It may have sounded impossibly idealistic at one time, but there’s no longer any debate about whether dairy waste can be converted into low-carbon energy, even on an industrial scale.

Original Article BY JOHN COX, The Bakersfield Californian, jcox@bakersfield.com, Feb 22, 2015

The question these days is, under what conditions does it make financial sense? A new operation just north of the Kern County border provides a fresh example of what it may take, in terms of logistics, volume requirements and government subsidies, to expand energy production from cow manure.
Calgren Renewable Fuels’s $9.5 million “biodigester” project in Pixley, first fired up last fall, takes in liquid waste by pipeline from an 1,800-cow dairy a mile away. It stores the material in a large tank underground for three weeks at 101 degrees, much the way a cow’s digestive system would. This maximizes the amount of methane it puts off and kills most bacteria and other pathogens. Leftover liquids are then returned to the dairy as fertilizer, while any solids are sent back as cow bedding. Similar recycling processes have been employed at more than 80 biodigesters across the country.What’s left is a gas mixture consisting mostly of methane, the powerful greenhouse gas commonly used to cook food, power vehicles and generate electricity.
The next step is part of what distinguishes the Pixley project from most other “biogas” plants. Calgren uses the gas to help power the company’s adjacent ethanol plant. Other biogas facilities running on dairy waste use the methane to power tractors and other vehicles on site, or they burn it to produce steam to create electricity for sale to the grid. Some plants process the gas and ship it by pipeline to utilities for use as regular natural gas. Besides dairy waste, other materials such as spoiled eggs and waste from meat packing plants can be used as feedstock for the Pixley biodigester.
The biogas produced by Calgren’s digester provides a relatively small amount of the plant’s fuel needs – less than 10 percent. But it’s enough to earn the state’s moral and financial support.

“By reusing dairy waste and converting it to a useful fuel product, we avoid more costly and environmentally risky disposal methods,” Jim McKinney, program manager of the California Energy Commission’s Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program, said in remarks prepared for the plant’s recent opening.

The commission awarded the project a $4.6 million grant funded by a surcharge on California vehicle registration fees that produces about $100 million year for promoting low-carbon fuels.
Find the complete article here: Link

More than 6,000 Maintenance and Service Employees Across 800 Facilities

Original Article By Rich Piellisch from fleetsandfuels.com
Ryder System said this morning that it will train all of its North American maintenance personnel to handle natural gas vehicles – a move affecting more than 6,000 maintenance and service employees across a network of 800 maintenance facilities.

“Now is an appropriate time to ensure Ryder’s technician workforce at every facility is aware of the basic requirements for servicing the new technology,” Ryder Vice maintenance and quality operations VP Melvin Kirk said in a release.”

‘A Proactive Investment’

“More and more of our customers are exploring this advanced fuel solution,” Kirk said. “Ryder is building on its leadership position by making a proactive investment to ensure our maintenance employees are knowledgeable and skilled in the safe operation and maintenance of natural gas vehicles.”

Ryder noted that it has logged more than 30 million miles (F&F,January 29) on natural gas since its first deployment in 2011. The firm now has 14 natural gas vehicle maintenance facilities, and 260 natural gas vehicle trained technicians.
Ryder has deployed NGVs with fleet customers in California, New York, Michigan, Texas, Arizona, Utah, Georgia and Louisiana.

Mostly CNG

About 90% of the Ryder’s NGVs are fueled by compressed natural gas. The company has fielded LNG/liquefied natural gas-fueled trucks in California, Texas, Utah and Georgia.
Ryder says further that since first deploying NGVs in 2011, it “has replaced approximately 4.6 million gallons of diesel fuel with lower emission domestically produced natural gas.”
Complete article here.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released its long-anticipated proposed rules for small unmanned aerial system operations in U.S. national airspace.

by Betsy Lillian for Unmanned Aerial Online unmanned-aerial.com

Under the proposed regulations, commercial – or non-recreational – UAS must be flown in the daytime, within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the operator and not above people (excluding those who are part of the operation). The aircraft also must keep below 500 feet in altitude and maintain a speed of under 100 mph. The VLOS rule requires that the operator is “able to see the UAS with unaided vision,” with the optional help of a visual observer (e.g., a first-person-view device), according to an FAA release.“That will do away with all automation for the most part,” Michael Drobac, executive director of the Small UAV Coalition, tells Unmanned Aerial Online. “You can’t use technology if you’re still using people.”Though the proposed rules do not allow for beyond-VLOS operations, the agency is requesting input (during the 60-day public-comment period) on whether or not to allow them and, if so, how to incorporate them.Richard Jost, director at law firm Fennemore Craig and leader of its UAS and aviation practice group, tells UAO that while the proposed regulations are “certainly a positive step forward,” they are “clearly more limited than what most small UAVs are capable of doing today.”

“There are dangerous jobs being done every day that could be done with UAVs,” Drobac explains. He says there were 95 cell tower workers who suffered fatalities on the job from 2012-2014 in the U.S.

Drobac brings up another quandary concerning the proposed rule: that UAS operations cannot take place above people. What happens when an unmanned aircraft is used, for example, to scout out a fire of a building that has residents inside? Would first responders be allowed to fly over them?
“I think there are technicalities that we’ll work through, but we absolutely have to think about this in terms of how the technology can serve consumers,” says Drobac, who adds that he is hopeful the industry can work out these technicalities in the process of finalizing the rule.
“The Small UAV Coalition is now going to be even more aggressive and even more passionate about the cause because now we have something we can work with,” he says.

In order to fly a UAS, the operator, who has to be at least 17 years of age, must receive a UAS operator certificate from the FAA and pass a knowledge test every two years. However, he or she does not need a private pilot license. In the commercial UAS exemptions that the FAA has granted to date (through a Section 333 exemption), the agency has mandated that the pilot and the observer both have an FAA private pilot certificate, among other requirements.

According to Drobac, those requirements should be changed “immediately” in the interim.
Read complete article here.

These Factors Are Impacting Sales of Alternative Fuel Vehicles

February 2015, Automotive Fleet – Feature – (Link)

by Ricky Beggs

From the article:

“There are many reasons for an individual, company, or fleet buyer to consider and choose hybrids, electrics, or other alternative-fuel vehicles. Whether the selection is determined by an ecological point of view or one to lower certain operating costs, one factor is the same for both: the level of sales penetration over the past four to five years.”
“Through September 2014, according to data from www.hybridcars.com, hybrid vehicle sales increased, but the percentage of total sales at 2.88 percent was less than the previous year’s 3.32 percent. Plug-in hybrid and total electric vehicle sales increased slightly for 2014, but still made up just over one-third of 1 percent of total sales. Another alternative fuel, diesel, within the car and utility models, increased in 2014 to 0.89 percent. There are other alternative fuels that have garnered interest, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied propane gas (LPG), with the majority of these used in more commercial applications.”
“For fleet users, some of the factors that are part of the decision to “go green” continue to be acquisition costs, which can change due to product price adjustments from various manufacturers, as well as the availability of state and federal tax incentives that are in effect or are running out.”

Find Out Who’s Coming to L-NGV2015 San Diego and Join ATRE! We’ll Be There!

See listing below. If you’re in the advanced transportation and renewable energy field – this is a must-attend event. From the event literature:

“L-NGV2015 San Diego will cover a wide themes scope in its conference sessions as well as an extensive variety of products and services in its table tops and motor zone show. Therefore, we are expecting visitors from a broad range of segments, who will be looking forward to networking and learning about the latest developments, opportunities and challenges in the alternative fuels market.”

More information here.

“Virgin Galactic opens LauncherOne design and manufacturing plant”

From www.compositesworld.com (Link)
LauncherOne, a new two-stage orbital launch vehicle designed to deliver satellites of 225 kg or less into orbit, will be manufactured at a facility near the Long Beach, CA, US airport. A job fair is scheduled for March 7.
Virgin Galactic, the privately-funded space company owned by Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Investments PJS, reported on Feb. 12 that it has leased a new 13,935m² facility that will house design and manufacturing of the company’s small satellite launch vehicle, LauncherOne.
LauncherOne is a new two-stage orbital launch vehicle being designed by Virgin Galactic specifically to launch commercial or governmental satellites that weigh 225 kg or less. Much like SpaceShipTwo, the company’s reusable vehicle for space tourism, LauncherOne is designed to be launched from the WhiteKnightTwo carrier aircraft, giving customers the ability to avoid crowded and expensive launch ranges while also picking the launch location best suited for their mission. Located at the Long Beach (CA, US) Airport, this new facility will allow easy transportation of rockets and of customers’ satellites using WhiteKnightTwo.

Virgin Galactic will be hosting a job fair and open house at the new facility on Saturday, March 7. Prospective applicants looking for more information should visit virgingalactic.com in the coming days for complete job listings and for more information on the open house.

US Congressman Alan Lowenthal expressed his support regarding Virgin Galactic’s move to the area, saying, “I want to welcome Virgin Galactic to Long Beach and I applaud their commitment both to the state and to Southern California. This proves again that Southern California has the tools, the skills, and the talent to push not only the bounds of technology, but in this case, the bonds of Earth itself.”
“California and Los Angeles County have always been home to the true pioneers of the aerospace business,” says Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. “We’re thrilled that Long Beach attracted a tenant like Virgin Galactic, a world-renowned leader of the commercial space industry. This is one of the most exciting and dynamic businesses in the country, and they are bringing excellent jobs we need for the talented and hard-working aerospace professionals who already call Long Beach home.”
“I’m extremely proud that Virgin Galactic has chosen Long Beach for its new facility and excited to welcome them to the community,” says Long Beach 5th District Councilwoman Stacy Mungo. “I have great respect for our aviation history, and this innovative satellite project will bring a spotlight to Long Beach and to our partnerships for economic development.”
Read original article here.

College’s Technology Division Partners with Advanced Transportation & Renewable Energy (ATRE) and True South Renewables to Fill Critical Shortage of Electrical Field Service Technicians

Submitted on 12/01/14, 04:18 PM (Link)
Visit http://www.cerritos.edu for further information

NORWALK, Calif., Dec. 3, 2014 – A first-of-its kind training program to certify military veterans and other qualified applicants to meet the growing need for electrical field service technicians (EFSTs) that maintain the country’s fast-growing solar power and electric vehicle infrastructure has been launched by Cerritos College in Norwalk, Calif.
The program is the result of a partnership among Cerritos College’s Technology Division, the Advanced Transportation & Renewable Energy (ATRE) sector, a California Community Colleges workforce program, and True South Renewables, Inc., the largest independent solar operations and maintenance provider in the U.S. The five-month college certification program will teach students how to maintain and repair solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and equipment needing general maintenance. Many top solar companies, including True South Renewables, have jobs waiting for graduates of the program.
Cerritos College and ATRE worked closely with True South Renewables to develop the extensive curriculum for this unique program.
“This is an important initiative to provide military personnel who were electricians in the service to receive certification in a high-paying, growing civilian field,” said Rue Phillips, CEO of True South Renewables based in Huntington Beach, Calif. “In addition, these graduates are needed. Few outside the solar power industry are aware of the volume of operations and maintenance work required to ensure the optimum performance of large solar fields and photovoltaic systems on commercial and residential rooftops.”
Classes start Jan. 12, 2015 at the Cerritos College campus and applications are now being accepted. Applicants must be experienced electricians with accumulated service knowledge and skills in the electronics/electrician and IT sectors. Qualified U.S. veterans are being prioritized for entry and will be able to secure financial support upon acceptance.
“We are proud to offer this program to the community, enabling qualified veterans, the unemployed and under-employed to receive training that fills a critical shortage of technicians in the trillion-dollar solar and EV markets,” said Jannet Malig, ATRE regional director based at Cerritos College. “Graduates of the program will be introduced to industry leaders with the expectation that we will achieve 99% job placement for graduating students.”
The EFST program at Cerritos College will serve as a pilot for implementing the courses in community colleges throughout California and across the nation, according to Peter Davis, statewide director of the ATRE.
“The EFST program upgrades the skill sets of the workforce necessary to meet the growing employment demands of renewable energy technology firms,” Davis said.
Program graduates will also receive a certificate of achievement in New Product Development from the Chancellor’s office of California Community Colleges. The program is part of a statewide commitment to “Doing What Matters.”
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be certified within three modules: Solar Inverter Maintenance and Repair, Electrical Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) Maintenance and Repair, and Solar and EVSE Related Instrumentation and IT Products.
Typical job titles for graduates include:

• Solar O&M Technician Electronics Repair Technician
• Solar PV Technician
• Electric Vehicle Service Equipment Technician
• Solar monitoring equipment Technician
• Test Equipment Technician

Starting annual salaries can range up to $75,000, according to ATRE.
Qualified candidates interested in applying for the EFST program should contact Jannet Malig of the ATRE at jmalig@cerritos.edu.

About Cerritos College’s Technology Division

Cerritos College serves as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently averages 23,000 students. The technology division teaches students a variety of technical subjects including New Product Development. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu and http://cms.cerritos.edu/technology.

About Advanced Transportation and Renewable Energy (ATRE)

ATRE represents an array of clean energy technologies that form a critical part of California’s strategy for reducing its climate change impact and its dependency on foreign energy, as well as growing a robust green economy by helping California’s businesses remain competitive in a global market. For more information, please visit http://www.atreeducation.org

About True South Renewables, Inc.

True South Renewables, Inc. (TSR) is the leading independent solar O&M services provider in North America and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Solarrus Corporation. TSR has a distinguished reputation for safety and performance when it comes to the delivery of O&M services. In addition to providing service and maintenance for utility-scale, commercial, and residential solar installations, TSR also has considerable experience with the development, design, installation, and maintenance of electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). By incorporating a nationwide footprint and proven O&M protocols, TSR not only brings experience and confidence to customers’ projects, but also delivers services that remain an asset for the entire lifetime of the projects. For more information about True South Renewables, visit www.TrueSouthRenewables.com.