Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: school bus kid's health biodiesel emissions clean air USA Today
USA Today completed a report, “Toxic Air and America’s Schools”. What they found included elevated levels of cancer-causing chemicals around hundreds of schools.
School buses running conventional diesel are a source of harmful emissions like hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. In fact, the air inside school buses has been shown to be worse than the air behind the bus.
180 days is the average number of school days in the U.S. That’s 360 trips per year. Each trip averages 38 minutes — that makes for over an hour of exposure to high pollutant levels per day. In a year that’s over 200 hours of exposure to harmful air!
School bus fleet administrators, bus drivers, parents, students, and anyone else exposed to diesel emissions may like to know just how easy it is to solve this problem and make going to school healthier for our children.
Fuels like Blue Sun FUSION 20 fuel can be run in any vehicle, any bus – starting tomorrow even!
Blue Sun’s FUSION lowers emissions of many harmful pollutants including carbon monoxide (-24% reduction), hydrocarbons (-29%), Particulates (-18%) and Nitrogen Oxides (-4%). (Source: National Renewable Energy Lab)
USA Today’s full report is available at:
http://content.usatoday.com/news/nation/environment/smokestack/index
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: RFS-2 renewable fuels standard alternative fuel biodiesel diesel blue sun energy EPA greenhouse gas GHG life cycle
This is something that impacts us all but is a bit unclear for many folks. Here’s Blue Sun’s 60-second overview.
The RFS-2 is the “Renewable Fuels Standard” and is managed by the EPA. It is the program to enact the directives of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The standard requires that a specified percentage of all transportation fuels be alternative fuels. We are currently operating under RFS-1, with the RFS-2 waiting in its mandated comment period before its final approval.
What RFS-2 does:
• Establishes required volumes of alternative fuels (11.1B gallons total in 2009).
• Defines 4 sub-types of alternative fuel (renewable fuel, advanced biofuel, biomass-based diesel, cellulosic biofuel).
o Requires these fuels to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) by specific levels to qualify (20%, 50%, 50% and 60% respectively for the four fuel types listed above. 2005 baseline.)
o Uses life-cycle emissions analysis to calculate GHG emission levels for each fuel.
o Includes Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) effects in life-cycle calculation.
• Expands regulation to cover diesel and off-road fuel (in addition to on-road gasoline) when calculating base for required renewable fuel volumes.
• The rule applies to “obligated parties” which are refiners, blenders and importers of transportation fuel, and specifies the percentage of their fuel production which must be alternative fuel.
What it means for your fuel:
• More alternative fuel options will begin to be available for vehicles. These options are likely to require no modification of a vehicle’s engine to use the fuel. Blue Sun will be a part of developing these fuels.
• Blue Sun FUSION fuel will remain a major alternative fuel for diesel vehicles for a long time. Only the feedstock that is used to make the fuel may change.
• End users are in no way federally-mandated to use a specific fuel (though we highly recommend using Blue Sun Fusion).
The RFS-2 is not final yet – it is still in the public comment period that the EPA will use to craft the final version. Until that time the RFS-1 standard will apply.
Blue Sun FUSION can help you meet RFS-1 and RFS-2 requirements. If you want to run a true “renewable fuel” Blue Sun FUSION is your best option. FUSION reduces emissions while maintaining the performance you expect from your vehicle.
We hoped this helped your understanding of the Renewable Fuels Standard. If you want more detail now, download the EPA’s overview from http://www.epa.gov/OMS/renewablefuels/420f09023.pdf
Keep an eye out for our 60-second update on California’s Low Carbon Fuels Standard. The LCFS is the engine running the alternative fuels train right now.
For more about Blue Sun visit http://www.gobluesun.com
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: algae darpa blue sun biodiesel biofuel alternative energy jp-8 military research oil
In March our team won a grant to research turning algae into “JP-8″ fuel, which is a fuel for military jets. It is absolutely great that such a high-end machine is using a biofuel. It makes using it in your car look pretty tame, eh?
We’re excited about this grant because it is awarded through DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. They do some really cool things, so being a part of a DARPA project is, well, cool.
Additionally, the lead group on this project is General Atomics. It’s great to work with them on an alternative energy project. This really shows the changes the world can achieve when motivated.
Our part is to develop new methods to harvest and extract the oil from the algae. This has been one of the economic barriers to making fuel from algae a reality. Blue Sun will also be helping commercialize and bring to market this new technology.
Why are algae such an interesting feedstock for biofuel? Algae yield 15 to 30 times more energy than standard crops, do not require the use of fresh water resources and can grow in marginal areas, including deserts. Algae absorb CO2 as part of their life cycle, making algae a carbon-neutral solution. Furthermore, algae represent a domestic energy source that increases energy security for the U.S.
The study will begin this spring and result in a commercially viable process to produce JP-8 from algae oil. The project is expected to be completed by June 2010.
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: earth day CO2 carbon dioxide drive less diesel biodiesel Blue Sun
Let’s agree on one thing – global warming is happening. It doesn’t matter why as much as realizing it is occurring and unchecked, will be very bad for us. Check out CNN and The Wall Street Journal for some independent insight on this issue.
The risks we face are so big, it is natural and comforting to ignore them. The good thing about that strategy is that by ignoring the elephant in the room, the CO2 in that room will soon be high enough that there are no more elephants to worry about.
Here are a few things you can do about your transportation choices to warm-up to emissions reductions (that ironic pun was fully intended):
• Use lower carbon fuels (like FUSION, if you have a diesel engine);
• Drive fewer miles and make fewer trips by organizing your errands. On some errands, ride a bike;
• Get a higher mileage vehicle like a diesel or hybrid (40-50 MPG for a diesel, 40-60 MPG for a hybrid!);
• Carpool as often as you can and ride the bus once a week;
• Accelerate more slowly and drive at a slower top-speed.
20-percent. That’s how much you could reduce your impact with hardly any effort. By using FUSION alternative diesel, or carpooling a couple times per week or replacing car trips with bike trips, you can make a significant impact.
Start tomorrow. Start today. Decide to start making a change right now.
For your customers who have diesels, manage a fleet, or want to know more about alternative fuels, Blue Sun is your go-to expert. There are a million reasons to run Blue Sun alternative diesel fuels. Call 866-BIO-FUEL and ask to talk to someone about FUSION.
Have a good Earth Day,
Blue Sun
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: energy independence import imported oil fuel alternative fuel diesel blue sun biodiesel
We import about two-thirds of our daily oil needs.
That should cause some concern, because few of the countries supplying that oil prioritize the interests of the U.S. We rely on these countries. That reliance is not a basis for energy security.
Domestically produced alternative energy like Blue Sun’s fuels are part of the solution to this problem. For every gallon of FUSION™ sold, we as Americans cut our dependence on foreign oil by 20%. When the U.S. cut its demand by just 5.7% over the previous year as we did from 2007 to 2008 (source: EIA.gov), the impact felt overseas was enormous.
For many people, supporting domestic energy is the main reason they will run alternative fuels like FUSION. The fuel economy improvements, engine wear reduction and emissions reduction are secondary benefits to them.
-BLUE SUN
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion | Tags: EPA GHG global warming alternative fuels blue sun biodiesel energy carbon
The EPA’s determination that global warming is a threat to public welfare is likely to see an official announcement on April 22nd, Earth Day. What this means is that the door is now open to regulations upon facilities and actions that generate large quantities of greenhouse gas emissions, such as coal-fired power plants.
The lesson for fuel users can be seen in a likely parallel. The economics of electricity from coal are going to change. In order to meet regulations, coal plants will need to add hardware and processes to clean up their emissions. In a plausible, but near the margin scenario, coal could become so expensive that other technologies become superior from a financial perspective. Coal will be too dirty to use.
To conclude the analogy, replace “coal” with “petrodiesel”. The solution for dirty, soon-to-be more expensive petroleum diesel fuels are alternative fuels like Blue Sun’s FUSION.
California’s Air Resources Board and their near complete Low Carbon Fuels Standard bring this hypothetical analogy solidly into reality. Dirty fuel’s cost will increase, leaving those who don’t promptly make a change in the dust.
Are questions starting to surface in your mind, like, Will this really happen? (Yes). How soon? (As early as 2011 in California). When will it hit my state or be a national policy? (2012 is a realistic estimate). How can I change? Now that is the right question.
Good driving,
Blue Sun
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion, Uncategorized | Tags: biodiesel energy alternative salazar richardson obama udall interior commerce
President-elect Barack Obama has picked two fans of Blue Sun Biodiesel for his cabinet. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson will be the new Secretary of Commerce and Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) will direct the Interior Department.
Governor Richardson:
The current Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, who was named commerce secretary by President-elect Obama, supports Blue Sun Biodiesel. Richardson appeared at two Blue Sun Biodiesel grand opening events and supports Blue Sun’s efforts to bring a superior alternative energy to the U.S. people [ Press release: http://www.gobluesun.com/main/news/biodieselnewsstory.php?news_id=95 ].
Gov. Richardson Promotes Renewable Fuels at Blue Sun Biodiesel Grand Opening in Santa Fe.
Richardson was the energy secretary during the Clinton administration, so the support we’ve received is from someone who knows energy.
Senator Salazar:
President-elect Obama appointed another friend of Blue Sun Biodiesel to his Cabinet. Senator Ken Salazar will lead the Interior Department.
Sen. Salazar has been a leader in developing a clean, renewable energy economy, and has attended several Blue Sun events including Blue Sun’s announcement of the Safeway business, Blue Sun’s event announcing our NREL emissions test results, and, pictured below with now Senator Udall, the announcement of the C2B2 collaborative in Colorado.
Sen. Salazar, pictured here with now Sen. Udall, laughing at the thought of petroleum diesel. (Reality check: He’s at the C2B2 event).
The appointment of both Governor Bill Richardson and Sen. Ken Salazar demonstrate that the renewable energy economy will be a U.S. focus that is only growing in force. Blue Sun Biodiesel is in just the right place, at just the right time to be a part of the coming growth of alternative energy industries. We look forward to bringing everyone energy solutions for the future.
Thanks for reading,
Blue Sun Biodiesel
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion
Blue Sun’s CEO Jeff Probst presented at the 21st NREL Industry Growth Forum late last month (Oct. 28-30) (http://cleanenergyforum.com/). The forum highlights “the investment and financing strategies that are driving the commercialization of quality renewable energy technologies.” In English, that means what is getting money and why when it comes to making energy alternatives reality.
This is cool. Why you ask?
The forum represents the behind-the-scenes action that makes the future get here quicker. Companies demonstrate the economic viability of their idea, investors put the cash in to help the company bring the idea to market and your house runs not on coal, but on carbon-reducing energy sources like biodiesel, wind and solar.
It doesn’t happen without investment. Investment doesn’t happen without a forum to present the ideas of the future. “More than $1.2 billion has been raised by companies presenting at the forum since 2004,” according to the website.
Blue Sun is one of the growing companies in the maturing biodiesel market. They were recently rated the #1 fastest growing biodiesel marketer and #242 overall in fastest-growing, privately-held companies in Inc. magazine’s annual rating.
Blue Sun is helping the industry move on to next generation oil feedstock, like camelina and algae, through research ranging from best-practices in agriculture to the most-efficient way to get the oils out of algae.
NREL by the way is the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. These guys work on ideas ranging from increasing efficiency of biodiesel, wind and solar processes, to things we haven’t even heard of yet. Check out their site at http://www.nrel.gov/.
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion
This is such a common question that I think we’ll come back to it to expand the answer several times.
So what accounts for quality in a biodiesel blend? Among other things, such as the quality of the vegetable oil used (soybean oil is better than waste veggie oil) and processing methods, one of the key indicators of fuel quality is the fuel meeting or exceeding the ASTM specification.
ASTM sets specifications for a product to meet at a minimum in order to be considered “reliable”. These standards make it possible for consumers of the product to know they are getting a product that will have a consistent level of performance. ASTM recently published new specifications for biodiesel (http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/ND_2008/D02E0_nd08.html).
Blue Sun has made a business of exceeding these minimums for biodiesel since its inception in 2001. Why? Because ASTM represents a minimum level. Are you satisfied with the minimum? Neither are we. We enjoy figuring out how to take biodiesel to the next level.
For example, a B20 (20% biodiesel) blend that only meets ASTM specs keeps your engine running in cold temperatures down to maybe zero to 10 degrees below (Fahrenheit). Blue Sun crafts its fuel to get down to 20 below and lower. Blue Sun’s “Fusion” B20 fuel meets this more stringent specification developed by Blue Sun.
The fact that the guys behind this feat are skiers, and spend much of their time in Colorado’s mountains, may or may not have been the catalyst behind better cold weather performance. Either way, like anyone operating in the cold, they’re pretty happy to not have to worry about their fuel.
For more – check out Blue Sun’s web site, under “News” for a story called “Blue Sun Biodiesel 3 Years Ahead of ASTM Standards”. Here’s a direct link: http://www.gobluesun.com/main/news/biodieselnewsstory.php?news_id=102
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion
A:
Blue Sun started in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2001 when four Colorado guys realized that biodiesel was good for their engines and their conscience. Self-described as two hippies and a couple engineers, they grew the company by developing a superior blend of biodiesel to everything else out there, and like all good entrepreneurial companies were very opportunistic when chances to get their fuel and name out there were presented. In short, they started to fulfill a need in the market, and they succeeded because they made a superior product that the company supported with all its resources.
The company was a pioneer in the industry, solving the roadblocks to biodiesel as they came up. They found ways to ensure performance equal to or superior to diesel, to handle cold-weather issues, and to make it easy for distributors to feel confident in offering it to their customers by providing education about biodiesel and really great quality-control support to make sure the end-user had only good experiences. Blue Sun offered the first fuel guarantee for biodiesel, offering to replace any damaged engine parts – they haven’t yet had a claim. They could do this because their biodiesel exceeded ASTM specifications and their industry-leading QA/QC program ensured no problems would occur as the fuel made its way through the supply chain. As the team puts it, ASTM is just a starting point to be “acceptable,” but to be great, the fuel needs top performance.
This small company did a lot of things right, and the company grew. They brought on top-level executives with energy industry experience and the knowledge to take Blue Sun Biodiesel from a Colorado pioneer, to a leader in the biodiesel industry.
That brings us to today. The biodiesel market continues to be challenging, and Blue Sun keeps a step ahead. The ASTM spec was recently updated and our fuel still exceeds the spec, bringing customers the premium fuel they require in order to trust it to run their engines with all the power and performance they have a right to expect.
We see the future of biodiesel in the decisions we make every day about what biodiesel needs to be to the world. We continue to set the market’s expectations for quality and performance. We are active in research in new feedstocks to help biodiesel evolve to the next level with non-food oilseeds that do not displace crops to rainforest. Our net CO2 savings for B100 over conventional diesel exceeds 70%. Our net energy balance is over 3:1 meaning we get three units out for every unit put in (oil takes around 1.2 units to get 1 unit of energy – a negative balance!)
Blue Sun’s goal is to make our biodiesel a no-brainer. In fact, we’re already there – our biodiesel exceeds the performance of conventional diesel in nearly every way. Fleet customer studies have shown fuel economy increases up to 7 percent! Our biodiesel extends engine life and reduces maintenance. Emissions that cause global warming and health effect such as cancer in humans is significantly reduced. We’re looking forward to continuing to improve biodiesel and make the world better than it was when we started and better than it is right now. Thanks for being
Filed under: Biodiesel General Discussion
One of the topics that comes up when biodiesel is mentioned is if it’s the reason that food prices are escalating worldwide. The (incorrect) reasoning is that biodiesel is made from soybeans or similar sources of vegetable oil that are also used for food, and the competing demand drives prices up.
Biodiesel is not the driver of food prices that it is sometimes accused of being.
I’d like to mention an often overlooked fact when it comes to soy, which is often used to produce biodiesel. 80 percent of the soy crushed continues on to be part of the food supply, we take only the oil, which is only about 20 percent of the total! That is an interesting fact.
Another point is that biodiesel and ethanol are very different things. News stories may often lump “biofuels” together as one, but that is an inaccurate grouping. While both are made from vegetable oil, ethanol in the U.S. is made from corn. Biodiesel is not made from corn. Ethanol comprises 90% of all biofuels in the US – biodiesel is only 10%.
Saying biodiesel is the main impact on food prices is like insisting that demand for gas in Rhode Island is the main reason worldwide fuel prices are skyrocketing. Yes, Rhode Island does have an effect as a small part of the overall demand, but perhaps California or China has a bit more impact. Biodiesel is a source of demand, but it is not a primary cause of food price increases. So then you ask, what are the primary causes?
(1) Rising energy costs. You may have noticed gas costs more. It is more expensive now to grow, harvest, transport and package crops with fertilizer and fuel prices rising. These increased costs are passed to the consumer.
(2) Demand in the food markets. China and India aren’t just hungry, their recent elevation in economic status has driven an interest for better food – they eat more grains and meats. Demand causes prices to increase – its Economics 101, remember those supply and demand charts?
(3) The weak U.S. Dollar. It can’t even do 3 pull-ups its so weak. Remember when it looked like Sly Stallone in Rocky IV against Ivan Drago? I think it’s more like Woody Allen now. This means foreign purchasers are drawn to buy U.S. commodities, which reduces supply, which increases prices.
(4) Investor speculation in commodities. Fluctuation in the housing and stock market has pushed investors to new areas to find a profit. Commodity speculation (i.e. buying and selling by people who don’t intend to use the underlying product) has increased. This demand for the “financial instrument” commodities are has increased the prices of things such as soy oil.
(5) The weather. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank said climate, including droughts in important growing regions, such as Australia and Europe are a driver of food cost.
So that’s my two cents. I think these are points not often filed away when people hear brief stories on the TV news (which doesn’t have time for all the facts. Arm yourself with the facts and reeducate your friends when they bust out with “facts” they’ve drawn from about ten seconds of paying attention to this story. Thanks for your help.
