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Usually when I'm quiet for a few weeks, it means things are humming. This time, that can be coupled with the fact that I've been sick, a lot. It's been a bad season that way.
But, work has indeed been quite productive, and I do intend to get back to regular posting. In the meantime, here are a couple of interesting links:
Amazing new diesel hybrid car
Cleanup underway at the giant biodiesel plant in Grays Harbor, WA, following explosion
Hat tips to Carl Lenox and John Galt.
But, work has indeed been quite productive, and I do intend to get back to regular posting. In the meantime, here are a couple of interesting links:
Amazing new diesel hybrid car
Cleanup underway at the giant biodiesel plant in Grays Harbor, WA, following explosion
Hat tips to Carl Lenox and John Galt.
Did you know that Disneyland has been running its train on biodiesel since 2007? Oh, you already knew that. Okay, well, did you know that it's been making the fuel from its own restaurants' oil since earlier this year? Aha, didn't think so!
Eventually park officials hope to use the waste oil-based biodiesel to power a steamboat, some cleaning equipment, and light towers at the park.
Eventually park officials hope to use the waste oil-based biodiesel to power a steamboat, some cleaning equipment, and light towers at the park.
This graphic from the Global Footprint Network is pretty beautiful and easy to understand:
Simply put, we need to get accustomed to asking ourselves, both at home and at work, are we replacing resources as fast as we are consuming them? If not, then we are part of the problem.
It's even simpler than that though. What we should be teaching everyone who will listen: "USE LESS." That's pretty much all any of us need to know. Use less. Of everything. The benefit? "ENJOY MORE".
Use less forest for paper, enjoy more forest for hiking, camping, responsible hunting, recreational activities, etc.
Use less carbon in your fuel, enjoy cleaner air to breathe.
Use less, enjoy more.
And so it goes.
Simply put, we need to get accustomed to asking ourselves, both at home and at work, are we replacing resources as fast as we are consuming them? If not, then we are part of the problem.
It's even simpler than that though. What we should be teaching everyone who will listen: "USE LESS." That's pretty much all any of us need to know. Use less. Of everything. The benefit? "ENJOY MORE".
Use less forest for paper, enjoy more forest for hiking, camping, responsible hunting, recreational activities, etc.
Use less carbon in your fuel, enjoy cleaner air to breathe.
Use less, enjoy more.
And so it goes.
We have promoted Steven to Assistant Production Plant Manager. Congratulations, Steven!
From their website:
Update November 5, 2009 
Fall is here and we wanted to update you on our progress. Since we last updated you on our progress in March, 2009, the automotive industry has completely changed. Industry titans General Motors and Chrysler have fallen. They are now working on re-inventing themselves. Oil and gasoline prices continue to have big price swings. The good news is that domestic and global interest in converting cars to plug-in hybrids remains strong.
We have spent 2009 working on our manufacturing machinery, improving the exterior appearance of our motor, and designing additional battery packs. These changes have required additional tooling and many months of additional time.
Sure, we are not happy about being behind schedule, but we continue to make good progress towards launching our test fleet. We will continue to keep a very low public profile until we are ready for a larger 50 vehicle test fleet.
Thanks for your patience and relentless interest in the Poulsen Hybrid.
Sure, I could "spin" things and say that the reason we broke our streak of just about two months (9/13-11/10) of capacity batches (1300 gal each) is that it's Veteran's Day. We honored our Veterans by not making fuel.
Say what?
No thanks. We need to be a bit more assertive than that. When Steven and Cesar came into my office with the final, official, "We ain't gonna make fuel today", I called an impromptu meeting and tried to figure out how we can turn this into an opportunity, and go even longer than 2 months before the next production lapse.
(At this point I pause to reflect on the embarrassing truth that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's really will be production-free holidays)
Okay, setting aside holidays where we actually do get the day off, I think we should be able to go at least 3 months without a short batch, or a missed production day. Today's lack of production happened because we have weaknesses in our approach to incoming oil. Cleaning raw oil, filled with food and starch and water and God-knows-what-else is hard. Occasionally, we let it get so dirty that it becomes impossible to use in the time frame that we require. It's rare, but over the years, it's become kind of an inevitable thing.
...So we brainstormed. We thought about how the new 3rd hot oil tank, going online today, will help things (at right, Cesar and Steven install insulation on the new tank). I wasn't satisfied. I want enough of an improvement that I know for sure we can, as Woody Harrelson says, "Go further". I called in the engineers, and we explored all the previous discussions on this topic, and thankfully, emerged with a new idea. Cesar wanted to start ordering pieces to put the new idea together, but I think we need to take a few days to air it out and vet it properly. New ideas are risky, but I love them so.
Say what?
No thanks. We need to be a bit more assertive than that. When Steven and Cesar came into my office with the final, official, "We ain't gonna make fuel today", I called an impromptu meeting and tried to figure out how we can turn this into an opportunity, and go even longer than 2 months before the next production lapse.
(At this point I pause to reflect on the embarrassing truth that Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's really will be production-free holidays)
Okay, setting aside holidays where we actually do get the day off, I think we should be able to go at least 3 months without a short batch, or a missed production day. Today's lack of production happened because we have weaknesses in our approach to incoming oil. Cleaning raw oil, filled with food and starch and water and God-knows-what-else is hard. Occasionally, we let it get so dirty that it becomes impossible to use in the time frame that we require. It's rare, but over the years, it's become kind of an inevitable thing.
...So we brainstormed. We thought about how the new 3rd hot oil tank, going online today, will help things (at right, Cesar and Steven install insulation on the new tank). I wasn't satisfied. I want enough of an improvement that I know for sure we can, as Woody Harrelson says, "Go further". I called in the engineers, and we explored all the previous discussions on this topic, and thankfully, emerged with a new idea. Cesar wanted to start ordering pieces to put the new idea together, but I think we need to take a few days to air it out and vet it properly. New ideas are risky, but I love them so.
11/11/09 UPDATE: Link to archived radio segment (right click and "save as" to download)
I was just speaking with Cynthia Elkins from KMUD news, out of Humboldt County. She is preparing a news story that will be on the air tonight, between 6 and 6:30 pm. Since most of you are out of range of KMUD, you can listen online by clicking this link.
The story is about the state of the industry, and how the poor economy is affecting the local biodiesel companies. I know that earlier she spoke with Footprint Recycling, out of Arcata (Humboldt County's smaller version of Yokayo). Like many in our line of work, they are having a hard time. We've had a challenging year ourselves, but thanks to a lot of flexibility that we built into our business plan (mostly intentionally), and a lot of support from our network of customers, shareholders, and industry friends and partners, we're still growing, smiling, and plotting/plodding ever onward.
So, perhaps you'll have a chance to tune in.
Linda Wood lives near the refinery. She wasn't home at the time of the explosion. When she heard what happened, she rushed home to find her front door open, all the windows blown out and dishes on the floor. There was also some damage to the foundation of the home.
She said if she had been inside the house during the blast, she would have been hurt. A city inspector is going through the home to see if it needs to be condemned.
Another house in the area had its garage door blown off.
First thing, found out that Measure A had been defeated. It was an initiative that never should have been on the ballot, and it would have allowed a large, out-of-state development company to bypass both county and local regulatory procedures in getting a large industrial site in Ukiah re-zoned into mixed use so they could either a) sell it to whomever (along with the freedom from regulation), or b) build a mega-mall. The precedent it would have set was scary. For more info, check out the No on A website. I had been seriously wondering how the heck I'd be able to enjoy Ukiah in the future if the mega-mall happened, and how we would preclude things like offshore oil drilling if the anti-regulations precedent was set, so this resulted in a big sigh of relief for me.
Then Sunny and I went to town early because I thought I had a meeting. Nope. It did set up a nice little breakfast date though, so that was nice.
Then we found out that Nookat, the veteran company mascot and chair warmer, seen below, was missing. As of now, she still is. This is very sad, as she is a good friend and the only company for Sunny over at the Perry Street office. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Nookat is okay, and that she may return.
Then I got a call that Air Quality was at the plant. No big deal, but it was kind of weird to go straight from worrying about Nookat to discussions with regulators.
All of this before 9:30 am. I could use a nice boring day now.
10:13 am HAPPY UPDATE: Nookat back!!! Collective weight lifted!!
Then Sunny and I went to town early because I thought I had a meeting. Nope. It did set up a nice little breakfast date though, so that was nice.
Then we found out that Nookat, the veteran company mascot and chair warmer, seen below, was missing. As of now, she still is. This is very sad, as she is a good friend and the only company for Sunny over at the Perry Street office. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Nookat is okay, and that she may return.
Then I got a call that Air Quality was at the plant. No big deal, but it was kind of weird to go straight from worrying about Nookat to discussions with regulators.
All of this before 9:30 am. I could use a nice boring day now.
10:13 am HAPPY UPDATE: Nookat back!!! Collective weight lifted!!
Carl (biodiesel molecule, painstaking crafted to represent elements properly by color and size) and friend of Yokayo Sean Re (Che Guevara)
Virginia (Ugly Betty) and Sunny (Peak Bagger, i.e. one who "bags" mountain peaks; each bag had information on a peak Sunny had bagged, and her hiking outfit included fake cuts, dirt, and a shirt that said "I made it to the top)
Biodiesel molecule and Che Guevara again, joined by yours truly (Sabertooth, from X-Men; you can't see my trenchcoat and dog tags)
Louisa (swine flu) and Sandy (green Sandman sleepytime dude)
Note to Carl, who threw this party: click here.
We hit a huge benchmark on Saturday.
At the end of September, my dad challenged our staff at a general meeting to hit biodiesel production batch capacity (1300 gallons) with every batch, every day, for the entire 31 days of October. We'd never done anything close to that before, missing a couple days here and there, and always having some "short" days.
Logistically, we were tested at every step of the way, with equipment malfunctions, serious supply issues on methanol and vegetable oil, and numerous truck breakdowns (including the new pumper's clutch issue- argh, but thank you to Erickson Tank for helping out with the cost on that one!). It was a rough month with a lot of overtime, but we did it!
We're actually well into our 2nd month "at capacity", as we haven't missed a 1300-gal batch since September 13th.
IT'S ON!
p.s. - Sunny also kicked butt by moving 32,596 gallons into customers tanks. I need to double-check, but I think that may be a record.
At the end of September, my dad challenged our staff at a general meeting to hit biodiesel production batch capacity (1300 gallons) with every batch, every day, for the entire 31 days of October. We'd never done anything close to that before, missing a couple days here and there, and always having some "short" days.
Logistically, we were tested at every step of the way, with equipment malfunctions, serious supply issues on methanol and vegetable oil, and numerous truck breakdowns (including the new pumper's clutch issue- argh, but thank you to Erickson Tank for helping out with the cost on that one!). It was a rough month with a lot of overtime, but we did it!
We're actually well into our 2nd month "at capacity", as we haven't missed a 1300-gal batch since September 13th.
IT'S ON!
p.s. - Sunny also kicked butt by moving 32,596 gallons into customers tanks. I need to double-check, but I think that may be a record.
The guy gets it on health care. Speaking about our right to what "every industrialized democracy in the world has":
"We compromised on single payer by backing a public option, and now we are being asked to compromise the public option with negotiated rates. In conference, we will likely be asked to compromise negotiated rates with a trigger. In each and every step of the health care debate, the insurance companies have won. If they get hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxpayer subsidies, they get to raise their premiums, and increase their co pays and deductibles, while the public is forced to pay for private insurance, then the insurance companies win big.
If this is the best we can do, then it is time to ask ourselves whether the two-party system is truly capable of representing the American people or whether the system has been so compromised by special interests that we can’t even protect the health of our own people. This is a moment of truth for the Democratic Party. Will we stand for the people or the insurance companies?"
Our natural gas-fired storage-type hot water heater is leaking pretty bad. Sunny and I just discovered it, but it demands attention. We've both wanted to go "tankless" for a long time, but what about going one further than that...
That's the oil-fired "Oil Miser" tankless water heater from Toyotomi. Its efficiency of 88%, low fuel consumption of 1.1 gal/hr, and ability to run on diesel fuel all appeal to me and Sunny, so we're talking with the local heating company about getting one of these installed. Running it on B95 biodiesel might be a challenge, but if someone's gotta be in the trenches, it might as well be us.
More as this develops...
That's the oil-fired "Oil Miser" tankless water heater from Toyotomi. Its efficiency of 88%, low fuel consumption of 1.1 gal/hr, and ability to run on diesel fuel all appeal to me and Sunny, so we're talking with the local heating company about getting one of these installed. Running it on B95 biodiesel might be a challenge, but if someone's gotta be in the trenches, it might as well be us.
More as this develops...
Last year, we were featured in Exploring Sustainable Biodiesel, published by Schiffer Books. Click here to read the entire excerpt.
So I'm back at work this week, and I'm also back to being able to update the company website again (technical difficulties were in place for a while). First order of business, here's the radio interview I did the other day:
Click me
(It's a 1 hr show, and I don't enter the conversation until the second half hour. File is approximately 10 MB mp3)
Click me
(It's a 1 hr show, and I don't enter the conversation until the second half hour. File is approximately 10 MB mp3)
The company's doing alright, but I've been out with the flu, and we've been short-staffed because Sunny's visiting family. Our shareholders meeting is coming up on Saturday, and I've got to get myself healthy!
Last night, I was scheduled to be on KMUD's environmental show. I cancelled due to the flu, but then managed to be on the line for half the show. I should be able to put up a link for that mp3 file soon.
Last night, I was scheduled to be on KMUD's environmental show. I cancelled due to the flu, but then managed to be on the line for half the show. I should be able to put up a link for that mp3 file soon.
Those of you who follow my posts know that health insurance is a very personal topic for me, at home as well as at work (where we don't yet have a health plan, despite years of research on the issue, and where Sunny and I count ourselves among the uninsured).
Check out this interesting new take over at Daily Kos.
Check out this interesting new take over at Daily Kos.
Dear BioFuel Oasis Customers and Friends,
Coming soon... a good excuse to come inside and say hi: free popcorn in the lobby! Before or after you fuel up, come in, grab some popcorn and say hi. We miss you!
1. Food Survey: What Are You Hungry for at the Oasis?
It has been an awesome year of fulfilling our dreams at the new location. We're now selling biodiesel and urban farming supplies and also teaching classes! All of this work has made us pretty hungry. We're thinking of starting to sell food inside the store this winter and even hosting a small cafe or food cart. If there is something special that you would like to see us sell in the way of food and/or drink, please let us know. Keep in mind that we will be offering things that you can't also get from our friendly neighbors at the Sacramento Market, U.S. Liquors and BBs Restaurant. Email us at biodevas@biofueloasis.com with your ideas!
2. Still Time to Register for Beekeeping, Olive Curing and Fuel Filter Changing Classes.
There is still space left in most of our fall classes. These classes are an inexpensive way ($25 or less) to begin to explore the world of urban farming or to learn a new skill. For more information or to register, click here.
3. We are a 2009 Recipient of the Women's Initiative Award!
We are honored to be a winner of the Women-Owned Businesses of the Year award by the Women's Initiative. The Women's Initiative is a neat Bay Area non-profit that provides high-potential, lower-income women the training, resources and on-going support to start and grow their business. The Biodeva team plus the other Alameda county winners will be at a celebratory dinner on November 9th in Oakland. If you are a woman in business, or want to be one, come out and hobnob with us at the November 9th event.
4. Diesel Car Maintenance Workshop with Billy Jacobs
Back by popular demand, biodiesel mechanic Billy Jacobs will be teaching a series of his diesel maintenance workshops for 1974-85 Mercedes and pre-1985 Volkswagens on the 3rd Saturday of each month until the end of the year. The workshop will be part lecture and part hands-on lab where participants work on their own cars and those without a car may attend the lecture portion.
When: Saturday, October 17th, 12-6pm, Saturday, November 21st, 12-6pm, or Saturday, December 19th, 12-6pm
Where: 2465 4th Street @ Dwight Way Berkeley 94710 [The OLD BioFuel Oasis]
How Much: $140 for lecture, workshop, and parts. $35 lecture only.
Workshop pre-registration and payment is required. Contact: dieselworkshops@gmail.com or 510-653-9450 for more information or to register.
Thanks and we hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Ace, Jennifer, Margaret, Melissa and Novella
Coming soon... a good excuse to come inside and say hi: free popcorn in the lobby! Before or after you fuel up, come in, grab some popcorn and say hi. We miss you!
1. Food Survey: What Are You Hungry for at the Oasis?
It has been an awesome year of fulfilling our dreams at the new location. We're now selling biodiesel and urban farming supplies and also teaching classes! All of this work has made us pretty hungry. We're thinking of starting to sell food inside the store this winter and even hosting a small cafe or food cart. If there is something special that you would like to see us sell in the way of food and/or drink, please let us know. Keep in mind that we will be offering things that you can't also get from our friendly neighbors at the Sacramento Market, U.S. Liquors and BBs Restaurant. Email us at biodevas@biofueloasis.com with your ideas!
2. Still Time to Register for Beekeeping, Olive Curing and Fuel Filter Changing Classes.
There is still space left in most of our fall classes. These classes are an inexpensive way ($25 or less) to begin to explore the world of urban farming or to learn a new skill. For more information or to register, click here.
3. We are a 2009 Recipient of the Women's Initiative Award!
We are honored to be a winner of the Women-Owned Businesses of the Year award by the Women's Initiative. The Women's Initiative is a neat Bay Area non-profit that provides high-potential, lower-income women the training, resources and on-going support to start and grow their business. The Biodeva team plus the other Alameda county winners will be at a celebratory dinner on November 9th in Oakland. If you are a woman in business, or want to be one, come out and hobnob with us at the November 9th event.
4. Diesel Car Maintenance Workshop with Billy Jacobs
Back by popular demand, biodiesel mechanic Billy Jacobs will be teaching a series of his diesel maintenance workshops for 1974-85 Mercedes and pre-1985 Volkswagens on the 3rd Saturday of each month until the end of the year. The workshop will be part lecture and part hands-on lab where participants work on their own cars and those without a car may attend the lecture portion.
When: Saturday, October 17th, 12-6pm, Saturday, November 21st, 12-6pm, or Saturday, December 19th, 12-6pm
Where: 2465 4th Street @ Dwight Way Berkeley 94710 [The OLD BioFuel Oasis]
How Much: $140 for lecture, workshop, and parts. $35 lecture only.
Workshop pre-registration and payment is required. Contact: dieselworkshops@gmail.com or 510-653-9450 for more information or to register.
Thanks and we hope to see you soon!
Warmly,
Ace, Jennifer, Margaret, Melissa and Novella
So, regarding the popcorn- awesome idea! I love it when businesses do this, and I confess, I eat a lot of free popcorn. Second, regarding other food offerings, I suggest the following, which is locally produced in Berkeley from kale from the Capay valley (click pic to find out more):
It's like healthy Doritos!!
And big congrats from Yokayo on the award! It's truly an honor to be a part of your community!
It's like healthy Doritos!!
And big congrats from Yokayo on the award! It's truly an honor to be a part of your community!
A few months ago I passed on the information from editor Frankie Abralind that biodieselSMARTER would be showing up at 
stores. At the time, I called the local store, and they hadn't yet heard of the publication. Well, today I was getting the Golf's tires rotated at the place next door, so I went in to and checked out the magazine rack. Lo and behold:
stores. At the time, I called the local store, and they hadn't yet heard of the publication. Well, today I was getting the Golf's tires rotated at the place next door, so I went in to and checked out the magazine rack. Lo and behold:
