other recent engines both gas and diesel fueled, as well as adding a few new tricks, particularly the turbocharger. The biggest change for the architecture is the move to an inside-out layout. Since the early days of the V-engine configuration, most examples have had the intake system mounted in the valley between the banks with the exhaust on the outside. Like BMW’s new turbocharged gas V8 and GM’s currently-on-the-shelf Duramax 4500, the Scorpion switches this around.

Like the 2010 version of GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke will be fully compatible with B20 biodiesel blends, addressing one of the issues some current Power Stroke operators have had. Because the current engine injects some fuel into the exhaust stream for particulate filter regeneration, the use of B20 has caused damage to some engines. This will no longer be true for the new engine.

I’m no motorhead, so I won’t even try to determine which motor is better. But it’s nice to see the big automakers are competing to see who can make the biggest and baddest, green engine possible.

More information on Ford’s engine is available here.

Interested in getting a little insight into how the country will shift from a petroleum-based economy to a bio-based economy? Then look no further than DomesticFuel, or to be more exact, Dyadic International CEO, Mark Emalfarb. Emalfarb was interviewed during the Sixth Annual World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioprocessing which took place in Canada this past July.

The interview was conducted as part of the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) I am Biotech campaign. Emalfarb was asked several questions including the importance of biotechnology and biofuels, how biotechnology is helping to heal, fuel and feed the world, how do you demonstrate biotech is the way of the future, and more.

You can watch the first part of  Mark Emalfarb’s interview here and the second part by clicking here.

A Missouri plant that turns agricultural waste products into fuel pellets is the first to receive a payment from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency’s new Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP).

This USDA press release says the Show Me Energy Cooperative of Missouri conversion facility will get the funds aimed at paying producers for biomass materials for collection, harvest, storage and transportation:

“As the Obama Administration continues laying the foundation for a stronger, revitalized economy, biomass has great potential to create new, green jobs for American workers,” said Vilsack. “Biomass also has important environmental benefits to produce cleaner energy and reduce greenhouse gases.”

According to Show Me Energy Cooperative CEO Kurt Herman, “Our plant produces fuel pellets from agricultural waste products, but could expand to produce cellulosic liquid fuels.”

The pellets, made from switchgrass, straw, corn stover, sawdust, woodchips and other biomass materials from more than 500 producers, will be used to heat homes and livestock facilities. It’s being tested at a power plant to see if it could supplement coal for electrical production.

FSA is urging other biomass conversion facility operators are encourage to sign agreements to get the same funds themeselves. MOre information is available at www.fsa.usda.gov.

Waste Management, Inc. has become the latest company to invest in waste-to-fuel conversion technology developed by Terrabon. Waste Management, the leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services in North America, joins Valero Energy Corporation, the largest refiner in North America, which also invested in Terrabon in April 2009 and recently increased its investment in Terrabon.

This investment from Waste Management and Valero will be used by Terrabon to advance the scalability of their technology. Waste Management will also assist Terrabon in securing organic waste streams, which Terrabon will use to produce high-octane gasoline using its MixAlco™ technology. MixAlco is an acid fermentation process that converts biomass into organic salts.

A Houston-based company is starting work on a new ethanol transport hub in southern California.

U.S. Development Group (USDG) will begin construction on the West Colton Rail Terminal, a new ethanol hub located in the Inland Empire area of southern California.

Construction of the facility will occur in two phases. The first phase, located in Rialto, Calif., will consist of a manifold transfer system that will begin receiving and offloading ethanol railcars in the fall of 2009. The second phase includes full unit train capability and ethanol storage. It will be located on an adjacent site in Colton, Calif., and is scheduled for completion in mid 2010. The Phase 1 facility will have the capacity to handle the current Colton area demand for ethanol plus that required to meet the 2010 mandated increase to a 10% blend.

“Demand for ethanol in southern California continues to grow in order to meet the requirements of the State’s biofuels mandates,” said Larry Padfield, vice president of U.S. Development Group. “Our new facility will help meet this growing need for ethanol by greatly enhancing the distribution capability of ethanol in the region.”

What do you think of when you hear that there’s a sled running on biodiesel? Probably not thinking tractor pull sled are you? Unless you’re a tractor pull fan. Well those big machines that the tractors and trucks pull are also diesel powered and in Jefferson City, MO there’s a company that manufactures them and runs them on biodiesel.

The company is Bungart Motor Sports and I learned about if from Donnie Bungart.

Donnie says they do over 160 shows a year around the country. At the Midwest Extreme Truck and Tractor Pull in Jefferson City he says they had two sleds in operation. He says they run B20 in them and have been for over 3 years very successfully. Donnie says they’ve had a lot of luck locating the fuel when they need it, especially at major truck stops.

So if you’re not a tractor pulling enthusiast you might ask, “What’s a sled?” Donnie says it’s a weight transfer machine. It starts out not weighing much but as the tractor pulls it more and more weight is transferred which ultimately stops the tractor. At least we hope! Thanks again to the United Soybean Board for inviting me out to the tractor pull.

You can listen to my interview with Donnie below:

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This edition of “The Ethanol Report” features comments from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) “Land Use and Carbon Impacts of Corn-based Ethanol Conference” held August 25-26 in St. Louis. Comments come from National Corn Growers Association Director of Biofuels & Business Development Jamey Cline, NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, North Dakota grower Bart Schott, and Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association.

You can subscribe to this twice monthly podcast by following this link.

Listen to or download the podcast here:

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Thanks to an invite from the United Soybean Board I met this Missouri soybean grower. He’s Dennis Shramek and one of the competitors in this weekend’s NTPA Midwest Extreme Truck and Tractor Pull in Jefferson City, MO. He’s one of several competitors who use a biodiesel blend in their tractors.

I met him early Friday evening long before his class was set to compete. Dennis grows soybeans and corn in central Missouri. He says they do a lot of no-till. Besides growing crops he’s got this AGCO DT225 which he competes with for points. He says they run over 3,000 horsepower! They blend their own biodiesel and jug it up and bring it along to the event. He gets better lubrication with biodiesel than pure low sulfur diesel. He says they’ve been competing with this tractor for about 6 years and they’ll compete at least 16 to 18 times a season.

Dennis is sure that the biodiesel industry will grow since it’s a clean fuel and helps the U.S. economy and helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

You can listen to my interview with Dennis below:

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One of the things I love about America is “freedom of the press” and the ability for people to disseminate “conspiracy theories”. Conspiracies are driving amuck in the quest for the ‘winning’ technology to replace gas guzzlers. The best way forward, according to author Nevres Cefo – electric vehicles. The worst way forward – hydrogen.  In his new book, “Two Cents Per Mile: Will President Obama Make it Happen with the Stroke of a Pen?” Cefo says that the government is in collusion with the Little Autos (formerly known as the Big Autos) and Big Oil to determine what is best for our future – hydrogen – and not moving forward with technologies that are best for the people – electric vehicles.

“We are at a pivotal juncture in in history–a showdown between hydrogen and electric powered vehicles,” he writes. While Cefo has some interesting insights into the development and ultimate adoption of electric vehicles, at first blush, I somewhat disagreed with his view of government support for hydrogen. The hydrogen program was suspended and only brought back from the dead this past July. But just yesterday, the DOE announced that it would award a $1 million for the best “breakthrough” hydrogen technology.

Regardless of whether you are a fan of electric vehicles, hydrogen both or neither, Cefo writes something that should resonate with everyone  – especially as our country continues to suffocate under a recession caused by our addiction to oil.

“People may feel that their elected officials do not hear the voice of their constituent, or at least not as much as they pay attention to corporate influence, power and money. That is exactly what Big Oil and the Big Three are counting on–the belief that we, the average American, cannot do anything to change the course they outlined for us.”

On this issue, I agree and ultimately “Two Cents Per Mile” is a call for action for every one of us to get involved in our future.

To read this book or any book I review visit my bookstore. If you have a book you’d like me to review, email me at jomschro2071@gmail.com.

The U.S. Department of Energy has handed out $1.6 million to the Alternative Fuel Trade Alliance… a group made up of the Renewable Fuels Association, the National Biodiesel Foundation, the Propane Education & Research Council, the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation and ASG Renaissance… to boost efforts for a targeted educational plan aimed at Clean Cities Coordinators and related stakeholders.

This NBB release says the move is seen as vital to educating and training “Clean Cities Coordinators who are and will be at the forefront of communicating what our fuels and vehicle technologies mean as engines of economic growth and environmental sustainability.”

Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, commented, “This DOE grant will supplement our individual and joint efforts to work with and train coordinators, stakeholders, and others at the national and regional level to enhance their knowledge and expertise on the latest developments and applications for alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies which include ethanol, biodiesel, propane, and natural gas fuels as well as hybrid/electric technologies and idle reduction strategies to improve fuel economy.”

* Train coordinators as high-level public spokespeople;
* Increase awareness of sustainability as it pertains to the stated technologies;
* Increase the number of states that enforce fuel quality standards;
* Train key stakeholders on fire safety issues;
* Increase OEM technician/mechanic training and advanced technology acceptance;
* Provide a forum for students interested in alternative fuels on college campuses nationwide; and
* Increase the availability and consumption of domestic alternative fuels.

The Alliance will conduct more than 45 workshops, author a minimum of 20 educational pieces, and participate in a minimum of 64 collective independent stakeholder events. In addition, the group will manage two conferences and four press events to increase knowledge about alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies.

Watermelons… that tasty summertime treat… could be the next feedstock for the green fuel ethanol.

We’ve told you previously about how the National Watermelon Association has been pushing the idea of the fruit being used for ethanol (see our posts from May 20, 2009 and January 7, 2008). Now, it looks like there’s some research to back up that idea.

Wayne W. Fish, Benny D. Bruton and Vincent M. Russo have published this paper in the latest edition of Biotechnology for Biofuels showing how the melons that aren’t good enough for grocery stores might be just fine for the gas pumps:

Two economic factors make watermelon worthy of consideration as a feedstock for ethanol biofuel production. First, about 20% of each annual watermelon crop is left in the field because of surface blemishes or because they are misshapen; currently these are lost to growers as a source of revenue. Second, the neutraceutical value of lycopene and L-citrulline obtained from watermelon is at a threshold whereby watermelon could serve as starting material to extract and manufacture these products. Processing of watermelons to produce lycopene and L-citrulline, yields a waste stream of watermelon juice at the rate of over 500 L/t of watermelons. Since watermelon juice contains 7 to 10% (w/v) directly fermentable sugars and 15 to 35 umol/ml of free amino acids, its potential as feedstock, diluent, and nitrogen supplement was investigated in fermentations to produce bioethanol.

The researchers concluded that the watermelon juice would have to be concentrated 2.5 to 3 times if it were to be the sole feedstock for ethanol. But it could be used with other more concentrated feedstocks.

Growth Energy has launched a new, re-designed version of the former Ethanol Promotion and Information Council website, DrivingEthanol.org.

“DrivingEthanol.org is a one-stop shop to learn more about the remarkable benefits of high-tech, homegrown ethanol,” said Tom Buis, Growth Energy CEO. “We hope consumers and retailers alike will visit DrivingEthanol.org to learn more about the promise of ethanol.”

The online resource is designed to help consumers learn more about the benefits of ethanol for America’s environment, economy and national security and includes answers to many frequently asked questions about the ethanol industry.

DrivingEthanol.org also contains retail information such as E85 and blender pump locations, uses of ethanol and a listing of the Flex-Fuel Vehicle models on the market today. The site offers resources for prospective ethanol retailers including information on tax incentives, pump installation and conversion, as well as ethanol purchase.

The website domain was originally launched about four years ago by EPIC, prior to that ethanol organization becoming part of Growth Energy last year.

Corn growers want regulators to know that trying to measure unintended consequences of biofuels production could result in more unintended consequences.

The National Corn Growers Association held a conference this week in St. Louis to focus on the issue of land use and carbon impacts of corn ethanol and how the future can be predicted with models to determine lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The problem, according to NCGA CEO Rick Tolman, is the language that was put in the 2007 energy bill’s Renewable Fuels Standard. “We had some arcane language put in there that said we’ll take a look at indirect land change and its implications as an unintended consequence,” Tolman said. “What we think is there’s an unintended consequence of the unintended consequence, which may be that we may in fact start using more imported oil because of this language we have regulation that exceeds our ability to measure.”

Tolman says California’s low carbon fuel standard is an example of how using unproven models that fail to use updated information or accurate future predictions of new technology and higher yields is going to have the opposite effect of what was intended – that is, using less imported fossil fuels. “After 2010, you won’t be able to sell ethanol in California,” said Tolman. “And it is really the only viable low carbon fuel that’s available in California, so that means more oil.”

The corn growers are hoping regulators will take a closer look at what they are trying to do and consider the impact that it will have down the road.

Listen to or download an interview with Rick Tolman here:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (4.7MB)

St. Louis was the destination this week as more than 100 researchers and industry leaders from 10 states came together for the “Algae-to-Energy in the South” regional summit aimed at looking at algae’s potential as a renewable energy resource, particularly making it into biodiesel.

This National Biodiesel Board press release says Dr. Richard Sayre, the Director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, called biodiesel a sustainable component of our fuel supply:

“Biodiesel is going to be very important for transportation,” he said. “Trains and trucks use biodiesel of course. Oil based systems and biodiesel is really going to be the future.”

Dr. Sayre explained that oil based fuels, such as biodiesel, have many benefits. They boast twice the energy density of alcohol; oil producing plants have reduced impact on the environment; and algae based biodiesel can be produced on land not suitable for other uses and result in higher oil per acre than currently available.

The summit was hosted by the Center for Evergreen Energy, the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association and the Southern Growth Polices Board.