Keynote speakers for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, or WIREC 2008 in March will include international leaders throughout the field of renewable energy. Among the confirmed speakers are Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, the Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden Maud Olofsson, and Lady Mayor of Bonn Baerbel Dieckmann, who serves as President of the World Mayors Council on Climate Change. …
England Co. Gathers Biogas from Animal Waste
McCain Foods Great Britain is enlisting Eco-Tec for its new venture in capturing biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons. The project is the latest effort meant to promote energy efficiency from McCain Foods. As part of its energy efficiency projects, McCain Foods in Great Britain implemented a waste process that includes the capture of biogas from anaerobic digester lagoons, and purifying …
Georgia Power Fires Up Wood Biomass Plant
Wood-burning isn’t just great for pizza. It’s great for power. Georgia Power is using energy from wood biomass as part of its commitment to use independent renewable power producers. Georgia Power and Yellow Pine Energy Company, LLC, a biomass-fired facility to be located near Fort Gaines, Ga., recently signed a 20-year contract for electricity that will be generated from environmentally-friendly …
Virgin Atlantic 747 Soars on Biofuel
It will be a first-ever feat in commercial air travel… Virgin Atlantic is planning to fly one of its Boeing 747s on biofuel next month. The Virgin Atlantic 747 will fly from London Heathrow to Amsterdam on a demonstration flight, with no passengers on board, using a truly sustainable type of biofuel that doesn’t compete with food and fresh water …
Promoting Biofuels in Indiana
Indiana corn and soybean growers are helping to promote biofuels awareness in their state in a number of ways. For one, the corn growers have partnered with the Ethanol Promotion and Information Council (EPIC) on a billboard and radio campaign in major Indiana cities aimed at informing consumers that all automakers approve the use of 10 percent ethanol-enriched fuel. The …
Renewable Energy Investments Up 50% in 2007
Venture capital (VC) investments in renewable energy sources, including solar, biodiesel, and ethanol (among others) hit $3.4 billion… up a whopping 50 percent over investments in green energy ventures in 2006. This story from RenewableEnergyAccess.com has more information: Investment in solar was more than $1.05 billion in more than 70 financing rounds. Investment in battery technology came to $433.9 Million …
Ethanol Boosts Bottom Line for Farmers
According to a Reuters poll done this week U.S. farmers overwhelmingly said they have benefited from the demand for corn to produce ethanol, with 71 percent of those surveyed saying the renewable fuel has helped boost their bottom line. The poll also showed that 90 percent of those farmers said they would not reduce their corn plantings this year because …
2008 Could Be Year of E85
2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles. The “Fill up, Feel Good” podcast is available to download by subscription (see our sidebar link) or …
Biomass Conference Slated for April
Minneapolis, Minnesota will play host to the International Biomass ’08 Conference and Trade Show… a three-day gathering on April 15th-17th to look at the potential and future of biofuels produced from biomass. Biofuel producer and consultant BBI International is the host for the event that includes: Conference Features International Panel This panel will cover the opportunities and challenges of biomass …
Romney’s Stance on Renewables
It looks like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win the Michigan primary. So, as I have done for other candidates as they have won caucuses and primaries, I’m posting some of the winner’s thoughts on renewable energy. From the Romney campaign web site: Invest In Research. Dramatically increase federal spending on research, development, and demonstration projects that hold promise …