Daily News—02/08/10

GM’s new 2011 diesel-powered pickup trucks will be certified to burn B20 biodiesel

GM's new 6.6-liter “LML” Duramax V-8 turbodiesel for its 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy Duty pickups will be capable of burning B20 biodiesel fuel, according to a GM press release issued early Monday.

B20 is a blend of 80 percent conventional ultra-low-sulfur diesel and 20 percent biodiesel.

“The 2007 federal energy bill mandates increased biodiesel production and more states and municipalities are requiring it,” said Mike Robinson, vice president, Environment, Energy and Safety Policy. “Biodiesel production is growing and GM is excited and ready to satisfy demand with our new B20 capable Duramax 6.6-liter engine.”

We first reported about the B20 capability of the LML Duramax in August last year. That's up from a B5 biodiesel rating in the current “LMM” Duramax.

Both the 2011 Ford Super Duty (with all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8) and 2010 Ram Heavy Duty (with 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six cylinder) are also able to burn up to B20 biodiesel, though Cummins approves the use of B20 in Ram trucks for municipal, government, and commercial fleets only.

Perhaps our members can tell me, is there any problem using B20 biodiesel blend in very cold weather? I understand Canada will be running some tests on that questions this year, I will be interested in their results.

Opening day of National Biodiesel Conference in Grapevine, TX

Photo from: http://domesticfuel.com/photos/tags/nbb10/page/7/photo/4338181827/

Hello from Grapevine, TX at the start opening day of the 2010 Conference. This morning members of the media (including yours truly) will partake in a ride and drive to see this year’s line-up of new 2010 and 2011 clean diesel vehicles powered by biodiesel blends. We’ll be doing that at Classic Clean Fuels, a nearby fueling station selling alternative fuels.

Then we’ll be off to a tour of Direct Fuels Biodiesel Plant. I’ll be taking photos and doing interviews to post here for you as soon as I can. I’ll also be posting onto the National Biodiesel Conference Blog for the 5th year. That will be my main posting location but I’ll be including stories for you here as well.

This afternoon we’ll be partying Super Bowl/Biodiesel style so go team (insert your favorite).

See the article for more photos, this is the big conference for biodiesel held every year, and I know we will be on the lookout for any news from that conference. If you are going, please write about it in the Forum.

Indonesia looks at bright future in biodiesel fuel, already the leader in palm oil production

Bulgaria is now reported to be planning to want to develop a Indonesian palm oil terminal at one of its Black Sea ports. Photo by wordpress.com

Photo from: http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=110212

As Indonesia is today the world’s largest producer of crude palm oil (CPO) — a desirable feedstock for biodiesel production — it has the potential to grow into a world biodiesel leader and a model for plantation sustainability.

Biodiesel has the potential to become a significant industry sector in Indonesia, supported by two of its most valuable assets: its oil palm plantations, and more importantly, its people. Indonesia currently produces approximately 20 million tons of CPO per year from 7 million hectares of oil palm plantation, of which approximately 80 percent  is exported. 

In terms of revenue, CPO exports provide Indonesia with its biggest non-petroleum source of export income, and this is expected to grow in the future. 

Beyond revenue generation, oil palm plantations also currently provide a livelihood for more than three million Indonesian families.  This, too, is also expected to grow in the future.

By 2015, the area of Indonesian oil palm is expected to increase to 10 million hectares, of which three million hectares have already been approved. 

Studies have shown that the total amount of land that is suitable for growing oil palms, but which has not yet been approved, may be as high as 44 million hectares. 

Here’s a country that wants to lead the world in biodiesel production as they already do in palm oil production. If the U.S. isn’t careful, we’ll end up importing our biodiesel from Indonesia instead of growing our own.

Student Youth Innovation Award goes to high school student for biodiesel research

Neeharika Krothapalli, a senior at Farmington High School, studies the Jatropha curcas plant and its possible use as an alternative to diesel fuel. Her work was recognized by the Connecticut Technology Council, which presented her with its Youth Innovation and Leadership Award. (Provided By Neeharika Krothapalli / January 26, 2010)

FARMINGTON— – Neeharika Krothapalli says her foray into biodiesel research all began with a trip to see her grandparents in India.
“There I saw this oil that was used for some of my relatives' hair,” said the 17-year-old Farmington High School senior, who was recently awarded a Youth Innovation and Leadership award by the Connecticut Technology Council. “It came from this plant Jatropha curcas and it was used as a great hair stimulant.”
Neeharika thought the oil might be used as a clean alternative to diesel fuel, so she brought home a kilogram of Jatropha curcas seeds to test the plant's viability for producing biodiesel fuel. Needing a place to do her research, Neeharika contacted Richard Parnas, a scientist and professor at the University of Connecticut.
“At first he was reluctant, because I was a high school student. But when I told him I was really interested in Jatropha curcas biodiesel, he told me he was interested in it, too, so he allowed me to use his lab and his equipment,” Neeharika said. “It was quite amazing because I don't normally get access to that kind of equipment here at high school. I also had access to professors and scientists and learned about their line of work.”

This is a great story about a young student working with the Jatropha plant, after seeing how the plant is used in India, and it looks as though she did some interesting research on her own. I hope students all over the world will all know the biodiesel basics, it is that important to the future of the world.

Popularity: unranked [?]