AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Democrats battling Republicans over military biofuels]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/democrats-battling-republicans-over-military-biofuels/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/democrats-battling-republicans-over-military-biofuels/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/23/democrats-battling-republicans-over-military-biofuels/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It looks like Blue's fighting Red over the Green.

Democratic members of Congress and some U.S. military leaders are planning to fight the Republican-led effort to quash efforts to expand use of biofuels for the U.S. military, the Colorado Independent reports.

Proponents of more biofuel use by the military say they can help hedge against the type of fuel-price increases that will cost the federal government $1.3 billion in 2012. Petroleum use also causes safety issues. About one in 30 convoys designed to ensure the operation of refueling lines in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to a soldier casualty. More petroleum use also causes more greenhouse gas emissions, and the resulting climate change causes natural disasters that boost disaster-relief requirements from the military, biofuel proponents say.

Last week, the Talking Points Memo blog reported that a Republican-led group within the House Armed Services Committee put at risk hundreds of millions of dollars worth programs approved during the past few years by voting to disallow the U.S. Department of Defense from paying more for biofuels that would be used in military vehicles than regular fuels. Such a ban would reverse projects such as last August's a three-year, $510 million project with the USDA and DoD that was designed to develop biofuels for the private sector.

Democrats battling Republicans over military biofuels originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofueldefense departmentdodethanolmilitaryu.s. department of defenseWed, 23 May 2012 19:45:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243623/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20243623/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/23/democrats-battling-republicans-over-military-biofuels/20243623/article-detail.xml 20243623 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/armytank-1337811521_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/armytank-1337811521.jpg <![CDATA[House Committee votes to end military biofuel programs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/house-committee-votes-to-end-military-biofuel-programs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/house-committee-votes-to-end-military-biofuel-programs/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/20/house-committee-votes-to-end-military-biofuel-programs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



So about those plans for more military biofuel production...

A Republican-led group within the House Armed Services Committee recently voted to ban the U.S. Department of Defense from paying more for biofuels used for military vehicles than regular fuels, putting at risk hundreds of millions of dollars worth programs approved during the past few years for the purpose of cutting foreign-oil dependency, according to Talking Points Memo.

The projects that may be on the chopping block include the Air Force's testing of a blend of camelina (made from a mustard-like plant) and jet fuel for its Thunderbirds show-pilot team and the Navy's testing of other biofuels used in both ships and planes flown by its Blue Angels team. The biofuels programs had been enacted in part to cut some of the $300 billion in annual U.S. spending on crude oil as well as to boost revenue flowing through U.S. farms. Last year, the Pentagon said it pays around $400 a gallon for fuel in Afghanistan.

Last August, the USDA teamed with the Defense Department on a three-year, $510 million project that involved developing biofuels for the private sector. The prior month, ASTM International, which writes technical standards for global industries, green-lit the use of renewable fuels in military and commercial aircraft. Components of the renewable fuel were to come from sources such as algae, camelina, jatropha or tallow (animal fats).

House Committee votes to end military biofuel programs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 20 May 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air forcearmybiofuelblue angelscommitteegovernmenthouseHouse Armed Services CommitteemilitarynavyrepublicanthunderbirdsSun, 20 May 2012 16:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239781/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239781/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/20/house-committee-votes-to-end-military-biofuel-programs/20239781/article-detail.xml 20239781 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/armytank_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/armytank.jpg <![CDATA[Automaker-backed study sounds the alarm against E15]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

No E15 gas cap

Another day, another opinion on the feasibility of E15.

This time, a group called the Coordinating Research Council released a study saying that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's decision to push for allowing gas with a 15-percent ethanol blend (aka E15) to be sold to the general public for newer cars may have been a bad one because of potentially harmful effect the fuel may have on older vehicles, the New York Times reports.

E15 may compromise the durability of the engines of most of the cars on the road because automakers didn't design the vehicles to run on E15, which has 50% more ethanol than the current maximum of a 10-percent ethanol blend (i.e. E10), the group says.

Of course, Coordinating Research Council is backed by - wait for it - eight automakers as well as the American Petroleum Institute (API), according to the Times. The automakers have long pushed to delay E15 approval because of engine durability concerns while the API represents a petroleum industry whose demand is inversely related to how much ethanol's being used in light-duty vehicles.

With that in mind, Patrick B. Davis, an Energy Department program manager specializing in vehicle testing, said in a blog post that the new study is "flawed" in part because the study didn't involve the testing of E10's impact on engines. Renewable Fuels Association CEO Bob Dinneen called the report "junk science."

The EPA in April approved the first applications to make E15 amid protests from automakers and recreation vehicle makers that have claimed that the higher alcohol content may damage engines and fuel systems. The government has gone back and forth on the issue, both pushing for higher ethanol production levels to cut foreign-oil dependence while last year terminating a 30-year tax subsidy on corn-based ethanol.

Recently, The Auto Channel reported that researchers at University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University estimated that ethanol production cut the average cost of fuel last year by $1.09 a gallon because of lower ethanol prices and broader use of fuels such as E10.

Automaker-backed study sounds the alarm against E15 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 May 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelsCoordinating Research Councile10e15e15 safetyenvironmental protection agencyepaethanolFri, 18 May 2012 16:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240465/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240465/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/automaker-backed-study-sounds-the-alarm-against-e15/20240465/article-detail.xml 20240465 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gas-cap-e15-1337355368_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/gas-cap-e15-1337355368.jpg <![CDATA[Ethanol production shaved $1.09 a gallon off of last year's gas prices]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

ethanol pump

If you thought last year was a bad one at the gas pump, it could've been worse. That's what one report partially funded by ethanol advocate Renewable Fuels Association says.

U.S. ethanol production actually cut wholesale gas prices by $1.09 a gallon last year because of relatively lower ethanol prices and the greater use of ethanol blends, The Auto Channel said, citing a PDF report written by researchers at University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University for Iowa State's Center for Agricultural and Rural Development.

Ethanol production cut the typical U.S. household's spending on gas by more than $1,200 last year and by an average of $340 a year since 2000, according to the report.

Ethanol advocates have been pushing for blends with a higher percentage of ethanol as a way to cut both gas costs and dependency on foreign oil, while opponents have decried subsidies given to ethanol producers. Late last year, Congress ended a three-decade tax subsidy for the corn-based ethanol, which was reported to have received $45 billion in subsidies since 1980.

Ethanol production shaved $1.09 a gallon off of last year's gas prices originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 18 May 2012 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biofuelethanolgas pricesiowa state universityrenewable fuels associationsubsidiesuniversity of wisconsinFri, 18 May 2012 11:59:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240111/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240111/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/18/ethanol-production-shaved-1-09-a-gallon-off-of-last-years-gas/20240111/article-detail.xml 20240111 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ethanol_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ethanol.jpg <![CDATA[In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

VW steadily developing an interest in Das Plug-ins... and algae diesel



If there's one truth about alternative fuel plans espoused by most of the major automakers, it's that they like an "all of the above" approach. They'll try flex-fuel, offer you some plug-in cars, toy with diesels in the U.S. and work on hydrogen cars for a few years down the road. No one wants to "pick a winner," which is one reason why gas is still winning, but today's automakers are willing to see what alternatives are out there. Just as they've been doing for decades.

Volkswagen recently invited journalists to its Electronics Research Laboratory in Silicon Valley to show off some of these alternatives: the vehicles, powertrains and biofuel partnerships it's working on for a more fuel-efficient future. Taking note of the omission of a hydrogen program, what we saw in California proves that VW is ready to compete in a variety of ways, from the way it makes its cars to the way they move.

Let's start with some of VW's better sellers. We'll get to the cleaner, niche programs in a minute. VW's LEED Platinum-certified Chattanooga plant builds the Passat, and it will be capable of building 170,000 vehicles a year by the end of 2013 (this includes vehicles for export). The Passat is selling well - 8,189 were sold in February - and if you get the diesel-burning TDI Passat, you are rewarded with 43 miles per gallon (on the highway, says the EPA. Combined is 35 and you get 31 in the city). The gas-electric Jetta Hybrid is coming in late 2012 as a 2013 model. That car will use a 1.4 liter turbocharger engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, electric motor and lithium-ion battery to give an estimated 45 mpg (compare this to the TDI, which gets 42 mpg highway), and you can push the car up to 44 miles per hour in EV mode and go from 0-60 in less than nine seconds. It's logical to think that Volkswagen can expect good things from this car, since all-around Jetta sales were up 54.5 percent in 2011.

So, that's some of where VW stands today with its green vehicle work. To see what's next, scroll down.

Continue reading In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy

In deep with Volkswagen's 'most-of-the-above' alt-fuel strategy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amyrisbeetlee-golfelectric golfelectric vehiclegolfgolf evrenewable dieselsolazymetdivw dieselTue, 03 Apr 2012 19:41:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199127/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20199127/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/03/in-deep-with-volkswagens-most-of-the-above-alt-fuel-strategy/20199127/article-detail.xml 20199127 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/e-golf-drive-17-628m_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/e-golf-drive-17-628m.jpg <![CDATA[Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Boise State University Greenspeed student team

Last November, the Boise State University student team called Greenspeed broke the land speed record for a truck (in its class) that uses vegetable oil with a run of 155 miles per hour. Now, they're confidently ready to go after the faster, dirtier, petroleum-powered trucks.

To get that record, the modified 1998 Chevrolet S-10 pick-up truck - which has a dual-fuel powertrain that burns both regular diesel to start and then straight vegetable oil - will need to go faster than 215 miles per hour. The Greenspeed team announced its intent at the Washington Auto Show last week and hopes to set the new record during Speedweek at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah this August.

Even though the team of students is filled with confidence, the truck has not exactly been put through the on-road ringer. Thus far, it's only driven about 4.5 miles burning SVO, since it only does so on the test track. The 155-mph record was set on a 1.3-mile dry lakebed called El Mirage in the Mojave Desert at a Southern California Timing Association race. That short distance is also why the team is confident it can hit 215 mph. At Bonneville, the 780 horsepower powertrain will have three miles to really get going.

Idaho Senator James Risch (R) came by during the show to stand on a piece of Boise State's famous blue turf and congratulate the team. He said that, "This is one way we can move away from dependence on oil and to a self-sustaining nation." This may be true, but Sen. Risch still supports importing more fossil fuels into the U.S.

Watch a short video of the team being interviewed after the jump.

Continue reading Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph

Boise State students gunning for land speed record with biofuel, this time 215 mph originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>boise stategreenspeedjames rischland speed recordstraight vegetable oilsvoWed, 01 Feb 2012 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161220/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20161220/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/01/boise-state-students-land-speed-record-biofuel/20161220/article-detail.xml 20161220 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-boise-greenspeed-5-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/dc-boise-greenspeed-5-628.jpg <![CDATA[EPA boosts production goal for advanced, cellulosic biofuels by more than a third]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/29/epa-boosts-production-goal-for-advanced-cellulosic-biofuels-by/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/29/epa-boosts-production-goal-for-advanced-cellulosic-biofuels-by/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/12/29/epa-boosts-production-goal-for-advanced-cellulosic-biofuels-by/#commentsFiled under:

Renewable fuelsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) boosted its 2012 goals for production of non-corn-based biofuels by about 36 percent, reflecting the federal government's efforts to both cut its dependency on foreign oil and find alternatives to corn- and alcohol-based fuels.

The EPA boosted its production goal for advanced biofuels, whose feedstocks range from sugarcane ethanol to algae, by 48 percent, while increasing its goal for cellulosic biofuels, or biofuels produced from grasses, wood and plants, by 34 percent. Production of biomass-based biodiesel is set to rise 25 percent next year, according to the EPA.

The EPA also reiterated its goal set in June to boost renewable fuel production next year by 9 percent to 15.2 billion gallons, or 9.2 percent of total fuel production. Those numbers are up from the 13.95 billion gallons, or 8 percent of the fuel-production total, that the EPA set for 2011.

Annual increases in the EPA's renewable-fuel production guidelines are in response to the Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2) and 2007's Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which in part set a U.S. production goal of 36 billion annual gallons of renewable fuel by 2022.

What the new goals mean for the environment is debatable, given the issues surrounding the production of biofuels such as corn ethanol. Supporters say more ethanol production lessens domestic dependency on foreign oil and creates more farming jobs. But many environmentalists, academic researchers and economists have questioned using corn as a fuel feedstock, citing both spikes in corn prices that at times have exacerbated worldwide shortages of many grain-based foods, and environmental concerns related to potential waterway contamination from fertilizer and additional water and electricity requirements for corn production.

Some of these issues may be mitigated by more production of second-generation ethanol from waste material, algae and other feedstocks instead of corn. Pressures to change are coming from all sides. Earlier this week, the United States Congress decided against extending corn-based ethanol subsidies in a move that's drawn praise from environmental groups and taxpayer advocates.

Continue reading EPA boosts production goal for advanced, cellulosic biofuels by more than a third

EPA boosts production goal for advanced, cellulosic biofuels by more than a third originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced biofuelsbiofuelscellulosicenvironmental protection agencyepaethanolgovernmentThu, 29 Dec 2011 16:26:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137294/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20137294/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/29/epa-boosts-production-goal-for-advanced-cellulosic-biofuels-by/20137294/article-detail.xml 20137294 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/renewable-1325183380_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/renewable-1325183380.jpg <![CDATA[Biofuels market value to double to $185.3 billion in ten years]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/biofuels-market-value-to-double-to-185-3-billion-in-ten-years/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/biofuels-market-value-to-double-to-185-3-billion-in-ten-years/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/17/biofuels-market-value-to-double-to-185-3-billion-in-ten-years/#commentsFiled under: ,

E85 PumpWill there be enough feedstock to support a massive biofuel boom? It sure seems possible, 'cause Pike Research predicts that the value of the biofuels industry could double in the next ten years, depending on the emergence of advanced feedstocks.

Motivated, mainly, by concerns about energy independence and climate change, at least 38 national governments across the globe have enacted blending mandates to accelerate the production and consumption of biofuels.

According to Pike Research's latest report, the production and consumption of biofuels will more than double in the next decade, with the cleantech firm forecasting that the global biofuels industry will increase from $82.7 billion in 2011 to $185.3 billion in 2021. Pike senior analyst, Mackinnon Lawrence, states:
The widespread scale-up of biofuels could radically alter the industrial and geopolitical landscapes. But with conventional biofuels constrained by social and environmental concerns, and price parity and access to financing a persistent obstacle to advanced biofuels scale-up, a number of difficult challenges must be overcome if the industry is to keep pace with emerging mandates.
Lawrence adds that while Brazil, the United States and the European Union have demonstrated the commercial viability of conventional biofuels, it's the emergence and eventual success of advanced biofuels that will either make or break the biofuels industry.

Continue reading Biofuels market value to double to $185.3 billion in ten years

Biofuels market value to double to $185.3 billion in ten years originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced biofuelsbiodieselbiofuelbiofuelsethanolpikepike researchMon, 17 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20080728/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20080728/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/17/biofuels-market-value-to-double-to-185-3-billion-in-ten-years/20080728/article-detail.xml 20080728 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/e85_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/05/e85.jpg <![CDATA[Is rapeseed biodiesel worse for the environment than diesel?]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/is-rapeseed-biodiesel-worse-for-the-environment-than-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/is-rapeseed-biodiesel-worse-for-the-environment-than-diesel/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/10/10/is-rapeseed-biodiesel-worse-for-the-environment-than-diesel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rapeseed field

As one might expect, Europe's biodiesel industry rejected the findings of a draft study showing that the cultivation of rapeseed for biodiesel is likely significantly worse for the environment than manufacturing conventional diesel, i.e., from petroleum.

On Friday, the European Biodiesel Board (EBB) stated that the European Union's study's was "highly debatable and unscientific." At a news conference in Belgium, EBB secretary general Raffaello Garofalo stated:
Can an industry like the biodiesel industry - the number one renewable fuel industry in Europe - be at risk of closing its production plants because of something that is not validated?
On that same day, a coalition of 150-plus international scientists warned that biofuels have a significant indirect impact and urged EU policymakers to take immediate action:
All the studies of land use change indicate that the emissions related to biofuels expansion are significant and can be quite large.
Indirect land use change (ILUC) - a theory that relates to the unintended consequence of releasing more carbon emissions because of different ways to use the land around the world because of an increased global demand for biofuels - is a relatively controversial concept and, as such, has been questioned by several authoritative figures.

Is rapeseed biodiesel worse for the environment than diesel? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieseldieselenvironmenteuroperapeseedrapeseed biodieselrapeseed cultivationMon, 10 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20077240/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20077240/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/10/is-rapeseed-biodiesel-worse-for-the-environment-than-diesel/20077240/article-detail.xml 20077240 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/5646542956e174f12bd4z_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/5646542956e174f12bd4z.jpg <![CDATA[USDA: Advanced biofuel payouts will create jobs, jobs and even more jobs]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/30/usda-advanced-biofuel-payouts-will-create-jobs-jobs-and-even-m/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/30/usda-advanced-biofuel-payouts-will-create-jobs-jobs-and-even-m/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/30/usda-advanced-biofuel-payouts-will-create-jobs-jobs-and-even-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Tom VilsackLet's create jobs while concurrently expanding the U.S. output of advanced biofuels, says Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Just days ago, the USDA announced that its will fork over some money to more than 160 energy producers in 41 states to support the expansion of advanced biofuels. As Secretary Vilsack says, this is really mainly a job-creating scheme:
Renewable energy production will create tens of thousands of direct, American jobs; thousands more indirect jobs, and clean electricity to power millions of homes. The payments I am announcing today represent the continuing commitment of the Obama administration to work with producers to provide the biofuel necessary to reduce our nation's dependence on foreign energy sources.
The payments are authorized under the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels and will be made available only to firms looking to increase output of advanced biofuels. Payments are based strictly on the amount of biofuel a recipient produces from renewable biomass. Corn-based ethanol producers can't apply, as that type of biofuel is not considered "advanced."

One example of a BPAB payment is the $98,507 given to Ever Cat Fuels to help offset the costs of producing 881,000 gallons of biodiesel from plant oils and animal fats in Minnesota. The USDA says the payout to Ever Cat will create 20 full-time jobs. Sure, 20 may be next to nothing on a national level, but you don't get to tens of thousands of jobs without starting somewhere.

Continue reading USDA: Advanced biofuel payouts will create jobs, jobs and even more jobs

USDA: Advanced biofuel payouts will create jobs, jobs and even more jobs originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced biofuelsbiodieselbiofuelcellulosic ethanolethanoljobstom vilsackunited states department of agricultureusdaFri, 30 Sep 2011 14:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20067761/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20067761/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/30/usda-advanced-biofuel-payouts-will-create-jobs-jobs-and-even-m/20067761/article-detail.xml 20067761 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/480px-tomvilsackofficialusdaphotoportrait_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/480px-tomvilsackofficialusdaphotoportrait.jpg <![CDATA[World's largest renewable diesel refiner says cost of fuel is way more than anticipated]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/worlds-largest-renewable-diesel-refiner-says-cost-of-fuel-is-wa/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/worlds-largest-renewable-diesel-refiner-says-cost-of-fuel-is-wa/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/28/worlds-largest-renewable-diesel-refiner-says-cost-of-fuel-is-wa/#commentsFiled under: ,

Neste Oil facility in Singapore

Exactly how much does it cost to produce a ton of renewable diesel fuel? Well, according to Neste Oil, the world's largest renewable diesel firm, the answer is: way more than anticipated.

In releasing its updated future outlook, Neste Oil revealed its estimated production cost, not including feedstock, of NExBTL renewable diesel is $220 a ton (approximately $0.70 per U.S. gallon). That's up significantly from the firm's 2009 estimate of $175 a ton (roughly $0.56 per gallon).

Although Neste has not released exact figures for conventional diesel production, Sari Lehmuskallio-Eronen, communications manager of sustainability, oil products and renewables at Neste Oil, stated:
The production costs of our conventional fossil diesel are significantly lower than those of renewable NExBTL diesel. Petro-diesel is a "bulk product" produced at large refineries. NExBTL, on the other hand, is a small-volume specialty product when compared to fossil diesel. This is naturally reflected in the higher cost per unit.
Neste Oil says the increased production cost of NExBTL is mainly due to elevated utility costs and the rising price of hydrogen. It's unlikely that either of those costs will drop, so NExBTL probably won't get cheap any time soon.

Continue reading World's largest renewable diesel refiner says cost of fuel is way more than anticipated

World's largest renewable diesel refiner says cost of fuel is way more than anticipated originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieseldieseldiesel costneste oilnexbtrenewable dieselrenewable diesel costWed, 28 Sep 2011 17:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20066390/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20066390/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/28/worlds-largest-renewable-diesel-refiner-says-cost-of-fuel-is-wa/20066390/article-detail.xml 20066390 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/singapore-plant_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/singapore-plant.jpg <![CDATA[Neste Oil fires up Europe's largest renewable diesel facility]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/neste-oil-fires-up-europes-largest-renewable-diesel-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/neste-oil-fires-up-europes-largest-renewable-diesel-facility/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/24/neste-oil-fires-up-europes-largest-renewable-diesel-facility/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Neste Oil site in Rotterdam

Over in the Netherlands, Neste Oil has celebrated the opening of Europe's largest renewable diesel facility. Located in Rotterdam, Neste Oil's new site boasts an annual production capacity of 800,000 tons of the firm's NExBTL renewable diesel fuel. NExBTL technology allows Neste to use a wide variety of oils, greases and fats as feedstock to make the fuel.

The firing up of the Rotterdam facility (Neste Oil's fourth renewable diesel site) marks a significant milestone in Neste Oil's clean-fuel strategy by securing the firm's position as the world's number one (by volume) producer of renewable diesel. With the facility now online, Neste Oil has the ability to pump out more than two million tons of renewable biodiesel a year. NExBTL supposedly reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil diesel and its clean-burning properties make it especially valuable in heavily polluted urban centers.

Continue reading Neste Oil fires up Europe's largest renewable diesel facility

Neste Oil fires up Europe's largest renewable diesel facility originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieseldieseleuropeneste oilnetherlandsnexbtlrenewable dieselSat, 24 Sep 2011 12:24:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20047409/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20047409/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/24/neste-oil-fires-up-europes-largest-renewable-diesel-facility/20047409/article-detail.xml 20047409 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/rotterdam-nexbtl-plant69093_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/rotterdam-nexbtl-plant69093.jpg <![CDATA[Modified motorcycle burns vegetable oil in record-setting run]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/modified-motorcycle-burns-vegetable-oil-in-record-setting-run/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/modified-motorcycle-burns-vegetable-oil-in-record-setting-run/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/17/modified-motorcycle-burns-vegetable-oil-in-record-setting-run/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

John Petsche with record-setting motorcycle

At the Loring Timing Association in Maine, John Petsche drove a highly modified motorcycle into the record books.

Powered by a six-horsepower industrial diesel engine and fueled by store-bought vegetable oil, Petsche's two-wheeler hit a top speed of 56.535 miles per hour, sufficient to put Petsche in the record books in the the 350-cc Alternate Fuel class.

The donor bike uses a single-speed drive with a centrifugal clutch, which limits its performance, but Petsche says the drivetrain will be upgraded to improve acceleration and surpass his existing, record-setting top speed next year. Petsche says he built the two-wheeler to demonstrate the potential of off-the-shelf technology (and, literally, off-the-shelf fuel). By combining pre-existing components from generators, go-karts and junked vehicles, Petsche built a low-cost motorcycle that he says gets 100 miles to the vegetable oil gallon.

Modified motorcycle burns vegetable oil in record-setting run originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelalternative fuel recordjohn petscheland speed recordloring timing associationpetscherecordvegetable oilSat, 17 Sep 2011 08:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20038692/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20038692/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/17/modified-motorcycle-burns-vegetable-oil-in-record-setting-run/20038692/article-detail.xml 20038692 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/johnbike-l_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/johnbike-l.jpg <![CDATA[PetroChina to boost biofuel production by 1.1 million tons by 2015]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/petrochina-to-boost-biofuel-production-by-1-1-million-tons-by-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/petrochina-to-boost-biofuel-production-by-1-1-million-tons-by-20/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/petrochina-to-boost-biofuel-production-by-1-1-million-tons-by-20/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PetroChina logoPetroChina, the world's third most valuable company as of the second quarter of 2011, says it will add 1.1 million tons of biofuel production capacity by 2015, according to a company official who spoke with Reuters. Additionally, PetroChina says it will import 470,000 tons of biofuels by 2015, as China aims to make use of more alternative fuels.

Of the 1.1 million tons of production capacity, PetroChina says ethanol will be its fuel of choice, with production of the grain-based fuel set at 933,000 tons a year. Meanwhile, annual biodiesel production will rise to 165,000 tons, says Fu Xingguo, deputy chief engineer of PetroChina's Petrochemical Research Institute.

The biofuel imports, likely from countries such as Brazil and the U.S., will be blended with gasoline and sold in southern Chinese provinces. PetroChina currently has limited biofuel production capacity.

PetroChina to boost biofuel production by 1.1 million tons by 2015 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>biodieselbiofuelchinaethanolpetrochinaTue, 13 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20037779/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20037779/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/13/petrochina-to-boost-biofuel-production-by-1-1-million-tons-by-20/20037779/article-detail.xml 20037779 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/hzw-top-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/hzw-top-1.jpg <![CDATA[USDA, DOE and U.S. Navy seek input to commercialize advanced drop-in biofuels]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/usda-doe-and-u-s-navy-seek-input-to-commercialize-advanced-dro/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/usda-doe-and-u-s-navy-seek-input-to-commercialize-advanced-dro/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/07/usda-doe-and-u-s-navy-seek-input-to-commercialize-advanced-dro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MH 60s Seahawk in action

Advanced, drop-in biofuels seem to be all the rage. Perhaps that's why the United States Departments of Agriculture and Energy, along with the U.S. Navy, have announced the next step in creating a public-private partnership to develop and commercialize them.

On August 30, the Secretaries of the three Departments, in an effort to gather intel to accelerate the development of drop-in biofuels, issued a joint Request for Information (RFI). The Departments say the use of advanced biofuels will reduce U.S. demand for foreign oil and "strengthen rural America." According to the Departments, the main objective of the RFI is:
The construction or retrofit of several domestic commercial or pre-commercial scale advanced drop-in biofuel refineries. These facilities will produce drop-in advanced biofuels meeting military specifications, will be located in geographically diverse locations for ready market access, and will have no significant impact on the supply of agricultural commodities for the production of food.
This RFI builds on the recent joint announcement by the USDA, DOE and U.S. Navy to invest up to $510 million over the next three years in "advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power military and commercial transportation."

Continue reading USDA, DOE and U.S. Navy seek input to commercialize advanced drop-in biofuels

USDA, DOE and U.S. Navy seek input to commercialize advanced drop-in biofuels originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced biofuelsbiofuelbiofuelsdepartment of energydoedrop-in biofuelsjet fuelnavyusdaWed, 07 Sep 2011 09:04:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20030628/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20030628/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/07/usda-doe-and-u-s-navy-seek-input-to-commercialize-advanced-dro/20030628/article-detail.xml 20030628 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/mh60armed_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/mh60armed.jpg <![CDATA[Worldwide production of biofuels up 17% in 2010]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/worldwide-production-of-biofuels-up-17-in-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/worldwide-production-of-biofuels-up-17-in-2010/http://green.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/worldwide-production-of-biofuels-up-17-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,

Biofuel production 1975 to 2010

Global production of biofuels soared to an all-time high of 105 billion liters (28 billion gallons U.S.) in 2010, according to research conducted by Worldwatch Institute for the website Vital Signs Online. That output represents a 17-percent increase in compared to the estimated 90 billion liters (24 billion gallons) that were cranked out globally back in 2009. Worldwatch Institute says lofty oil prices, a global economic rebound and mandates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China and the United States, are all factors behind the biofuel surge.

An estimated 86 billion liters (23 billion gallons) of ethanol and 19 billion liters (5 billion gallons) of biodiesel were produced around the world in 2010. Worldwatch Institute says the U.S. and Brazil remain the world's leading producers of ethanol and that the European Union is the global leader, by volume, in biodiesel production. And for those geeked over the rise of ethanol, Alexander Ochs, director of Worldwatch's climate and energy program, states:
In the United States, the record production of biofuels is attributed in part to high oil prices, which encouraged several large fuel companies, including Sunoco, Valero, Flint Hills, and Murphy Oil, to enter the ethanol industry.
But, rather than use all of our homegrown ethanol to fuel vehicles that operate here in the States, the U.S. shipped 1.3 billion liters (343 million gallons U.S.) of its total production volume of 49 billion liters (13 billion gallons U.S.) abroad, a trend that helped the U.S. become the world's largest ethanol exporter this year.

Continue reading Worldwide production of biofuels up 17% in 2010

Worldwide production of biofuels up 17% in 2010 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Virent BioForming process

Virent Energy Systems has taken a major step in the certification process of its biofuel. Virent's much-like-gas biofuel successfully completed road tests organized and executed by Virent's collaborator, Shell. The tests found Virent's biofuel caused "no harm" to vehicles when compared to Shell's pump gas.

For testing purposes, Shell used five identical pairs of late-model European vehicles. Five of the vehicles were fueled with Shell gas, and the other five burned an undisclosed blend of gas and Virent's biofuel. Each vehicle was then driven 6,000 miles, after which the engines were dismantled and inspected. All ten automobiles, regardless of fuel used, were found to be in the same condition.

This road trial is one of several necessary steps in Virent's journey towards fuel certification. At the end of its three-year-long project, Virent, using its proprietary near-zero-outside energy BioForming process, expects to deliver a fuel that can replace gasoline.

Continue reading Virent biofuel works like gasoline, causes "no harm" to vehicles

Virent biofuel works like gasoline, causes "no harm" to vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reforming eliminating fossil fuel subsidies would save governments billions of dollars while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and freeing up monies for incentives on cleaner forms of energy, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), a Canada-based research institute.

Though long overdue, the IISD says this potentially transformative issue will reach the international level in June of 2012 at Rio+20 - the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.

The challenge, according to the IISD, lies in the implementation of an international framework that phases out all fossil fuel subsidies. At Rio+20, the IISD will push for countries to pledge to support the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies that, "undermine sustainable development." The IISD claims subsidies are costly, lead to increased global and local pollution and are socially regressive.

Though the IISD will use Rio+20 to pitch its pledge to end fossil fuel subsidies, the research institute suggests that subsidizing even biofuels and renewables may not be in Mother Nature's best interest:

Subsidies to renewables-based electricity often come in the form of mandates or portfolio standards, green certificate trading systems, feed-in tariffs and premiums, or investment and production tax credits. ... Like all subsidies, these policies can lead to perverse outcomes (e.g., favouring some renewable energy technologies at the cost of driving away investment from others that are equally as promising) or can be captured by powerful industry groups. Reform should focus on ensuring that the subsidies are achieving their policy objectives cost-effectively.

Sounds like IISD will have its work cut out for itself at Rio+20.

IISD calls for countries to phase out all fossil fuel subsidies originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 24 Aug 2011 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Petrobras

Brazilian energy giant Petrobras, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Petrobras Biocombustível, will invest a massive $2.5 billion between 2011 and 2015 to increase production of biodiesel and ethanol. This hefty chunk of change is part of $4.1 billion Petrobras earmarked for its biofuels operations, which includes $1.3 billion for ethanol logistics and $300 million for biofuel research.

Increasing ethanol production will be Petrobras' priority, with $1.9 billion set aside for the sugar cane-based biofuel. Petrobras says that by 2015, its production of ethanol will hit an annual volume of 5.6 billion liters (1.5 billion gallons U.S.). Though that sounds substantial, it's predicted that 1.5 billion gallons will make up just 12 percent of Brazil's total ethanol production in 2015.

Petrobras to invest $2.5 billion to increase production of biodiesel, ethanol originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that consumption of alternative fuels in the transportation sector stayed put in 2009, with use coming in at 431,107 thousand gasoline-equivalent gallons (yes, that's the metric used), compared to 430,329 thousand gasoline-equivalent gallons in 2008.

Natural gas accounted for approximately 52 percent of alternative fuel consumption, with propane and E85 coming in at 30 and 16 percent, respectively. Combined, electricity, hydrogen and other fuels accounted for a mere two percent. For comparison, the EIA lists consumption of other fuels in 2009:

Gasoline: 134,385,175 thousand gallons
Diesel: 37,701,896 thousand gasoline equivalent gallons
Biodiesel: 325,102 thousand gasoline equivalent gallons

While the consumption of natural gas over the past five years has increased due to its extensive use in the transit bus industry, consumption of propane has decreased. The EIA says propane use decreased due to fleets replacing some light-duty vehicles with flex-fuel or hybrid models. It seems that hydrogen fueled close to zero vehicles in 2009.

Continue reading Alternative fuel consumption steady in 2009

Alternative fuel consumption steady in 2009 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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