B100 Fuel, living on BioDiesel

New energy balance study shows Biodiesel EVEN BETTER than last study!

A new analysis shows that the energy balance of biodiesel is a positive ratio of 3.5-to-1. For every unit of fossil energy needed to produce the fuel over its life cycle, the return is 3.5 units of energy, according to new research conducted at the University of Idaho in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The announcement of the increase up from 3.2 was made today at the National Biodiesel Conference & Expo in Orlando.

The Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and USDA had produced the first comprehensive life cycle inventory for biodiesel in 1998. That landmark research found a 3.2 energy balance for biodiesel, while petroleum diesel yielded 0.83 units of energy per unit of fossil energy consumed. The many changes that have occurred in the U.S. biodiesel and agricultural industries since the 1990s prompted researchers at the University of Idaho to update the study in cooperation with the USDA. Both the 1998 and 2007 study are based on biodiesel production from soybeans, which according to U.S. Census data is responsible for more than 80 percent of 2007 estimated biodiesel production. Biodiesels energy balance improved in the 2007 study even though the new analysis is more comprehensive than previous work, and even extends to the energy required to manufacture the farm machinery used to produce soybeans.

"The bottom line is that the energy balance of biodiesel has definitely improved in the last decade," says University of Idaho Department Head of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Jon Van Gerpen. "The increase in soybean yields and a decrease in herbicide use greatly contributed to the increased energy balance. Meanwhile, energy used for crushing soybeans is significantly lower than what was reported in the NREL study.

"For more on this study, read the news release, "Biodiesel Yields Even Higher Energy Balance." Although the University of Idaho study has not been published yet, you can view presentation slides from the conference.

BioBling

now here is someone having fun: BioBling.
Get a biodiesel car, bling it out. Have fun.

Be ware who you believe will make biodiesel

Biodiesel developer goes bust.

Support the Seattle Biodiesel team ride against Cancer!

2007 LIVESTRONG Challenge - Portland - General Donation

A Biodiesel Primer

Thanks Methanol Institute for this best ever overview of markets, policy and economic drivers for biodiesel. A must read first document.

Portland construction goes bio

HeraldNet: Portland's big on biodiesel

Biodiesel makes Tampa news

Fueling Station | Tampabay.com - St. Petersburg Times: From grunge rock to grunge fuel.

Home of Kurt Cobain to be home to Biodiesel

Biofuel Plant Raises Hope Where a Rocker Brooded - The New York Times

Time lapse of construction at Imperium Port of Gray's Harbor

On a piece of reclaimed land at the Port of Gray's Harbor in Washington is being constructed the largest biodiesel refinery in the country. Check out this time lapse of the site since construction started two months ago thru today.

New bioLyle workshops in the Northwest

Bio Lyle continues to put on the best home brew workshops in the northwest. Here is his latest schedule
Homebrew (hands-on) workshops:

Sunday October 22 , 2006 10 AM - 3:30 PM
The Magic of Biodiesel, UW Experimental College Class W203.
Serves as introduction to all things biodiesel and hands-on experience for those wanting to homebrew. Includes visit to home processor.
Location: On UW campus (register for exact location)
Fee: $52 non-students, $38 UW students
Register at: www.exco.org
For description: http://biolyle.com/workshops/expcollegew203.html

Saturday November 4, 2006 10 AM - 3 PM
Biodiesel Workshop on Whidbey
Serves as introduction to all things biodiesel and hands-on experience for those wanting to homebrew.
Location: Front Room, Bayview Cash Store, Bayview Corner, 5603 Bayview Rd, Langley, WA 98260 Fee: $50 or if financial need, sliding scale $30-$50. Max Enrollment: 30
Pre-Registration: $15 deposit via PayPal to: lylecroc@yahoo.com or check to: BioLyle's Biodiesel Workshop, PO Box 18924, Seattle 98118.
Class description: http://biolyle.com/workshops/phinney1.html

INTRODUCTORY CLASSES:

Biodiesel Basics
Intro class covering all aspects of biodiesel including titration, small-batch demos, and homebrewing. This class is one of the first for WA state's first center for the National Alternative Fuel Training Consortium.
Thursday November 2, 2006
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Shoreline Community College.
For description and registration, click here.

Biodiesel Basics
Safeco Jackson Street Center
306 23rd Ave. S., Suite 200, Seattle 98144
Finally, a South end venue!! Another intro class covering all aspects of biodiesel including titration, small-batch demos, and homebrewing.
Wednesday November 15, 2006
6:30 - 9 PM
Class fee: $15
Registration: required in advance
PayPal to lylecroc@yahoo.com
Checks payable to BioLyle's Workshop, PO Box 18924, Seattle, WA. 9

John Plaza tells his story to PSBJ

Check out John Plaza's story, the founder of Seattle Biodiesel.

Matt Simmons on Peak oil and current drop in prices

Very timely interview with Matt Simmons today. He is not optimistic that the recent lull in prices is going to stay low.

Illinois unveils biofuels heavy energy plan

***ILLINOIS GOV. UNVEILS BIOFUELS-HEAVY ENERGY PLAN
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) introduced a $1.2 billion plan yesterday that aims to replace 50% of the state's energy supply with biofuels by 2017.
The plan calls for new incentives to help triple Illinois' current production of biofuels, as well as build up to ten new coal gasification plants to convert coal into natural gas, diesel fuel and electricity. "No other state has the combination of natural resources that we have here in Illinois," said Blagojevich, who is up for re-election this fall. "We're the nation's leading producer of soybeans. We're the number two producer of corn. And we have the nation's third largest reserves of coal. That means opportunity--opportunity to turn more corn into ethanol and more soybeans into diesel fuel. And it means turning coal into home heating fuel and electricity," he added.
Specifically, the plan calls for investments of:
--$100 million over the next five years to build up to 20 new ethanol plants in the state. Illinois currently has six ethanol plants online and at least one more under construction, according to the Renewable Fuels Association;
--$100 million over the next 10 years to build four cellulosic ethanol plants;
--$25 million to build five new biodiesel plants, with no timeframe given.
The state currently has one biodiesel plant online, although several other projects are planned.
--$30 million over the next five years to add 900 more E85 (85% ethanol, 15%
gasoline) pumps throughout the state by 2010, meaning 20% of Illinois gasoline stations will offer E85. According to the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, Illinois currently has 139 E85 stations, although one is designated for private access only.
--$775 million over the next 10 years to help build up to 10 new coal gasification plants across the state.
Blagojevich said he would also create biofuels task force and issue an executive order for all state ethanol permits to be expedited, in order to speed up construction of the plants.
The plan will cost an estimated $27 million/yr in general revenue. To fund the plan, the governor said he will increase enforcement efforts to collect taxes from corporations that evade taxation. The Illinois Department of Revenue estimates that businesses owe $35-40 million in sales and corporate income taxes to the state, the governor noted.
While Illinois biofuels supporters were pleased with the announcement, the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMA) was concerned. "I didn't see anything in it [the plan] that helps with oil production in Illinois,"
Executive Vice President William Fleischli said. Illinois currently has only four refineries, whereas a decade ago it had more than double, he said.
Additionally, IPMA was concerned over the plan's support for E85, since the fuel gets 25-30% less mileage than conventional gasoline, he said. IPMA would like to study the plan more before weighing in, he noted.
But Fleischli was also concerned with the plan's price tag and where more revenue may be generated. If there is a tax on gasoline under the plan, IPMA will not support that, he added.
-Rachel Gantz, rgantz@opisnet.com

Good letter debunking many biodiesel myths perpetuated by big oil

The Imperium Port of Grays Harbor project is a good teaching moment for the public.

Business week mentions Imerium Renewables (again)

yea, Imperium Renewables is in BusinessWeek (again)