Verenium to Build Commercial-Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Florida
Cellulosic ethanol producer Verenium Corp. has announced that in mid-2009, it will begin building what the company is calling the world's first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant. The plant, to be located in Florida, will take 18 to 24 months to complete and is expected to cost between $250 and $300 million, aided by a $7 million grant from the state of Florida's ‘Farm to Fuel’ initiative. The company estimates that the facility will create 140 jobs in the region. The plant will use next-generation cellulosic ethanol technology to convert renewable grasses to fuel and is expected to have an annual capacity of 36 million gallons of ethanol a year.
Source: Verenium to start building first commercial cellulosic ethanol plant, CleanTech

Coca-Cola to Double its Hybrid Fleet
Coca-Cola Enterprises has announced that it will add 185 hybrid trucks to its fleet, thus boosting the company’s total number of environmentally-friendly trucks to 327. The additions will enable the company to claim the largest hybrid fleet in North America. The hybrid push comes as part of the beverage company’s overall plan for energy conservation and climate change. The new hybrid trucks will be powered by lithium ion batteries at speeds below 30 miles-per-hour. The vehicles will use about 30% less fuel and reduce emissions by 30% compared to typical tractor-trailers. The new additions are destined for Boston, Chicago, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa, as well as other cities.
Source: Coke Deploys More Hybrid Trucks, Environmental Leader

Natural Gas Vehicles Play Key Role in Improving Seoul’s Air Quality
The Korean Research Institute of Public Health and Environment has announced that air quality in Seoul last year improved significantly, and that the switch from diesel to natural gas transit buses has played a key role. The city has realized a 9.8% decline in fine dust concentration of PM10 (particles of 10 micrometers or less in diameter) compared to 2007 levels—the lowest level since recordings began in 1995. “The cleaner air reflects falls in air pollution from diesel vehicles,” a city official said. Over the last five years, the city has replaced 70% of its 7,748 urban bus fleet with compressed natural gas (CNG) buses and intends to extend CNG use to local shuttle buses, garbage trucks and door-to-door delivery vehicles. Other diesel vehicles will be banned from operating in the city unless they undergo a pollution test.
Source: Seoul Air Gets Better With Cleaner Fuels, NGV Global

Toyota to Cut Price of Existing Prius Hybrid to Counter Honda Insight
The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. plans to lower the price of the existing Prius hybrid when the company releases its redesigned third-generation model in May—in an attempt to compete with Honda Motor’s new Insight hybrid. The new Prius, which has improved fuel efficiency, may be priced at 2.5 million yen ($27,551) and the price of the existing model will be lowered to about 2 million yen, according to the Nikkei. Rival company Honda Motor Co. plans to release the Insight hybrid in February, with a starting price of less than 2 million yen. Toyota may simplify the interior design of the current Prius to offer it at the lower price.
Source: Toyota to Cut Price of Prius Hybrid in May, Nikkei Reports, Bloomberg News

GM to Manufacture Chevy Volt Batteries in the United States
General Motors (GM) will open a factory in Michigan to make battery packs for its new Chevrolet Volt, raising its bet on electric cars as it revamps its business with $17.4-billion in government loans. It will be the first such facility operated in the United States by a major automaker. The plant will start building the lithium-ion packs in 2010 using battery cells made by Compact Power Inc., a division of South Korean-based manufacturer LG Chem Ltd. GM is aiming to get the plug-in electric Volt into showrooms within two years. The company needs to be able to design, develop and produce advanced batteries as part of that push, said GM chief executive Rick Wagoner at the Detroit Auto Show. To that end, GM said it is also opening a new auto battery-testing lab in the United States later this year and starting a new program at the University of Michigan to train battery engineers. "This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile," said Mr. Wagoner.
Source: GM to open battery factory in U.S, Financial Post

City of San Antonio to Expand CNG Refuse Fleet to Largest in Texas
The city of San Antonio, Texas plans to have 30 compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered refuse trucks in operation by March 2009, making it the largest fleet of its kind in Texas. With the help of a grant from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the City has just opened a new CNG fueling station for its expanding fleet of natural gas refuse trucks, used to collect trash and recycling from about 75,000 homes. Natural gas advocate T. Boone Pickens helped dedicate the station saying, “A growing number of local governments are recognizing the important role they play to help reduce our foreign oil dependency through greater use of domestic resources such as natural gas. This will lead to significant economic and environmental benefits long term that cannot be underestimated.”
Source: San Antonio opens new Clean Energy refueling station, San Antonio Business Journal

2009 North American Auto Show Green Roundup
The 2009 North American Auto Show features a number of green vehicle debuts:

• Honda announced that it will release its gas-electric hybrid, the Insight, on Earth Day (April 22). The car will be priced at less than $20,000 and feature an Ecological Drive Assist System that allows the driver to monitor fuel usage.
• General Motors announced plans to release its electric car, the Chevy Volt, by 2010 with availability in the United States by 2011.
• Toyota unveiled the third-generation Prius hybrid, which will get 50 mpg on average as compared to their current model, which gets 46 mpg.
• Ford laid out its plans for the future, which include an electric van in 2010, an electric car in 2011 and new hybrids, including a plug-in version, by 2012.
• Chrysler showed prototypes for a hybrid sedan, Jeep and sports car, as well as two electric vehicles, including the Dodge Circuit EV, which they hope to release by 2010 in the U.S.

Source: Green Roundup: The 2009 North American Auto Show, Environmental Leader

Research: Biofuel Carbon Footprint May Not Be as Dire as Predicted
Recent analysis indicating that biofuel production significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions is being researched by a group of Michigan State University scientists who say that such predictions are based on a set of assumptions that may not be correct. “Greenhouse gas release from changes in land use [growing biofuel crops on previously unfarmed land] has been identified as a negative contributor to the environmental profile of biofuels,” said Bruce Dale, MSU University Distinguished Professor of chemical engineering and materials science. Dale says that some analysts have estimated that it would take from 100 to 1,000 years before biofuels could start providing greenhouse gas benefits. But this analysis didn't consider a number of variables that might influence the emissions associated with biofuels say the MSU research team. Crop management is a key factor in estimating greenhouse gas emissions associated with land use change for biofuels, Dale said. “Sustainable management practices, such as no-till farming and planting cover crops, can reduce the time it takes for biofuels to overcome the carbon debt to three years for grassland conversion and 14 years for temperate zone forest conversion.”
Source: Biofuel carbon footprint not as big as feared, Michigan State University research says, Checkbiotech

Stockholm Plans Expansion of Biomethane Bus Fleet
The company responsible for public transport in the city of Stockholm, Sweden (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik or SL) has announced it will have 80 buses powered by biomethane by the end of 2009. Chemically the same as natural gas, biomethane is entirely renewable and can be produced locally from essentially any kind of organic waste. Concerned about the environmental impact of their vehicles, the company has implemented a policy of long-term reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. An analysis by SL of a range of alternative fuels showed biomethane to be the most efficient and environmentally-friendly biofuel because it establishes a closed environmental loop—town-dwellers themselves, with the production of their organic waste, supply the resources required for the fuel production of their own public transport. Therefore SL plans to expand the number of buses using biomethane to 80 by late 2009, and plans to have 500 biomethane buses in the next four years.
Source: Biomethane Powers Growing Stockholm Bus Fleet, NGV Global

U.S. Oil Demand May Grow a Mere 0.2% by 2030 Due to More Efficient Transportation
As increased use of renewable fuels and higher vehicle fuel standards stifle petroleum consumption, U.S. oil demand is expected to grow by only 1 million barrels per day, or a mere 0.2% over the next two decades, the government's top energy forecasting agency said this week. In its annual long-term forecast, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said this is the first time in more than 20 years the agency has projected virtually no growth in U.S. oil consumption. “Since the 1980s, there's been a history of rising oil use. This projection projects a break in this trend with no appreciable growth in oil consumption between now and 2030,” said Howard Gruenspecht, acting head of the EIA. Total demand for marketed renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel, is forecast to grow by 3.3% per year until 2030 due in part to the federal renewable fuel standard. The agency also anticipates a sharp increase in the sales of flex-fuel and hybrid vehicles. Overall hybrid vehicle sales are expected to rise to 38% of new light duty vehicle sales in 2030.
Source: U.S. oil demand to grow 1 million bpd by 2030: EIA, Reuters

Drivers Line Up to Test Drive BMW’s Electric Mini
BMW is signing up green-minded drivers to test its all-electric Mini Cooper—and applicants are outnumbering the models available by 4-to-1 according to the Munich-based carmaker. BMW will lease 250 of its new Mini Es in Southern California and 200 in metropolitan New York and New Jersey by March. BMW’s electric experiment beats Nissan and General Motors to market in delivering a fully alternative-fuel vehicle to drivers concerned about gas prices and global warming. The two-seater Mini E hosts a 570-lb battery, which has a range of only 120 miles before recharging. BMW wants to learn how drivers will react to a limited-range vehicle, and how well its lithium-ion battery holds up under daily use. Those chosen for the Mini E trial will pay $850 a month to lease the zero-emissions car for one year and must document their experience in online surveys and keep a driver’s log.
Source: BMW’s Electric Mini Cooper Beats GM to Test Drivers’ Green Zeal, Bloomberg

Natural Gas Dual-Fuel Technology to be Incorporated into Volvo Truck Engines
Volvo Powertrain has signed a Letter of Intent with Clean Air Power Ltd. to incorporate the UK-based company’s Dual-Fuel natural gas technology into Volvo Truck engines. Clean Air Power’s Dual-Fuel application enables diesel engines to operate primarily on up to 85-90% natural gas, resulting in improved emissions and fuel cost reductions. The Letter of Intent will be superseded by a formal contract by the middle of 2009, as Clean Air Power and Volvo engineers work together to develop the products. The Dual-Fuel natural gas technology will be fully interfaced with the Volvo engine management system and applied to Volvo’s D13 engine. The first commercial products are anticipated to be available in late 2009 or early 2010. The Volvo Group is the largest truck engine manufacturer in the world; its truck brands include Renault, Mack, Nissan Diesel and Volvo.
Source: Volvo Powertrain to Incorporate Clean Air Power Natural Gas Dual-Fuel Technology into Volvo Truck Engines, Green Car Congress

EPA Ranks Ford Fusion Hybrid as Most Fuel-Efficient Midsize Sedan
According to data given to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by Ford Motor Company, the Ford Fusion hybrid will be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the market when it arrives this spring, checking in at 41 miles per gallon. That will make it the second-most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road, according to a ranking published on the EPA's website, behind the smaller Toyota Prius and ahead of the smaller Honda Civic hybrid. “Clearly fuel economy … is at the top of the list of customer wants,” says Derrick Kuzak, vice president of global product development for Ford. Even with gas prices hitting an average of $1.66 a gallon, down from the high of $4.11 earlier this summer, fuel economy continues to be a big concern for consumers, says Stephen Berkov at consumer website Edmunds.com. That's because few are convinced low gas prices are here to stay, Berkov says.
Source: Ford scores marketing coup with thrifty Fusion hybrid, USA Today

Algae and Jatropha Biofuels Used Successfully in Airline Test Flights
Burned by the cost of jet fuel, the aviation industry is trying various biofuel alternatives created from algae and other renewable sources. This week, Continental Airlines successfully flew a Boeing 737 twin-engine jetliner partly fueled by algae and jatropha in a two-hour flight over Houston—the first use of biofuels in a twin-engine jet. Last week, Air New Zealand flew a four-engine Boeing 747 powered partly by jatropha-based fuel. Algae and jatropha are considered among the most promising biofuel sources because they don't compete with food production or contribute to deforestation, according to industry officials. Continental was able to source the algae for its biofuel from a Hawaiian company called Cyanotech, which raises it as a nutritional supplement. Jatropha grows wild in tropical regions and can be grown on marginal land. The International Air Transport Association has a goal of 10% alternative fuels by 2017. The Federal Aviation Administration is also encouraging the new fuels.
Source: A Move Toward Veggie Power Aloft, New York Times

Happy New Year

CONSENSEUS aims for agreement among competing fuels and technologies to attain a common goal — the highest and best use of energy resources for transportation in North America. We seek to balance the use of alternative fuels in harmony to achieve cleaner air, a healthier environment and energy security with reduced dependence upon imported petroleum. As we embark on a new year, we reflect on these stories of reduced petroleum dependence from around the globe:

• First International Standard for Biofuel Production Set

• World NGV Market Projected to Reach Over 19 Million Vehicles by 2012

• Brazil Embraces Flex-Fuel Vehicles—90% of New Car Sales are Flex-Fuel

• Prius Worldwide Sales Pass One Million—4.5M Tons of Carbon Emissions Saved

• Tough Economy Converts 100,000 Egyptian Drivers to Natural Gas

• Chinese Company BYD to Release First Plug-in Hybrid in China

• Germany Wants One Million Electric Cars on the Road by 2020

• Britain's First Major Bioethanol Plant Up and Running by Mid-2009

• Philippines Seeks ‘100% Use’ of CNG in Public Transport by 2010

• Indian Group Plans Two Million Tons of Biodiesel a Year from Jatropha

• Britain to Spend £100M to Make Electric and Hybrid Cars Practical and Affordable

• Thai Cabinet Approves 6,000 Natural Gas Buses for Bangkok

• Toyota to Boost Japanese Output of Prius Hybrid by 60%

• England Opens its First Hydrogen Fueling Station

• Honda to Launch New Low-Cost Hybrid in 2009

• EU Project Aims to Speed Up Introduction of Hydrogen for Transportation

All of these news stories were reported in the “News” section of the Consenseus website.