It might not seem like winter will come this year, but it will. New Yorkers are preparing for colder temperatures and on October 1, 2012, all the heating oil (oilheat) will contain at least 2 percent biodiesel. Known as Bioheat fuel, it is gaining momentum in Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. states. In 2010, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed …
Solar as Art
There are many reasons why people believe solar is not a good solution and one is aesthetics. In other words, many people believe that solar panels are just plain ugly. Then I came across a company that just may be able to put this argument to bed: Solaire Generation. Based in New York, this company is turning solar into an …
Nextgen Offers Attendees Free Clinics
The nextgen conference is set to take place in UK’s Stoneleigh Park on October 10 and 11, 2012. Unique to the event that showcases emerging renewable energy technologies, attendees can meet with industry experts during a series of drop-in clinics. The clinics are geared for those developing green energy projects or for those already involved in renewable energy production. Visitors …
Megawatt Solar Stations Selected for Solar System
The Megawatt Solar Stations (MSS), developed by Solectria Renewables, have been chosen by the 5 megawatt (MW) True North solar farm in Salisbury, Massachusetts. When completed, the solar farm will be the largest solar installation in New England and the first direct-to-grid solar farm in the state. Power Partners MasTec awarded the project to Solectria due to its past successful …
Drought Solution for Biodiesel Industry
This summer was the hottest on record according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the forecast for October could be much of the same: hotter than usual temperatures with less than normal precipitation. A major drought has affected much of the U.S. with Texas feeling the worst impact followed by Colorado, Missouri, Florida, New Mexico, Arkansas, Indiana, and …
And the Survey Says…
With the legislative races in the home stretch, the American Coalition for Ethanol has released survey responses covering key Congressional and Senate races across the country. The two major party candidates in races including the Indiana Senate, Iowa Congressional Districts 03 and 04, Minnesota Congressional District 07, Missouri Senate, North Dakota Senate, and the South Dakota At-Large Congressional District responded …
Survey Says More Solar
In a survey focused on clean energy, nine in ten (89%) U.S. adults agree that renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, should be a bigger part of America’s energy supply. The poll was conducted by Ipos on behalf of global solar company Sungevity. The survey showed strong support for solar energy with 80 percent of respondents expecting their elected …
Napiergrass Potential Biofuel Crop
There is another potential biofuel crop you don’t hear much about being studied for the Southeast: napiergrass. The potential feedstock is currently used in the tropics to feed cattle, but according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist William Anderson, it could be a good biofuel feedstock as well. Napiergrass is fairly drought-tolerant, grows well on marginal lands and …
“Semi-dwarf” Trees May Enable a Green Revolution
Researchers at Oregon State University recently published results of a study looking at the advantages of growth traits of “semi-dwarf” trees. Through genetic modification, advantageous growth traits could be developed to grow trees better suited for bioenergy or more efficient water use in a drier, future climate. According to the research team, this approach is contrary to the conventional wisdom …
Small Solution for Big Biomass Problem
Many people have high hopes for biomass as a bioenergy crop. For example, several companies are looking to convert corn stover and corn cobs to cellulosic ethanol. But there are several challenges currently being researched including transportation, storage and moisture content. High moisture feedstocks can muck up the hammer mill system. However, many advanced biofuel producers do not want completely …