São Martinho acelera

(contribuição de Daniel Vianna de Assis)


São Martinho acelera investimentos para suprir demanda de etanol
19.06.2007 Grupo encurta de quatro para três anos o prazo para concluir ampliação da Usina Boa Vista

O Grupo São Martinho decidiu acelerar os investimentos na ampliação de sua capacidade instalada, a fim de aproveitar o esperado aumento da demanda por etanol no Brasil e no exterior. O prazo para concluir a ampliação da Usina Boa Vista foi reduzido de quatro para três anos. Os investimentos previstos são de 550 milhões de reais.
O novo cronograma prevê que a unidade, ainda em fase de construção, esteja em condições de moer 1 milhão de toneladas de cana-de-açúcar na safra 2009/2010. No ano seguinte, a capacidade passará para 2 milhões de toneladas. Já na safra 2010/2011, a usina atingirá 3,4 milhões de toneladas – 400.000 a mais que o projeto inicial.
De acordo com o diretor financeiro e de Relações com Investidores da companhia, João Carvalho do Val, a ampliação da capacidade instalada da usina é baseada na expectativa de aumento da frota brasileira de carros bicombustíveis e da maior demanda externa por etanol.
Atualmente, a companhia possui capacidade de moagem de 10,3 milhões de toneladas por ano. Com a conclusão da Usina de Boa Vista, o grupo ganhará mais 3,4 milhões de toneladas de capacidade. A companhia conta com duas usinas de açúcar e álcool em operação – Iracema e São Martinho. Recentemente, também adquiriu 42% da Usina Santa Luiza.


Daniel Vianna de Assis
ABC IdeaCapital

Wednesday Morning Biofuel Stories

Biodiesel trialled in aero engine
By Simon Robinson The biofuel used for this test is 30 percent vegetable oil methyl ester blended with 70 percent conventional Jet-A1 fuel. This test was designed to check the operation of a jet engine using a fuel made from biomass, without making any ...
The Big Biofuels Blog - http://www.icis.com/blogs/biofuels/

Oil Prices Top $69 a Barrel
North County Times - Escondido,CA,USABy JW ELPHINSTONE NEW YORK -
Oil prices inched up Tuesday, setting a nine-month closing high, after labor unions in Nigeria rejected the government's ...

Oil prices mixed, Nigerian strike looms
Melbourne Herald Sun - AustraliaWORLD oil prices traded mixed overnight but hovered near nine-month highs in the face of a looming general strike in Nigeria and threatening comments by ...
Oill prices mixed as Nigerian general strike looms
Petroleumworld.com - Caracas,VenezuelaWorld oil prices traded mixed Tuesday but hovered near nine-month highs in the face of a looming general strike in Nigeria and threatening comments by Iran, ...

Is groundnut kernel export to be blamed for rising oil prices?
Ahmedabad Newsline - Ahmedabad,IndiaEven though Saurashtra saw 15 lakh metric tonnes of groundnut production this season, oil prices have registered 20 per cent hike. ...

Stocks stage modest rally...Oil prices edge higher...United hiring ...
KXMC - Minot,ND,USANEW YORK (AP) Oil prices rose slightly above the nine-month closing high after labor unions in Nigeria rejected the government's efforts to avert a ...

Oil prices close above $69 a barrel again
ImediNews - Tbilisi,GeorgiaNEW YORK, June 19 (UPI) -- Crude oil prices closed at more than $69 a barrel Tuesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange as traders weighed worrisome ...c

Business news and notesAgri News - MN,USADES MOINES -- Rising soybean oil prices are dampening the rapidly expanding biodiesel industry, which relies heavily on the oil to make the renewable diesel ...

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Brazilian ethanol: FT and Guardian

Brazilian ethanol: more prominent coverage
June 20th, 2007 ·
After the article written by President Lula for the Guardian a few days ago, the Financial Times published today an article about the success of Brazilian ethanol. The article focuses on the investments made on the production of sugar cane ethanol and the positive outlook for the future: “Optimists speak of the country as a green Saudi Arabia, whose combination of land, climate and technology could make it the biggest producer of efficient bioethanol”.
The national industry is attracting international investors such as Singapore’s Noble Group and the U.S. private equity group Infitinity Capital. According to Unica, the sugar and alcohol industry association, “investors will build one new sugar and alcohol mill in Brazil every month for the next six years; projects already under way…will absorb nearly $15bn”.Written by apasolini

FTimes: funding revolution in Brazil

FT REPORT - BRAZIL: A funding revolution
By John Rumsey
Marcel Malczewski is very much the new breed of Brazilian entrepreneur. Fluent in English, well-travelled and a polished presenter, he is the executive director of Bematech, a specialised technology company in the well-ordered southern city of Curitiba. This April, the company he helped found carried out an initial public offering on the São Paulo stock exchange, Bovespa, raising $200m.
"Getting this kind of financing would have been unimaginable just a few years ago," says Mr Malczewski. When he and his co-founder set up Bematech in the late 1980s, inflation was running at 70 per cent per month and banks flatly refused to lend to them, he recalls. They finally secured a $150,000 loan from BNDES, Brazil's national development bank, which helped them to scrape together finance from individuals and family offices to get the company off the ground. Bematech, which makes hardware and software for small and medium-sized banks and retailers, required complex negotiations for cash every time it looked to expand.
That was then. Now, a wide range of institutional investors from Europe and the US owns 35 per cent of the company and investor interest has already pushed the share price from the launch price of R$14.5 to near R$20 in just two months.
"The opening of the Brazilian equity and debt markets has revolutionised company funding," says Ricardo Lacerda, managing director and head of Brazilian investment banking at Citigroup in São Paulo. And it is starting to have a significant impact on the whole economy. Capital markets are providing cheaper financing to quality companies, enhancing productivity. These market-fuelled gains account for nearly one-third of the recent growth in GDP in Brazil, adding 1 percentage point or a little more to GDP per year, Mr Lacerda estimates.
Equity markets are more democratic than in the late 1980s and support a far more diverse cross-section of industries and company types. Alexandre Bettamio, managing director and head of Brazilian investment banking for UBS-Pactual in São Paulo, notes that companies involved in alternative fuels and the agro-industry, consumer goods, and real estate are all using equity market financing. Companies in more esoteric areas such as education, health, logistics, meat packing as well as banks and financing companies are swelling their ranks, he says. Just five years ago, Brazil had seven companies with a market capitalisation of more than R$1bn; now there are more than 90.
Companies are even starting to join a mergers and acquisitions frenzy. Mr Lacerda believes M&A could account for as much as R$70bn-R$100bn this year compared with R$37bn last year. Partly, that money is being spent on companies buying domestic rivals, speeding consolidation. Real estate and alternative fuels have traditionally been highly fragmented in Brazil, dominated by families and often saddled with mind-numbingly inefficient structures. Leading developers such as Gafisa and Cyrela have seized the opportunity offered by cheaper funding to snap up land cheaply and absorb rivals. Gafisa, for example, bought AlphaVille Urbanismo, the largest community development company in Brazil, last year.
This wave of M&A is being used not only by Brazilian companies fostering efficiencies at home. Giant mining company Companhia Vale do Rio Doce's R$18bn takeover of Canada's Inco last year created the world's second-largest mining company and was Brazil's largest foreign acquisition ever.
The capital markets boom may even help reconcile some of Brazil's squabbling, wealthy families who own many of the companies that are eligible to come to Bovespa. Family members must unravel complex shareholding arrangements, clean up management and yield control if they are to get the interest of investors and maximise their share price. "That's already happening as original shareholders become uncomfortable holding less than 50 per cent," says José Olympio, managing director and head of Brazilian investment banking at Credit Suisse in São Paulo. He points out that Elie Horn, president of the real estate giant Cyrela, now holds less than half of his own company. That bitter pill may be easier for Mr Horn to swallow knowing that the sale of those shares catapulted him on to the rarefied list of Brazilian billionaires. Other families are sure to follow suit.
Companies are gearing up to use the corporate debt market too. Brazil is on the cusp of a coveted investment grade, having been raised to one notch below by the three leading ratings agencies. When that happens: "We will start seeing totally different investors, including huge European and US pension funds, enter the corporate debt markets," according to Hamilton Agle, head of Brazilian debt capital markets at Citigroup in São Paulo. An investment grade will help them refinance outstanding debt cheaply and provide alternative funding if equity markets turn south

Ethanol: Financial Times Today - Brazil/USA

US begins to share Brazil's enthusiasm
By Richard Lapper in São Paulo
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, rarely misses an opportunity to advertise the power of his country's ethanol industry in his bid to wield greater influence in the world.
But recently a number of leaders in the Americas have begun to share his enthusiasm, arguing that co-operation between the energy-hungry north and the resource- and technology-rich south could form the basis for greater integration and healthier political relations across the hemisphere.
"By serving as a catalyst for rural development [in Latin America] and a new source of trade with its hemispheric neighbours, ethanol imports will actually advance US strategic interests – something that cannot be said of oil imports from the Middle East," says Luis Alberto Moreno, the Colombian diplomat who is president of the Inter-American Development Bank, the region's biggest development institution.
Other prominent backers are José Miguel Insulza, the Chilean socialist who is general secretary of the Organisation of American States, and Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, brother of President George W. Bush and president of the Inter-American Ethanol Commission, a regional body formed last year to promote green fuels.
Jeb Bush recently described biofuel co-operation as a "win-win" for the US. It could, he said, create jobs, increase prosperity, change migration flows and reduce fuel dependency on "unstable sources controlled by enemies of our country".
Many analysts say a biofuels alliance could help counterbalance the growing influence of Venezuela's oil-rich government under President Hugo Chávez.
Michael Shifter, at the Washington-based Inter-American Dialogue think-tank, says: "A lot of what Chávez does in the region depends on energy and his links with Brazil."
Mr Chávez and his Cuban ally, President Fidel Castro, have been critical of plans to expand biofuels production, arguing that the use of corn for ethanol had led to steep rises in food prices.
Mr Chávez has offered credit on concessionary terms to Latin American governments, allowing them to reduce the growing burden of expensive oil imports, but biofuels development could ease dependence on cheap Venezuelan oil.
Earlier this year the IADB pledged up to $3bn (€2.2bn, £1.5bn) to promote biofuels in the region, building on a separate plan by Brazil and the US to back biofuels development in oil-dependent smaller countries.
Several Caribbean and Central American countries are already exporting ethanol duty-free to the US.


2-
Brazil enjoys sugar power's sweet success
By Jonathan Wheatley in São Paulo
At the headquarters of Dedini in Piracicaba, São Paulo state, José Francisco Davos, director for business development, has found 40 minutes to talk between visits from two foreign delegations, one from the US, the other from Sudan. The visitors are customers and potential clients, come to see the technology that has made Dedini the leading supplier of equipment for sugar and alcohol mills in Brazil.
Brazil's ethanol surge is only just beginning. Optimists speak of the country as a green Saudi Arabia, whose combination of land, climate and technology could make it the world's biggest producer of efficient bioethanol.
The country will produce about 4.6bn gallons of ethanol from the current harvest, using about half of the 16m hectares of land planted with sugar cane. The US produces 4.9bn gallons from some 78m hectares of maize but, while land in the US is scarce, Brazil has enormous scope for expansion.
Of its 790m hectares of arable land, 440m are used for grazing, 150m are used for crops such as soya and 200m are unused, according to Marcos Jank, a specialist in farm trade appointed this month to head Unica, the sugar and alcohol industry association.
Drive 300?km deeper into São Paulo state from Piracicaba – across gently undulating countryside often covered from horizon to horizon by a green sea of sugar cane – and you reach Catanduva, where Usina Cerradinho, a family-owned sugar and alcohol mill, is working at full capacity. This year the harvest began in the first week of April, earlier than usual because the mill will need to run flat out until October to fulfil its contracts.
Last year the company, now in its second generation, opened its second mill about 100?km up the road. "That was before all this agitation over ethanol," says José Fernandes Rio, managing director. Now it is preparing to spend $180m on a third mill over the state border in Goiás with funding from BNDES, the Brazilian government's development bank.
New investors, such as Singapore's Noble Group and US private equity group Infinity Capital, are arriving in a steady stream. Quoted Brazilian companies such as Cofan have attracted foreign equity investors, mostly from the US. If Unica's estimates are correct, investors will build one new sugar and alcohol mill in Brazil every month for the next six years; projects already under way, it says, will absorb nearly $15bn.
Dedini, the mill producer, is operating at 75 per cent of its capacity and has 18 projects on its books. Sales have grown steadily at 20-30 per cent a year for the past five years and will reach R$1.8bn this year. While export markets are opening up, 80 per cent of sales are in Brazil.
In the past, foreigners have burnt their fingers in Brazil's farm sector by buying out local farmers and then discovering too late that local knowledge and experience are essential to success.
Many of the latest arrivals seem better prepared. UK-based Clean Energy Brazil, for example, has taken care to involve experienced ­Brazilian producers alongside international investors and commodities service ­providers.
Questions remain as to whether the investment is warranted. Brazil's home market promises steady demand as locally developed "flex fuel" technology means more than 90 per cent of new cars run on ethanol, gasoline, or a mixture of the two.
But many changes must take place in developed markets before the green Saudi Arabia vision can become reality. "A lot of investors are heading for a nasty surprise," says one São Paulo consultant active in the area.
There is still uncertainty over what biofuel quotas – if any – will be instituted in some significant potential markets, such as Japan.
Furthermore, a US ethanol tariff set at 54 cents a gallon means that Brazil's biggest potential export market is all but out of reach. Jeb Bush, brother of US President George.W Bush and president of the Inter-American Ethanol Commission, has conceded that the tariff "stymies" development of an ethanol market in the region.

Biofuels lobby group in the USA

Biofuels lobby group launched in the USA

Biofuels Review
Posted by Bill Bradshaw
Tuesday, 19 June 2007


In the first major initiative to build a grassroots communications network for the advancement of biofuels adoption, a new national association called The American Biofuels Council (ABC) (http://www.americanbiofuelscouncil.com) has been formed. ABC's mission, it says, is to advance the uses of alternative fuels and other products derived from biomass derivatives, by promoting research, development and education on the use of biofuels. It will bring information to consumers, enterprises and local governments, and, in turn, represent the grassroots at the national level.

"As a nation, we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil by producing fuel domestically," said Sean O'Hanlon, ABC's Founder and Executive Director. "In addition, biofuels are virtually carbon neutral, contributing little in the way of greenhouse gases to global warming, unlike fossil fuels," he said. "Last but not least, producing our own fuel creates jobs and helps reduce our trade deficit, and since biofuels are produced from various sources of biomass, the supply is almost limitless."
"We want to remove every barrier that stands between the average consumer, local enterprises and government in adopting biofuels for their fleets, cars, homes and businesses," said Jim Lane, ABC Chairman and CEO of Miami-based Eos Biofuel.
Biofuels are solid, liquid or gas fuels derived from biomass, recently living organisms or their metabolic byproducts such as manure. Some countries use such products as flaxseed, rapeseed, sugar cane and palm oil. Biodegradable outputs from industry, agriculture, forestry and households can also be used, such as straw, timber, manure, rice husks, sewage, biodegradable waste and food leftovers. Unlike non-renewable natural resources like petroleum, coal and nuclear fuels, biofuel derived from biomass is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle. Biobutanol, which can be used as a replacement for gasoline, is another alcohol fuel similar to ethanol, and can be produced from sugar cane, switchgrass or other biomass stocks. Biodiesel is the most common biofuel in Europe.
"ABC is the first organization," said O'Hanlon, "dedicated to moving information from local and state levels up to the national level and across the country. In turn the Council will take information from the national level and move it quickly down to the grassroots local level. That is the key to turning goodwill and high hopes into actual adoption."
O'Hanlon and Lane said that ABC already has members in every state. A Board of Governors has been appointed including noted academic, ethanol, biodiesel and energy experts and policy makers. These Governors will advise on policy and coordinate the flow of information to and from their regions. Among Board members are: Dr. Amar Mohanty, Associate Professor, Michigan State University, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy; Les Branning, CEO of govstreet.org; Gary Lipsky, Director of Operations of Ecron; Kevin Hull, Co-Founder, Nearbio.com; and Julie Mikalson, member of the (Oregon) Governor's Renewable Energy Working Group.
O'Hanlon commented: "Our Board of Governors is helping us develop point- by-point transition plans that can be used by enterprise, consumers and government to move from fossil to biofuels as soon as possible. We help them achieve fast but sustainable 'wins' that reduce their carbon footprint."

Jet Biofuel is moving

Biopact

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

CFM successfully tests 30% biofuel in jet engine

Another major milestone for aviation biofuels has been announced by CFM International. The company has successfully carried out an initial test of a CFM56-7B engine using an ester-type biofuel at Snecma's Villaroche facility near Paris.The CFM56-7B turbofan is the exclusive engine for the Boeing Next-Generation Single-aisle airliner. Over 4000 of them are already in service in airplanes such as the Boeing 737-600/700/800, the 737-900, the P-8A, the Boeing Business Jet and numerous other (military) aircraft. Boeing is very active in developing biofuels for aviation, and recently announced it aims for a target of blending 50% biofuel with jet fuels (earlier post).

CFM56 engines are produced by CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (Safran Group) and General Electric Company.The biofuel used for this test is 30 percent vegetable oil methyl ester blended with 70 percent conventional Jet-A1 fuel. This test was designed to check the operation of a jet engine using a fuel made from biomass, without making any technical changes to the engine. With this type of biofuel, the target is a net reduction of 20 percent in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared with current fuels.

Our goal is to support the industry in identifying replacements for traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels, including synthetic fuels that use a mixture of biofuels and jet fuel. - Pierre Thouraud, Snecma Vice-president engineering.CFM is running engine tests to develop solutions based on mixtures of jet fuel and second-generation biofuels. For instance, it is currently focusing on the evaluation of alternative fuels made using biomass (offering properties closer to those of jet fuel), which also offer better environmental performance. Along with its parent companies, CFM International is participating in a number of emissions-focused initiatives, including the U.S. CAP (Climate Action Partnership), French Calin, and European Alpha-Bird programs.

For alternative fuels to be used in the aviation industry, there are a number of major technology challenges that must be met, including energy density, thermal stability (avoiding coking at high temperature), use at very low temperatures (freezing) or high temperatures, lubricating effect with materials used, and the availability of mass production facilities worldwide

CFM International is satisfied with this first CFM56 engine test using a biofuel, another major step towards an ecologically friendly Jet engine delete economy," said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM.The engine

The CFM56-7B is the exclusive engine for the Boeing Next-Generation Single-aisle airliner: 737-600/-700/-800/-900. Thrust ranges from 18,500 to 27,300 lbs.Over 4,000 CFM56-7B engines are in service as part of the most popular engine/aircraft team in commercial aviation. The -7, with it's swept fan and advanced compressor is among the most modern, efficient and reliable turbofans ever. More than 500 airlines fly CFM56-7B-powered 737s and, since entering service in the mid-90s, they have accumlated over 50 Million flight hours. All CFM56-7B engines delivered beginning in mid 2007 will be compliant with future CAEP/6 environmental requirements.The CFM56-7B also powers the Boeing/GE BBJ (Boeing Business Jet) and 737 military variants including transports special mission aircraft.CFM has long been a leader in working to reduce fuel consumption, greenhouse gases, polluting emissions and noise and pioneered new technologies to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons and visible smoke.

USA moving fast: Blends of Biodiesel

(Contribution: Mr. Terry Vogt)

Senate Bill Calls for 1.25 Billion Gallons of Biodiesel in Blends by 2012

Washington, DC -
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) praised bipartisan legislation introduced June 13 by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to ensure that a portion of America's future diesel fuel supply is renewable. The Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act would gradually increase the amount of biodiesel and bio-based replacement diesel that refiners blend into diesel to 1.25 billion gallons by 2012."Biodiesel is a fuel that holds great promise in terms of moving our country toward energy independence," Durbin said. "This bill will create incentives for producers and consumers alike and will allow this important alternative fuel source the chance to become a mainstream alternative to foreign oil."

Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) joined Durbin as original cosponsors of the measure."This legislation would set a floor for biodiesel demand, which will help ensure that the promising biodiesel industry continues delivering benefits to America," said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. In addition to economic growth and pollution reduction, biodiesel delivers fuel refining capacity, something this nation desperately needs."Having a demand floor in place will help provide needed stability and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which benefits all Americans." The program would require that oil refiners blend 450 million gallons of biodiesel and bio-based replacement diesel starting in 2008, gradually ramping up to 1.25 billion gallons by 2012.Biodiesel must meet 80 percent of the requirement.

Under the act, in order to be introduced into commerce, biodiesel or bio-based diesel replacement fuel is required to be registered through the > Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Clean Air Act, and must have an ASTM standard. It would also establish a federal inspection program to ensure that fuels entering commerce meet quality standards set forth by ASTM, a move NBB applauded."Because fuel quality is so critical, the National Biodiesel Board has been working with federal and state agencies to increase enforcement of biodiesel fuel quality," Jobe said.

"This would step up those efforts to help ensure that only biodiesel meeting appropriate quality standards makes its way to consumers." The biodiesel industry produced 250 million gallons in 2006, and is on a track to produce 300 - 350 million gallons in 2007.The 148 plants operating nationwide report 1.4 billion gallons of capacity a year. The NBB is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S. NBB's membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.

USA largest refinery of biodiesel

http://www.acppubs.com/article/CA6449212.html?rssid=112
Pacific Builder and Engineer
New Refinery at Port of Grays Harbor Will Lead the Nation

The nation's largest refinery of biodiesel fuel is rapidly approaching completion at the Port of Grays Harbor in Southwest Washington — and not a moment too soon.
With the prices of petroleum-based fuels climbing well past $3 per gallon and concerns about their effects on the environment spiraling upward as well, Seattle-based Imperium Renewables expects to begin producing fuel at its Grays Harbor refinery this year. The $65-million facility will be capable of producing 100 million gallons of biodiesel per year, said Sid Watts, Imperium's general manager — plant operations.
First, a little background about biodiesel: According to Energy Business Reports, the term biodiesel refers to a diesel-equivalent, processed fuel derived from biological sources such as vegetable oils, etc; which can be used in unmodified diesel engine vehicles. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895, when Dr. Rudolf Diesel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil.
Commercial production of biodiesel in the United States began in the 1990s. The National Biodiesel Board reported production of 500,000 gallons in 1999 and 75 million gallons in 2005. The most common sources of oil for biodiesel production in the United States are soybean oil and yellow grease (mostly recycled cooking oil from restaurants).
Biodiesel is made through a chemical process called "transesterification" in which the glycerin is separated from the fat or vegetable oil. The process leaves behind two products — methyl esters (the chemical name for biodiesel) and glycerin (a valuable byproduct that can be sold for use in soaps and other products).
Imperium Renewables Inc. was founded as Seattle Biodiesel LLC in late 2003 by John Plaza to commercialize his new design for biodiesel refining. Saybr Contractors Inc., a Northwest petroleum facility contractor, entered into a joint venture to construct the first commercial implementation of this biodiesel refinery technology in Seattle in 2004. The refinery opened for business in early 2005 with a yearly capacity of 5 million gallons per year.
Imperium took the next step in May 2006, when it announced plans to build the much bigger Grays Harbor plant. The site was chosen for its location, close to sea and rail shipping connections, as well as other amenities it offered, Watts said. Raw materials for producing biodiesel there include both vegetable oil transported by rail from Iowa and palm oil shipped by sea from Southeast Asia.Learning From Experience
Lessons learned during construction of the Seattle plant have been a great help since work began on the Grays Harbor facility last July, said Eric Martin of Saybr Contractors, site representative for the owner.
The primary lesson: "Put a plan together before you start," Martin advised.
Supporting that view was Steve Drennan, director of engineering services for Imperium.
"You learn as much from the positives as from the negatives," Drennan said. "It was great to start with a small project" (before starting this one).
The current project involves building a production facility measuring 100 feet by 300 feet, a tank farm with eight storage tanks of 2 million gallons capacity apiece and a railroad yard plus making minor improvements to two marine terminals.
J.H. Kelly Co., based in Longview, Wash., is serving as general contractor. The company, which is highly experienced in refinery construction, is self-performing concrete placement, structural steel erection, mechanical work, and equipment setting, said Steve Dahl, senior project manager.
The 12.86-acre site required quite a bit of preparation work, because it consisted of materials dredged from the harbor channel and placed there as fill in the 1980s. Drennan said it was necessary to excavate and backfill with 6-inch rock to stabilize the site, but the process was effective because it allowed crews to work throughout the winter despite record rainfalls during the period.
To support the storage tanks, 2,373 grout-driven piles, 16 inches in diameter and 70 feet to 75 feet deep, were placed in the tank farm area.
Atop the piles were built 3-foot-thick concrete pads for each of the tanks, which measure 80 feet in diameter and 60 feet tall. The pads, placed in monolithic pours, required 100 deliveries by 10-cubic-yard-capacity concrete trucks. To minimize the impact of the deliveries on both local traffic and also on other projects requiring concrete in the community, this work was done during the weekend, Drennan said.
Winter weather also posed a big challenge during erection of the storage tanks. Supplier T Bailey Inc. rolled and painted the steel pieces of the tanks at its Anacortes, Wash., plant and shipped them to Grays Harbor with just-in-time delivery for its erection crew.
Drennan described the erection scheme as "shell plate by shell plate, one course at a time."
"Flying big sheets of metal in the wind has been difficult," he added. "We had several stoppages during bad weather, and it's pretty impressive that we have stayed on schedule."
At one point during the winter, a big storm blew in from the Pacific while four of the tanks were under construction. The workers were able to stake out three of the tanks before the storm hit, but the fourth one, which was at 60 percent of full height, collapsed in the wind. They were able to pull the pieces back out into proper shape with only a short time delay, however, and the project proceeded.Strong Community Support
Though Imperium is constructing several buildings on the site, the actual processing equipment, which is of a proprietary design, will sit outside on a 2-foot-thick slab that measures 50 feet by 60 feet. The buildings are an operations control center, built of CMU block; and a prefabricated "polishing" building, where the finished product will receive a final filtering to remove trace impurities. Also, a 25-foot-tall cooling tower will serve the facility.
"We don't have a whole lot of cooling needs for our process," Drennan explained.
The rail yard consists of four parallel tracks, 4,500 feet in length and capable of accommodating a 90-car unit train. A separate track is dedicated to handling hazardous materials.
The plant is designed so that any of the tanks can hold either raw material or finished products — as long as they are cleaned before switching for one to the other, Watts said.
Not surprisingly, a maze of piping connects the eight main tanks and two smaller swing tanks. In all, there are 45,000 linear feet of piping, from short runs of 48-inch-diameter to the main lines of 16 inches and smaller, said J.H. Kelly's Steve Dahl.
A key element in the success of the project that comes up repeatedly when discussing it with the builders is the strong support they have received from the Grays Harbor communities.
"The cool story here is that we have used a lot of local industry here to build this plant," said Imperium's Drennan. "It's a great community and statewide effort. And it's a quality job."

Key Project Participants
Owner — Imperium Renewables, Seattle
Engineering and Design — Imperium Renewables
Project Management — Saybr Contractors Inc., Tacoma
General Contractor — J.H. Kelly Co., Longview, Wash.
Earthwork — Rognlin's Inc., Aberdeen, Wash.
Backfill — Northwest Rock Inc., Aberdeen, Wash.
Concrete Supplier — Bayview Redi-Mix Inc., Aberdeen, Wash.
Electricals — Campbell Electric, Walterville, Ore.
Pile Driving — DeWitt Construction Inc., Vancouver, Wash.
Storage Tanks — T Bailey Inc., Anacortes, Wash.
Tank Insulation — Performance Contracting Inc., Seattle
Rail Yard — Railworks Track Systems Inc., Chehalis, Wash.
Painting — Dunkin & Bush Inc., Portland

California: 10% ethanol blend

Biopact

Saturday, June 16, 2007

California adopts 10 percent ethanol blend, major boost to biofuels

Gasoline sold in California will include up to 10 percent ethanol, state air managers have decided, a move the renewable fuels industry says will shift the burgeoning ethanol market into high gear. California is the world's fifth largest economy and the largest consumer of transport fuels in the United States.The California Air Resources Board adopted a resolution updating the predictive model for gasoline reformulation. All California refineries making gas sold in the state will have to blend 10 percent ethanol into their gas to meet new fuel standards set by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger starting Dec. 31, 2009.

Today's decision by the Air Resources Board is an important step toward diversifying California's fuel supply with alternative and, in this instance, renewable fuels. While many alternative fuels exist in the market, ethanol is one that can be blended into today's gasoline with no change to our current cars. This action allows fuel providers to blend up to 10 percent ethanol into gasoline, while still ensuring we're meeting California's tough air quality standards. -

California Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerIndustry groups said the ruling will almost double demand for the biofuel in California, which last year used about 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of ethanol, or nearly one-fifth of the total consumed across the United States.Blending more ethanol into gasoline will improve air quality in California and reduce dependency on foreign oil.

The decision blends in with Governor's Schwarzenegger's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) executive order. The goal of the LCFS is to ensure that the mix of fuel sold in California market deliver, on average, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By 2020, the LCFS is expected to produce at least a 10 percent reduction in the carbon content, replace 20 percent of all on-road fuels with lower carbon alternatives, and more than triple the size of the state's renewable fuels market.

Boost to biofuels market

"Once the market starts to fall in line like this, it shows the demand is there and is growing," said Bruce Scherr, CEO of Informa Economics Inc., a Memphis-based consulting firm specializing in renewable fuels. A handful of other states - including Connecticut, Minnesota and Hawaii - have mandates for the use of 10 percent ethanol, or E-10, according to the Renewable Fuels Association.

A surge in demand will be created as large states like California, Texas and New York roll out legislation forcing gas stations to sell a more environmentally friendly mix, analysts said. That growth is aided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which gives small refiners a federal tax credit for using the biofuel

"While many alternative fuels exist in the market, ethanol is one that can be blended into today's gasoline with no change to our current cars," Schwarzenegger commented. "It is critical that government continue reducing barriers so that alternative fuels can increasingly penetrate our transportation fuels markets.If refineries still cannot meet clean air standards with 10 percent ethanol in their fuel mix, they can reduce emissions from other sources by donating money to programs that take polluting vehicles off the road, among other alternatives, said board spokesman Dimitri Stanich.

California's decision may have an impact on global ethanol producers like Brazil and other countries in Latin America, who export to the United States. The biofuels they produce are more efficient and less costly than corn based ethanol, the main biofuel used today in the U.S. In March, the United States and Brazil signed a biofuels cooperation agreement, but President Lula did not succeed in making the US abandon its US$0.54/gallon tariff on imported ethanol (earlier post).

In March, the United States imported 629,000 barrels of ethanol mainly from Latin America (previous post).More information:California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resources Board: Groundwork Begun for Greater Use of Ethanol in California's Gasoline - June 15, 2007.USNewswire: Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement on Air Resources Board's Adoption of Measure in Support of Ethanol, Renewable Transportation Fuel - June 15, 2007.California Renewable Fuels Partnership.

Booming Renewable Energy Funds

Renewable energy funds are booming

Many outperform the S&P 500, promoters cite investor interest in the face of global warming.
By Steve Hargreaves, CNNMoney.com staff writer
June 15 2007
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Since the start of the year, the small but growing pool of funds specializing in renewable energy have posted solid returns, in many cases beating the pants off the S&P 500.
The mutual funds include the New Alternatives Fund and the Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund .
Exchange traded funds, which can be bought or sold like stocks, include the PowerShares WilderHill Clean Energy fund, the PowerShares WilderHill Progressive Energy fund, the Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy fund, and the First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge US Liquid fund.
The New Alternatives fund is up nearly 37 percent the last 12 months and 20 percent so far this year. The Guinness Atkinson fund is up 17 percent and 27 percent while the Wilder Hill funds, which launched last fall, are each up about 11 percent this year.
By comparison, the S&P 500 has climbed about 21 percent over the last 12 months and is up about 5 percent this year.

Product design, nature's way

There was a time when investors could count on losing a few percentage points in returns in exchange for making "green" or "socially responsible" investments, but one analyst said that is changing.
"I don't think they exceed expectations, but I don't think they disappoint either," said Jeff Siegel, managing editor of Green Chip Stocks, an investment newsletter focusing on environmentally friendly companies.
Seigel said the number of funds dedicated to alternative energy is growing rapidly.
On Wednesday Calvert, purveyor of socially responsible mutual funds, announced that it too is getting in on the alternative energy investing game, promoting its Calvert Alternative Energy Fund in response to what it said was overwhelming investor interest in the sector.
Calvert cited a survey, conducted on its behalf by the polling group Opinion Research Corp., that said more than three quarters of investors are concerned that global warming will bring about major changes in their lifetime or the lifetime of their children.
But only one in five investors who use a financial professional said they had discussed investing in alternative energy with a financial adviser, the survey found. Four out of five said there should be more alternative energy mutual funds for investment.
"This is a big disconnect," said Graham Huber, a project manager at Opinion Research. "There is strong U.S. investor interest."
Jens Peers, portfolio manger for the new Calvert fund, said he will invest in about 150 companies, mostly from Europe, the United States, China and Japan.
Jens said about 80 percent of the companies will be "pure plays," meaning the firms get 50 percent or more of their revenue from business in alternative energy.
The remaining 20 percent will be "market leaders," larger firms like GE (Charts, Fortune 500) or BP (Charts) that are big players in the industry but don't get most of their sales from renewables.
The growth in alternative energy mutual funds follows a pattern of surging overall investment in the sector.
In 2004, money flowing to renewables worldwide was about $28 billion, according to the American Council on Renewable Energy. By 2006 that number jumped to nearly $71 billion.
Like all mutual funds, ones focused on alternative energy have their pros and cons.
On the plus side, experts say the professional money management you get in some of these funds is needed when investing in such a young industry.
"Lots of these companies never make it, and it's tough to pick out the ones that survive," said William Buechler, founder and president of Barclay Partners Asset Management, a money management firm based in La Jolla, Calif.
But in addition to the fees, which generally range from 1 to 2 percent, investors may not like being stuck with the stock choices of someone else.
"It always seems to me that there are a number of companies they purchase that I just don't think are that good," said Buechler. "I think it's better for the individual investor to put the time in, do the homework, and select their own companies."

Biodiesel margins

(Contributed by Mr. Terry Vogt)

Biodiesel margins turn negative as palm surges
By Sambit Mohanty
SINGAPORE, June 13 (Reuters) - Biodiesel producers are suspending expansion plans while others are considering halting production as profits dry up in the face of surging palm prices, a Malaysian biodiesel maker said on Wednesday. Unni Krishnan Unnithan, executive director of Carotino Sdn Bhd said although their plant was continuing to produce biodiesel, profit margins had turned negative from a positive return of $60-$100 a tonne about a year earlier. "On margins, we are sailing in the same boat as other biodiesel producers," Unnithan told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a biofuels conference.

"You have to be vertically integrated, have the security of raw material supplies, to weather such a storm," he added. Malaysian palm oil prices, which have more than doubled in the past 18 months, surged to a record high of 2,764 ringgit last week on booming demand for use in the food industry and for fuel. But the market has been hit hard this week. By midday on Wednesday, the benchmark August contract on the Malaysia Exchange was down 159 ringgit, or 6.5 percent, to 2,274 ringgit ($656) a tonne.

Carotino currently has an annual capacity to produce about 180,000 tonnes of regular-grade, palm biodiesel and about 30,000 tonnes of winter-grade palm biodiesel. The privately-owned firm, located close to Malaysia's southern port of Pasir Gudang, is a part of the J.C. Chang group, which owns about 40,470 hectares, or more than 100,000 acres, of palm plantations, four crude palm oil mills and a refinery.

PRICE OUTLOOK

Unnithan said the palm oil market is likely to remain volatile for another six months, until the supply outlook becomes clearer. But it's unlikely that prices would fall sharply in coming months. "In my opinion, palm oil prices are not going to come down easily," he said. "The soy oil supply situation is also getting squeezed as more acreage is diverted for corn for ethanol production. This will affect palm oil prices." In addition, market talk about Indonesia planning to raise its palm oil export tax had also helped to lift prices recently. "When the supply situation is so tight, any kind of rumour or adverse remark ignites the market," Unnithan said.

Soyoil on the Chicago Board of Trade is also benefiting from surging demand for oils, and is hovering near a 23-year high. On Tuesday, CBOT soyoil fell 0.14 to 0.20 cent per lb lower, with July down 0.15 at 35.27 cents per lb. "We were earlier talking about 2 to 3 million tonnes of annual biodiesel production in Malaysia but the reality now is that production is not more than 300,000 tonnes. It will fall even further if prices continue to rise the same way," Unnithan said. He added that crude palm oil prices has not risen by the same rate as palm oil, making palm-based biodiesel production unviable. Crude oil has gained 7 percent this year, while palm oil has risen more than 14 percent in the same period. ($1 = 3.467 ringgit)

Boeing and jetbiofuels (with reference to babassu)

Biopact

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Boeing to fly aircraft on 50% biofuels blend

In an in-depth interview, US plane-maker Boeing has told EurActiv of its plans to fly aircrafts on a 50% biofuels blend in a bid to reduce its carbon footprint and to overcome the future threat of 'Peak Oil'. However, the company says that it does not expect much from the inclusion of aviation in the EU's CO2-trading scheme.EurActiv - the leading EU-centered news service - spoke to Billy Glover, managing director for environmental strategy at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

A few years ago, energy specialists would have laughed at the idea of using biofuels in jet aircraft. Today, a growing group of university researchers, airforces (Argentina , US) , biofuel companies and airlines are developing and testing sustainably produced bio-based fuels for aviation. Boeing is fully committed to join these efforts.

It is collaborating with, amongst others, Nasa and researchers in Brazil who are developing bio-jet fuel from Babassu, and mentions different other sustainable bio-jet fuel production paths in its recent publication 'Alternate Fuels for use in Commercial Aircraft' [*.pdf].Amongst the most promising alternative fuels for aircraft are synthetic fuels obtained from the Fischer-Tropsch process which liquefies synthesis gas derived from fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. But these synfuels do not reduce CO2 emissions.

Synthetic biofuels - obtained from the gasification and liquefaction of biomass - do as do vegetable oil based fatty acid methyl-esters. According to Boeing, a blend of synfuels and biofuels makes it possible in the future to replace petroleum-based jet-fuels (image, click to enlarge).Some excerpts from the interview:EurActiv: Talking about fuels - Are you also looking at ways to diversify the fuel mix in the aviation sector? I hear biofuels are now being considered for use in airplanes as well as in cars...This is one of the new developments that we're really excited about. Just a few weeks ago – on 24 April – we announced that we are working on a biofuel-flight demonstration, together with Virgin Atlantic and General Electric, scheduled for 2008. We are in the testing phase right now, sorting through dozens of samples of different types of fuels to select the one that we'll use for the biofuel demonstration.Normally, due to the chemical composition these types of fuels freeze more easily than crude oil processed fuel. So we have to do some extra processing. We are looking at different blends of biofuels with more conventional sources of fuel.

If you can run the plane on a 50% blend, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint by maybe 20-25% on that day. So while we may not get the full benefit, we will achieve a partial benefit in terms of carbon reduction. We are aiming to achieve properties that look like, act like, and perform like today's fuel, and therefore can be used in today's planes.EurActiv: What timeframe are you looking at to achieve the 50% blend? Will it be short term or long term?The blend can be used as soon as it's available, in all the airplanes that are already flying, without modification. No major changes of distribution networks, storage networks will be necessary.This does not mean that in ten years' time you will be able to buy bio-fuel blend everywhere. It will take time for the processing capacity to rise, to have the right amount of plant stock and the processing capability.

But what we can foresee is that within 10 years, there will be certain airports with fuel tanks where this blend will be available. When you fly to that airport, that’s the fuel you get. When you fly to another airport, you might get a more conventional fuel.The 50% blend figure is our target. We'd like to go to 100%, but we don't believe that is technically feasible at the moment. For the biofuels demonstration that we’ll do next year, we'll actually test the 50% blend in the lab. If it doesn't have the properties that we need, then we’ll try a 40% blend, and then we’ll try a 30% blend, but hopefully we’ll be close to 50% and get the performance we need.EurActiv:

How many airports do you expect will have the blend available ten years from now? Will they be in Europe mainly, or do you expect them to be in the US, or elsewhere?I expect the blend to be available in different places at different points in time - depending on the entrepreneurs, the different types of feed stock. There will probably be different types of blends around the world, depending on the feed stock that is most available in the region and the required processes:

Would you expect a country like Brazil – which is a leader in biofuels – to provide a lot of it?Yes. They're working actively on this:EurActiv: Has the US got specific targets on this?There are no specific targets for jet fuel in the US. This is just in the feasibility stage. But there are fuel providers in the US working on this as there are in Europe and in the Asia-Pacific region.

EurActiv: What about sustainability issues – the competition with food crops for example, which has already put pressure on corn prices in some countries?We do have criteria to make sure we're not competing with food users, to make sure that there are adequate yields so you’re not using up land that's otherwise occupied. To make sure you’re not using up water resources and that you’re not displacing forests or indigenous plants.The US Federal Aviation Administration (the FAA) recently chaired a conference [in October 2006] which launched the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI). It laid out what they called the 'road map' which looked out over 20-30 years to assess what would need to be done in R&D, regulatory framework to industrialise and commercialise alternative fuels. The road map has been an act of collaboration for the parties involved on a voluntary basis.We looked at the road map, and it actually contained a flight demonstration for bio-fuel, which was planned in five years. That inspired us to see if we could do better, and it resulted in setting the goal and getting partners lined up to actually do a flight demonstration next year. It may not be the only one – I hope it won't be the only one – but it's a start.European Emissions Trading SchemeEurActiv: Air traffic is attracting increasing attention from politicians due to concerns about global warming. How can aircraft manufacturers help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions? How is the reduction-potential broken down between engine improvement and other areas?Improvement of the engines, more efficient structures and advanced aerodynamics and systems each contribute roughly a third to efficiency gains.Together with the engine manufacturers, we work very aggressively on new designs and new technology to stretch targets on fuel efficiency. Aerodynamics are fundamental to a plane.

This is how efficiently you 'lift' the aircraft. The more robust the aerodynamics, the better you are on fuel efficiency, CO2 efficiency and noise. Advanced structures and materials determine how much lighter you can make the plane. The fuselage of our newest 787 Dreamliner plane, for instance, is made primarily of carbon-fiber composite materials. This material is much lighter and stronger, reducing the overall weight. Weight reduction is most important for environmental performance.One of the big trends is advanced electric systems. Airplanes in the past have relied heavily on hydraulic and pneumatic technology. Electric technology lets you be more precise in your control. You can control the air conditioning more precisely, for instance, by extracting power from the engines to run the air conditioning.

So if we can run the air conditioning with an electric resource instead of taking the air off the engine, it means that we're more efficient.A big issue in Europe is air-traffic management. A study by Eurocontrol says that we could achieve up to 12% reduction in CO2 emissions with the implementation of an efficient ATM system. That doesn't require any new aircraft, or any new technology, it is a policy issue.Boeing is partnering with airports, airlines and civil aviation authorities at various international airports to improve airport operational efficiencies, for example by implementing Continuous Descent Arrival procedures. These approach paths reduce the exposure to aircraft noise and reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions. Almost every airport is unique in its geography, the amount of traffic at different times of the day – and you have different organisations involved from airport to airport, so it will take some time to implement this everywhere.

Fuels, airplanes, air-traffic management and ground operations are improving. All are important. Air-traffic management improvements represent the greatest short-term opportunities for significant reductions in CO2 emissions.EurActiv: How will the inclusion of aviation in the EU carbon-trading systems (Emissions Trading Scheme - ETS) make an impact on Boeing's business?The ETS proposal would require airlines to have allocations and credits for their emissions. Our aim – regardless of the details – is to provide efficient solutions.Efficient solutions can involve new products, if airlines 'change out' their fleet over an investment period to significantly reduce their carbon emissions. Or it can involve working to improve operations – ground operations or flight operations – or it can involve working with air traffic management. Eurocontrol, for instance, has set some targets. Boeing is actively involved in working on the Single European Sky.

EurActiv: Obviously the EU-ETS will encourage new technology, so clearly that must be good news for you. Do you expect any extra business or a direct impact on orders?We are already sold out until 2011, so we can't produce any more. It's a long-term market, orders are made far in advance…EurActiv: So, are you planning to extend production capacity, then?We're very cautious, and carefully consider changes in capacity, because it’s a significant investment and it's a long supply chain. And we're just very cautious about ramping production up and down. It has a massive impact if you don't get it right.EurActiv: Do you have particular concerns regarding the inclusion of aviation in the EU-ETS?One of our concerns is to make sure we have a global solution. We can’t design for 25% of the market very effectively, because it splits our resources.

Global policy solutions are preferable due to the global nature of aviation. We would like to see these issues worked on at an international level, and in adherence to principles and findings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, to the maximum extent possible.EurActiv: Obviously, no market will require you to pollute more than in the neighbouring country, so why wouldn’t you adapt your whole fleet to the stricter EU standard?Let me give you an example. London Heathrow has very strict noise rules called the 'quota-count system' - the QC system. In order to meet some of those rules, you have to make compromises in the design. So, it's been a well-publicised fact during the case of the A380 that the design of the engine, and the nacelle and so on, had to be adjusted to meet London noise at a higher fuel burn. So, CO2 was sacrificed in order to meet noise-requirements for the community that lives around London. Is that a good trade for the climate? That's the kind of question that drives us to say that global solutions are the better solutions.

EurActiv: So in a nutshell, you don't expect much impact from ETS inclusion on your business?As an aircraft manufacturer and as a technology company, we're always trying to be ahead, developing and introducing new technologies to create better environmental performance for commercial jetliners, regardless of policy discussions. If you're in an industry such as ours, with lead times like ours, you think long ahead.The bio-fuels research we started wasn't particularly triggered by a discussion about ETS. You have to continuously make improvements to be competitive. The regulatory framework should recognise that we are already working as fast as we can to make improvements.

Compulsory Blends in the US until 2012

http://www.grainnet.com/
Senate Bill Calls for 1.25 Billion Gallons of Biodiesel in Blends by 2012
Washington, DC -– The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) praised bipartisan legislation introduced June 13 by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to ensure that a portion of America’s future diesel fuel supply is renewable.
The Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act would gradually increase the amount of biodiesel and “bio-based replacement diesel” that refiners blend into diesel to 1.25 billion gallons by 2012.
“Biodiesel is a fuel that holds great promise in terms of moving our country toward energy independence,” Durbin said.
“This bill will create incentives for producers and consumers alike and will allow this important alternative fuel source the chance to become a mainstream alternative to foreign oil.”
Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA), Thomas Carper (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) joined Durbin as original cosponsors of the measure.
“This legislation would set a floor for biodiesel demand, which will help ensure that the promising biodiesel industry continues delivering benefits to America,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO.
“In addition to economic growth and pollution reduction, biodiesel delivers fuel refining capacity, something this nation desperately needs.
"Having a demand floor in place will help provide needed stability and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, which benefits all Americans.”
The program would require that oil refiners blend 450 million gallons of biodiesel and bio-based replacement diesel starting in 2008, gradually ramping up to 1.25 billion gallons by 2012.
Biodiesel must meet 80 percent of the requirement.
Under the act, in order to be introduced into commerce, biodiesel or bio-based diesel replacement fuel is required to be registered through the Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the Clean Air Act, and must have an ASTM standard.
It would also establish a federal inspection program to ensure that fuels entering commerce meet quality standards set forth by ASTM, a move NBB applauded.
“Because fuel quality is so critical, the National Biodiesel Board has been working with federal and state agencies to increase enforcement of biodiesel fuel quality,” Jobe said.
“This would step up those efforts to help ensure that only biodiesel meeting appropriate quality standards makes its way to consumers.”
The biodiesel industry produced 250 million gallons in 2006, and is on track to produce 300 – 350 million gallons in 2007.
The 148 plants operating nationwide report 1.4 billion gallons of capacity a year.
The NBB is the national trade association of the biodiesel industry and is the coordinating body for biodiesel research and development in the U.S. NBB’s membership is comprised of state, national, and international feedstock and feedstock processor organizations, biodiesel suppliers, fuel marketers and distributors, and technology providers.

Venture Capital and Funds: Renewable Energy

http://www.renewableenergystocks.com/


A
ASN Milieufonds - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Public EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Renewable energy, environmental technologyTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, North America, Oceania, Western Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan AfricaCOMMENTS - The ASN environment fund has a global portfolio of investments in publicly traded companies that are active in environment technology and renewable energy.
Asia West Environment Funds click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - North America, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - The Asia West Environment Funds, managed by Asia West LLC, are a series of strategic private equity funds whose mission is to generate attractive financial returns by making active investments in venture grade companies working to sustain, restore and improve the global environment. The Asia West Environment Funds invest in non-listed companies in North America and Europe possessing proprietary products, technologies or services whose addressable markets are global in scope.
B
B.A.U.M. Consult AG - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal)GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western Europe (Germany)COMMENTS - Since 1999 B.A.U.M. Consult AG provides private equity for PV-plants and bioenergy plants. We prefer projects in Germany, but we are open to projects in Austria, Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and Switzerland. Our strength is the fast and cheap provision of capital and a very professional and reliable project management. Please contact us for further information
BankInvest - New Energy Solutions - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, North America, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - BankInvest is a leading independent Nordic asset manager of mutual funds, venture capital and discretionary mandates for institutional clients. P/S BI New Energy Solutions is the first venture company in Denmark dedicated to this sector.
BASF Venture Capital - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Solar (PV and Thermal), Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, East AsiaCOMMENTS - BASF Venture Capital is the venture capital arm of BASF group. Our investment focus is in material science. Energy applications are a major field of investment for us, as many innovative solutions in this area rely upon the development of new materials. In this domain of sustainable energy, examples of BASF Venture Capital investments include: - Chrysallix I and II, two funds investing in fuel cells, mainly in North America - Ngen, a fund investing in material science with several investments in sustainable energy, e.g. Konarka (PV), Powerspan, - Oxonica, a UK based start up which has developped a nanoparticle based fuel additive providing up to 10% fuel consumption reduction.
BonVenture Management GmbH - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - private investorsTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal)GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, Western Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)COMMENTS - private equity and loans up to TEUR 500 for social and/or ecological purpose mission organisations in the german-speaking area to help solve social/ecological problems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Braemar Energy Ventures is a New York City based venture capital fund making early to mid stage investments in energy technology and energy related communications. click here
C
Calvert Group, The - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Mutual FundsTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - North AmericaCOMMENTS - Strong preference for North America. Limited Capacity for direct overseas investments.
Carbon Trust - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - A private company funded by tax revenues generated under the UK commitment to the Kyoto protocol.TECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western EuropeCOMMENTS - Carbon Trust is a co-investor of choice within the UK low carbon technology domain. We specialise in indentifying and investing in eary stage technologies and credible management teams with the ability to create and deliver low carbon businesses. Initial investment ranges from £250,000 to £2,500,000. Carbon Trust also funds low carbon incubators. Please refer to the Low Carbon Technology Assessment on our website for full details of the technologies of special interest.
Caribbean Basin Power Fund - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - IIC, otherTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South AmericaCOMMENTS - EIF Group was founded in 1987 as the first specialized U.S. private equity fund manager dedicated exclusively to the independent power (IPP) and electric utility industry. EIF Group manages over $740 million of capital in portfolios containing more than 54 diversified investments, with a combined underlying asset value exceeding $4.5 billion. In December 2000, Dresdner Kleinwort Capital (DrKC) acquired EIF Group, which today comprises 31 investment, engineering, analytical, financial, and legal professionals with extensive experience in the development, evaluation and financing of global energy and utility investments. EIF manages a series of funds that provide equity capital to the global power and utilities sector. The Caribbean Basin Power Fund is an equity fund that finances small power plants, mainly in Central America and the Caribbean. The average generating capacity of these plants will be 28 megawatts. This fund will help finance approximately twelve power generation projects.
CDC Group plc - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - PrivateTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, North Africa, Central and South America, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan AfricaCOMMENTS - CDC's mission is to create wealth in emerging markets, particularly in poorer countries, by investing and attracting others to invest in sustainable private sector businesses. Founded in 1948, CDC is the UK government's instrument for investing in the private sector in developing economies. It invests through skilled and experienced fund managers, and our managers have invested US$1.6 billion in private sector businesses in its target market
Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Oceania (Main focus is Australia but will consider any country.)COMMENTS - The Centre for Energy and Greenhouse Technologies provides investment funds and support services for the development of new sustainable energy technologies. The aim of the Centre is to facilitate investment in new sustainable energy and greenhouse gas reduction technologies and capitalise both on Australia's specific energy sector requirements and the existing clear global opportunities. Technology application can be across the entire energy spectrum from generation, transmission and distribution to end use applications - focussing on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction outcomes. While the Centre's investments are across the entire Research, Development, Demonstration and Commercialisation (RDD&C) spectrum, the main focus is on the Development to Demonstration phase, bridging the gap between R&D and Commercialisation.
China Environment FundFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - PrivateTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, East AsiaCOMMENTS - China Environment Fund is a strategic private equity fund whose mission is to generate venture-like financial returns by making active investments in companies working to sustain, restore and improve the global environment. The China Fund will invest in a core group of Chinese environmental service companies, around which a roll-up strategy can be implemented to take advantage of China's highly fragmented, yet enormous environmental protection market. The International Fund will invest in selected non- Chinese companies with technologies, products and/or services that are especially well-suited and competitive for the Chinese market.
Chrysalix Energy was founded in 2001 to act as the General Partner of a series of private equity partnerships that would make early stage venture capital investments in companies whose products or services would concentrate on new methods of obtaining, delivering and using energy. We are the first and largest fund focused on opportunities within the fuel cell, hydrogen and related energy technology areas. click here
Cleantech Europe L.P - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - North America, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - zouk ventures is a leading pan-European technology venture capital firm. zouk supports visionary and experienced entrepreneurs in building technology companies to a large scale across key European markets. As part of its clean technology strategy zouk is focusing on expansion stage capital in areas such as: - renewable energy technologies - fuel cell technology - nanotechnology - optimisation and control software - energy storage and transmission - water, waste and recycling - emissions reduction and management - technology for carbon offset/trading
CleanTech Fund- click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - ConfidentialTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South America (Mexico)COMMENTS - The CleanTech Fund is a private equity fund investing in clean energy projects in Latin America. The General Partner and Manager of the Fund is Econergy International Corporation, a diversified international energy services company. The Fund will invest primarily in fixed cost energy generation projects with contracted revenues, which include both power sales and greenhouse gas emissions reductions sales. Typical projects include wind energy, biomass power and cogeneration, small and mini hydro power, and landfill gas projects. The Fund may also invest in energy efficiency projects including cogeneration. The Fund has an investment period of five years with an overall term of 10-12 years, and anticipates being capitalized at US$35 million total equity through two closings. The first closing was completed in October 2004 at US$20 million with the second closing anticipated within 12 months. The CleanTech Fund Partnership permits limited partners to increase their participation in individual investments beyond the commitment directly by the Fund through a co-investment feature of the Fund. This allows CleanTech to evaluate larger transactions - up to 50 megawatts in installed capacity or $75 million in total investment including project specific debt. The CleanTech Fund is a Quebec Limited Partnership.
Climate Investment Partnership - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Investors of equity and lenders are all interested in structuring transactions using carbon finance.TECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, North America, Oceania, Western Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan AfricaCOMMENTS - The Climate Investment Partnership provides up front financing for energy-related projects which reduce carbon emissions through its network of investors. Please submit well developed, climate-friendly projects (preferably which are already partially funded).
ConsensusFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe, South East AsiaCOMMENTS - Consensus is an investment bank focusing on renwable energy. The investment strategy is relatively open, including stocks, venture capital, project finance, funds etc. The investment size is open and varies only with the particular investment. In many cases we do offer to provide debt and equity finance.
Corporacion Financiera Ambiental (CFA) - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - IADB/MIF, Swiss Govt., Swedfund, Finnfund, Triodos, EEAF, Global Partners LLC, Citizens Energy Corp.TECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South AmericaCOMMENTS - CFA is the first environmental venture capital fund to invest in environmental projects in Central America. CFA invests at the stage of project execution. Investments can be made for new projects or the expansion of existing businesses. Investments range from US $100,000 to US $800,000 per project, and have an average size of $500,000. In exceptional cases, larger capital requests can be syndicated with other established regional funds that CFA coordinates with. Investments are made in the form of debt, equity, or a combination of the two, according to the financial structure that is most appropriate. small and medium-sized private enterprises.
COUNTRYSIDE POWER INCOME FD (TSX:COU-UN.TO) - click here Countryside Power Income Fund has investments in two district energy systems in Canada, with a combined thermal and electric generation capacity of approximately 122 megawatts, and two gas-fired cogeneration plants in California with a combined power generation capacity of 94 megawatts. In addition, the Fund has an indirect investment in 22 renewable power and energy projects located in the United States, which currently have approximately 51 megawatts of electric generation capacity and sold approximately 710,000 MMBtus of boiler fuel in 2005. The Fund's investment in the projects consists of loans to, and a convertible royalty interest in, U.S. Energy Biogas Corp.
CRESTSTREET POWER & INCM FD (TSX:CRS-UN.TO) - click here. Creststreet is an investment management firm specializing in structuring and managing high quality energy focused investment products for Canadian and international institutional and high net worth investors. Since its inception in 2000, Creststreet has raised over $725 million for investment in resource and renewable energy companies.
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Deutsche Structured Finance - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, North America, Western Europe
Dexia-FE Clean Energy: Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Fund - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - EBRD, Dexia, Marubeni Corporation, Kansai Electric Power Co. and Mitsui & Co.TECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy EfficiencyGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - The Dexia-FE Clean Energy Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction Fund is currently capitalised at $ 61 million and invests equity and quasi equity in projects across a range of sectors, including district heating, public lighting, and industrial energy efficiency through the use of Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) or others special purpose vehicles. The Fund offers investors not just an equity return, but also the opportunity to earn Emissions Reduction Units or Carbon Credits as part of the investment.
DGM Bank & Trust Inc - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - PrivateTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, North America, Western Europe, East AsiaCOMMENTS - DGM Bank & Trust Inc. is a Barbados Corporation licensed under the Barbados Offshore Banking Act. The Bank has provided venture capital and private equity to companies engaged in the “new energy economy”, as a sector specialty. DGM focuses its attention on alternative energy opportunities, in various global jurisdictions that help mitigate reliance on fossil fuels, and provide environmental benefits, which ultimately result in increased energy security for countries choosing to participate. DGM is primarily focused on investments ranging from USD 1 to 5 million per transaction and prefers to invest with other funds on larger transactions in companies dedicated to advancing the interests of alternative energy in the post-Kyoto era. Our focus is on companies, with a particular emphasis on environmental concerns, deregulation, clean energy technology and sustainability that recognize the importance of proactive reduction as an integral part of corporate governance.
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Earth Preservation Funds, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)3 tax exempt Organization Dedicated to Bettering the Environment, Assisting Industry and Helping Society Through Education, Research and Innovative Charitable Programs. Business type: Nonprofit Scientific and Educational Environmental Organization Product types: Provides environmental engineering and scientific research services including product development, efficiency engineering, environmental policy development and specialized public relations for philanthropic concerns for the benefit of mankind, wildlife and the environment.. Service types: Scientific Education, Research and Environmental Engineering Consulting Services for Philanthropic Endeavors. click here
E+Co - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Multilateral, Bi-lateral, Foundations, Private SectorTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, East AsiaCOMMENTS - E+Co is focused on the provision of business development services and seed capital. Their interest is in supporting indigenous enterprises that are working to provide those in developing countries with a reliable and affordable source of clean energy. To date E+Co has provided such support to over 110 enterprises in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Typically, investment (debt or equity) is limited to US$250,000, but the company is different from other sources of funding because it is willing to take a higher (but measured) investment risk by providing a combination of business services and seed capital during the earliest stages of an enterprise's growth. E+Co believes that the combination of business services, seed capital and commitment to local entrepreneurs is the key to success. E+Co co-manages UNEP's Rural Energy Environment and Development programmes (see http://www.areed.com/) in Africa, Brazil, and China.
Emertec Energie Environnement (3E) - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western Europe (France and surrounding countries)COMMENTS - Emertec Energy Environment (3E) is a seed & early stage capital fund dedicated to investment in innovative high tech companies with a large growth potential in the field of Energy and environmental technologies. The 3 E Fund will invest around € 1 M in about 12 projects, mainly with co-investors
Empowerment Through Energy Fund (ETEF) - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa
Energy Future Invest AS - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western Europe
Energy Hedge Fund Center click here
EnerTech targets early to expansion-stage venture investments that can deliver dramatic, defensible improvements to the profitability of the major producers and consumers of energy. click here
Englefield Capital - 200 million Renewable Energy Fund - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - InstitutionalTECHNOLOGY TYPES - WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western Europe (Major economies of western Europe)COMMENTS - Englefield Capital has established a new 200 million committed equity fund named The Englefield Renewable Energy Fund (the EREF) for investment in wind energy. Englefield is already a co-owner of the largest portfolio of operating windfarms in the UK. The EREF provides equity capital for the construction and long term operation of wind energy developments in Western Europe, principally the UK and Ireland, Germany, Spain, France and Italy. The EREF invests only in proven technology and will participate in the financing of wind farm developments from the point that all necessary construction consents are obtained.
Enviro Finance - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - Enviro Finance plc is a competence centre for Investment in the renewable energy, energy efficiency and environment sector. Our clients and partners consist of financial and strategic investors, as well as companies in the sector. We are a management team with a strong entrepreneurial background in the renewable energy, finance and IT sectors. Enviro Finance is a subsidiary of London Asia plc, a London based AIM listed investment bank with a focus on greater China. Our operational headquarters are based in Freiburg. Our Core Activities : Investment in companies in the environment sector in Europe and China Management of private equity funds Corporate finance services, such as advice on IPOs and restructurings, fund raising and M&A Support for the establishment of Sino-European cooperations We rely on: Extensive experience, market know-how and established networks in the European Energy and Environment sector London Asia’s network across international capital markets: London, New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, GreaterChina London Asia’s long standing and extensive business network in China
ETF - Environmental Technologies FundFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Limited Partners Fund in formationTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Cleaner Fuels, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western Europe (Focus on Northern Euope)COMMENTS - The fund is in formation, anticipating a first close in Q4 2006. The focus is a broad definition of Environmental Technologies or "cleantech"; so, not just 'alternative energy' in its various forms but to include power reduction & resource mitigation technologies and services, water (re-cycling & conservation), 'smart building" technologies and applied materials. In short, investee companies will come from both sides of the supply and demand equations if renewable energy addresses largely the supply side.
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FE Clean Energy Latin American Clean Energy Services FundFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - IADB/MIF, Tokyo Electric Power, Sumitomo Corp.TECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South AmericaCOMMENTS - The Fund will make equity or quasi equity investments in small innovative companies that offer energy services to other companies, providing access to financing and technical expertise to help them use energy efficient measures or renewable energy for generating power. The Fund will target potential investments in countries that have shown advances in energy efficiency and renewable energy technology projects, such as Brazil and Mexico. Initially, the fund will pursue direct investments in energyservice companies (ESCOs) that bundle together small- and medium-sized projects focused on improving the efficiency of production, distribution, and consumption of electricity or thermal energy. Subsequently, through performance contracts and other financial instruments, the ESCOs will help assist other businesses to reduce their energy consumption.
FICO - Foreign Investment Corp. Global - click here FINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - USD 25.000.000,00 DOLLARSTECHNOLOGY TYPES - BioenergyGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South America (BRASIL)COMMENTS - CLEAN ENERGY IN THE SHAPE OF STEAM ROTOVAPORIZER BIOTEC – PATENT NO PI0201642-7
FMO - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Private, publicTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, North America, Oceania, Western Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan AfricaCOMMENTS - FMO promotes sustainable development of the private sector in developing countries. Realizing sufficient returns on its risk capital is a prerequisite. Only then can FMO continue to act as an effective risk partner and ensure the continuity of the organization. These two aims - sustainable development and financial returns - are therefore inextricably linked. FMO has an investment portfolio of Eur 1.79 billion, making it one of the largest bilateral development banks. FMO has excellent access to capital markets, in part attributable to the Triple A status that was conferred in 2000. FMO's core activity is to provide local businesses and financial institutions in developing countries with long-term financing, ranging from loans to equity investments in enterprises. FMO does this on market terms and only when financing by commercial financiers is either unavailable or inadequate. Its present portfolio covers 78 countries.
Fundacja EkofunduszFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Debt-for-environment swapsTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern EuropeCOMMENTS - The EcoFund is a foundation established in 1992 by the Minister of Finance for the purposes of the effective management of funds obtained through the conversion of a part of Polish foreign debt with the aim of supporting environmental protection-related endeavours (so-called debtfor- environment swaps). To date, Polish debt-for-environment swap decisions have been taken by the United States, France, Switzerland, Italy, Norway and Sweden; hence the EcoFund is managing funds provided by all the aforementioned countries (a total of USD 571 million to be spent in the years 1992- 2010). The task of the Foundation is to co-fund environmental protection-related projects which not only are of crucial importance on a regional or national scale, but also influence the process of achieving environmental objectives recognised as priorities by the international community on a global as well as European level. Such EcoFund specifics, which distinguish the Foundation from other funds providing support to environmental protection-related investment in Poland, exclude the possibility of providing co-funding to undertakings targeting the solving of local problems only. Another task of the Foundation is the transfer of the best technologies from donor countries to the Polish market, as well as the stimulated development of the Polish environmental protection industry.
Fundo de Investimento em Participações Brasil Energia (Renewable Energy Private Equity Fund)FINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Bioenergy, Small hydropower, WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and South America (Just projects located in Brazil)
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GIMV NV - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - Private Venture CapitalTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy Efficiency, Bioenergy, Geothermal, Small hydropower, Solar (PV and Thermal), WindGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Central and Eastern Europe, Western EuropeCOMMENTS - The Investment Company for Flanders (De Investeringsmaatschappij voor Vlaanderen or Gimv) is a risk capital provider in Belgium. The Gimv invests in a broad range of service, sales, and industrial companies both in traditional and innovative sectors, young start-up companies, small-to-medium- sized organisations, as well as large companies. To those companies that meet the criteria, Gimv offers a tailormade participation structure. - For the long term, Gimv aims at maximising shareholder value. It wants to be a European investment company while remaining independent. - Gimv will continue to apply its policy of growth and return, building upon its leading position in Flanders, its home market. - Gimv supplies risk capital at prevailing market conditions at various stages of the companys life. - In most cases, Gimv is a minority shareholder, although in some cases majority shareholding is not excluded.
Global Environment Fund (GEF) is an international investment firm that invests in clean technology and emerging markets. The firm manages private equity funds totaling approximately $800 million. click here
Global Resources Society Fund, The click hereFINANCE TYPE - Public EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Energy EfficiencyGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - West Asia, North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Central and South America, North America, Oceania, Western Europe, South Asia, South East Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa COMMENTS - The Global Resources Society Fund aims to provide long-term capital appreciation through investments in listed equities worldwide. Since the global society is experiencing an ongoing need for exhaustible resources, the investment objective of the Fund is to invest in companies which will benefit from the following developments: growing demand for natural resources as a result of growing industrial production; increasing emphasis on a cleaner environment; and the search for and use of alternative resources. Companies which benefit from these developments can be found in industries like exploration and production of natural resources, recycling, and energy and environmental engineering.
Grazia Equity GmbH - click hereFINANCE TYPE - Private EquitiesTECHNOLOGY TYPES - Geothermal, Solar (PV and Thermal), Wind, Fuel CellsGEOGRAPHIC FOCUS - Western EuropeCOMMENTS - Grazia Equity is a private equity company specialising in early stage and growth investments in outstanding, innovative and high potential companies and acts either as lead- or co-investor. One of the core sectors of investment is renewable energies. Its goal is to support business opportunities over several stages on the way to becoming a leading player in the market. Grazia Equity?s experienced investment team considers investment opportunities based upon the following criteria: - The medium-term potential market size should be at least EUR 500 million. - The business should be easily scalable, for example, through the development, production and marketing of standardised products suitable for serial production. - The management team must demonstrate exceptional management skills, knowledge of the sector and technical know-how. - The products / services must provide valuable customer benefits. - The business model should offer a sustainable and defendable competitive position (patents, exclusive supply contracts or supplier relationships etc.) - Sustainable profits should be achieved after only a few years. - Capital requirements of at least EUR 0.5 million.
Green Century Funds click hereEnvironmentally responsible mutual funds. Business type: mutual fundsProduct types: The Green Century Balanced Fund and the Green Century Equity Fund
Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy (GAAEX) - click hereThe Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy Fund seeks long-term appreciation investing in equity securities (US and non-US) of companies involved in alternative energy or energy technology sectors. Alternative energy includes, but is not limited to power generated through solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal wave, geothermal, biomass or biofuels. Energy technology includes technologies that enable these sources to be tapped and also various manners of storage and transportation of energy, including hydrogen and other types of fuel cells, batteries and flywheels, as well as technologies that conserve or enable more efficient use of energy
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Impax Environmental Markets Funds click hereFINANCE TYPE - Public EquitiesSOURCE OF CAPITAL - The two listed funds, 'Impax Environmental Markets' (an investment trust