Ethanol Byproducts

The Argus Leader recently ran an article about some exciting research going on at SDSU.

Researchers are working to utilize dried distiller’s grain—the byproduct of ethanol production—for human consumption. They hope to use distiller’s grain as a high-protein, high-fiber additive to flour to improve the nutrition of flour based products.

Projects like these are great, in that they help maximize the value of our agricultural crops. Not only do we obtain renewable fuel from the corn, but we can potentially reap even more benefits from a bushel of corn in the form of improved nutrition and higher prices for distiller’s grains.

Keystone Update

Hearings started today over the new proposed Keystone pipeline in the western part of the state, according to the Mitchell Daily Republic, and residents will be able to come and voice their concerns or support for the project.

The new pipeline would be a great way to supply the region with much needed oil resources from a friendly nation—Canada—and also provide many new jobs for South Dakotans.

That benefit must also be weighed against other costs. Residents of the area must have their property rights respected as much as possible in this process, and we also must make sure the pipeline follows a safe path over the easily-erodible soil of the western part of the state and avoid adverse environmental impact as much as possible.

A Look At Personal Wind Energy...

One of the largest hurdles to large-scale wind farms in South Dakota is the cost of transmission lines, lines that can be helped along by new energy projects, such as Big Stone II, which I talk about in a previous post.

Another possible way to avoid the transmission line hurdle may be to utilize residential wind turbines. These are smaller turbines designed to supply power to individual homes or businesses, which can reduce electricity costs by up to 80% once the turbines are in place.

According to KELO, recent tax credits encourage these types of wind generators, providing a tax cut of $1000 dollars per kilowatt of capacity up to $4000. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) states that residential turbines cost anywhere from $3000 to $5000 per kilowatt of generating capacity, and around $40,000 to install the whole system. The PUC also states that these turbines last from 10 to 20 years, with proper maintenance.

Although these turbines may not be a feasible option for many, the PUC suggest that if an individual has an adequate amount of wind and electricity bills over $150 per month, residential wind turbines may be smart option. Read more here…

Large scale wind farms and expensive transmission lines are needed to sell all our wind potential to other states and large cities, but these smaller, cheaper options may help us provide electricity to our smaller communities. All these options help us harness our wind energy potential and reduce our dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels.

Cooperation for Sustainable Energy…

The Big Stone II power plant project has been in talks with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, as roughly half of the energy produced from the coal plant will be sold to Minnesota and new transmission lines will need to be built. Details here…

The PUC placed some stipulations on approval of the project, citing caps on greenhouse gas emissions and constructions costs, specifically.

Moving away from fossil fuels is a piecemeal process that will not happen in an affordable fashion overnight. A promising and untapped source of energy here in South Dakota is of course wind energy, and one of the biggest costs and roadblocks to wind energy is the cost of transmission lines. Big Stone II provides another vein in our regional network of transmission lines, and for wind energy to take off projects like Big Stone II may prove invaluable to future green energy projects.

Creating regional agreements between the windy states in our area and the states who require our excess supply of energy, we can utilize the resources we have now, both natural and monetary, to provide a necessary framework for green energy in the near future.

Meeting Our Energy Needs…

As has happened in many other areas of the country, the lawsuits are just beginning over the proposed Hyperion oil refinery that was approved by the voters of Union county. Many proposed solutions to reduce dependence on foreign oil, like the Hyperion refinery, get caught up in environmental lawsuits. In fact, should Hyperion get off the ground, it will be the first oil refinery built in the United States since 1976.

Increasing our refining capacity is crucial, as we are not even able to meet our gasoline needs with the current refining capacity of the country and actually have to import refined gasoline (not just crude oil). Currently, we pay foreign countries a premium for gasoline that we could be refining right here in South Dakota, with South Dakota workers.

The reality is that we are tied to oil for several years to come. Hyperion needs to be part of the all-of-the above option to our energy needs. As cellulosic ethanol is on the brink of becoming a viable option for fuels, combined with oil refining capacity and our vast wind energy resources, South Dakota could very well become a major supplier of the energy our nation so desperately needs…so let’s not rule out any options while we perfect the technology needed to move on to cleaner, domestic forms of energy and away from fossil fuels.

Investing In the Future…

The Argus Leader Reports that Senator John Thune has received the number five spot in the United States Senate Republican Leadership. From the report:

"I think we have to define more clearly what we're for," Thune said of his party. "We can't just be against what the Democrats are for. We have to offer positive alternatives."

Thune said his priorities will be pushing legislation to boost renewable fuels, infrastructure development, rural technology and energy issues.

Read the Rest Here...

Senator Thune wants to bolster efforts in renewable fuels, infrastructure and rural technology. Do you suppose that is because he is from South Dakota, and we are a rural state? I don’t think so…

I believe Senator Thune realizes the significance of rural America and its future role as a region in the United States. If you stop and think about issues the United States is facing… foreign oil, renewable energy, food production, climate chance, etc., the Midwest is the primary driver for solutions.

Agricultural production for food and fuel and major developments in wind energy are happening here in South Dakota. We have large oil reserves to meet capacity in the short-term while we transition to more renewable methods, and studies are being conducted to integrate a more promising cellulosic ethanol industry with our natural resources and wildlife populations… something we pride ourselves on.

I believe South Dakota is in a great position to become leaders in providing solutions, and Senator Thune is a shining example. We shouldn’t neglect rural regions by facilitating their decline. Rather, we should invest in them to produce opportunities for renewable energy development and jobs, agriculture production, and above all… to keep the number one resource of this state: South Dakotans.

More Wind Energy for South Dakota…

Energy remains a major issue… South Dakota is bolstering its efforts in renewable energy from wind through a proposed 306 Megawatt wind farm in east central South Dakota in Brookings and Deuel counties.

Projects like this around South Dakota are valuable for a multitude of reasons namely, increased energy production via sustainable and renewable generating mechanisms, decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels, and acting as the front line of defense in combating climate change due to global warming.

I would like to point out though that sustainable energy projects like this around South Dakota have the added potential to attract jobs, families, and individuals to small towns across the state. In the article on wind energy from the Argus Leader on November 10, 2008, the town of White could see the potential benefits of alternative energy production in their area…

The project would create about 100 temporary construction jobs, as well as 18 to 23 permanent jobs - welcome news to the 550 residents of White.

"Were always open to economic progress," said Mayor Randy Brown. "We've got new home lots being developed, a great school system, just a lot of good things happening in White."

Read the Rest of the Article Here…

Our rural regions stand to benefit greatly from the movements in alternative energy. Here in South Dakota we are 4th in the nation for wind power capacity, but 18th as far as production. Currently there is a biofuels study underway analyzing the benefits of harvesting cellulosic ethanol feedstocks from wildlife production areas, leading us to possibly new avenues for harvesting feedstocks from non-agricultural landscapes while at the same time safely and adequately managing our wildlife populations.

Our challenges as a state must be attacked from all sides and all angles. With the bolstered efforts in renewable energy, we can increase the benefits to our rural regions while meeting our demands for energy production as South Dakota progresses into the future.

One thing to remember is that these efforts to bolster rural regions are not to the detriment of our larger urban centers. South Dakota is an agricultural state… and as the agricultural sector goes, so goes the rest of the economy. An effort to become a leader in renewable energy is a strategy the entire state can benefit from…

An Update On Plants As Biofuels…

National Public Radio ran a story the other morning on the future of plants, biofuels, and cellulosic ethanol. I have written on this topic before but I feel it very necessary to remain current. According to the article…

Part of the answer could be fuels made from the plant material cellulose. Researchers at the new Energy Biosciences Institute at the University of California-Berkeley are working on a recipe for this biofuel.

"It's not like fusion," Somerville says, "where it really doesn't work. This is something that works and just needs to work a bit better in order to make it compete with fossil fuels."

Read the whole store story or listen to the NPR radio broadcast here…

Cellulosic Energy…

Corn-based ethanol is the bridge to reach cellulosic ethanol production. I think the recent move by Poet and the federal government will help narrow the gap in corn-based vs. cellulose-based energy. I think cellulosic is the way to go in the future... and it includes other benefits that accompany production.

A study done by the USDA and the University of Nebraska reveals that ethanol produced from switchgrass generates 540% more renewable energy than non-renewable energy consumed for production.

Cellulosic ethanol can also be produced from many things such as corn cobs, wheat straw, timber scraps, and citrus peels… as this article points out. This has the potential to incorporate many regions of South Dakota that are unable to grow corn.

Using switchgrass, as done in the USDA and UNL study, also provides a possible avenue for farmers and ranchers to harvest switchgrass on their fields which they have kept in the Conservation Reserve Program or other conservation trusts. This enables farmers and ranchers to benefit South Dakota’s wildlife habitat and hunting industry while generating income for their families. To my knowledge, studies on this particular mode of operation are still underway, and I look forward to the results.

One issue that concerns me about cellulosic ethanol, however, is extraction of nutrients from the soil when removing cornstalks, etc. Apparently, according to Poet, cellulosic fodder can be removed without diminishing soil nutrients. This is an important factor in the future of cellulosic ethanol in the future of South Dakota and look forward to learning more about this particular topic in the future.

South Dakota Energy Potential

South Dakota is poised to become a leader in energy development, both renewable and fossil fuel based. We can all appreciate the imperative task of reducing fossil fuel consumption and at the same time realize we cannot make the leap to zero in one attempt.

Looking ahead optimistically, Tom Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center, stated, “South Dakota has tremendous opportunity to create clean energy on its farms and ranchers that is good for the environment.” These types of opportunities will help create financial incentive for our farmers, in lieu of conversion of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land into crop production.

South Dakota has already lost 300,000 acres of CRP last year, with the possibility of a few hundred thousand more in coming years. This is important because South Dakota’s Pheasant hunting industry, which relies heavily on CRP land, generated $219 million last year. Also to note from the article, a study by the University of Minnesota and the Nature Conservancy concluded that converting CRP to crop production increases carbon dioxide emissions.

These issues are often complicated, yet we must keep our eyes on the future of what is best for our state, our families, and our communities. In implementing policies and ideas, we must ensure they are both sustainable in their approach and economically beneficial for South Dakota. And that means we must have a sustainable plan for the future; one that balances the social fabric, economy and environment – strategically.

Energy for the Future…

The Argus Leader ran an article featuring all the candidates’ views on energy policy and the future of energy in the United States. I agree with author, Peter Harriman, in his statement about predicting the future of energy might be as elusive as predicting the next pattern in a kaleidoscope.

The article is fairly concise, but I would like to outline the major themes as noted by PUC Chairman Gary Hanson and Lisa Richardson, executive director of the South Dakota Corn Growers:
• No perfect solution to energy exists… and if we wait for the perfect solution nothing will get done.
• A balanced energy portfolio is the only way to combat energy issues
• Not everyone will support every solution
• Accelerating fossil fuel usage only hastens the day when supplies are exhausted

I have stated in previous articles that investment and research in renewable energy is the pathway we need to head down in order to mitigate an ‘unknowable’ future. We can’t wait for this problem to solve itself. We must utilize, as PUC Chairman Hanson suggested, a balanced approach, along with increased education and incentive for conservation.

Each area of the state has something to offer. East River has corn for ethanol, wind energy, and the possibility of a new oil refinery, the Missouri River corridor hosts abundant wind potential, as well as hydroelectric capacity, and West River has timber and grass for potential cellulosic reserves. Across the state solar energy can be utilized, as well as geothermal energy where applicable. Increased efforts in conservation across the board will ameliorate the stresses of energy generation.

Our northwestern counties are beginning to pump oil again now that it is economical. Will South Dakota be able to capitalize on increased oil drilling, much like our northern neighbors? That is an issue yet to be researched.

I hope we continue, as a state and as a nation, to look into a variety of possibilities. After all… we will never find the answers if we stop looking for them.

We Need To Remain Focused…

Much of the news recently has centered on the falling crude oil prices and their subsequent effect on the fuel prices at the pumps. There has also been much talk about off-shore oil drilling, especially last week at the Republican National Convention. While I am in full support of lowering fuel prices for a myriad of reasons, I do hope we as a state and as a nation do not forget developing renewable energy systems.

Renewable energy is valuable to us as a society for both economic and environmental reasons. Also, if we can wean the United States off of foreign sources of oil, we can take the billions we spend annually and re-invest elsewhere.

Renewable energy is still vitally important, and will always be important, despite the price of crude oil. Implementing a policy revolving around renewable fuels will take strong initial investment, but I hope we can look past the short-term and realize the long-term benefits.

Sustainable Energy Development…

Clearly, the finite world on which we live is struggling to provide burgeoning populations and growing economies with enough energy to continue to operate at the same operational levels as in the past. The problem lies with the fact that we haven’t developed our energy harvest in a sustainable manner and… enter the “crisis.”

South Dakota is poised to become a leader in world energy transformation. We, as citizens of this state, should embrace this opportunity and work towards solutions. As far as I know, the “end-all” of sustainable energy development has yet to be discovered. So, until that day comes, we must continue to develop alternative sources and set policies aimed at sustainable development. Senator Thune, in his article from the July 9 Central Dakota Times, argues for continued research and development in many areas of energy generation.
I encourage this particular approach because many times we become pessimistic and oppose any measure simply because it isn’t the perfect solution… right now, or the method is still in its nascent stages. My goal is to argue that continued innovation, development, and re-development are the processes that will lead us to the appropriate technology for worldwide sustainable energy development. We shouldn’t discard our ideas… only our preconceived notions that they will not work.

Skepticism is easy, but we shouldn’t let that sway our convictions about a better future.

Thank you Senator Thune for your leadership!

Economic Stimulus for South Dakota…

I found an article in the July 17th issue of the Emery Enterprise, boasting a financial return to South Dakota households to the tune of $164.10. Of course this doesn’t mean checks mailed by the state government, but it does point out one of the benefits of filling your tank with E-10. According to the article, drivers save approximately 11 cents per gallon when using E-10 blends. This played out over one year will save drivers money…

Imagine the benefits of continued investment in ethanol and fuel efficient vehicles. We must continue to look forward because we cannot rely on oil forever.

The price of oil has dropped again, now floating in the low $120 range. We aren’t absolved of the issues yet, but the future looks a little brighter today.

We in South Dakota must realize that times will change. Oil will not stay at $124 per barrel forever, and world populations will continue to rise putting a strain on current supply lines. We must address the supply side of this equation to get our arms around the issue. The more alternative fuel options to oil, the better.

The Ethanol Blame Game Continues to Lose Ground…

We must begin to realize higher gas prices are ultimately a supply and demand issue: it goes back to the basics of economics. Increased ethanol production and improved public policy towards consumption will increase the availability in the supply, thus lowering the price of gas by lessening the burden of our need for more oil.

If increasing oil prices can be stabilized and reversed, then we effectively manage at least one more element contributing to the price of food and give our people room in their family budget…

The Economics of Wind Energy…

It is not commonly known, but wind energy isn’t the golden egg we have been waiting for…YET. This should not come as a surprise, wind and other forms of alternative energy are still relatively in their infancy, and we shouldn’t expect their perfection right away.
The challenges lie in attracting investment, as well as ensuring the sustainable development of wind energy facilities with regard to the natural habitats and landscapes of South Dakota, which are home to many species of wildlife.
Wind energy has no capacity for storage, so instant transmission is the only option. However, transmission lines cost upwards of $1,000,000 per mile, and have to be planned and sited across many states and thousands of acres of public and private land. Energy is also lost during transmission (approximately 10% with increases the further it is transmitted). Also, the appropriate wind speeds must be readily available; between 10mph and 50mph. Outside of these speeds the turbines do not spin and produce energy.
I believe that because of these issues, we should look at wind energy facility development more conducive to smaller communities, and possibly individuals. Wind energy was first utilized on private farms and ranches to help pump water, etc. This may be the course we need to take to make efforts and investments more viable.
Whatever the outcome, we shouldn’t throw away the whole program because it hasn’t been perfected…right now. As with anything, the more it is developed and utilized, the more we will be able to alter our usage and implementation of wind energy facilities on the energy grid…

The Benefits of Ethanol…

With all the controversy surrounding every issue these days, it makes it somewhat difficult to get a good grasp of all the complex details. Today, countless blogs and websites produce a plethora of information derived from credible and not-so-credible sources from all over the globe. The challenge, however, is discerning actual truth from a complex hodge-podge of contradicting opinions.
One article may promote the benefits of ethanol, citing lower carbon emissions, benefits for rural communities, etc. but sure enough, if we read on, the next elucidates in detail why ethanol production and consumption is the most outrageous project we have ever undertaken.
In light of all the contradictions, I would like to draw attention to an article written by South Dakota’s three congressional delegates, Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, Senator John Thune, and Senator Tim Johnson. This particular article ran in the Voices section of today’s Argus Leader. I was initially drawn to the article because it was written by all three delegates, making it non-partisan…something I think should be behind every issue which is concerned with making the world a better place.
Upon further reading, I was interested by all the facts surrounding the industry. Ethanol helps keep fuel prices low, by an average of 29-40 cents in some studies to upwards of 52 cents in others. The lower fuel prices then help in the effort to keep food prices low. While the article admits ethanol production does increase the costs of food (because of the corn taken off the market), it does so only slightly (3% of the 43% increase in global food prices). Ethanol production also produces distiller’s grain as a byproduct, which is a superior feed for livestock. Details pertaining to many other sectors of the ethanol industry can be discovered by taking time to read the entire article.
I would like to point out one of the most important elements of ethanol production, rather…one of its most important benefits. It significantly helps with rural development, especially right here in South Dakota. Small towns across our state have been hit hard economically by the out-migration of the youth (and anyone for that matter) for many years. This migration reduces economic diversity within communities and the number if children within the school system. The school is one of the most important (if not the most important) elements in keeping a small town alive. Without a school, people are less likely to move back to the community along with their children. Studies and surveys have also shown a general reduction in community enthusiasm after their school has to close its doors.
The benefits of the ethanol, bio-fuel, wind, solar, and geothermal forms of energy can help in the effort to revitalize rural South Dakota. It is no trivial matter; alternative energy is paramount for the future of the United States, and the globalized world. We, as South Dakotans, should try to understand our place in the complex puzzle. We have the potential to produce massive amounts of wind energy, millions of gallons of bio-fuels such as corn-based and cellulosic ethanol, and even potential to delve into the nuances of geothermal energy.
We can all work together to make sure development is sustainable throughout South Dakota, and beneficial to the natural environment. The futures of our children lie in our hands…what will we do with them?