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NREL News Release:

Winners for NREL's 24th Solar and Lithium Ion Car Races

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Indy-500-style checkered flags, high-tech neoprene rubber tracks, and of course, sponsor decals graced the site of today's Junior Solar Sprint and Lithium Ion Battery car competitions for Colorado's middle schoolers. Nearly 300 students on 74 teams from 21 Colorado schools converged on Dakota Ridge High School to vie for a spot in the final races using solar and lithium ion battery powered vehicles they designed and built themselves.

"We went for lightweight and aerodynamic," Matthew Heitmann with the team from Calhan Middle School. "I'm coming back next year for sure, it's fun."

Each year, the Energy Department's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other local sponsors host the races to show middle-school students that science, engineering, and design can be rewarding and to encourage them toward careers in STEM -- science, technology, engineering, and math. The batteries used in the competition are supplied by the DOE and teams purchase authorized solar panels, then design and build the rest of their cars themselves. Solar and lithium ion battery power are highlighted at the competition since they are important research focuses for NREL and DOE.

Trophies for the fastest solar powered model cars were given to students from Calhan Middle School (Calhan), "Green Team" first place; Bell Middle School (Golden), "Team Bell 3," second place; and Sabin Middle School (Colorado Springs), "SRD," third place.

Three solar design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation were given to teams Woodlands Academy (Castle Rock), "Ring Ding the Fox," first place; Deer Creek Middle School (Littleton), "The Car," second place; Bell Middle School, "Team Bell 3," third place.

Trophies for the fastest lithium-ion powered model cars were given to Colorado students from William Roberts E-8 (Denver), "The Dinos," first place; Lincoln Academy Middle School (Arvada), "Epic with Brains," second place; and D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School (Denver), "D'Evelyn Team 2," third place.

Three lithium-ion design trophies based on technology, craftsmanship and innovation were given to teams from The Manning School (Jeffco), "Manning Battery 2," first place; Woodlands Academy, "The Antmobile," second place; and D'Evelyn Junior/Senior High School, "D'Evelyn Team 1," third place.

The "Emmie the Swan" team from Woodlands Academy was awarded the Spirit Award for exhibiting good sportsmanship, including fairness and respectful behavior.

The annual competition is sponsored by NREL, DOE's Office of Science, the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, Jefferson County Schools, Dakota Ridge High School, and the DOE Golden Service Center. Phil Long Ford of Denver, Whole Foods Market, Sam's Club and Mahnke Auto Body supported the event by providing lunches and trophies for the winning teams.

For more information on today's races visit the NREL Education web site.

Editors: HD b-roll and high resolution photographs of the competition are available by contacting Heather Lammers with NREL Public Affairs.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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Honeywell UOP Renewable Fuel Technology Powering Largest Commercial Advanced Biofuel Facility In U.S.

Honeywell News Release:

5/15/2014

Honeywell UOP Renewable Fuel Technology Powering Largest Commercial Advanced Biofuel Facility In U.S.

Significant milestone toward widespread availability of renewable fuel; Diamond Green Diesel using UOP/Eni Ecofining™ process technology to produce more than 130 million gallons per year of renewable diesel DES PLAINES, Ill., May 15, 2014 – UOP LLC, a Honeywell (NYSE: HON) company, announced today that its UOP/Eni Ecofining™ process technology is powering the largest commercial advanced biofuel facility in the U.S., capable of producing more than 130 million gallons of renewable diesel per year. The Diamond Green Diesel facility in Norco, La., converts inedible oils and other waste feedstocks to produce high-quality renewable diesel, also known as Honeywell Green Diesel™. Unlike biodiesel, renewable diesel produced using the UOP process is chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel and can be used as a drop-in replacement in vehicles with no modifications. Renewable diesel produced using the Ecofining process also features up to an 80 percent lifecycle reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared with diesel from petroleum. The facility, a joint venture of Darling International Inc. and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC, a subsidiary of Valero Energy, achieved all of its performance and quality targets. "Commercial production at the Diamond Green Diesel facility is a significant milestone for the renewable energy industry," said Veronica May, vice president and general manager for Honeywell’s UOP Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit. "UOP has leveraged 100 years of refining technology to make real alternative fuels, including Honeywell Green Diesel and Honeywell Green Jet Fuel™, from a range of inedible biofeedstocks." John Roach, senior vice president at Valero, said "Both the performance of the Ecofining unit and the quality of the diesel produced has exceeded our expectations." Randall C. Stuewe, chairman and CEO at Darling, said, "The availability of sustainable feedstocks is a key driver for the continued growth of renewable fuels. One of the benefits of the Ecofining process is that the technology is capable of processing a variety of feedstocks collected and manufactured by Darling to produce high-quality Green Diesel." Fuel produced at the facility is designed to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires a minimum volume of transportation fuels sold in the U.S. to contain renewable fuel to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Diamond Green Diesel facility will produce more than 200 million ethanol-equivalent-gallons per year of biomass-based diesel as defined under the Renewable Fuel Standard. UOP and Eni SpA jointly developed the Ecofining process, which uses hydroprocessing technology to convert non-edible natural oils and animal fats to Honeywell Green Diesel. The fuel offers improved performance over biodiesel and petroleum-based diesel, including a high cetane value of 80 compared with a cetane range of 40 to 60 found in diesel at the pump today. Cetane value is the measure of the combustion quality of diesel. Higher cetane values help diesel engines operate more effectively. Diesel with high cetane can be blended with low-cetane diesel to help meet transportation requirements. Honeywell Green Diesel also offers high energy density and excellent performance at cold or warm temperatures. In addition to Ecofining technology, the company has commercialized the UOP Renewable Jet Fuel Process, which was originally developed under a contract with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to produce renewable jet fuel for the U.S. military. Honeywell Green Jet Fuel produced by this process technology can be blended seamlessly with petroleum-based fuel. When used in up to a 50 percent blend with petroleum-based jet fuel, Honeywell Green Jet Fuel requires no changes to aircraft technology and meets all critical specifications for flight. UOP is also a partner with Ensyn Corp. in Envergent Technologies LLC, which offers RTP® rapid thermal processing technology and equipment for the production of renewable heat, power and transportation fuels. Learn more about UOP renewable energy technologies atwww.uop.com/biofuels. Valero Energy Corp., through its subsidiaries, is an international manufacturer and marketer of transportation fuels, other petrochemical products and power. Valero is the world's largest independent petroleum refiner, one of the largest ethanol producers and a major wholesale fuel marketer. Darling International Inc. is the world’s largest, publicly-traded producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients creating a wide range of products and customized specialty solutions for clients in the food, pharmaceutical, pet food, feed, fuel, bioenergy, technical and fertilizer industries. With operations on five continents, the Company transforms all aspects of animal by-product streams into useable and specialty ingredients, such as gelatin, tallow, feed-grade fats, meat and bone meal, poultry meal, yellow grease, fuel feed stocks, green energy, natural casings and hides. Value-added products include edible fats, bone products, fertilizers, blood products and plasma meals. The Company also recovers and converts used cooking oil and commercial bakery residuals into valuable feed and fuel ingredients. In addition, the Company provides grease trap collection services and sells used cooking oil collection equipment to restaurants and collects and land applies industrial residuals. For additional information, visit the Company's website at http://www.darlingii.com. UOP LLC (www.uop.com) is a leading international supplier and licensor of process technology, catalysts, adsorbents, equipment, and consulting services to the petroleum refining, petrochemical, and gas processing industries. UOP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc. and is part of Honeywell’s Performance Materials and Technologies strategic business group, which also includes Honeywell Process Solutions, a pioneer in automation control, instrumentation and services for the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, chemical and other industries. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visitwww.honeywellnow.com.

Get Charged Up At Dominion Riverrock

Dominion News

Get Charged Up At Dominion Riverrock

- Dominion provides new solar-powered mobile charging station that brings power to the people

May 15, 2014

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RICHMOND, Va., May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stay and play longer this year at Dominion Riverrock, thanks to the debut of a new mobile charging station provided by Dominion.  

"We wanted to make it more convenient for participants to stay connected at Dominion Riverrock," said Robert M. Blue, president, Dominion Virginia Power. "The solution was a mobile charging station, powered, in part, by clean solar energy. Festival-goers will be able to keep in touch with friends and family throughout the event without their phone or tablet batteries running out."

This one-of-a-kind, 12-foot-long station is designed to charge up to 100 devices at a time by harnessing energy from the sun. Participants enjoying an activity-packed day can plug in for free at anytime during the festival. Charging cords for assorted devices and smart-phones are included, enabling users to take more pictures, take more video, and invite more friends to join the fun on Brown's Island.

The innovative mobile charging station comes equipped with military-grade 240-watt solar panels that can keep up to 100 devices charged simultaneously and charge backup batteries. It is also outfitted with two integrated 65-inch monitors and a 500-watt audio system to provide event updates while users charge their devices.

To follow the conversation about the mobile charging station, check out #PoweredbyD on Twitter.

ABOUT DOMINION RIVERROCK

Dominion Riverrock, organized by Venture Richmond and the Sports Backers, is the East Coast's premier outdoor lifestyle festival, bringing athletes, spectators, musicians, and even dogs to Brown's Island for a three-day festival against the backdrop of downtown Richmond's urban riverfront. The festival features a variety of outdoor sports including trail running, kayaking, biking, bouldering, slacklining, stand up paddleboarding, and dog jumping. The event was designed to promote Richmond's unique riverfront, downtown trails and whitewater rapids to outdoor enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.dominionriverrock.com

ABOUT DOMINION

Dominion (NYSE: D) is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 23,600 megawatts of generation. Dominion operates one of the nation's largest natural gas storage systems and serves retail energy customers in 10 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's website at www.dom.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140515/88199

SOURCE Dominion

For further information: Janell Hancock, (804) 771-6115, Janell.M.Hancock@dom.com

Large-scale waste-to-diesel fuel plant running in - Renewable Energy from Waste

Diamond Green facility in Louisiana uses Honeywell technology to produce diesel fuel from waste feedstock.



Large-scale waste-to-diesel fuel plant running in - Renewable Energy from Waste

Survey of biodiesel producers has negative implica - Renewable Energy from Waste

National Biodiesel Board attributes policy setbacks to staggering production declines.



Survey of biodiesel producers has negative implica - Renewable Energy from Waste

White House Solar Panels Are a Symbol of Solar’s Progress | Department of Energy

Last week, the White House released a new video highlighting the installation of solar panels on the roof of the residence.

“Solar panels on the White House, I think, are a really important message that solar is here,” said Secretary Moniz, who was featured in the video along with Minh Le, Director of the Energy Department’s SunShot Initiative.

White House Solar Panels Are a Symbol of Solar’s Progress | Department of Energy