Becoming a trend, renewable energy sources accounted for more 60.2 percent of the 7,276 of new electrical generation placed in service in the U.S. during the first three quarters of 2015. According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Office of Energy Projects, 26 new units of wind totaling 2,966 MW of new electrical …
Cellulosic Biofuels Celebrated at DuPont Plant Opening
Nevada, Iowa is officially home to the world’s largest cellulosic ethanol biorefinery with the official plant commissioning. When the DuPont facility is at full production, in about a year, it will produce 30 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues such as corn stover. The celebration was kicked off with the National Anthem sung by music legend Simon Estes …
Renewable Industries Call on Secy of State for Support
COP 21 is fast approaching and the U.S. will be in the spotlight for its efforts to reduce climate change impacts. In anticipation of the worldwide climate event, leaders of the U.S. biomass, geothermal and hydropower industries are urging Secretary of State John Kerry to support a “pan-renewable technologies approach”. The National Hydropower Association, Biomass Power Association and Geothermal Energy …
Growth Supports Next Energy Generation
The next generation of renewable energy, and by extension agricultural experts, are in college and now have an opportunity for some financial support. Growth Energy is providing $90,000 in scholarships over the next three years to students majoring in agricultural education. The “Upper Division” scholarships will be awarded by the National Association of Agricultural Education and given to students during …
Coal-fired Plant in MO Soon to Burn Biomass
A Central Missouri coal-burning power plant that’s been around for more than 100 years will soon get new life using biomass as its fuel. This story from KOMU-TV says Columbia Water and Light’s Municipal Power Plant burned its last coal on Sept. 22 and is undergoing changes to burn the cleaner biomass. [Columbia Water and Light spokesperson Connie] Kacprowicz said …
Maine Biomass Plant Gets $500K USDA Grant
A Maine-based power plant is getting $556,520 in U.S. Department of Agriculture grants. This article from BDN Maine says Athens Energy is getting the money to build a new biomass-fueled power generator that runs on wood waste from logging and timberland thinning operations. The USDA said the proposed Athens biomass plant would produce enough electricity to power about 5,409 homes. …
Biomass Powers Military Base to Self Reliance
A military installation in Upstate New York is now being powered by its own biomass power plant. This article from the Watertown Daily Times says Fort Drum is now officially connected to its on-post ReEnergy biomass plant. “We’re the only post in the Army that’s self-reliant for energy right now,” Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, the 10th Mountain Division’s commander, …
Penn State, Ernst Biomass to Hold Open House
More information on growing switchgrass and turning biomass into energy will be available today as Penn State Extension, Ernst Biomass, and the PA Biomass Energy Association hold a free open house and tour of the biomass production and pelleting facility at Ernst Biomass in Meadville, Pennsylvania, starting at 12:30 pm today. – See new varieties of switchgrass being tested for …
New Holland Hero Growing for Energy
This year during the Expo Milano New Holland announced its “heros” as part of its “Seeds of Life Series“. One such hero was Brazilian Victor Campenelli, who grows 37,000 acres of corn and sugarcane and also has a cattle operation in Southern Brazil. Looking in to the future, Victor is looking forward to building a power plant utilizing cane straw. …
Alliance BioEnergy Converts Coastal Hay to Sugar
Ek Laboratories, located in Longwood, Florida, has achieved a 63 percent conversion of Coastal Hay, at commercial scale, into fermentable sugars in less than 30 minutes. The Alliance BioEnergy Plus subsidiary used it licensed and patented mechanical/chemical CTS (Cellulose to Sugar) process. According to Ek Laboratories, unlike most cellulose to sugar technologies, their CTS process does not use liquid acids, …