FirstEnergy has awarded the University of Akron in Nothern Ohio $2 million for an advanced energy research center. The center will focus on researching carbon capturing and fuel cell technologies. The fund will be used to create the FirstEnergy Advanced Energy Research Center at the University and support development of carbon capture and coal-based fuel cells. FirstEnergy also has secured …
Wind Energy Sets Record in 2007
The amount of energy in the U.S. produced from wind has had another record year in 2007. This story on the Fox Business web site says figures from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) show the trend is continuing up for the industry: The AWEA estimates the industry will install a record 3,000 MW of new wind power capacity in …
SF Mayor Highlights Green in Inaugural Address
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom highlighted green energy, including biodiesel, solar, and wind, in his inaugural address. Here’s an excerpt from that speech from the mayor’s web site: The most important step we can take is to make this city carbon neutral. And that is exactly what we are going to do. Today I am pledging to make city government …
Daimler Joins Bayer & ADM to Study Jatropha Biodiesel
German carmaker Daimler will join with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) and Bayer CropScience to look at the feasibility of jatropha-based biodiesel. This story from Reuters says the trio will study the tropical plant’s properties and how best to grow it for biofuel production: “Biodiesel derived from Jatropha nut kernels has properties similar to those of biofuels obtained from oilseed rapes. …
Detroit Auto Show Featuring Green-Fueled Vehicles
The 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit will feature vehicles using a variety of green fuels, including ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, and fuel cells. This story from The Auto Channel says when the public comes in to the annual gathering on January 19th-27th, 2008, they’ll see more clean fuels more than ever before: Going green is no longer a …
SD Gov Calls for Tax Cut on Biodiesel
South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds is calling for a two-cents-a-gallon cut to the state’s motor fuel tax on biodiesel. This story posted on the KMEG-TV (Sioux City, IA) web site says it’s a plan to encourage the production of biodiesel: The governor announced the proposed tax cut today during his annual State of the State speech to open the 2008 …
McCain’s & Clinton’s Alternative Energy Stands
Last week after Sen. Barack Obama and former Arkansas Mike Huckabee posted wins in the Iowa caucuses, I posted their renewable energy stances from their web sites. Now, as it looks like Sens. Hillary Clinton and John McCain have posted wins in their respective Democratic and Republican primaries in New Hampshire, I wanted to give you their stands on alternative …
Giving the Gift of Biomass
Auburn University is getting new biomass pilot plant facilities. Masada Resource Group is donating the technology and facilities to the Alabama university. Masada Resource Group, LLC, a Birmingham, Alabama firm specializing in municipal solid waste-to-ethanol technology, has announced that it has donated biomass pilot plant facilities and equipment the company recently purchased from the Tennessee Valley Authority to Auburn University …
Ethanol Production Moves Full Steam Ahead
The latest technology for producing ethanol is getting steamy. Literally. A new patent means more environmentally-friendly production of ethanol. Interstate Power and Light Company, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, and AE&E – Von Roll, Inc., a technology provider of steam generating systems using renewable, waste and conventional fuels, have together patented(*) a technology application that helps ethanol plants run …
Duke Energy is Getting Windier
Duke Energy is picking a 100 more wind turbines from General Electric. The turbines are estimated to produce up to 150 Megawatts of wind power. The turbines are anticipated to be in service in the 2009-2010 timeframe on sites currently under review in the western and southwestern United States. The company’s wind generation assets are managed by Duke Energy Generation …