Mississippi for Alternative Energy

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Comment by Grandpa AL on August 14, 2008 at 8:25am

Breaking News in the world of Solar Home power.
MIT Researchers Develop Solar-to-Hydrogen Breakthrough announced August 1, 2008. Read more at:
http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=18829
It is a very interesting development, but will take time for us to see it in the market.
Please visit our group at:
http://push.pickensplan.com/group/hopeforamerica
Thank You,
Grandpa AL

Comment by Bruce Eric Montgomery on August 12, 2008 at 7:53am

Great promise lies ahead for Cellulosic Ethanol

Last December, Congress amended the national Renewable Fuel Standard, setting a goal that the U.S. will produce a whopping 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022. It's no surprise that much of this renewable fuel will be ethanol.

Given the rapid industrialization of Asia, global demand for fuel ethanol is steeply increasing and is expected to do so in the foreseeable future. In order to satisfy this big demand, let alone meet the Renewable Fuel Standard, there is a growing concern that the standard U.S. practice of mass producing fuel ethanol from corn won't be feasible. There simply isn't enough corn acreage available in America to meet the future domestic and international demands for fuel ethanol.

Scientists contend that the answer to this problem is cellulosic ethanol, a technology that is now under furious research and development at many universities, national labs, and private industries across the globe.

This is an interesting technology, because it makes ethanol from cellulose feedstocks such as ordinary trees, perennial grass and cropland residues instead of food crops such as corn or sugar cane.

Scientists contend that cellulosic ethanol, once it is perfected, can significantly reduce America's imports of foreign oil, while creating a big variety of "green collar" jobs including farmers, truck drivers, business professionals, engineers, and scientists.

Before cellulosic ethanol becomes a commercial reality, there are many technology hurdles to overcome. Crop scientists and chemical engineers are furiously studying the genetics, the molecular structure, and other biological aspects of trees and plants in order to improve the efficiency of cellulosic ethanol production.

Last year, our country embarked on a once-in-a-generation effort to study the underlying science needed to improve processing efficiency. In the meantime, scientists are making great headway. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded $125 million to establish the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, a partnership between Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin, to study the science of processing cellulosic ethanol.

Also, Michigan State University and Michigan Technological University recently partnered with the Mascoma Corp. (a Massachusetts company), to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in the Michigan Upper Peninsula.

Last May, at a scientific lecture in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Dr. Niels Lagvad of Danish Biogasol Corp. (www.biogasol.com). It was revealed that this company now has a proven, turnkey system to mass produce ethanol from a big range of perennial grasses and hemicellulosic feedstocks. He referred to the process as a "bolt-on, second-generation ethanol plant" which, in essence, attaches to the back end of a conventional plant making ethanol from food crops. "Second generation ethanol" refers to the use of non-food feedstocks to make ethanol, whereas, "first generation ethanol" refers to traditional methods that use food crops such as corn and sugar cane.

The immediate U.S. market for this Danish technology is to retrofit American corn-to-ethanol plants. In this concept, corn stover (corn leaves, stalks, and cobs) and distillers' grain (a voluminous, natural by-product of the corn-to-ethanol process) would be used as inexpensive feedstocks for ethanol production. The technology is now in the demonstration phase; a full-scale plant is planned for 2010 in Boardman, Ore., as part of a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Pacific Ethanol Corp.

Danish Biogasol also markets the same technology to electric power plants, regardless of whether the electric plant is fueled by coal, nuclear, natural gas or oil. Why this terrific market? Electric plants routinely produce massive amounts of waste heat. This waste heat is harnessed by the ethanol plant, which in turn greatly reduces the cost of ethanol processing. Imagine a line of semi-trucks, all loaded with massive bales of locally grown perennial grass, driving to the local electric plant - which makes fuel ethanol too.

I am excited to imagine where this technology is headed because America is blessed with abundant trees and native grass. I believe we're in for some hopeful times ahead: new jobs from locally made auto fuel with no imported oil.

Comment by Grandpa AL on August 11, 2008 at 10:31am

I have been researching home owned Electric Panel Systems for the rooftop. I have not found much useful information. It seems most of the systems that are currently out there take 30 years to recoup the costs associated with the installation.
There must be someone out there with a better product? If you have any ideas please let me know as I am planning on installing one in the next year on my own house. Thanks in advance. Contact me at solarenergy@cableone.net or at the group Hope For America at: http://push.pickensplan.com/group/hopeforamerica
God Bless
Grandpa AL

Comment by mitzi ellis on August 4, 2008 at 8:21am

Does anyone know if there are any recycling locations in Chickasaw County?? I would like to recycle glass, paper, cans and plastic. I am hauling some stuff to Tupelo but would like to cut out the "tupelo run".

Comment by Carol Vaughn on July 31, 2008 at 1:24pm

As I become more and more concerned about our planet, I try to do my part. Some ways I have improved my bad habits is taking the time to recycle everything recyclable. Another way is not buying wrapping paper, instead I'm using old blueprints (my husband's a contractor) and bright fabric ribbon on the gifts. I bought a VW Passat Diesel last year which gets 42 miles per gallon and can also run on Bio-Diesel. And I've quit using any insecticides on our vegetables in the garden. I would love to be able to use wind power as our electrical source but understand the wind currents are not strong enough in our area. If there is news to the contrary, I would be interested. If there is more that I could be doing(I have also replaced all my lightbulbs) please let me know. I plan to stay informed with the Picken's Plan, however I wish we would not simply replace one fossil fuel for another. Though I understand that natural gas burns cleaner, I understand there may also be a peak for production with this fossil fuel as well. Otherwise, I am on board.

Comment by Nathan Crawford on July 29, 2008 at 11:53am

Some interesting news for solar industry...

DC Chemical, according to C & EN News, is greatly expanding its capacity to make polysilicon, the material used in solar cells. While the production capacity of 10,000 metric tons per year will not be online until next summer, the promise of increasing supply could cause a drop in price for solar cells.

Comment by Bruce Eric Montgomery on July 24, 2008 at 1:38pm

California Cities to Offer Solar Loan Program

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger enacts legislation that allows cities to finance solar installations on the roofs of privately owned homes and businesses.

California homeowners and business owners may soon be able to turn to their cities for loans to install costly solar-panel systems, even if they don’t live in Berkeley.

On Monday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Gov. signed a new bill into law, Assembly Bill 811, which gives cities the ability to provide low-interest solar-panel loans to homeowners and small businesses.

Solar-power systems can cost around $30,000 for homeowners and more for large office buildings.

The legislation, authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, also provides loans for energy-efficiency projects like replacing air conditioning units or installing dual pane windows.

Residents would pay the loans back though assessments on city utility and property tax bills.

Comment by Nathan Crawford on July 16, 2008 at 2:44pm

In response to Ms. Verrell's posts I have to say that pushing rural energy associations to assist with solar/wind projects is like trying to ice skate uphill. However, I have recently looked into assistance from regional authorities like TVA. While I am still looking into TVA's programs (I'm no expert), I think the answer can be found through regional/federal programs (EPA, DOE).

Comment by Caryn L. Verell on July 13, 2008 at 10:31am

oh, and yeah, what is the cost to the rural consumer?

Comment by Caryn L. Verell on July 13, 2008 at 10:28am

for years i have been asking my rural electric company what they can do for me in regards to solar and wind energy...they just shrug their shoulders, scratch their heads and replly with "duh?, whats' that?" seems to me that if the rural electric program that sprouted from the "new deal" during the depression years was so successful...then what is keeping the government from improving upon that with solar and windpower.

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