October ethanol production rose to 884,000 barrels per day, up from 869,000 barrels per day in September. For the month a total of 1,151,220,000 gallons were produced, up from 1,094,562,000 gallons in September.
Ethanol imports declined to 42,000 gallons in October, down from 210,000 gallons in September.
Source : Energy Information Administration
December 30, 2010
December 29, 2010
Solar Power, Inc. Selected to Build Five Megawatt Rooftop Solar System in New Jersey
“This is a significant project for us,” said Steve Kircher, Chairman and CEO of Solar Power, Inc. “The White Rose installation will be one of the largest systems of its type in the nation. More importantly, the project allows us to continue to develop our presence and portfolio in the Northeastern U.S. It also provides our Company the opportunity to showcase the unique talents and abilities we offer - it’s a perfect fit for our products and our system design and construction expertise. We look forward to working with NuGen and KDC Solar as the project commences,” Mr. Kircher concluded.
“A project of this scope and scale requires a significant amount of research and due diligence on behalf of everyone involved. Ultimately, Solar Power, Inc.’s highly adaptable SkyMount® racking system coupled with its track record in the solar industry made a big difference,” said David Milner, CEO for NuGen, the project developer. “I am pleased to be working with Solar Power, Inc., and look forward to a continued relationship as NuGen develops additional opportunities throughout the Northeast.”
The White Rose Food building is located in Carteret, New Jersey and serves as White Rose Food’s corporate offices and as a major hub in its distribution network. White Rose Food serves supermarket chains, independent retailers and members of voluntary cooperatives, providing more than 18,000 food- and non-food products to more than 1,800 stores from Maryland to Connecticut. The company is the largest independent wholesale food distributor in the New York City and New Jersey metropolitan areas, which make up the biggest consumer market in the United States.
The project is scheduled to begin in January, 2011 and conclude early in the second half of the year.
December 28, 2010
Texas A&M Engineers Develop A Sensor To Monitor Algae Growth
By Robert Burns, Texas A&M University
Algae grown for biofuel could be a sweet deal, but without constant monitoring, its growth process can be inefficient and economically untenable, according to a Texas AgriLife Research expert.
Dr. Alex Thomasson, AgriLife Research engineer, has developed an optical-electronic sensor that will automatically measure algae growth stages and allow micro-management of its production of oils for biofuels.
One of the main advantages of using algae for biofuel is its rapid growth potential, Thomasson explained. The other advantage is that algae can be induced to produce large quantities of lipids – fatty molecules that can be used to produce a wide range of hydrocarbon fuels.
Both the amount and type of lipids that algae produces depend upon how well the growth processes of the microalgae are regulated. However, the very speed at which some algae grow – some strains may double their mass every six to 12 hours – makes management tricky, he said.
“Very rapid measurements will be required when scaling up to commercial production of algae as a biofuel feedstock,” Thomasson said.
Most algal-oil production scenarios consist of two stages, he said. The first stage involves promoting optimal growth so that the number of algal cells increases rapidly. The second stage requires limiting nutrients at exactly the right time to maximize lipid production by the cells.
“This is a natural response of many organisms; as their nutritional intake is reduced, they tend to convert more of their nutrients to stored energy, such as lipids or fat, to protect against future starvation,” Thomasson said. “In fact, a process-control system is necessary in both production stages to ensure that inputs and durations are optimal.”
To help solve this problem Thomasson headed a team comprised of himself, Dr. Ruixiu Sui, a U.S. Department of Agriculture engineer in Mississippi, plus Dr. Yufeng Ge, an assistant research engineer, and Yao Yao, a graduate research assistant, both at Texas A&M University at College Station.
Thomasson and the team agreed that measuring optical density of algal cells as they grew in water was the most straight-forward and readily achievable way to go, he said.
“(In research situations) optical density is typically measured by collecting a sample of aqueous solution, taking the sample to the laboratory, and using a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance of the sample at a specific wavelength,” Thomasson said. “OD probes are available and could potentially be incorporated into a process control system, but those currently on the market had not been proven to be of acceptable accuracy, ruggedness, etc., for a process-control system for open-pond algae production.”
To be suitable for commercial production, the optical sensor needed to be mountable at a fixed location in a production facility, operate without human intervention and provide measurements that could be used to adjust production in “real time,” Thomasson explained in a paper the team presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers last summer.
Real time is a computer science term for systems that function instantaneously or nearly so.
In addition to all of the above parameters, Thomasson thought it a good idea not to take measurements in just one wavelength of light as did the laboratory tests. Multiple measurements at different wavelengths would ensure increased reliability, he said.
Therefore, the team experimented with wavelengths ranging from 250 nanometers to 2,500 nanometers, from the ultraviolet through infrared.
After successfully comparing sensor results to actual lab analyses, the team designed, constructed and tested a prototype sensor on an algae-production raceway in June 2010. The sensor took measurements at five-second intervals. Field tests at the AgriLife Algae Research and Development Facility near Pecos showed the prototype sensor could “very accurately” and consistently measure the optical density in the raceway and therefore enable real-time growth management, Thomasson said.
Because the team has applied for a patent, the actual wavelengths used are subject to intellectual-property protection, Thomasson said. But he could disclose that one wavelength in the near-infrared region was used to accurately measure the slow-and-steady increase of optical density during the growth process, as well as the drop in optical density when more water and nutrients were added.
Algae grown for biofuel could be a sweet deal, but without constant monitoring, its growth process can be inefficient and economically untenable, according to a Texas AgriLife Research expert.
Dr. Alex Thomasson, AgriLife Research engineer, has developed an optical-electronic sensor that will automatically measure algae growth stages and allow micro-management of its production of oils for biofuels.
One of the main advantages of using algae for biofuel is its rapid growth potential, Thomasson explained. The other advantage is that algae can be induced to produce large quantities of lipids – fatty molecules that can be used to produce a wide range of hydrocarbon fuels.
Both the amount and type of lipids that algae produces depend upon how well the growth processes of the microalgae are regulated. However, the very speed at which some algae grow – some strains may double their mass every six to 12 hours – makes management tricky, he said.
“Very rapid measurements will be required when scaling up to commercial production of algae as a biofuel feedstock,” Thomasson said.
Most algal-oil production scenarios consist of two stages, he said. The first stage involves promoting optimal growth so that the number of algal cells increases rapidly. The second stage requires limiting nutrients at exactly the right time to maximize lipid production by the cells.
“This is a natural response of many organisms; as their nutritional intake is reduced, they tend to convert more of their nutrients to stored energy, such as lipids or fat, to protect against future starvation,” Thomasson said. “In fact, a process-control system is necessary in both production stages to ensure that inputs and durations are optimal.”
To help solve this problem Thomasson headed a team comprised of himself, Dr. Ruixiu Sui, a U.S. Department of Agriculture engineer in Mississippi, plus Dr. Yufeng Ge, an assistant research engineer, and Yao Yao, a graduate research assistant, both at Texas A&M University at College Station.
Thomasson and the team agreed that measuring optical density of algal cells as they grew in water was the most straight-forward and readily achievable way to go, he said.
“(In research situations) optical density is typically measured by collecting a sample of aqueous solution, taking the sample to the laboratory, and using a spectrophotometer to measure the absorbance of the sample at a specific wavelength,” Thomasson said. “OD probes are available and could potentially be incorporated into a process control system, but those currently on the market had not been proven to be of acceptable accuracy, ruggedness, etc., for a process-control system for open-pond algae production.”
To be suitable for commercial production, the optical sensor needed to be mountable at a fixed location in a production facility, operate without human intervention and provide measurements that could be used to adjust production in “real time,” Thomasson explained in a paper the team presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers last summer.
Real time is a computer science term for systems that function instantaneously or nearly so.
In addition to all of the above parameters, Thomasson thought it a good idea not to take measurements in just one wavelength of light as did the laboratory tests. Multiple measurements at different wavelengths would ensure increased reliability, he said.
Therefore, the team experimented with wavelengths ranging from 250 nanometers to 2,500 nanometers, from the ultraviolet through infrared.
After successfully comparing sensor results to actual lab analyses, the team designed, constructed and tested a prototype sensor on an algae-production raceway in June 2010. The sensor took measurements at five-second intervals. Field tests at the AgriLife Algae Research and Development Facility near Pecos showed the prototype sensor could “very accurately” and consistently measure the optical density in the raceway and therefore enable real-time growth management, Thomasson said.
Because the team has applied for a patent, the actual wavelengths used are subject to intellectual-property protection, Thomasson said. But he could disclose that one wavelength in the near-infrared region was used to accurately measure the slow-and-steady increase of optical density during the growth process, as well as the drop in optical density when more water and nutrients were added.
POET Invention Makes Loading Distillers Grains Safer, More Efficient
The Load Toad™ allows the rail car to be packed more densely by forcing DDGS to the sides of the rail car. By distributing the DDGS load more evenly and efficiently, POET plants have been able to pack 3%-5% more DDGS into each car.
In addition to the time and cost savings, the patented device makes the loading process safer for workers. This process was previously done manually with a hand shovel.
"The Load Toad not only allows us to put more DDGS in a railcar, which increases our production efficiency, but this device also allows the commodities team to more safely load a railcar," said Dave Hudak, general manager at POET Biorefining -- Alexandria (Ind.). "We no longer have to shovel any product nor stand on the top of the car to load it. The potential for a back injury has been eliminated."
Commodities Assistant Ryan Schroeder from POET Biorefining - Leipsic in Ohio developed the first prototype of the Load Toad as a solution to a common loading problem that led to cone-shaped pileups in the rail cars. These pileups dramatically lowered efficiency in each rail car and created a great deal physical work for staff.
"It felt good knowing that not just our plant would benefit, but the commodities people at all the POET plants would benefit," Schroeder said.
The Load Toad is currently being used at POET plants, but the company is exploring opportunities to market the technology to other ethanol producers in the future.
enXco and Xcel Energy Announce Operation of Nobles Wind Project
“We look forward to being a continued partner with Xcel Energy and the communities of Minnesota to further our efforts to supply clean energy to the nation’s grid.”
The 201-megawatt wind farm, located in Nobles County, consists of 134, 1.5-megawatt General Electric wind turbines generating enough power to serve approximately 66,500 homes.
“The Nobles Wind Farm advances our efforts to provide our customers with more reasonably priced, renewable energy,” said Judy Poferl, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. “Developing wind resources, abundant in the Upper Midwest, will help meet our customers’ growing needs for electricity at a reasonable cost while minimizing impact on the environment.”
Xcel Energy also owns Grand Meadow Wind Farm in southeastern Minnesota’s Mower County. A third company-owned wind project, the 150-megawatt Merricourt Wind Project, is currently under development by enXco in southeastern North Dakota. Merricourt is expected to be operational in late 2011 and represents the first major wind undertaking for enXco and Xcel Energy in North Dakota. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in June 2009 allowed Xcel Energy to include both the Nobles and Merricourt projects in its plan to meet the state’s Renewable Energy Standard.
Joint developments between enXco and Xcel Energy have resulted in a significant increase in wind resources on the utility’s system. The completion of the Nobles and Merricourt projects will bring the total to 784 megawatts of capacity for Xcel Energy through either build/transfer arrangements or power purchase agreements. Once each project is completed, ownership transfers to NSP - Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company. Other projects constructed by enXco include Grand Meadow Wind Farm, Fenton Wind Farm, Viking Wind Farm and Chanarambie Wind Farm all in Minnesota, as well as Peetz Table Wind Farm in Colorado.
“enXco is once again pleased to extend our experience and successful relationship with Xcel Energy to bring the economic and renewable benefits from the Nobles Wind Project to their customers in the Upper Midwest. This project marks our sixth wind project to deliver electricity to Xcel Energy’s renewable energy portfolio,” said Steve Peluso, senior vice president of origination for enXco. “We look forward to being a continued partner with Xcel Energy and the communities of Minnesota to further our efforts to supply clean energy to the nation’s grid.”
With the addition of the Nobles Wind Farm, Xcel Energy receives energy from nearly 1,500 megawatts of wind-powered generation on its Upper Midwest system. Company plans include an inventory of approximately 3,000 megawatts of both owned and purchased wind power capacity in the Upper Midwest by 2020. Xcel Energy is the nation’s No. 1 wind power provider, according to the American Wind Energy Association.