10 July 2010
Unitel Technologies, Inc., a process engineering and design firm (earlier post), has filed a patent application for a new technology for making biofuels from microalgae that focuses on the production of fatty acids rather than the extraction of algal oil. The process involves minimal dewatering, and completely bypasses the energy-intensive drying and oil extraction steps.
Currently, many of the proposed methods in the biofuels-from-algae space require the extraction of immobilized oil from algal biomass. Regardless of the oil extraction technique used, some are more efficient than others, and getting to the oil is usually very expensive in terms of capital and energy costs. In some instances, the amount of energy consumed to extract the oil can actually exceed the energy value of the end product.
That’s why we decided to develop a technology that sets us apart from the other players in this field. Instead of trying to extract algal oil, we have determined that it is much more cost-effective to focus our attention on the production of algal fatty acids.
—Serge Randhava, CEO of Unitel
In the Unitel process, the feedstock—a slurry or “soup” of water and cultivated algae (1% to 20% by weight) is continuously treated in a special hydrolysis reactor to yield:
1.a fatty acid product;
2.a “sweet” water stream containing glycerol and other solubles; and
3.de-oiled algal biomass.
A small fraction of the fatty acid product is fed back into the reactor as catalyst. The nutrient rich “sweet water” is recycled into the algae propagation tanks, where the carbon in the glycerol serves to promote the growth of phytoplankton. The de-oiled biomass (consisting primarily of proteins and carbohydrates) is dried as a food ingredient for animal consumption.
The algal fatty acid product is catalytically decarboxylated and converted into paraffinic hydrocarbons (alkanes), followed by mild hydrocracking and hydroisomerization to make biojet fuel comprised of C10-C15 branched paraffins.
Some of the features included in our technology can be traced back to the nineties when we designed and built several first-of-its-kind slurry-based coal liquefaction and supercritical CO2 extraction demo units. The slurry pump loop and the depressurization module are two examples. The high-efficiency heat interchange system was developed in 1994 when I was Chairman of Xytel-Bechtel in Houston.
—Serge Randhava
Unitel has built up a diversified portfolio technology programs. In addition to the new algal process, its current agenda includes:
•HarvestGas – oxyblown/pressurized fluidized bed gasifier for making synthesis gas from biomass
•Bio-ammonia – fertilizer from biomass
•Dimethylether (DME) – two options: methanol dehydration and direct synthesis
•Cellulosic bio-alcohols – thermochemical conversion of renewable resources into liquid fuels
•Cornex for the dry corn ethanol industry
•Synthesis gas and hydrogen from infrastructure fuels
•Neogen – beneficial harvesting of low grade waste heat
•Catalyst test system (The Octave/CTS) – screening and evaluating catalysts for the future
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Berlin's Historic Show Palace Welcomes SunPower Solar Power System
Posted on: Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:05:00 EDT
BERLIN, July 9, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA | PowerRating, SPWRB | PowerRating) and MBG, a SunPower authorized partner, announced today that MBG completed the installation of a 29.7-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower system on the roof of the FriedrichstadtPalast, Berlin's historic landmark theater building, which features the largest performance stage in the world.
On the building, MBG installed SunPower's E18 Series solar panels, which offer an efficiency of 18 percent or greater and produce up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar panels. The panels are mounted on the SunPower T10 Solar Roof Tile system, which is non-roof penetrating and tilted at a 10 degree angle to increase energy capture.
"SunPower's T10 Solar Roof Tile system is a lightweight, flat-roof solution that was the best option for this roof, due to the engineering and planning requirements for historic buildings," explained Sebastien Ninnig from MBG. "The monocrystalline, high-performance solar panels from SunPower allowed us to offer the highest possible power output and consequently the highest carbon dioxide offset for our customers. Previously, we had very positive experiences installing a T10 system for the Berliner Stadtreinigung (Berlin Waste Management Authority), one of Berlin's largest photovoltaic installations. Here again, it was important for us to use a lightweight, high-efficiency system."
"It is an honor for SunPower technology to be installed on such a wonderful cultural building with a celebrated, long-standing history of more than 100 years," said Jorn Jurgens, senior director, SunPower. "World-class theatres require the highest levels of technology with regard to sound and lighting, and it makes sense that the solar system used at the FriedrichstadtPalast is from SunPower, the planet's most powerful solar technology. Together, we are sure to present the best show."
SunPower works with a network of more than 1,000 independent dealers globally, including almost 200 in Germany, who install SunPower solar power systems for residential and commercial customers.
The FriedrichstadtPalast has been Berlin's premier address for theatrical entertainment. It is renowned for both its show programming as well as its sheer size, accommodating 1,895 seats. The theatre hosts over 600,000 visitors annually.
About MBG
MBG has over 25 years of success in the market. Since 2007 they have complemented their expertise in the energy sector. With their powerful and technical specialist teams they develop and implement this forward-looking solution for using renewable energy: from planning and installation of turnkey PV systems to the development of special solutions for off-grid power supplies.
About SunPower
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers the planet's most powerful solar technology broadly available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's experience and proven results to maximize return on investment. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SunPower Corp.
For full details on SunPower Corp (SPWRA) SPWRA. SunPower Corp (SPWRA) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on SunPower Corp (SPWRA) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.
For full details on Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) SPWRB. Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.
BERLIN, July 9, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --
SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA | PowerRating, SPWRB | PowerRating) and MBG, a SunPower authorized partner, announced today that MBG completed the installation of a 29.7-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower system on the roof of the FriedrichstadtPalast, Berlin's historic landmark theater building, which features the largest performance stage in the world.
On the building, MBG installed SunPower's E18 Series solar panels, which offer an efficiency of 18 percent or greater and produce up to 50 percent more power than conventional solar panels. The panels are mounted on the SunPower T10 Solar Roof Tile system, which is non-roof penetrating and tilted at a 10 degree angle to increase energy capture.
"SunPower's T10 Solar Roof Tile system is a lightweight, flat-roof solution that was the best option for this roof, due to the engineering and planning requirements for historic buildings," explained Sebastien Ninnig from MBG. "The monocrystalline, high-performance solar panels from SunPower allowed us to offer the highest possible power output and consequently the highest carbon dioxide offset for our customers. Previously, we had very positive experiences installing a T10 system for the Berliner Stadtreinigung (Berlin Waste Management Authority), one of Berlin's largest photovoltaic installations. Here again, it was important for us to use a lightweight, high-efficiency system."
"It is an honor for SunPower technology to be installed on such a wonderful cultural building with a celebrated, long-standing history of more than 100 years," said Jorn Jurgens, senior director, SunPower. "World-class theatres require the highest levels of technology with regard to sound and lighting, and it makes sense that the solar system used at the FriedrichstadtPalast is from SunPower, the planet's most powerful solar technology. Together, we are sure to present the best show."
SunPower works with a network of more than 1,000 independent dealers globally, including almost 200 in Germany, who install SunPower solar power systems for residential and commercial customers.
The FriedrichstadtPalast has been Berlin's premier address for theatrical entertainment. It is renowned for both its show programming as well as its sheer size, accommodating 1,895 seats. The theatre hosts over 600,000 visitors annually.
About MBG
MBG has over 25 years of success in the market. Since 2007 they have complemented their expertise in the energy sector. With their powerful and technical specialist teams they develop and implement this forward-looking solution for using renewable energy: from planning and installation of turnkey PV systems to the development of special solutions for off-grid power supplies.
About SunPower
Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, SunPower Corp. (Nasdaq: SPWRA, SPWRB) designs, manufactures and delivers the planet's most powerful solar technology broadly available today. Residential, business, government and utility customers rely on the company's experience and proven results to maximize return on investment. With headquarters in San Jose, Calif., SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. For more information, visit www.sunpowercorp.com.
SunPower is a registered trademark of SunPower Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
SOURCE SunPower Corp.
For full details on SunPower Corp (SPWRA) SPWRA. SunPower Corp (SPWRA) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on SunPower Corp (SPWRA) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.
For full details on Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) SPWRB. Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Sunpower Corp Class B (SPWRB) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.
EU and US intensify power plant emissions crackdown
New rules crank up pressure on energy firms to curb emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates
James Murray for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 15.21 BST
Fossil fuel-fired power plants on both sides of the Atlantic are set to face tough new emissions rules after the EU and US this week moved forward with plans to tackle air pollution.
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of new legislation on Wednesday that aims to streamline and tighten existing rules governing power plant emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates.
Under the Industrial Emissions Directive, which is expected to be rubberstamped by the European Council of member states within the next few months, power plant will face stricter limits on emission levels from 2016.
Power plant operators will also be required to demonstrate that they are using "best available techniques" (BATs) to limit their environmental impact in order to obtain licenses to operate.
Holger Krahmer, the MEP responsible for guiding the legislation through Parliament, said the new directive would provide energy firms with the regulatory certainty they require to invest in cleaner energy generation.
"After more than two years of difficult negotiations we have a compromise that will help to improve the implementation of the directive," he said. " Compared to the current situation, this offers more clarity and a better chance of a level playing field across Europe on environmental requirements for industrial installations."
However, the legislation also allow member states considerable flexibility in how the new rules will be imposed, giving countries such as the UK the freedom to extend the deadline for energy firms to comply with the new rules in order to give them time to bring new cleaner power plants on line.
MEPs ultimately agreed that Member States will be allowed to use " transitional national plans" to allow large combustion plants up to July 2020 to meet the new rules.
Some older plants will be offered even longer to comply with the new standards, with the directive allowing member states to extend the deadline until the end of 2023 or 17,500 operating hours after 2016, whichever happens first.
The new directive was welcomed by British energy firms, many of which had warned that without the flexibility to delay the new targets the UK could face energy shortages as a wave of older power plants are shut down.
However, Krahmer expressed frustration at elements of the compromise agreement, arguing that the delays to the deadline for compliance were unfair on those countries such as his native Germany that have invested to meet the 2016 target.
"It is a European tragedy that a number of outdated coal-fired power plants will be allowed to pollute for another decade," he said. "This is also grossly unfair on the Member States who took early action to meet the requirements."
The move came as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week set out similar proposals designed to improve air quality around power plants.
The new legislation, dubbed the transport rule, aims to tackle the problem of air pollution that drafts across state lines.
Under the proposals, which the EPA hopes to implement from 2012, will aim to curb emissions from older plants, reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 71 per cent against 2004 levels by 2014 and cutting emissions of nitrogen oxide by 52 per cent.
"This rule is designed to cut pollution that spreads hundreds of miles and has enormous negative impacts on millions of Americans," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We're working to limit pollution at its source, rather than waiting for it to move across the country. The reductions we're proposing will save billions in health costs, help increase American educational and economic productivity, and - most importantly - save lives."
James Murray for BusinessGreen, part of the Guardian Environment Network guardian.co.uk, Friday 9 July 2010 15.21 BST
Fossil fuel-fired power plants on both sides of the Atlantic are set to face tough new emissions rules after the EU and US this week moved forward with plans to tackle air pollution.
The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of new legislation on Wednesday that aims to streamline and tighten existing rules governing power plant emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulates.
Under the Industrial Emissions Directive, which is expected to be rubberstamped by the European Council of member states within the next few months, power plant will face stricter limits on emission levels from 2016.
Power plant operators will also be required to demonstrate that they are using "best available techniques" (BATs) to limit their environmental impact in order to obtain licenses to operate.
Holger Krahmer, the MEP responsible for guiding the legislation through Parliament, said the new directive would provide energy firms with the regulatory certainty they require to invest in cleaner energy generation.
"After more than two years of difficult negotiations we have a compromise that will help to improve the implementation of the directive," he said. " Compared to the current situation, this offers more clarity and a better chance of a level playing field across Europe on environmental requirements for industrial installations."
However, the legislation also allow member states considerable flexibility in how the new rules will be imposed, giving countries such as the UK the freedom to extend the deadline for energy firms to comply with the new rules in order to give them time to bring new cleaner power plants on line.
MEPs ultimately agreed that Member States will be allowed to use " transitional national plans" to allow large combustion plants up to July 2020 to meet the new rules.
Some older plants will be offered even longer to comply with the new standards, with the directive allowing member states to extend the deadline until the end of 2023 or 17,500 operating hours after 2016, whichever happens first.
The new directive was welcomed by British energy firms, many of which had warned that without the flexibility to delay the new targets the UK could face energy shortages as a wave of older power plants are shut down.
However, Krahmer expressed frustration at elements of the compromise agreement, arguing that the delays to the deadline for compliance were unfair on those countries such as his native Germany that have invested to meet the 2016 target.
"It is a European tragedy that a number of outdated coal-fired power plants will be allowed to pollute for another decade," he said. "This is also grossly unfair on the Member States who took early action to meet the requirements."
The move came as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week set out similar proposals designed to improve air quality around power plants.
The new legislation, dubbed the transport rule, aims to tackle the problem of air pollution that drafts across state lines.
Under the proposals, which the EPA hopes to implement from 2012, will aim to curb emissions from older plants, reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide by 71 per cent against 2004 levels by 2014 and cutting emissions of nitrogen oxide by 52 per cent.
"This rule is designed to cut pollution that spreads hundreds of miles and has enormous negative impacts on millions of Americans," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We're working to limit pollution at its source, rather than waiting for it to move across the country. The reductions we're proposing will save billions in health costs, help increase American educational and economic productivity, and - most importantly - save lives."
Dru Lawson's innovation: eletric motorbikes
The 34-year-old entrepreneur on cleaning up your act with an electric motorbike
Lucy Siegle The Observer, Sunday 11 July 2010
Dru Lawson's eyes shine when he starts talking about bike engines. I suspect in a different age where planetary collapse wasn't so high up the agenda he would've been a petrolhead. "I was completely!" he says. "At four and a half I was on my first bike. My dad was a car and bike collector, and that was the thing we used to do together." But by his late teens he had become a nascent eco warrior: "I realised the impact. I had to disown bikes and that caused a bit of a family rift."
But after watching the emerging electric market, he has found a way of reconciling his first love with his second. At his workshop in South Kensington, an area he picked for its "classic car and bike heritage", he is showcasing the big three: the Zero Motorcycle, with a revolutionary lithium ion battery so clean it could be landfilled and a super-light frame made of aircraft aluminium – it has a range of 50 miles and costs less than a penny a mile to run; the Sprint – a scooter with proprietary battery technology developed in-house by an expert electric bike team – has a range of 60 miles, a top speed of 60mph and regenerative braking that feeds energy back into the battery when you're braking; and finally the Vectrix, a big leather-seated cruiser bike that is in fact electric (visit solstisbikes.com).
"Just think: the average commute in London is less than 10 miles," Lawson says. "For 90% of the people, I've got a product for them – and for country commutes with mud and flooding I've got a bigger bike. All electric." Can he win over hydrocarbon-addicted car and bike enthusiasts? "Stirling Moss and Derek Bell tried them out and loved them," he says, beaming. "There is no petrol, so you'll always miss that roar, but these guys are obsessed with engineering and they love the innovation. They said these were the future."
Lucy Siegle The Observer, Sunday 11 July 2010
Dru Lawson's eyes shine when he starts talking about bike engines. I suspect in a different age where planetary collapse wasn't so high up the agenda he would've been a petrolhead. "I was completely!" he says. "At four and a half I was on my first bike. My dad was a car and bike collector, and that was the thing we used to do together." But by his late teens he had become a nascent eco warrior: "I realised the impact. I had to disown bikes and that caused a bit of a family rift."
But after watching the emerging electric market, he has found a way of reconciling his first love with his second. At his workshop in South Kensington, an area he picked for its "classic car and bike heritage", he is showcasing the big three: the Zero Motorcycle, with a revolutionary lithium ion battery so clean it could be landfilled and a super-light frame made of aircraft aluminium – it has a range of 50 miles and costs less than a penny a mile to run; the Sprint – a scooter with proprietary battery technology developed in-house by an expert electric bike team – has a range of 60 miles, a top speed of 60mph and regenerative braking that feeds energy back into the battery when you're braking; and finally the Vectrix, a big leather-seated cruiser bike that is in fact electric (visit solstisbikes.com).
"Just think: the average commute in London is less than 10 miles," Lawson says. "For 90% of the people, I've got a product for them – and for country commutes with mud and flooding I've got a bigger bike. All electric." Can he win over hydrocarbon-addicted car and bike enthusiasts? "Stirling Moss and Derek Bell tried them out and loved them," he says, beaming. "There is no petrol, so you'll always miss that roar, but these guys are obsessed with engineering and they love the innovation. They said these were the future."