CNG Conversion Provider, BAF Technologies, Earns Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) Designation

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced today that its subsidiary, BAF Technologies, Inc., has been officially designated by the Ford Motor Company as a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) for gaseous-fueled vehicles. BAF’s alternative fuel vehicle upfitting capabilities include aftermarket compressed natural gas (CNG) conversions of Ford-manufactured vans, cutaway shuttles, taxis, pick-ups and light-duty trucks.

John Bacon, President, BAF Technologies, said, “We are very proud to have earned this special designation from Ford. BAF is the first CNG vehicle upfitter in the United States to be named a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier for gaseous fuels — an honor that recognizes the success of our continuing efforts over time to deliver the best quality product to our natural gas fleet customers.”

To ensure that modified Ford vehicles meet strict vehicle warranty and QVM standards, the authorization program focuses on the aftermarket vendor’s design, manufacturing and quality control processes. In-depth evaluations by Ford include crash testing, demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement, and reviews of representative vehicles and customer support systems.

BAF Technologies is the leading provider of natural gas vehicle systems and conversions in the United States and supports clients with alternative fuel systems. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, BAF was acquired by Clean Energy in October 2009.

BAF provides alternative fuel systems, application engineering, service and warranty support and research and development. The company’s aftermarket systems ensure that current natural gas vehicles (NGVs) are available for domestic light-duty fleets. Its vehicle conversions include taxis, vans, pick-up trucks and shuttle buses. BAF utilizes advanced natural gas system integration technology and has certified NGVs under both EPA and CARB standards achieving Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle emissions.

November 2010 Ethanol Production Increases

November ethanol production increased to 925,000 barrels per day, up from 884,000 barrels per day in October. Total ethanol production for the month of November increased to 1,165,290,000 gallons, up from 1,151,220,000 gallons in October.

Ethanol imports for November totaled 378,000 gallons, down from 882,000 gallons in October.

Source : Energy Information Administration

HR Biopetroleum To Acquire Shell's Shareholding In Cellana Algae Joint Venture

HR BioPetroleum, Inc. (HRBP) announced that it will acquire Shell’s shareholding in Cellana, a joint venture between Shell and HRBP. On January 31, 2011, HRBP will become the sole owner of Cellana, including its six-acre demonstration facility in Kona, Hawaii.

In 2007, HRBP and Royal Dutch Shell PLC, the international energy company, formed Cellana as a separate joint venture to build and operate a demonstration facility to grow marine algae and produce vegetable oil for conversion into biofuel. To date, it is one of the most advanced operational demonstration facilities among algae-to-biofuel organizations and companies in the United States.

‘‘The acquisition of Cellana represents a significant opportunity for HRBP and its corporate and project stakeholders, including the University of Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts consortium, the U.S. Department of Energy and others,’’ said Ed Shonsey, HRBP CEO.

‘‘We will continue to operate Cellana’s Kona demonstration facility and to continuously improve the economics for growing marine algae using HRBP’s patented process. Based on HRBP’s and Cellana’s results to date, we believe this technology holds great potential for the economical production of algae and algae-derived products for applications within the aquaculture and animal feed markets, as well as for the production of algal oil for conversion into biofuels.”

To support the transition Shell has agreed to provide short-term funding to advance and focus the algae technology development program. HRBP will further develop the technology at the Kona demonstration facility with the objective of first commercial deployment at the Ma’alaea site the company has selected on Maui, Hawaii.

Algae, the fastest growing plant on the planet, can produce substantially greater oil per acre than traditional oil seeds while simultaneously recycling industrial emissions of CO2, greatly reducing the carbon footprint as compared to other processes. Many strains of algae can grow optimally using brackish water, seawater or wastewater.

Marquis Energy - Wisconsin Licenses GreenShift’s Corn Oil Extraction Process

GreenShift Corporation today announced the execution of a license agreement with Marquis Energy – Wisconsin, LLC providing for the use of GreenShift’s patented corn oil extraction technologies in Marquis Energy – Wisconsin’s 50 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Necedah, WI.

Marquis Energy – Wisconsin will be GreenShift’s second license with Marquis Energy, the first being for Marquis Energy, LLC’s 110 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in Hennepin, IL.

Tom Marquis, Vice President & Marketing Manager of Marquis Energy stated that “working with GreenShift’s marketing arm has proven to be a valuable addition to our marketing strategy. Their contacts and understanding of the industry have become integral to the bottom line.”

David Winsness, GreenShift’s Chief Technology Officer stated that “we truly appreciate our relationship with Marquis Energy, we have worked together to increase yields and have proven that higher yields are achievable when both parties work together.”

See Also :
Calgren Licenses GreenShift’s Corn Oil Extraction Processes
GreenShift Receives Notice of Allowance for Corn Oil Refining Patent
Corn LP To License GreenShift Corn Oil Extraction Technology

Calgren Licenses GreenShift’s Corn Oil Extraction Processes

GreenShift Corporation today announced the execution of a license agreement with Calgren Renewable Fuels providing for the use of GreenShift’s patented corn oil extraction technologies in Calgren’s 57 million gallon per year ethanol plant in Pixley, California.

GreenShift and Calgren also agreed that GreenShift would provide engineering and construction services for the replacement of Calgren’s existing Tricanter-based corn oil extraction equipment with an Alfa Laval disc stack centrifuge in order to increase yields, reliability and uptime.

In addition, Calgren has agreed to install GreenShift’s first Method II Corn Oil Extraction System to extract corn oil from Calgren’s whole stillage. With Method I (thin stillage extraction) and Method II (whole stillage extraction), Calgren will have taken the first step to achieving corn oil yields that could be as high as 1.33 pounds per bushel and having at least one advanced technology as described in the final rule for the expanded Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on December 21, 2010.

Lyle Schlyer, CEO of Calgren stated that “working with GreenShift fits into our business model of increasing efficiency and mitigating risk. We expect our corn oil yields will significantly increase with GreenShift’s technical support, and we expect to get a premium for our product with GreenShift’s marketing arm.”