Domestic Fuel

A California-based solar company capable of building solar facilities that put out as much energy as a plant running on non-renewable fuels is being bought by a French engineering firm best known for its nuclear capabilities.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Areva will buy Ausra, a startup specializing in large-scale solar power:

The deal will give Areva a way to break into the growing worldwide business for big solar facilities that can generate as much electricity as a fossil fuel power plant. Although Areva is best known for its nuclear expertise, the company has branched out into other forms of renewable power generation, such as biomass and wind.

“By combining Areva’s strengths and Ausra’s technology, now we have the complete package we need to go to market,” said Robert Fishman, Ausra’s chief executive officer.

Ausra’s business headquarters will stay in California.

Two grants totaling $1.7 million have been approved for studying offshore wind technologies in Michigan.

The Chicago Tribune reports the grants come from the state’s Public Service Commission:

Grand Valley State University’s Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center and the University of Michigan’s Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute are getting $1.3 million for jointly researching offshore wind and ice data on Lake Michigan.

The Superior Watershed Partnership is to receive $350,000 for researching sites’ wind energy potential on Lake Michigan. The organization also will assess public opinion on offshore wind development.

If the last post I had about an offshore wind energy project in Lake Michigan, where Scandia Wind was proposing a 1,000 megawatt Lake Michigan wind farm, is any indication, there should be plenty of discussion about this topic … on this site and elsewhere. Let’s see what people have to say.

As Congress debates (or tries to debate between blizzards) the jobs bill, the measure that would put lots biodiesel workers back on the job seems to be tied to that same bill’s fate.

This post on the Des Moines Register’s blog says Democrats had hoped to get the jobs bill to the floor today, but the 30+ inches of snow over the weekend plowed under that bill … and the renewal of the lapsed federal biodiesel tax subsidy:

Beth Pellett Levine, a spokeswoman for Sen. Charles Grassley, the senior Republican for the Senate Finance Committee, says he “has insisted that the biodiesel tax credit be a part of any discussions” on a jobs bill with the panel’s chairman, Montana Democrat Max Baucus. The $1-a-gallon tax credit for biodiesel “remains a top priority for Senator Grassley to extend the credit at the first available opportunity,” she added. Soybean growers are looking to Grassley to ensure that the biodiesel credit is part of any jobs bill to come out of the senate, according to John Gordley, a lobbyist for the American Soybean Association.

Renewal of the federal biodiesel tax incentive is seen as the last element to put the biodiesel industry back on track. The other two elements were the EPA’s decisions to consider biodiesel low enough in carbon footprint and mandate this year of 1.15 billion gallons of the green fuel.

About 2,000 Utahns who need good jobs will get some training in fields looking to hire: alternative fuels, renewable energy, wind, solar and geothermal power.

The Deseret News reports that a $4.6 million stimulus bucks grant will pay for training for displaced workers, disadvantaged youths and veterans:

“We’re still working out some of the details,” department spokesman Curt Stewart said Wednesday. “But we have formed a coalition” to settle details on what will be free tuition for workers training for specific types of jobs related primarily to emerging energy industries.

The Southwest Technology Center will have 100 slots focused on working with wind, solar and geothermal power, Stewart said.

This State Energy Sector Partnership and Training Grant is part of the $440 million in stimulus grants nationwide.

Red might be the color of Valentine’s Day, but green is the attitude for the movie “Valentine’s Day.”

The new Ashton Kutcher movie “Valentine’s Day” opens Feb. 12, and this story from USA Today says that Kutcher, who plays a florist in the movie, told Mother Nature Network’s Ecollywood that they had a green set:

There was a lot of dedication on this movie to using solar panels and clean energy and recycling. The fact that the movie was shot in L.A. actually made that easier to make happen. I think that every opportunity we have in our industry to make what we’re doing a more environmentally conscious effort is a good thing.

The article goes on to say that this isn’t the first time Hollywood has chosen a green path. The Fox-TV drama “24″ uses biodiesel-fueled generators and hybrid vehicles.

A 5 percent biodiesel mandate in Iowa is a bit closer to a reality.

This story from the Des Moines Register says the bill that would require all biodiesel sold in the Iowa contain at least 5 percent biodiesel passed a state legislative subcommittee … but not without some fiesty debate:

“The hog producers in this state are being ravaged right now, but we’re not in here mandating eating bacon,” [Republican Erik Helland of Grimes] said.

Biodiesel has lagged behind ethanol in usage because unlike ethanol, it has never had a federal mandate. Truckers and gasoline retailers also have opposed the mandate.

The B5 bill passed the Iowa State Senate last year but didn’t advance in the House. Let’s hope for the best this year.

It’s been a long time in the making, but the Environmental Protection Agency has finally released the new Renewable Fuels Standard … better known as RFS-2.

The standard requires that biofuels will have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace and grow in production from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion by 2022, with 21 billion gallons to come from advanced biofuels. It’s expected to replace more than 328 million barrels of non-renewable petroleum a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons annually when fully implemented.

While admitting it might not be perfect, RFS-2 is being welcomed by representatives of the ethanol and biodiesel industries.

In this edition of the Domestic Fuel Cast, we’ll here from EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, as well as Tom Buis with Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association’s Matt Hartwig, and the National Biodiesel Board’s Michael Frohlich.

They all have interesting takes on what the new standard will bring in the short and long terms, and you can here what they have to say here:

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While soybean-based biodiesel has been unfairly knocked at times for not being as environmentally friendly as it should be, a new study shows just how green fuel from the bean really is.

A new peer-reviewed life cycle profile released by the United Soybean Board (USB) documents multiple energy and environmental benefits of U.S. soybean farming and processing, including biodiesel. This press release has details:

“This profile is the first comprehensive life cycle study covering U.S. soybean production through four major biobased products,” said Wynne, Arkansas soybean farmer John Cooper, a USB Director and Member of the USB Domestic Marketing Committee. “U.S. soy already delivers environmental and energy benefits. It’s exciting to see the trends point to even more in the future.”

A key objective was to update life cycle inventory (LCI) databases for soybean production and processing as well as conversion into four key soy-derived feedstocks (methyl soyate, soy lube base stock, soy polyol, and soy resin) used in fuel and industrial products. Its cradle-to-gate scope begins with soybean farming (the cradle) and goes through processing of products (the gate).

Another important aspect of this study is that it’s based on U.S. agricultural data for the 2001-2007. The data the Department of Energy’s U.S. Life Cycle Inventory is based on comes from 1998 to 2001. And it contains soybean crushing information not previously available.

Our friends at OriginOil, Inc. have developed a comprehensive pilot system for algae growth and harvesting.

This company press release says OriginOil unveiled the system during an event at its Los Angeles headquarters:

At the event, Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO, spoke to the assembled group of core investors, celebrities and members of the press. “I’m very proud of our team that has worked so hard over the months to make our technologies work in a complete pilot system,” he said. “Until now we have been in pure research and development. Now we have turned the corner to commercialization of our technologies. It’s a historic milestone for us.”

At the heart of the new system is a series of 200-gallon tanks which can be individually configured and managed for various strains, growth strategies, and lighting geometries. The tanks are now illuminated with LED light sticks submerged in icicle-like arrays. A stirrer circulates the algae slowly around the lights.

The system uses an integrated extraction system, a combination of ultrasound generation and low-power electromagnetic pulsing, which you can see in the link of the time-lapse video on the right. It will crank out 5 gallons a minute and also uses a series of settling tanks to separate the oils and biomass. Finally, a water recycling system completes the loop so the process can start again.

See more for yourself at www.originoil.com.

Ohio-based Biodiesel Analytical Solutions is teaming up with Minnesota’s Mcgyan Biodiesel, LLC to offer a commercial version of Mcgyan’s cutting-edge biodiesel process technology. A company press release touts the process as something that will “revolutionize an antiquated process and revitalize the withering industry,” and you can see the two companies kick-off their partnership next week at booth #906 at the 2010 National Biodiesel Conference & Expo, in Grapevine, Texas:

Mr. Steven Rupp, president of Mcgyan Biodiesel, LLC, explains, “Mcgyan and BAS will offer the world market a one-stop shop for the cutting-edge Mcgyan® biodiesel process technology. Our comprehensive package of value-added services will include site selection, technology licensing, plant design, plant engineering services, remote plant monitoring, supply of catalyst and other core plant equipment, plant management, plant operator training, feedstock prequalification & procurement, and final product marketing. By offering a turnkey solution to those passionate about investing in the creation of biodiesel production facilities, Mcgyan and BAS will ensure that the Mcgyan Biodiesel brand becomes synonymous with the highest quality biodiesel fuel product on the market.”

Mr. Mark Fashian, president of Biodiesel Analytical Solutions, notes, “the BAS sales force is excited to sell this technology. We believe this process will single-handedly revitalize the biofuels market worldwide.” Mr. Fashian went on to say that “BAS is the premier quality laboratory sales and service provider in the biodiesel industry. It is a perfect fit for our team to also sell a process that consistently
produces ASTM D6751 compliant biodiesel to an industry that has been struggling to meet compliance with the traditional process technologies that have been used since the 1930s.”

The Mcgyan® biodiesel process technology has been around for about three years and combines triglycerides or free fatty acids with an alcohol to produce biodiesel. Usually, large-scale production of biodiesel using triglycerides has some unwanted side reactions that produce soaps and uses numerous water-intensive neutralization and fuel washing steps. But the Mcgyan process overcomes most of these issues and allows for the ultrafast continuous production of biodiesel without waste and unwanted glycerol byproducts. Check ‘em out at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo!