Iowa is a leader in renewable energies in the U.S.: the state ranks first in ethanol production, second in biodiesel output and leads the nation in the production of raw biomass. Recently surpassing California, Iowa is the second largest U.S. producer of wind energy.
Iowa’s Governor and State Legislature strengthened the state’s bio-energy and other renewable energy industries through a variety of incentives. Measures like the use of E-85 (a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), sales tax exemptions for the purchase of solar equipment, tax credits for wind energy production and tax credits for utilities using soy-based fluids in electric transformers are proactive steps that will ensure Iowa remains a national leader in renewable energy.
Wind
Iowa is the second largest U.S. producer of wind energy. Iowa’s topography and electric transmission lines combine to create a business friendly wind energy environment. Currently, Iowa has the second highest installed capacity at 3,043 MW, and is ranks tenth regarding wind energy potential.
With major international companies like Siemens Energy, Clipper Windpower, TPI Composites, ACCIONA Energy, Goian Elevadores, Trinity Structural Towers and Hendricks Industries establishing their operations in Iowa, the state is positioned to remain at the top of the wind energy generation industry.
A combination of progressive public policy, an excellent logistic and supply chain network, a competitive business climate and a heritage of manufacturing excellence give Iowa an unmatched strategic advantage for companies selecting a North American facility location.
For more information, and to read about Obama's recent visit to Iowa to promote wind energy, see: Iowa Business Sphere Vol. 20 No. 2.
Iowa’s Governor and State Legislature strengthened the state’s bio-energy and other renewable energy industries through a variety of incentives. Measures like the use of E-85 (a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), sales tax exemptions for the purchase of solar equipment, tax credits for wind energy production and tax credits for utilities using soy-based fluids in electric transformers are proactive steps that will ensure Iowa remains a national leader in renewable energy.
Wind
Iowa is the second largest U.S. producer of wind energy. Iowa’s topography and electric transmission lines combine to create a business friendly wind energy environment. Currently, Iowa has the second highest installed capacity at 3,043 MW, and is ranks tenth regarding wind energy potential.
With major international companies like Siemens Energy, Clipper Windpower, TPI Composites, ACCIONA Energy, Goian Elevadores, Trinity Structural Towers and Hendricks Industries establishing their operations in Iowa, the state is positioned to remain at the top of the wind energy generation industry.
A combination of progressive public policy, an excellent logistic and supply chain network, a competitive business climate and a heritage of manufacturing excellence give Iowa an unmatched strategic advantage for companies selecting a North American facility location.
For more information, and to read about Obama's recent visit to Iowa to promote wind energy, see: Iowa Business Sphere Vol. 20 No. 2.
Ethanol plays an important role in the renewable energy industry, and Iowa leads the nation in its production with 38 operational ethanol refineries and a combined annual output of over 3 billion gallons. Iowa alone produces over 30 percent of the entire U.S. ethanol production.
Companies like POET, DuPont, Cargill and ADM are driving the change. The US Department of Energy selected POET for an $80 million grant for its Project Liberty, poised to be the first commercially vaible cellulosic energy plant in the world. The Iowa Power Fund, Iowa's premier $100 million fund used to spur renewable energy research and commercialization technologies, contributed $14.75 million to POET's project in February 2009.
The future of alternative energy and biofuels looks even brighter as research on byproducts grows and new discoveries are made. Current ethanol byproducts include carbon dioxide, which is sold to soft drink companies and dried distiller’s grains, a highly nutritious livestock feed that is increasingly complementary to livestock, cattle, pork and poultry industries.
Biodiesel
Iowa ranks second in the nation in biodiesel production and was one of the first states with commercial biodiesel production facilities. According to the National Biodiesel Board, Iowa has 13 biodiesel refineries capable of producing 308 million gallons annually. Iowa's major biodiesel refineries are Cargill in Iowa Falls, Renewable Energy Group, Inc. (REG) and AGP's plant in Sergeant Bluff.
For more information about Iowa's leadership in Green and White Biotechnology, click here.
Biomass
Iowa currently has the ability to harvest 68.4 million dry tons of biomass per year (total cellulosic and crop biomass). Biomass can be used for both biofuels and electricity production. According to the USDA, fuels created from biomass will increase to 10 percent by 2020 and 20 percent by 2030.
Please see more information at Iowa Business Sphere Vol. 19 No. 1.