A diesel fuel pump in Worthington, Minn., pictured on Dec. 23, 2009. The lapse of a federal subsidy could affect Minnesota's biodiesel mandate. Most diesel sold in the state must contain at least five percent biodiesel, a standard known as 'B5.' (MPR Photo/Mark Steil) Photo from: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/12/28/biodiesel-subsidies/
Rick Anderson, manager of MN Blue, is familiar with the management involved in using biodiesel in Minnesota's winters. MN Blue, a subsidiary of Minnesota Petroleum Service, provides service to diesel and gas terminals across the state. Anderson recently attended the National Biodiesel Board conference in Grapevine, Tex. to learn more about biodiesel, as part of a “See For Yourself” contingent hosted by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. The Fridley, Minn., citizen already knew a lot from experiencing four winters in which Minnesota maintained a B2 requirement (2 percent biodiesel in the state's diesel supply), and this winter with the B5 requirement.
Clogged filters are a threat when using unmanaged biodiesel in Minnesota's cold days. A diesel system has one or two fuel filters. The fuel is pulled by suction through a filter by the lift pump. Fuel then moves on to the fuel injection pump where it is pressurized and injected into the combustion chamber through the fuel injectors. Excess fuel is run back to the tank.
Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council sponsored a See For Yourself mission to the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo in Grapevine, Texas. Attendees learned more about the soybean checkoff's efforts in domestic marketing.
GRAPEVINE, Texas - Developing biodiesel from soy oil is part of the legacy that today's soybean growers are giving to future generations. Through checkoff dollars and through membership in soybean's grower associations, soybean growers have developed and stood watch as the biodiesel industry matures. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSRPC) sponsored a “See For Yourself” trip to the National Biodiesel Conference and Expo held in Grapevine earlier this month. About 40 people attended the four-day event as guests of the Council. The guests included several diesel mechanics, instructors and diesel industry professionals. In exchange for participating in the study mission, producers were asked to share their experiences with the MSRPC, members of the media, and their fellow growers.
Many people don’t realize that soybean growers in Minnesota are keenly interested in biodiesel, just like farmers all over the world who see biodiesel as a future market for their crops.
Don Scott
We have known for two years that the renewable fuel standard (RFS) would require biomass-based diesel, but there has been a great deal of uncertainty about how the program would treat the multitude of biodiesel feedstocks. The National Biodiesel Board has labored tirelessly for the past 24 months to ensure that sound science was the basis of discussion, and show all sustainable feedstocks are indeed viable alternatives to imported petroleum.
Great opinion piece and update on the different ways of accounting for the many feedstock varieties available to the biodiesel producer, and how this might impact acceptance of biodiesel.
Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles is capital of island chain, of which Bonaire is a member.
Saft, the world specialist in the design and manufacture of high-tech batteries for industry and defence, is currently delivering a major contract for a 3 MW energy storage system that will ensure a continuous supply of grid electricity from the world's largest hybrid wind/diesel power project to date, on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The Saft energy storage system, based on advanced nickel-based battery technology, will store energy from the island's isolated grid and then deliver it as required to provide backup power to maintain a totally reliable and stable power grid serving a local population of 14,500 people and around 100,000 holiday visitors a year.
Bonaire is a small island of around 250 km2 located 80 km north of the coast of Venezuela. The island's main power plant burnt down in 2004, so until recently its annual power consumption of 75,000 MWh was met by a set of rented container (light-fuel) diesel generator systems. The new sophisticated sustainable power scheme, developed by the Dutch-German consortium EcoPower Bonaire BV on behalf of Water en Energie Bedrijf Bonaire (WEB), the state-run energy provider in the Dutch Antilles, will enable the entire island to switch to eco-friendly energy, with 12 wind turbines providing a total of 11 MW and a 14 MW biodiesel power plant.