News > April

U.S.-Brazilian Venture to Turn Sugar Cane into Biodiesel
U.S. company Amyris Biotechnologies and Brazilian sugar and ethanol group Crystalsev have formed a joint venture to produce and sell the first commercial biodiesel made from sugar cane instead of oilseeds like soy and canola. Amyris developed the biofuel technology, using microorganisms to take juice extracted from crushing sugar cane and transform it into a biodiesel closely resembling the fossil fuel. “We are making the first diesel from sugar cane in the world,” said Amyris President John Melo, adding that the new diesel will be competitive as long as crude oil remains above $60 a barrel. The new diesel is intended for use as part of a blend with conventional diesel and not as a diesel replacement. According to the company, the product maintains mineral diesel characteristics in a blend of up to 80%.
Source: U.S.-Brazilian venture to turn cane into biodiesel, Reuters

Quebec City and Partners Launch Major Plug-in Hybrid Study
A major study on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) will be launched in Quebec City in a joint project involving the Université Laval, Desjardins Group, Enersys and Quebec City. If the pilot study is a success, a second phase of the project could integrate up to 50 PHEVs into Quebec City streets. A multidisciplinary team of Université Laval researchers will begin a series of studies looking at technological improvements under real-world conditions as well as the social, economic, and environmental aspects of PHEVs. The test vehicle in this pilot project will be a Prius-type hybrid with its standard battery replaced by a high-performance lithium-ion battery providing an electric range of more than 70 km (43.5 miles). This battery can be plugged in and recharged using household current from a regular outlet.
Source: Quebec City and Partners Launch Major PHEV Study, Green Car Congress

Expanded Use of NGVs and Hybrids in Transportation will Reduce Emissions
At the Low-Carbon Fuels 2008 conference held in Sacramento, representatives from California utility companies told state regulators and policy makers that the expanded use of natural gas and hybrid vehicles in transportation will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and provide significant consumer benefits. “Not only are natural gas and electricity among the cleanest commercially available transportation fuels—providing a 15% to 60% reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions—fuel prices are very competitive relative to gasoline,” said Hal Snyder, vice president of customer programs at Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). SoCalGas and SDG&E have committed to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of their fleet vehicles by approximately 15% by 2012. To achieve that goal, the utilities will replace company passenger vehicles with hybrid electric and compressed natural gas vehicles, and implement a fleet efficiency program.
Source: California Utilities Play Key Role in State's Drive to Reduce Greenhouse Gases, CNN Money

Chinese Auto Company to Unveil All-Electric Car
In about two years, China’s BYD Auto Co. plans to mass-market in China an all-electric vehicle that could go 300 kilometers on a single full charge, with an eye toward selling the same car in North America and Europe. BYD Chairman Chuanfu Wang said the BYD e6 electric car would hit the Chinese market around 2009 or 2010. The electric car will follow a launch later this year in China of a gasoline-electric hybrid electric car that can be plugged into a home electric outlet and is capable of going 100 kilometers all on electric when fully charged. BYD displayed the plug-in hybrid, the F6DM, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Mr. Wang said at the time that he planned to market the plug-in car in the U.S. in three to five years. Mr. Wang hopes those two electrified vehicles will usher in “the era of EV.”
Source: China's BYD Auto Co. To Unveil All-Electric Car, Wall Street Journal

School District Reigns in Fuel Spending with CNG School Buses
One California school district is increasing its use of compressed natural gas school buses to offset its ever-increasing diesel fuel bill. Lodi Unified School District is spending $4,000 a day filling up its 75 diesel buses and cannot meet its prescribed fuel budget. Lodi Unified had budgeted $630,000 for fuel this year, but with two months still left in the school year, the transportation department has already exceeded that amount. Director of transportation Carlos Garcia said that at the beginning of the school year in September, the school district spent $2.40 a gallon filling its tanks with diesel. That number is up to $3.51 now. To compensate, Lodi Unified has assigned its 27 compressed natural gas buses to longer routes and to field trip duties. The district currently pays approximately $1.07 for compressed natural gas. “There's a big difference between $1.70 and $3.51,” commented Garcia. Garcia noted that the switch will also be good for the environment. “A CNG bus is always going to be cleaner,” he said.
Source: Cost to fill up 75 lusd buses every day: $4,000, Lodi News

US DOE Pumping More Funds into Biomass Research
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced the availability of more funding for biomass research. The agency has made up to $7 million available for projects that can improve the conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels via pyrolysis—a process that uses heat to chemically decompose the cellulose of biomass materials. The DOE plans to select five to seven projects under the program, which it said would focus on lowering the production costs of bio-oils and expanding the suite of biofuels produced and available in the U.S. "By…working to advance biofuels development, the department is striving to change the way we power our nation's vehicles," said the DOE's biomass program manager. This new funding follows $18.4 made available in March by the DOE and U.S. Department of Agriculture to fund 21 biomass research projects.
Source: US DOE offering more funds for biomass, Cleantech

England Opens its First Hydrogen Fueling Station
England’s University of Birmingham has unveiled the nation’s first hydrogen gas fueling station. The new station will be used to power a fleet of five hydrogen fuel cell-powered test vehicles. The hydrogen will be provided by a company called Green Gases Ltd. which manufactures the gas using renewable biomass energy, an approach the university claims will ensure that both the manufacturing process and use of the fuel cells will result in no carbon emissions. The next stage of the research project will include work to develop hydrogen onsite using renewable energy. The university said that the new station will prove the first of many as the UK moves towards building a hydrogen infrastructure. London's first hydrogen fuel station is expected to open next year as part of a £22m initiative to trial fuel cell-powered buses and other public sector vehicles.
Source: England opens its first hydrogen gas station, BusinessGreen

San Diego Transit System to Equip 250 Buses with Natural Gas Engines
California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will equip 250 New Flyer public transit buses with ISL G natural gas engines manufactured by Cummins Westport. The ISL G engine delivers ultra-low emissions by surpassing EPA 2007 phase-in levels and meeting 2010 emission standards. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System operates a fleet of more than 600 vehicles carrying more than 88 million passengers per year.
Source: San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Orders 250 Cummins Westport ISL G Natural Gas Engines, Green Car Congress

New British Biofuel Mandate Sparks Food Debate
Under new rules enforced by the British Government, all transport fuels sold at UK pumps must now include at least 2.5% biofuels. Although the mandate is part of the government’s Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, a recent poll shows that nine out of 10 of Britain’s drivers have no idea they are getting biofuel in their petrol or diesel. The survey was conducted by environmental group Friends of the Earth who say even those drivers who object to using food for fuel—due to a rise in global food prices and a shortage of food in the developing world—are getting the biofuel mix when they fill up, whether they want it or not. Friends of the Earth joined other agencies outside Parliament in a protest aimed at urging the government not to go ahead with the new rules. The British government, however, is not backing EU initiatives to move the percentage of renewable fuel up to 10% by 2020. Britain wants the EU to further study the impact of renewable fuels made from crops.
Source: New British Biofuels Spark Food Debate, CNN

EU Not Ready to Suspend its 10% Biofuel Objective
The European Commission said there is still 'no question' of suspending its biofuel objective, amid fresh criticism of escalating food prices. The European Council set an objective of a 10% share of biofuels in transport fuel by 2020, as part of the commission's January climate change and renewable energy package. A spokesperson said it is possible to attain this objective but 'precise criteria' are required, which are currently being assessed. Criticism came from aid group Oxfam, which says rich countries are largely responsible for the food crisis because they have cut aid to developing countries and encouraged biofuel production—which the International Monetary Fund says is responsible for almost half the increase in the price of food crops. Germany's development minister recently called for greater regulation of the global biofuels market to prevent its expansion from driving up food prices.
EU says 'no question' of suspending biofuel objective, Forbes

UN Chief Calls for Comprehensive Review of Biofuels Policy
The UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, has called for a comprehensive review of the policy on biofuels as a crisis in global food prices—partly caused by the increasing use of crops for energy generation—threatens to trigger global instability. “We need to be concerned about the possibility of taking land or replacing arable land because of these biofuels,” Ban said during the NATO summit in Bucharest. As global food prices have soared, the cultivation of biofuels has come under fire for diverting fertile land from food production. Some of the loudest criticism has come from within UN food agencies, such as the World Food Program (WFP) who are struggling to keep up with commodity prices to meet existing commitments to the world's hungry. WFP officials say 33 countries in Asia and Africa face political instability as the urban poor struggle to feed their families. Nonetheless Ban favors looking at the food vs. fuel issue “in a comprehensive manner” stating, “while I am very much conscious and aware of these problems, at the same time you need to constantly look at having creative sources of energy.”
Source: UN chief calls for review of biofuels policy, The Guardian

California Air Resources Board Approves $200 Million for Cleaner School Buses
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved the allocation of nearly $200 million to a Lower-Emission School Bus Program. The program, funded by voter-approved Proposition 1B, will replace the 74 oldest school buses still circulating in California and replace or retrofit an additional 4,500 high polluting buses serving public schools. It is expected that a significant number of the replacement buses will be natural gas powered. The program will cover the cost of replacing 74 pre-1977 buses and approximately 1,000 1977-1986 buses, plus the full cost of about 3,500 retrofits. The goal of the program is to reduce the exposure of school children to both cancer-causing and smog-forming pollution by reducing diesel emissions from school buses. A 2003 study sponsored by CARB confirmed that children could be exposed to harmful diesel emissions from the buses they ride to and from school. Exposure to that pollution is worse in pre-1987 vehicles.
Source: ARB approves $200 million for Cleaner School Buses from Proposition 1B Funding, California EPA Air Resources Board

Largest City in Pakistan to Add 2,500 CNG Buses to Mass Transit
The largest city in Pakistan, Karachi, has initiated a program to introduce 2,500 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to the city’s mass transit system. The CNG bus project, aimed at introducing environmentally-friendly public transport, is backed by the federal government and private investors for a total investment of Rs 4 billion (US $63 million). For the program’s initial phase, the city government will introduce the first fleet of 500 CNG buses this summer, with a further 2,000 to be introduced within the next five years. Karachi Mass Transit has identified 40 routes—to be called green routes—where the first consignment of 500 CNG buses will operate.
Source: CDGK plans to bring in 500 CNG buses, Daily Times

Sales of Ethanol-Burning Cars Up, But Infrastructure Still Lacking
U.S. consumers purchased close to 1.8 million alternative fuel automobiles in 2007, nearly a quarter of a million more than were purchased in 2006, according to the automotive research firm R.L. Polk. Sales of E-85 capable/flexible fuel vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles were up significantly, while clean diesel vehicle sales fell slightly. Dave McCurdy, president and CEO of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, cited gas prices, consumer incentives and the increasing availability of alternative-fuel models as playing a role in the rising popularity of these vehicles. But McCurdy also pointed out the lack of infrastructure that exists today. “While we're pleased these vehicles continue to grow in popularity, refueling infrastructure challenges may prevent the promise of these vehicles from being fully realized. For example, out of more than 170,000 refueling stations in the U.S. less than 1,500 offer ethanol,” he said.
Source: Sales of Ethanol-Burning Cars Up 10%, Consumer Affairs

Survey: Americans Prefer Energy Fix to Cancer Cure
A nationwide survey of nearly 700 people suggests that Americans would prefer more money be invested in technology to solve the nation's energy ailments than to cure cancer or other diseases. 37% said they would rank spending to raise energy efficiency and develop alternative fuel technology a top priority for future investment. That compares with 30% who ranked more cash for medical breakthroughs as most important. "I think it's a combination of things like high gas prices and the need for alternative fuels, but also things that are emotional like greenhouse effects, global warming and the need for reducing carbon emissions," said Gerald Gordon, chief executive of the FCEDA, the authority that conducted the survey.  The results come as U.S. gasoline prices continue to rocket to new highs, with average retail prices recently hitting a record $3.29 a gallon, according to the federal Energy Information Administration.
Source: Americans prefer energy fix to cancer cure: poll, Reuters
 
Los Angeles School District Expands CNG School Bus Fleet to Largest in CA
In an effort to protect children’s health, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Transportation Branch will add 40 new compressed natural gas buses (CNG) to its fleet with the aid of funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). The new vehicles solidify the school district—the second largest in the nation—as having the largest compressed natural gas school bus fleet, comprised of 173 buses, in the State of California. “These CNG Buses are investments that safeguard our students from breathing toxic diesel exhaust,” said Superintendent David L. Brewer III. “LAUSD has been proactive in acquiring clean-fueled, natural gas school buses to replace its aging diesel models,” said William A. Burke, Ed.D., chairman of the AQMD Governing Board. “This will benefit the thousands of children riding those buses on a daily basis as well as air quality across our region.”
Source: LAUSD transportation services awarded green school bus grant, LAUSD green
 
Corn Prices Further Impact Ethanol Industry
Corn prices jumped to a record $6 a bushel this week, driven up by an expected supply shortfall that will only add to Americans' growing grocery bill and further squeeze struggling ethanol producers.  Corn prices have shot up nearly 30% this year amid dwindling stockpiles and surging demand for the grain used to feed livestock and make alternative fuels including ethanol. Prices are poised to go even higher after the U.S. government this week predicted that American farmers - the world's biggest corn producers - will plant sharply less of the crop in 2008 compared to last year. U.S. Department of Agriculture projected that farmers will plant 86 million acres of corn in 2008, an 8% drop from last year. Michael Jackson, president and chairman of Vancouver-based ethanol maker Syntec Biofuel, said this week. "Now, with corn prices well over $5 a bushel, corn ethanol economics have gone out the window."
Source: Corn Hits $6 a Bushel on Tight Supplies, AOL Money & Finance
 
Volt Described as GM’s “No. 1 Priority Project”
In the latest report on the production version of the Chevrolet Volt, General Motors said it aims to have the gas/electric plug-in hybrid in showrooms by November 2010. The automaker said testing to simulate 10 years and 150,000 miles of usage is going on “around the clock in GM test facilities in Michigan and Germany.” GM is still striving to reach the goal of having the Volt drive the first 40 miles on electric power alone. It reports that the lithium-ion test batteries are performing well. “Production timing of the Volt is directly related to our ability to predict how this battery will perform over the life of the vehicle,” said Frank Weber, Chevrolet Volt and E-Flex systems global vehicle chief engineer. Weber described the Volt as “the No. 1 priority project we have at GM.”
Source: GM Hustles To Bring Chevrolet Volt to Market by November 2010, Edmunds

Germany’s E10 Biofuel Project Abandoned
Germany’s Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has announced that the country will scrap plans to develop auto biofuels because they were not appropriate for millions of vehicles. “We will not do it,” stated Gabriel. The VDIK association of foreign automakers said that around 3.3 million vehicles were unable to use the mix of ethanol and traditional petrol that Berlin sought to impose. The E10 project was supposed to ensure that 10% of petrol used by cars and light trucks in Germany was comprised of ethanol, to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Gabriel had warned the project would be abandoned if more than one million vehicles could not use the fuel. “All of us underestimated the problems,” he added.  The new fuel was found to be more corrosive than traditional petrol and threatened to wear out certain engine parts too quickly, in particular in cars that were more than 15 years old. Berlin has nonetheless not abandoned plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020 compared with their 1990 level.
Source: Germany drops plan for auto biofuel, AFP