tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52418556828524400382024-03-06T05:20:46.435+07:00A Dedication to Renewable EnergyRenewable Energy for the Sustainable Planet Earth: Ensuring the Rights of Future GenerationsNawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-37347072106000816352011-05-16T13:12:00.002+07:002011-05-16T13:22:28.198+07:00UK: First carbon neutral beer producer leads the way on biogasTuesday, 19 April 2011 Toby Price<br />
<a href="http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/energias/renovables/index/pag/biogas/botid/76/colright/biogas/tip/articulo/title/Go%20to%20Bioenergy/pagid/15116/"><b>Renewable Energy Magazine</b></a><br />
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Not content with producing the UK’s first carbon neutral beer, Adnams brewery in Suffolk on the southeast of England has entered into partnership with Bio Group to develop a ground-breaking anaerobic digestion (AD) plant; the first in the UK to use brewery and local food waste to produce renewable gas for injection into the national gas grid as well as providing gas for use as a vehicle fuel.<br />
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In partnership with British Gas and the National Grid, the £2.75 million facility started injecting renewable gas into the gas grid back in October, and will generate up to 4.8 million kilowatt-hours per year; enough, says the developer Adnams Bio Energy, to heat 235 family homes for a year or run an average family car for 4 million miles.<br />
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As the AD process kicks in, it is expected the facility will produce enough renewable gas to power Adnams’ brewery and run its fleet of lorries, while still leaving up to 60 percent of the output for injection into the National Grid.<br />
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“Someone else’s waste, is someone else’s energy,” says Adnams’ Chief Executive, Andy Wood, and on that premise, the AD facility is using not only brewery waste, but also food waste from local retail outlets, schools, hospitals and local authorities to generate biomethane. “The plant will make a contribution to decarbonising the gas grid by delivering renewable heat to households. It will also prevent the release of highly-polluting methane to the atmosphere, through diverting the waste from landfill,” says Adnams.<br />
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A viable alternative to natural gas<br />
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Biomethane is is very similar to natural gas and, once upgraded to grid specification, can be injected into the gas network for end use by customers. Indeed, according to a study by the UK’s gas network operator, National Grid, it could account for at least 15 percent of domestic gas consumption by 2020.<br />
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The Adnams Bio Energy plant consists of three digesters – sealed vessels in which naturally-occurring bacteria act without oxygen to break down up to 12,500 tonnes of organic waste each year. The result is the production of biomethane as well as a liquid organic fertiliser.<br />
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In addition, following an agreement with Centrica – the parent company of British Gas, Adnams Bio Energy has deployed British solar thermal panels and will shortly install cutting-edge photovoltaic cells, which will in effect create a mini energy park. The deal will ensure that all of the site, including the Adnams Distribution Centre, will be using renewable energy generated on-site with some surplus energy available for export.<br />
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Funds from RBS in Cambridge and grants from the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF), East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change have provided a vital financial contribution to the construction of this renewable energy facility, which Steve Sharratt, Chief Executive of Bio Group says is “the first stage of a national roll out of AD plants”. Bio Group has a vast amount of experience in the design and construction of processing plants across the UK using innovative, low carbon building techniques to produce energy through a completely organic and natural process. “Nothing is wasted,” says Sharratt.<br />
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Waitrose was the first business to sign up to supply waste to the facility and has committed to sending food waste from seven of its nearby branches of Waitrose along with a local John Lewis. Meanwhile, other suppliers of organic material are queuing up to use the facility, attracted by the savings they can make on avoiding landfill tax, and Andy Wood has revealed that the AD facility is proving so successful that Adnams Bio Energy is already planning expanding the plant.<br />
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Greener beer<br />
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Adnams declared they “believe in doing the right thing – not just because it makes us feel good, but because it makes business sense”. The company has certainly taken its motto to heart, rolling out not only the new AD facility, but also constructing a new eco-distribution centre and energy efficient brewhouse, and developing what it describes as “the UK’s first carbon neutral beer”.<br />
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Committed to reducing the brewery’s carbon footprint still further in an attempt to become fully carbon neutral, the company has worked with the University of East Anglia’s Community Carbon Reduction Programme (Cred) team for a number of years. The outcome is an award-winning and popular selling beer called carbon neutral, East Green. By using high yielding barley, grown and malted in nearly East Anglia and English Boadicea hops that are naturally aphid-resistant, reducing the need for pesticides; and developing a lightweight beer bottle, Adnams is able to ensure that only a tiny amount of remaining carbon dioxide needs offsetting (0.004 pence per bottle to be precise).<br />
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Again, Woods reveals that Adnams is setting the trend in the UK brewing industry, with other beer producers looking to develop lightweight bottles too.<br />
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Editor's note: An exclusive interview with Andy Wood of Adnams and Steve Sharrat of Bio Energy is available <a href="http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/energias/renovables/index/pag/interviews/colleft/colright/interviews/tip/articulo/pagid/15147/botid/54/">here</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-80021354625862128782011-04-28T16:44:00.005+07:002011-08-20T16:00:42.903+07:00"Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable Development through Up-Scaling Renewable Energy Technologies"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU0htv_LUM_0hyphenhyphenin0JOlQVvBH0fLx62X5Zho-YkAljegCvvwm9xLIM__SwrWgV8_VIwT0YyoR4R8gvrbLlmxRBDJmQ3OkAZtpZ-69At7Bp1XEB1G1sa6DDnp46ZmO8RmTtTcCX4-ULTWQ/s1600/RETRUD-11+Brochure+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU0htv_LUM_0hyphenhyphenin0JOlQVvBH0fLx62X5Zho-YkAljegCvvwm9xLIM__SwrWgV8_VIwT0YyoR4R8gvrbLlmxRBDJmQ3OkAZtpZ-69At7Bp1XEB1G1sa6DDnp46ZmO8RmTtTcCX4-ULTWQ/s400/RETRUD-11+Brochure+cover.JPG" width="246" /></a></div><br />
<b>3rd International Conference on<br />
"Addressing Climate Change for Sustainable Development through Up-Scaling Renewable Energy Technologies"<br />
12-14 October 2011<br />
Kathmandu, Nepal<b><br />
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Click <b><a href="http://www.retrudconference.com/index.php/index/index/index/index">here</a></b> to go to conference webpage.Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-43199988846392006102011-02-10T11:35:00.000+07:002011-02-10T11:35:52.505+07:00CO2 as renewable energy storage vessel :: RenewableEnergyFocus.comResearch from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) shows that CO2 could be used, amongst other things, as storage for renewable energy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/15322/co2-as-renewable-energy-storage-vessel/"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-38456122348228019192011-02-10T11:25:00.000+07:002011-02-10T11:25:26.773+07:00Food Security in Biofuel Certification :: The BioenergySite.comThe Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations is currently developing a set of detailed criteria, indicators, good practices and policy options on sustainable bioenergy production that also helps in rural development and ensures food security, writes TheBioenergySite Editor in Chief Chris Harris.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thebioenergysite.com/articles/841/food-security-in-biofuel-certification"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-54974312249786528612011-02-09T19:06:00.000+07:002011-02-09T19:06:05.575+07:00Global renewable energy vision for 2050 :: RenewableEnergyFocus.comThe Energy Report, published by Ecofys and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), claims that 95% of all energy could be renewable by 2050 using existing technologies and applying stringent sustainability criteria.<br />
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Only certain manufacturing processes, such as steel and cement, cannot yet be substituted by renewable fuels, according to the report.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/15676/global-renewable-energy-vision-for-2050/"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-90156308309643450342011-01-12T20:12:00.003+07:002011-01-12T20:24:27.018+07:00Why India Will be a Leader in CSP. RenewableEnergyWorld.comOver the last couple of years, there has been very little talk of India becoming one of the biggest markets for concentrating solar power (CSP). Today, however, many factors are coming together which show me that the country will start to lead the industry.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/01/why-india-will-be-a-leader-in-csp?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-January12-2011"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-66875948020565110622011-01-06T00:48:00.001+07:002011-01-06T00:49:22.444+07:00The Big List: 2010's Biggest Renewable Energy Projects. RenewableEnergyWorld.comRenewable energy development continued at a good pace this year, with record-breaking projects announced almost as often as once per week. The editors of the renewable energy world network put our heads together to compile a list of the biggest renewable energy projects installed or completed this year as our year-end wrap-up report. <br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/12/the-big-list-2010s-biggest-renewable-energy-projects?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-January5-2011"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-57869037900684647942010-12-05T20:04:00.001+07:002010-12-05T21:31:21.080+07:00China Adding 500 Gigawatts of Renewable Powers by 2020!On the same day that Senate Republicans filibustered a vote for <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/12/04/republicans-kill-section-1603-renewable-energy-cash-grants/" target="_blank">renewable energy in the USA</a>, by contrast – China has just published an astoundingly ambitious and exciting renewable energy plan for the next ten years.<br />
China’s plan is to get a total of 500 Gigawatts of renewable energy on the grid by 2020. It explodes wind power from a mere 25 GW on the grid now, to a staggering 150 GW, a six-fold increase on the previous already ambitious plan.<br />
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Liquid fuels would get a boost. The plan would grow ethanol production from 2 million tons to 10 million tons, to expand biodiesel from 0.05 million tons to 2 million tons, biomass pellets for heating, from under a million tons to 50 million tons, and biogas and biomass gasification from 8 billion cubic meters to 44 billion cubic meters.<br />
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China is already the world leader in solar thermal hot water heaters for rooftops. The solar hot water goal is to have 300 million square meters of solar hot water collectors, up from 100 million in 2006.<br />
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Electric power would come from adding 100 GW to make 300 GW of hydro power, adding 125 GW to have 150 GW of wind power, adding 28 GW to have 30 GW of biopower, and going from a half Gigawatt to 20 GW of solar. Giant steps.<br />
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To put that in perspective: the US will have added 16 GW of all renewable energy combined once the Obama administration Recovery Act funds are allocated – which, while a fabulous change for us, because it doubles the entire last thirty years of renewables on the grid – pales by comparison with 500 GW.<br />
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And even that 16 GW is only if the last of the Recovery Funds can be protected from our loyal opposition. That doesn’t look likely. <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/12/04/republicans-kill-section-1603-renewable-energy-cash-grants/" target="_blank">The GOP filibustered a vote to extend Recovery Act support for renewable energy.</a><br />
China has no filibuster. I never thought I would live to see the advantages of a political process other than democracy, but living in one that seems to have devolved into a plutocracy (run for and by the fossil fuel industry, the richest industry on the planet) is changing my mind.<br />
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There actually are some big advantages with one-party rule. Clarity of purpose is one. Having a domestic enemy, sworn to make your side lose, at any cost to the country, is not helping America compete in creating the new clean energy economy. Because they don’t have an opposition party filibuster in China, their climate plan can actually be implemented.<br />
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But… wipe those tears away. Think globally.<br />
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If there is one country we <a href="http://www.grist.org/article/2010-11-17-time-for-climate-hawks-to-take-to-the-hills" target="_blank">climate hawks</a> should be happy is not run like America, it is China. Because China is the world’s factory. And carbon emissions from the world’s factory are about to get lower. And that is a good thing.<br />
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<a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/12/04/china-adding-500-gigawatts-of-renewable-power-by-2020/?utm_source=Cleantechnica+News&utm_campaign=21ef2d17b3-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email"><b>Source: CleanTechnica.com</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-89319111774589409152010-11-22T11:16:00.003+07:002010-11-22T11:26:36.516+07:00Tidal power: an update. RenewableEnergyFocus.com<i>Compared to wind and solar, tidal power is still regarded as a renewable energy technology that remains unviable on a large scale. But throw together climate change, political will in the UK and the US, entrepreneurial enthusiasm and academic research - with some significant investment - and a new mood of optimism is starting to pervade the sector.</i><br />
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Tidal current power, sometimes called tidal stream power, is the process of converting the kinetic energy of the tide – whether in tidal rivers (think London's Thames or New York's East River), streams or ocean waters, into useable power in the form of electricity.<br />
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The process typically involves an underwater turbine, and a plethora of devices are being developed – some in rivers or streams and others offshore. While a few technologies are past the testing stage and now feeding the grid, no company in the world has actually reached the commercial stage, delivering “proven technology”.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/3268/tidal-power-an-update/"><b>Full Story</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-18196096201804074052010-11-13T11:25:00.000+07:002010-11-13T11:25:16.867+07:00What's Behind Record-Breaking Solar Cell Efficiencies. RenewableEnergyWorld.com<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/10/whats-behind-record-breaking-solar-cell-efficiencies-part-1"><b>Part 1</b></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/11/whats-behind-record-breaking-solar-cell-efficiencies-part-2?cmpid=WNL-Wednesday-November10-2010"><b>Part 2</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-56993921583284222802010-11-12T15:18:00.001+07:002010-11-12T20:41:20.050+07:00Rice husks help electrify India and fight poverty. RenewableEnergyMagazine.com<span style="font-weight: bold;">Half the population of the Indian state of Bihar lives below the poverty line, including, until now, having no access to any type of energy. "Empowering Bihar" is the title of a new Greenpeace India report showing how renewable energy, particularly biomass and solar, can promote social and economic development through a decentralised power generation system.</span><br />
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Husk Power Systems is the name of the initiative that supplies electricity to a population spread across 125 villages in Bihar. It is one of two projects that Greenpeace India recently unveiled to the press, outlined in the report “Empowering Bihar”. Both demonstrate the importance of decentralised renewable energy systems. The other project involves various solar installations at the Tripolia Social Service Hospital, an entity that performs an important role in medical and health care.<br />
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Gyanesh Pandey and Ratnesh Kumar, two young entrepreneurs, are the brains behind Husk Power Systems, which comprises a network of 35 small plants producing electricity from biomass gasification using rice husks. The electricity is then distributed through small networks to the 125 villages for at least six hours a day. Until now, these settlements had no electricity or only enjoyed very limited access (four hours maximum) at high costs because the power was generated using diesel and kerosene.<br />
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<b>One-third savings in electricity bill </b><br />
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Between 10,000 and 11,000 electric supply connections among households, industries and irrigation systems are spread over the 125 villages in Bihar, thereby allowing almost 90% of the population to access power. In addition to paying much less for electricity than when it was generated using fossil fuels (80 rupees (€1.30) per month compared to 125 rupees (€2)), each small plant employs at least four people, making the project a source of economic and social development.<br />
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The plan is to ramp up to 60 plants with an installed capacity of 2 MW. The project was initially set up using the entrepreneurs’ own funds, but it subsequently received financial backing from the Shell Foundation and the International Finance Corporation, among others. In a recent press release presenting the results and the report, Greenpeace said ahead of regional elections in India that “if the next government is committed to decentralised renewable energy, Bihar can be a model for the world".<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/paginas/Contenidosecciones.asp?ID=14&Cod=6584&Tipo=&Nombre=Latest%20news"><b>RenewableEnergyMagazine.com</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-40015267677851198752010-11-12T14:56:00.001+07:002010-11-12T14:58:20.613+07:00European union unveils new one trillion euro energy strategy. EnvironmentalExpert.comThe European Commission has sent an unprecedentedly clear warning to the EU member states that without strong new policy initiatives the EU's existing energy and climate strategy is unlikely to achieve the 2020 targets, and it is wholly inadequate to the longer term challenges concerning energy and climate-change objectives. To deal with this, the Commission is proposing to spend €1 trillion over the next decade on infrastructure, new technologies and electricity storage, as part of a new energy strategy to deliver on the EU's 2020 energy and climate goals.<br />
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'In the next decade, investment in energy, both to replace existing resources and in order to meet increasing energy requirements, will oblige European economies to arbitrate among energy products which, given the inertia of energy systems, will condition the next 30 years,' it says.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.environmental-expert.com/resulteachpressrelease.aspx?cid=23745&codi=207755&loginemail=nrdhakal@gmail.com&logincode=272153">Read full article in EnvironmentalExpert.com</a></b>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-6419408838592560892010-11-12T14:36:00.003+07:002010-11-12T14:44:10.241+07:00Global Biofuel Alliance formed. BiorefiningMagazine.comThe Global Biofuels Alliance has officially launched. The nonprofit organization will work to “give a voice to the producers, traders, feedstock providers, and equipment manufacturers of the emerging biofuel industry.” Made up of ten founding members from various energy sectors including energy trading companies, start-up biodiesel companies and large biodiesel production facilities, the alliance has already set its sights on the hottest topic in the biodiesel industry. “The biodiesel tax credit is a key agenda,” said Wade Randlett, a founding board member of the alliance and cofounder of Enagra Holdings LLC, a holding company for renewable energy projects worldwide. “Although it’s a bit broader than that. I think having some form of longer term incentive for any kind of a renewable diesel, regardless of the feedstock, the source or the technology is important.”<br />
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For Randlett and the other members of the alliance, including Hero BX, a 45 MMgy plant from Pennsylvania, the understanding by those in Washington on the subject of biodiesel is very narrow; especially the potential role biodiesel could play in the nation’s future fuel supply. “We think there should be a much broader conversation about the new technologies that are coming online or are online right now,” Randlett said. “Whether it’s a traditional feedstock or a broader biomass-based feedstock, we need to have the conversation about the opportunity to displace imported crude petroleum oil.”<br />
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With a meeting scheduled in Washington during the week the new Congress starts, Randlett said the organization already has plans to talk with the right people at the right time. “We certainly are not forming because we are in opposition to anybody’s stated agenda,” he said. “It’s really about highlighting our first hand awareness that there is a lack of understanding among elected officials and administration officials that we need to make sure occurs over the next year or two.” One example of a misunderstanding in Congress is one Randlett said happened two years ago when a bunch of people were saying algae and jatropha are going to be the thing. “We knew that there was just no way that was going to be economical any time soon and so what they did was to create a false expectation that there was going to be what I would call these magic crops that could sprout up in the desert and solve our energy independence,” and Randlett said, “that was just never going to be true.” Now, Randlett said, there are non-magical crops that have evolved that we can use to create renewable fuel that are true, and more importantly, that don’t provide false hope.<br />
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The Global Biofuels Alliance is currently seeking members, especially those that want to be aggressive advocates in Washington, Randlett said. “Whether or not we are twenty people or two hundred people,” he said, “the point is to have this message get across to the people in Washington from the people who intend to aggressive.”<br />
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To learn more about the new alliance, visit <b><a href="http://globalbiofuels.org/index.html" target="_blank">www.globalbiofuels.org</a></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.biorefiningmagazine.com/article/20101022113">BiorefiningMagazine.com</a></b>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-36572154217240022302010-10-06T19:57:00.002+07:002010-10-06T23:15:27.986+07:00Denmark 100% Fossil Fuel Free by 2050? CleanTechnica.comFollowing up on some great news regarding renewable energy targets and possibilities in <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/09/30/northern-ireland-scotland-germany-announce-big-renewable-energy-targets/" target="_blank">Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Germany</a>, Denmark also recently announced great potential for weening itself off fossil fuels.<br />
A report by the Danish climate commission found <a href="http://ecolocalizer.com/2010/09/30/denmark-germany-next-to-announce-big-renewable-energy-targets-possibilities/" target="_blank">Denmark</a> could create an energy network completely free of fossil fuels by 2050 as a result of falling renewable energy costs combined with rising oil and gas costs.<br />
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The report predicts that biomass and wind energy could provide the majority of the country’s energy needs.<br />
“The report will also send a very clear and important signal to other countries that wind is a sustainable source of energy for future development,” said Ditlev Engel, chief executive of Danish wind energy giant <a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/09/22/iphone-wind-energy-app-from-vestas/" target="_blank">Vestas</a>.<br />
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“This is a great opportunity to solidify Denmark’s reputation as a laboratory for green, CO2-free power technology solutions that are globally required.”<br />
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The report recommends that Denmark set aside 0.5% of its annual GDP for renewable energy investment for the next several decades.<br />
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The commission report and recommendations will now be considered by the Danish climate and energy minister before the Danish government releases its official climate strategy proposal in November.<br />
Good luck to Denmark on achieving their clean energy potential.<br />
<a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2010/10/05/denmark-100-fossil-fuel-free-by-2050/?utm_source=Cleantechnica+News&utm_campaign=3f586c9cc5-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email"><b>CleanTechnica.com</b></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-47190745739548037342010-09-30T00:07:00.001+07:002010-09-30T00:08:18.702+07:00Scotland to get 100 pct green energy by 2025. Reuters<span id="articleText"><span class="focusParagraph">(Reuters) - Scotland should produce enough renewable electricity to meet all its power demand by 2025, First Minister Alex Salmond said Tuesday.<br />
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</span><span id="midArticle_0"></span>"Scotland has unrivalled green energy resources and our new national target to generate 80 percent of electricity needs from renewables by 2020 will be exceeded by delivering current plans for wind, wave and tidal generation," Salmond said.<br />
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<span id="midArticle_1"></span>"I'm confident that by 2025 we will produce at least 100 percent of our electricity needs from renewables alone, and together with other sources it will enable us to become a net exporter of clean, green energy," he said a statement ahead of a renewable energy investment conference.<br />
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<span id="midArticle_2"></span>Last week, Scotland raised its 2020 renewable electricity target from 50 to 80 percent of total demand, much of which is expected to be met by offshore wind despite costs soaring over the last few years.<br />
<span id="midArticle_3"></span>The sparsely-populated part of northern Britain is expected to export much of the low-carbon electricity produced by its existing onshore wind farms and planned offshore projects south to England, which has lagged behind most of Europe in green energy growth.<br />
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<span id="midArticle_4"></span>The Scottish government has ruled out building new nuclear plants north of the border with England, while the British government in London hopes new reactors will run alongside wind and marine energy technologies.<br />
<span id="midArticle_5"></span>(Reporting by <a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/search/journalist.php?edition=us&n=daniel.fineren&">Daniel Fineren</a>)<br />
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<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68Q61X20100927">Read at-source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-32585971838039421972010-09-29T23:40:00.002+07:002010-09-29T23:47:19.939+07:00NREL Releases Biomass Mapping Application. RenewableEnergyWorld.com<div class="newsSubHeader">A mapping application shows where bio-energy facilities are located now and where more could be developed. </div><div style="margin: 7px 0pt 0pt;"><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 2px;">by <a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/u/JenniferRunyon/articles;jsessionid=22F4E0309E006F850C6454D215276D6A">Jennifer Runyon, Managing Editor</a> </div><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 2px;">Published: September 28, 2010 </div></div><br />
<span class="viewStoryDateLine">Washington, DC, USA – </span> With funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Blue Skyways Collaborative and DOE's Biomass Program, NREL has developed a cool new web portal that may lead to more bioenergy developments across the U.S.<br />
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The portal is a bioenergy mapping tool in which users can start with a blank map of the country. They can then overlay the map with biomass feedstocks to see where certain feedstocks can be harvested and then overlay that information with ethanol and biodiesel plants both active and idle, existing transportation infrastructure, power plants, fueling stations, refineries and more.<br />
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The tools are called <b><a href="http://maps.nrel.gov/bioenergyatlas" target="_blank">BioPower Atlas and BioFuels Atlas</a></b> and by using them individuals and organizations can gather data about biopower and biofuels potential in North America. NREL believes that interested folks will include “government and state agencies, universities, the petroleum and pipeline industries, research institutions, vehicle manufacturers, investment firms, GIS companies, private citizens, and media.”<br />
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Project developers could, for example, look at where sugar beets are being grown and pair that with idle ethanol plants to get a good sense of where a potential new sugar beet ethanol plant could be located.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/09/nrel-releases-biomass-mapping-application">Read at-source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-43097567862408849192010-09-24T22:00:00.001+07:002010-09-24T22:01:24.153+07:00Canada implements national RFS, allows open mandate for blenders. Ethanol Producer MagazineBy Kris Bevill<br />
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It’s been years in the making, but Canada’s first national renewable fuels standard (RFS) is finally in place. The mandate to require refiners to blend 5 percent renewable fuels into their gasoline supplies went into effect on Sept. 1 and was met with enthusiastic optimism from members of the nation’s ethanol industry, according to Canadian Renewable Fuels Association President Gordon Quaiattini. “This has been a long time coming and there’ve been some dedicated folks in the ethanol market in Canada who have waited a long time to see this national mandate come into force,” he said. “We’re no longer an industry in its infancy. I think it’s fair to say that we’ve achieved an adolescent stage and there’s more to come.”<br />
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<a href="http://ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=6985">Read Full Story</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-269608808555952322010-09-23T14:39:00.007+07:002010-09-23T14:55:07.532+07:00State-by-State Report on Renewable Energy in the 50 US States. RenewableEnergyFocus.com15 September 2010<br />
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The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) has released a state-by-state report on renewable energy in the 50 US states.<br />
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<b>Renewable Energy in America: Markets, Economic Development and Policy in the 50 States</b> has been published as an <span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.acore.org/publications/50states?contactID=110520056&gwkey=LJYJFJAIAD" target="_blank"><b>online resource</b></a></b></span>, compiling financial, renewable energy resource potentials, market and policy information in an online format.<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyfocususa.com/view/12471/statebystate-report-on-renewable-energy/">Read Full Story</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-16435360277831754392010-09-20T13:23:00.001+07:002010-09-23T11:19:34.163+07:00Microbial Breakthrough Impacts Health, Agriculture, Biofuels. ScienceDaily.com<span class="date">ScienceDaily (Sep. 9, 2010)</span> — For the first time ever, University of Illinois researchers have discovered how microbes break down hemicellulose plant matter into simple sugars using a cow rumen bacterium as a model.<br />
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"This is ground-breaking research," said Isaac Cann, associate professor in the U of I Department of Animal Sciences and member of the Energy Biosciences Institute (EBI) in the Institute for Genomic Biology. "The implications are very broad, yet it all started with a simple rumen microbe. It's amazing how we can draw inferences to human health and nutrition, biofuel production and animal nutrition because of our new understanding of how a microbe works."<br />
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The cow rumen is an excellent model to study as it's one of the most efficient machines to deconstruct plant matter, Cann said. Microbes in the rumen break down plant matter into glucose and xylose to use as nutrients for fermentation and energy acquisition.<br />
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U of I researchers utilized DNA sequencing and transcriptomics (RNAseq approach) to determine all of the enzymes the organism, <i>Prevotella bryantii</i>, uses to deconstruct hemicellulose into simple sugars.<br />
"If you don't completely understand what is happening, you can't improve it," Cann said. "The U of I's strong history in anaerobic microbiology and genomics, and the EBI's substantial funding enabled us to achieve this milestone. To my knowledge, this was the first time that anyone has systematically demonstrated the deconstruction of the plant cell wall hemicellulose."<br />
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Breaking down hemicellulose is one of the biofuels industry's greatest bottlenecks. Currently, the industry has microbes that can ferment simple sugars into liquid fuels such as ethanol and butanol. But they have struggled to break down feedstocks such as corn stover, switchgrass and miscanthus.<br />
"U of I's research has created an enzyme cocktail that can release simple sugars from hemicellulose and in turn, help the biofuels industry progress," Cann said.<br />
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Even though researchers used a bacterium from the cow stomach, their results apply to microbes in the human large intestine, too. Human health and nutrition researchers are interested in the similar strategies certain rumen bacteria and human intestinal bacteria use to capture energy from dietary fiber.<br />
"By fermenting the fiber in our diets, the microbes in our large intestine help to provide about 10 percent of our daily energy requirement," he said. "The microbial fermentation products or short-chain fatty acids provide nutrition to the cells that line our intestines."<br />
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Cann added that a greater understanding of the large population of microbes in the large intestine can impact a person's health and nutritional status. For example, a simple change in the colon's microbial population can contribute to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases.<br />
"Understanding how different microbes obtain energy may allow us to modify our diets to select for beneficial microbes to promote better health," he said.<br />
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The same principles hold true for livestock, he said.<br />
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"It's not possible to understand the nutrition of farm animals without understanding the lifestyle of the microbial populations in their gut," Cann said. "Cattle depend on microbes to obtain their energy from both grass and concentrate diets. A better understanding of how microbes capture nutrients from plant matter can help us to make animal agriculture more efficient."<br />
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U of I researchers are building on the knowledge gained from this study to understand how two other major rumen bacteria capture energy from cellulose and cellulose/hemicellulose.<br />
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<a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100907163529.htm">Read at-source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-33146838977799993392010-09-18T22:02:00.008+07:002010-09-23T11:22:28.801+07:00World's top 15 electricity producers... Rediff.comThe world is already in the grip of a major power crisis. With the developing nations' appetite and demand for more energy, the situation is likely to get even worse if steps are not taken to find alternate and clean/green sources of energy.<br />
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Almost all natural resources that are used to generate power -- oil, gas, even water -- seem to have limited availability. Thus alternative sources of energy -- wind, nuclear, solar -- might be the way out for the developing as also the rich countries.<br />
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After the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, many nations pledged to reduce their carbon emissions. Developing countries, including India and China, believe it is the responsibility of wealthy industrialised nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States to cut more carbon emissions as they have already achieved a certain standard of living.<br />
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As India and China, and indeed other nations, grow towards attaining better lifestyles and living conditions for their populations, their appetite for electricity will only rise further.<br />
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The total electricity production in the world in 2008 stood at 19,950,3917,395,212 kWh <i>(kWh, or kilowatt hour, is a unit of energy equal to 1,000 watt hours)</i>, while the total power consumption was 17,109,665,000 gigawatt hours. The per capita power consumption in the world was 297 watts: almost six times the Indian average.<br />
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So which are the world's largest producers and consumers of electricity?<br />
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1. The United States of America<br />
2. China<br />
3. Japan<br />
4. Russia<br />
5. India<br />
6. Canada<br />
7. Germany<br />
8. France<br />
9. Brazil<br />
10. South Korea<br />
11. The United kingdom<br />
12. Italy<br />
13. Spain<br />
14. Australia<br />
15. Mexico<b><br />
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<a href="http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/sep/17/slide-show-1-the-top-15-electricity-producers-in-the-world.htm#contentTop">Read Full Story<code></code></a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-59629435448381083902010-09-15T16:23:00.006+07:002010-09-23T14:24:04.354+07:00Tips on Seeking a Renewable Energy Degree. RenewableEnergyWorld.com<div class="newsSubHeader" onmouseout="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'hidden');" onmouseover="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'visible');">With jobseekers across the globe considering clean energy careers, how do they know where to begin? </div><div style="margin: 7px 0pt 0pt;"><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 2px;">by <a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/u/JenniferRunyon/articles;jsessionid=C94CFC57761F4BDEF8B1873DAAC885B7">Jennifer Runyon, Managing Editor</a> </div><div style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 2px;">Published: September 13, 2010</div></div><span class="viewStoryDateLine" onmouseout="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'hidden');" onmouseover="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'visible');"> New Hampshire, USA -- </span> <span onmouseout="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'hidden');" onmouseover="toggleQuickEdit(this, 'visible');"> September is back to school month for many in the U.S. and elsewhere. As one season fades into the next, it's time for new beginnings and fresh thinking. Change is in the air and for some that means thinking about a career in clean energy. </span><br />
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Many analysts predict that by 2020 the global clean energy economy will top one trillion dollars. With that much money on the table, it’s no surprise that people all over the world are wondering how they might join this vibrant new field. And green jobs may be more lucrative, too. According to the Council of Economic Advisers, <a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/02/27/The-case-for-green-jobs/" target="_blank">green jobs pay an average of 10 to 20% more</a> than other jobs.<br />
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“Green expertise makes an excellent overlay on almost any existing career,” said Kristen Bacorn, a nationally recognized educator and LEED certified building expert. <br />
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Bacorn believes that almost anyone can benefit from learning about the green economy. “To give an example from my own career as an educator and consultant, I earn more from green education and consulting than from conventional education and consulting,” she said.<br />
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Bacorn teaches courses designed for real estate professionals and others on topics such as green building, environmental regulation and green appraisal among others. She is part of a growing trend of educators, institutions and training programs focusing on the clean energy industry.<br />
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<b>Advice for Jobseekers</b><br />
Most human resource experts explain that before jumping into a new degree program, individuals must first decide what type of work they want to pursue.<br />
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“I am not a big advocate of people getting education ‘on spec,’ without a planned career objective,” said Bacorn. “Prospective students should invest a little time looking into what jobs are growing, what qualifications are required for those jobs, and – most of all – what job they would find fulfilling,”<br />
For many, that may mean simply using the skills they already have and applying them to a renewable energy or clean tech company.<br />
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An accountant is an accountant in any industry and may easily be able to switch tasks from one industry to the next. The same would apply to support personnel in large corporations and entry-level positions in departments such as human resource management, marketing and PR.<br />
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“Renewable energy businesses need accountants, administrative assistants, lawyers, sales people, managers, etc,” said Pat Fox, Director of Operations at the <a href="http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/workforce-development/education-information/" target="_blank">Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)</a>.<br />
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Like Bacorn, Fox believes that a small amount of clean energy training can help those wishing to apply their skills to the renewable energy market. “So, if someone has these basic skills that will translate well, they should look for training/educational programs that can give them foundational knowledge of renewable energy,” she said.<br />
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For those who are looking to get their hands into the actual transition from traditional energy to clean energy -- project managers, engineers, financiers, installers, operations and maintenance workers and higher-level positions like VPs of sales, business development or marketing -- more comprehensive renewable-energy specific knowledge will almost always be necessary.<br />
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Before you start a program however, you must first decide what industry interests you most. “Clean Energy” is a broad topic and includes everything from large and small wind power to solar power technologies like PV, CSP and solar thermal to geothermal, biofuels, hydro, ocean and biomass energy. Even more broadly, clean tech encompasses energy efficiency, smart grid and green building.<br />
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One good way to become informed about the clean energy economy is to follow the news of the industry, said Fox. “So, in addition to education,” she said, “I recommend that people get informed and involved. Join national renewable energy organizations in your area of interest; attend local and national conferences; and stay up with the news through [industry] publications,” she said.<br />
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<b>Taking the Plunge: Renewable Energy Degree or Training?</b><br />
Deciding between a short training program or a full-fledged multi-year degree program then comes back to the type of job a person seeks. “To become an installer or to go into technical sales, a training program should work well. However, to become a design engineer for a manufacturer, a degree will probably be required,” said Fox.<br />
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Bacorn is bullish on green building. She said that becoming a LEED Green Associate adds an impressive credential to any resume in almost any sector. Furthermore, courses can be found online, in colleges or adult education classes all over the U.S. “The Green Associate exam is very hard, and it is a mistake to underestimate the study required….so look for a quality course, not a quick and dirty solution,” she said.<br />
Quality is the name of the game for IREC as well and if you are based in the U.S., the IREC website is a good source of information for educational programs. IREC has gone to great lengths to compile lists of university programs and training organizations to help those who wish to enter the clean energy workforce. Its <a href="http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/workforce-development/education-information/university-courses/" target="_blank">university link</a> offers 39 universities with courses or complete programs in Renewable Energy. <a href="http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/workforce-development/education-information/training-providers/" target="_blank">IREC’s training providers</a> list offers 132 independent and community college programs that help train installers in all technologies.<br />
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While IREC hasn’t evaluated the university programs (it’s a voluntary listing where entities can set up an account and list their programs), they have awarded some training programs with ISPQ (Institute for Sustainable Power Quality) Accreditation, which is IREC’s “gold star of approval” for any program. You can see which programs are ISPQ accredited by visiting the <a href="http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/ispq-training-accreditation/ispq-awardees" target="_blank">ISPQ Awardees page </a>on the IREC site.<br />
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For those thinking about jumping into the industry but are unsure where to start, Bacorn recommends taking a creative approach. “If I were going to sell a product, wouldn’t it be great to sell something people were required by law to buy? [It is] the same with jobs. There is a lot of new legislation occurring on the [U.S] federal, state and local level, and much of it involves jobs,” she said.<br />
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She sees a huge amount of growth potential in the area of green building and is particularly excited about <a href="http://www.ashrae.org/publications/page/927" target="_blank">the new ASHRAE 189.1 standard</a>, which will require all buildings to operate more efficiently. Similar standards are being adopted in Europe, too. “The implication for jobseekers is that there will be more demand for green building professionals, such as renewable specialists, commissioning agents, air testing technicians, HVAC engineers, computer modeling experts, green product suppliers and many more,” she said.<br />
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<b>A Listing of University Programs</b><br />
To those in search of more education to help further their careers in this industry there are a plethora of renewable energy programs available. Some of these were mentioned in our first article on this topic, which came out in December 2008: <a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2008/12/more-universities-offering-masters-degree-programs-in-renewable-energy-54212" target="_blank">More Universities Offering Master’s Degrees Renewable Energy</a>. Programs listed in that article are not listed here.<br />
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Since then, all across the globe, even more universities are offering clean tech programs or renewable energy tracks in their existing degree programs. Some are even starting new degree programs all together. While not exhaustive, a list of programs is below. Many offer programs that can be completed online. Please feel free to use the comment section to include other programs not listed here.<br />
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<b>USA</b><br />
<a href="http://irecusa.org/irec-programs/workforce-development/education-information/university-courses/" target="_blank">IREC lists 39 U.S. University Programs</a> at this site. In addition to those, here are a few more:<br />
<a href="http://www.oit.edu/orec" target="_blank">Oregon Renewable Energy Center</a><br />
<a href="http://www.susdev.appstate.edu/" target="_blank">Appalachain State University</a><br />
<a href="http://www.eme.psu.edu/energyeng/index.html" target="_blank">Penn State</a><br />
<a href="http://www.scu.edu/engineering/enews/2010winter/renewableenergy.cfm" target="_blank">Santa Clara University</a> announced plans to add a Masters degree in Sustainable Energy within the School of Engineering starting in the 2011-12 academic year. It already offers a certificate program.<br />
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<b>UK</b><br />
<a href="http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/course/?id=7766" target="_blank">University of Ulster</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/research/centres/crest/" target="_blank">Loughborough University</a> has a Master’s Program in Renewable Energy.<br />
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<a href="http://gradschool.cat.org.uk/graduateschool/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=162&Itemid=217" target="_blank">Graduate School of the Environment</a> has an extensive degree program.<br />
<a href="http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sage/postgrad/taught/reflex/" target="_blank">NewCastle University</a> has a flexible degree program focused on renewable energy.<br />
<a href="http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/speme/index.shtml" target="_blank">University of Leeds</a> has engineering programs that focus on renewable energy.<br />
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<b>Denmark</b><br />
<a href="http://www.mek.dtu.dk/English/Education/MSc_programmes.aspx" target="_blank">Technical University of Denmark</a> has an MSc program in Wind Energy and <a href="http://www.risoe.dtu.dk/Education/MSC.aspx" target="_blank">Master of Science in Engineering, Sustainable Energy</a>.<br />
<a href="http://en.aau.dk/About+Aalborg+University/University+Structure/Departments/Specific+Department/555949" target="_blank">Aalborg University</a> has both undergraduate and graduate programs in Renewable Energy.<br />
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<b>South Africa</b><br />
<a href="http://academic.sun.ac.za/crses/html/postgraduate_program.htm" target="_blank">Stellenbosch University</a> offers a MA in RE.<br />
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<b>Poland</b><br />
The <a href="http://www.syllabus.agh.edu.pl/GL/index_en.html" target="_blank">AGH University of Science and Technology</a> has undergraduate and graduate programs in both traditional and renewable energy.<br />
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<b>Sweden</b><br />
The <a href="http://www.energy.kth.se/index.asp?pnr=15&ID=222&lang=0" target="_blank">Royal Institute of Technology</a> has an extensive onsite and distance Master’s Degree program in Sustainable Energy.<br />
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<b>Tajikistan</b><br />
<a href="http://www.et.teiath.gr/creta/" target="_blank">Tajik Technical University</a> either has or is developing a Master’s Degree Program in Renewable Energy developed under the Curriculum Development in Renewable Energy Technologies in Central Asia Universities (CRETA) program.<br />
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<b>Australia</b><br />
<a href="http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Courses/Master-of-Science-in-Renewable-Energy/" target="_blank">Murdoch University</a> offers Master’s Degree in Renewable Energy<br />
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<b>Germany, France, Spain and the UK</b><br />
The <a href="http://www.master.eurec.be/Introduction" target="_blank">European Masters in Renewable Energy</a> coordinated by the European Renewable Energy Centers Agency allows students to study in one of 4 different European countries and then perform field work in another area of Europe.<br />
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<b>Find Your Passion</b><br />
When thinking about starting something new, most experts agree that its passion first, expertise later. That means a bit of soul searching before you begin again. "Clearly, there is simply not a ‘one size fits all’ answer," said IREC's Fox. "Determining the best educational path depends on the individual, their experience and their interests."<br />
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Kristen Barcorn concurs. "An individual should think of a pursuit in which they excel and explore how that supports the green revolution underway in our country," she said. "If you go with what you love, and you also love the planet, it’s hard to go wrong."<br />
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2010/09/getting-greener-when-to-seek-a-renewable-energy-degree?cmpid=rss">Source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-75503429166940713472010-09-13T21:28:00.007+07:002010-09-23T11:24:36.425+07:00Hamilton: Green jet fuel takes flight. TheStar.comBy <a href="http://www.thestar.com/business/columnists/94629--hamilton-tyler">Tyler Hamilton</a><br />
Energy and Technology Columnist<br />
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Could a unique microorganism found in the waters of Atlantic Canada represent the future of jet fuel production? <br />
That’s what Halifax-based Ocean Nutrition Canada is hoping to find out as part of a four-year demonstration project funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).<br />
The company, which is the world’s largest supplier of Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, has discovered a kind of super-algae that, according to experts, is dramatically more efficient at producing oil than other types of algae being used for biofuel production.<br />
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How much more efficient? SDTC says the single-cell algae is 60 times more productive than other algae. Ocean Nutrition scientists happened upon it after a thorough screening of hundreds of different microorganisms. The company has since learned how to grow it and keep a stockpile in cryogenic reserve.<br />
“We were looking and we got lucky,” says Ian Lucas, executive vice-president of innovation and strategy at Ocean Nutrition. “The SDTC program is focused on our ability to take this and turn it into jet fuel. We’re going to demonstrate the ability to grow the algae on a large scale.”<br />
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Ocean Nutrition has partnered with the National Research Council, military contractor Lockheed Martin, and UOP LLC, a Honeywell company that supplies technologies to the petroleum industry. UOP’s job is to take the algae oil and turn it into a green jet fuel that can directly replace conventional jet fuel.<br />
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<b>The jet fuel focus is a smart one.</b><br />
Cars and truck and buses have the option of running in the future on electricity <i>or</i> green fuels as a way to wean off gasoline and diesel fuel. Gasoline demand for transportation represents 43 per cent of all oil products in Canada, and 46 per cent in the United States.<br />
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It’s doubtful that biofuels, such as ethanol, will be able to make a meaningful dent on that market. Most of the ethanol we get today in North America comes from corn. It takes a lot of energy to make it, and the idea of growing food for fuel remains highly controversial.<br />
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Affordable next-generation biofuels that use non-food crops and waste streams will come along, but momentum these days is clearly on the side of electric vehicles, which become cleaner as the grid becomes greener.<br />
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Airplanes don’t have that option. They can’t fly on electricity, and won’t in the foreseeable future. If we want to lower the carbon footprint of the world’s fleet of airplanes, the use of sustainably developed biofuels is pretty much the only path we have.<br />
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It’s also more realistic to think that we can make a dent in the jet fuel market. This summer, for example, jet fuel represented a more manageable 8 per cent of demand for oil products among OECD nations.<br />
Serious efforts are underway. In the United States the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency – better known as DARPA, which brought us the Internet and GPS tracking – is aiming to produce tens of millions of gallons of algae-based oil each year at a production plant scheduled for 2013.<br />
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Boeing Co. recently said commercial airlines are on target to get 1 per cent of their fuel from biofuels by 2015. It may seem like a small figure, but that 1 per cent will demonstrate to the industry that much higher volumes are doable.<br />
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“We need to get to 1 per cent to get that foundation and then the trajectory will be significantly steeper,” Billy Glover, who heads up environmental strategy at the company’s commercial airplane unit, told Bloomberg News in July.<br />
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The U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy are both testing green jet fuels on their respective aircraft fleets. The navy has committed to have at least half of its fleet operate on renewable fuel by 2020.<br />
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Here in Canada, there appears to be recognition – at least based on recently announced SDTC projects – that green jet fuel is a huge niche worth pursuing. In addition to the Ocean Nutrition project, SDTC is also funding a project led by Saskatoon-based biosciences firm Targeted Growth Canada.<br />
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The company and its partners, including Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada and once again Honeywell’s UOP LLC, will convert camelina oil into jet fuel with the promise of an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Camelina is a hardy oilseed crop that grows well on dry, marginal land, so using it in this way isn’t considered direct competition with food.<br />
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The first Canadian test of this camelina-based jet fuel will be in Toronto in early 2012 when Porter Airlines, another partner in the project, will fly one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprop planes out of the island airport.<br />
It’s one of many crucial steps that could lead to big change in the aviation industry. <br />
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<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/858682--hamilton-green-jet-fuel-takes-flight">Source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-12015501969280509662010-09-11T13:18:00.007+07:002010-09-23T11:25:14.190+07:00Methane Reduction from Cattle. EnvironmentalNewsNetwork (enn.com)From: <span class="name">Andy Soos, ENN</span> <br />
Published: <span class="date">September 9, 2010<br />
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</span>Methane is a significant green house gas that can lead to global warming. It is also commonly produced by many animals including humans and <a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink1" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined">cattle.</a><br />
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<div id="preLoadLayer1" style="display: none; left: -18px; position: absolute; top: -32px; z-index: 2147482647;"><a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink1" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span class="preLoadWrap" id="preLoadWrap1" style="position: relative;"><img class="preloadImg" src="http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif" style="border: medium none; height: 22px; width: 22px;" /></span></a></div>Cow belches, a major source of greenhouse gases, could be decreased by an unusual feed supplement developed by a Penn State dairy scientist. Belching (also known as burping) involves the release of gas from the digestive tract through the mouth. It is usually accompanied with a typical sound and an odor.<br />
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Many other mammals, such as cattle, dogs, and sheep also burp. In the case of ruminants, the gas expelled is actually methane produced as a byproduct of the animal's digestive process. Anaerobic organisms such as <a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink0" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">Escherichia </span><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">coli</span></span></a> (E. coli) and methanogenic archaea produce this effect. An average cow may emit between 542 liters and 600 liters (if in a field) of methane per day through burping, making commercially farmed cattle a major contributor to the greenhouse effect. <br />
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At Penn State in a series of <a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink4" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">laboratory</span></span></a> experiments and a live animal test, an oregano based feed supplement not only decreased methane emissions in dairy cows by 40 percent, but also improved milk production, according to Alexander Hristov, an associate professor of dairy nutrition.<br />
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Oregano is an important culinary herb. It is particularly widely used in Turkish, Palestinian, Syrian, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, Latin American, and <a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink3" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">Italian </span><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">cuisine</span></span></a>. It is the leaves that are used in cooking, and the dried herb is often more flavorful than the fresh.<br />
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Oregano is often used in tomato sauces, fried vegetables, and grilled meat. Together with basil, it contributes much to the distinctive character of many Italian dishes.<br />
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The natural methane reduction supplement could lead to a cleaner environment and more productive dairy operations.<br />
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Experiments revealed another benefit of the gas reducing supplement. It increased daily milk production by nearly three pounds of milk for each cow during the trials. The researcher anticipated the higher milk productivity from the herd.<br />
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"Since methane production is an energy loss for the animal, this isn’t really a surprise. If you decrease energy loss, the cows can use that energy for other processes, such as making milk." Hristov said.<br />
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Hristov first screened hundreds of essential oils, plants and various compounds in the laboratory before arriving at oregano as a possible solution. During the experiments, oregano consistently reduced methane without demonstrating any negative effects.<br />
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Following the laboratory experiments, Hristov conducted an experiment to study the effects of oregano on lactating cows at Penn State's dairy barns. He is currently conducting follow-up animal trials to verify the early findings and to further isolate specific compounds involved in the suppression of methane.<br />
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Hristov said that some compounds that are found in oregano, including carvacrol, geraniol and thymol, seem to play a more significant role in methane suppression. Identifying the active compounds is important because pure compounds are easier to produce commercially and more economical for <a class="kLink" href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/41757#" id="KonaLink5" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="undefined"><span style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: static;"><span class="kLink" style="color: #b00000; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12.2333px; font-weight: 400; position: relative;">farmers</span></span></a> to use.<br />
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<a href="http://www.enn.com/ecosystems/article/41757">Source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-73350597839960382022010-09-01T21:05:00.005+07:002010-09-23T11:25:57.170+07:00Student Biodiesel Initiative Begins. TheBioenergySite.com<div class="snippet">US - The next generation of scientists in the US is gearing up to lead America's energy efforts with biodiesel at the forefront.</div><div align="justify">Student scientists from Dartmouth College to Oregon State University are leading a new Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative. The group has formed to demonstrate and grow support for biodiesel among tomorrow's scientific leaders.<br />
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Lucas Ellis of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort.<br />
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"In college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability," Ellis said. "Biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion."</div><a name='more'></a><br />
Since then, his passion has led him to create biodiesel education projects in three states, including organizing laboratories to teach students about the chemistry of biodiesel. At West Virginia University, he created a biodiesel organization that today hosts biodiesel events to help recruit kids into studying science.<br />
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Ellis is just one of many such stories of student engagement. Selected by the National Biodiesel Board, the other co-chairs of Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel are:<br />
<ul><li>Bernardo del Campo, Iowa State University (Biorenewable Resources and Technologies) </li>
<li>Mikkel Leslie, Oregon State University (Environmental Engineering) </li>
<li>Jason Strull, University of Nevada – Reno (Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering)</li>
</ul><div align="justify">The campaign launched today with 28 founding members signing an on-line declaration of support for biodiesel, which in part proclaims:<br />
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<i>Biodiesel from a variety of feedstocks can meet contemporary needs for environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet these needs for themselves.</i><br />
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"Biodiesel can certainly make an impact on the world," said ISU's del Campo of why he wanted to get involved.<br />
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"I believe biodiesel is helping everyone, environmentally, socially, and economically. I want to be a part of pushing us forward to that."<br />
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"We're bringing the next generation of scientists together with biodiesel, the only advanced biofuel commercially available in the U.S.," said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. "Cementing support among future energy thought leaders is important to biodiesel's future."<br />
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NBB also wanted to create a forum where students who support biodiesel can collaborate and share ideas.<br />
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Any student scientist can sign the declaration, found at <a href="http://www.biodieselsustainability.org/">www.biodieselsustainability.org</a>. They will then have opportunities to learn from each other, including a virtual conference, scheduled for 28 September. A Facebook page also provides students with a forum to discuss biodiesel with each other and view profiles of other students and their biodiesel projects.<br />
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The Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative is modeled after the Scientists for Biodiesel campaign. Launched in February 2009, 125 scientists have signed on to the declaration. Both initiatives are led by NBB, and supported by the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff.</div><br />
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<a href="http://www.thebioenergysite.com/news/6926/student-biodiesel-initiative-begins">Source</a>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5241855682852440038.post-60115364101560187862010-09-01T21:01:00.007+07:002010-09-23T11:26:37.256+07:00Cellulosic Ethanol—Biofuel Beyond Corn. TheBioenergySite.com<div class="snippet">Fuel ethanol production in the US is expected to exceed 7.5 billion gallons before 2012, writes Nathan S. Mosier from the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Purdue University.</div><div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; width: 125px;"><a href="http://news.uns.purdue.edu/"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.5mpublishing.com/newstemplates/purdueuni.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div align="justify">This represents a <i>doubling</i> of ethanol production from 2004, which consumed approximately 10% of the corn produced in the U.S. in that year. Increased demands for domestically produced liquid fuel is increasing competition between animal feed and fuel production uses of corn.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
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<div class="pic" style="float: right; width: 280px;"><img alt="" height="400" src="http://www.thebioenergysite.com/articles/contents/10-8-16Bio1.gif" width="280" /> </div><div align="justify">Cellulosic feedstocks (wheat straw, corn stover, switch grass, etc.) can also be converted to ethanol. Overcoming the technological and economic hurdles for using cellulose to produce liquid fuel will allow the U.S. to meet both food and fuel needs.</div><h4>Cellulose as Ethanol Feedstock</h4><div align="justify">Cellulose is a polymer of sugar. Polymers are large molecules made up of simpler molecules bound together much like links in a chain. Common, everyday biological polymers include cellulose (in paper, cotton, and wood) and starch (in food). Cellulose is a polymer of glucose, a simple sugar that is easily consumed by yeast to produce ethanol (Mosier and Illeleji, 2006).<br />
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Cellulose is produced by every living plant on the earth, from single-celled algae in the oceans to giant redwood trees. This means that cellulose is the most abundant biological molecule in the world.<br />
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A study completed by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that at least 1 billion tons of cellulose in the form of straw, corn stover, other forages and residues, and wood wastes could be sustainably collected and processed in the U.S. each year. This resource represents an equivalent of 67 billion gallons of ethanol, replacing 30% of gasoline consumption in the U.S (U.S. Department of Energy Biofuels: 30% by 2030 Website).<br />
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Plants use cellulose as a strengthening material, much like a skeleton that allows plants to stand upright and grow toward the sun, withstand environmental stresses, and block pests. People have used cellulose for centuries in paper, wood, and textiles (cotton and linen).</div><div class="pic" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; width: 280px;"><img alt="" height="536" src="http://www.thebioenergysite.com/articles/contents/10-8-16Bio2.gif" width="280" /> <br />
<div class="cite"><i>Figure 1. Major Challenges in Producing Cellulosic Ethanol</i></div></div><div align="justify">If cellulose chains are broken down into the individual “links,” the released sugar can be used to make ethanol. This ethanol can then be purified using the same technology as corn-based ethanol production (Mosier and Illeleji, 2006). A number of technological advances are current under development to make this approach to biofuels economical. </div><h4>Challenges in Cellulosic Ethanol</h4>Using technology available today, cellulose can be converted into ethanol. The major difference between cellulosic ethanol and grain ethanol is the technology at the front end of the process. The technology for fermentation, distillation, and recovery of the ethanol are the same (Mosier and Illeleji, 2006).<br />
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The major challenges (Figure 1, page 2) are linked to reducing the costs associated with production, harvest, transportation, and up-front processing in order to make cellulosic ethanol competitive with grain-based fuel ethanol and gasoline (Eggeman and Elander, 2005). The major processing challenges are linked to the biology and chemistry of the processing steps. Advances in biotechnology and engineering will likely make significant impacts toward achieving the goals of improving efficiency and yields in processing plant material to ethanol.<br />
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<code><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=5241855682852440038&postID=6011536410156018786"></a><a href="http://www.thebioenergysite.com/articles/720/cellulosic-ethanolbiofuel-beyond-corn">Read Full Story<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"></span></a><code></code></code>Nawa Raj Dhakalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532091967182532799noreply@blogger.com0