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JULY 18th, 2005
ThermoEnergy Corporation (OTCBB: TMEN), a company that has developed
a technology and won contracts to convert the ammonia found in rivers to usable fertilizer, has completed a private placement
valued at $7,000,000. The company issued 5,590,337 units at a price of $1.20 per unit.
Dennis C. Cossey, CEO of ThermoEnergy Corporation indicated that
the funds would be used to expand its staff, "We will be adding several new engineers to our soon-to-be-opened New York City
office as well as expanding our Little Rock, Arkansas-based management team."
In regards to a New York contract ThermoEnergy also reported that
it has signed its first commercial contract. That contract is for a 500,000 gallon-per-day Ammonia Recovery Process (ARP)
facility for New York City. The process will be used at Long Island Sound to limit the amount of nitrogen expelled into the
Upper East River. The company also has reported that it has given a quote for a wastewater system in Orange County, California.
ThermoEnergy has three processes related to wastewater and energy.
These include the ThermoFuel Process, the Ammonia Recovery Process (ARP) and the TIPS (ThermoEnergy Integrated Power System)
process. The ThermoFuel Process is used to convert wastewaters into biofuel. The Ammonia Recovery Process (ARP) technology
converts ammonia nitrogen into grade fertilizer. And the TIPS process is used to convert traditional fossil fuels and biomass
into energy with zero air emissions. The TIPS process, in development, captures carbon dioxide and converts it to liquid form,
allowing it to be used in commercial applications. One application the company points to is low-cost water desalination. Other
includes oil recovery and methane production.
The company also notes that part of its long term plans is to market
emission credits and the associated byproducts of its processes.
JULY 15th, 2005
Chickens Produce Electricity; Help Protect Environment
As the growing problem of farm waste mounts, the question of what to do with it continues to
be an issue. One solution provided by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is to turn chicken litter into energy. Under a project
funded by the United States Department of Agriculture, GTI has shown that chicken liter can be used to produce hydrogen for
the generation of electricity with a solid oxide fuel cell.
Francis Lau, Director of Corporate Development at GTI discussed
the benefits of the technology for the environment and as an on-farm energy resource, "Commercialization and implementation
of such a modular technology has the potential to generate on-site power and heat from a renewable source of energy economically
while addressing environmental problems caused by traditional disposal practices. Also, chicken litter can replace fossil
fuels currently used to provide heat in poultry farms, thus avoiding net generation of CO2. GTI is pursuing the development
and commercialization of this technology."
Besides GTI, others working on the project to convert chicken litter
to energy and fertilizer are Earth Resources, Inc. and the University of Georgia. GTI’s experience in the energy and
environmental markets dates back over sixty years.
JULY 12th, 2005
GreenFuel Secures $2.38 Million for Exhaust-to-Fuel Conversion
Technology
GreenFuel Technologies Corporation, a company which provides emissions-to-biofuels conversion
services for large scale power producers, has secured $2.38 million in bridge financing. The company plans to
use the funds for further product development as it prepares for its Series B financing.
JULY 11th, 2005
Informa Economics and IBC Energy have announced that the Renewable
Fuels Summit will be held in Detroit Michigan. Called the North American Ethanol Industry a Crossroads is scheduled for September
14 to 15. Among those to discuss the important issues of the day will be the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Dorr.
He will discuss the role of information availability and information technology on the industries development. Executives
from a number of companies will all give important talks. Companies on the roster include Natural Resources Canada, Commercial
Alcohols, United Bio Energy, Zeus Development Corporation, Transportation Fuels Consulting, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition,
American Commercial Barge Line, and Informa Economics
JULY 11th, 2005
Intrepid Technology and Resources, Inc. (ITR) (OTC BB: IESV) has
apparently been kept busy with a number of renewable energy projects. The company reports that the Idaho National Lab and
commercial concerns have continued to express interest in custom engineering work. The company, with 116,000 dollars in new
engineering and contracts for June, reports that it will have free resources as a result of the completion of the construction
of its first biogas plant and the design of the second plant completed.
ITR's President, Dr. Dennis Keiser noted that while the freeing
of resources will help generate immediate revenue, the real increases in revenues are expected to come from the biogas division,
"While our biogas division, which designs, builds and operates these plants, will continue to generate the largest portion
of ITR's revenues, the reallocation of personnel gives us an immediate revenue stream. Overall, Intrepid will turn cash flow
positive in 2006 and will be profitable for that calendar year. Once these biogas plants commence operation, the revenue stream
is constant and substantial. It would not be out of the question to generate close to 5 million in revenue in 2006 and anticipate
it to double in 2007."
JULY 8th, 2005
Canada’s Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell
announced the companies that will receive the $46 million in Round 2 funding. The largest portion of the funding is
to go to Commercial Alcohols Inc., which is to receive $15 million for a new plant in Windsor, Ontario. Second on the list
was Husky Oil Marketing Company, to receive $10.4 million to build a plant in Minnedosa, Manitoba. The last $10
million plus funding went to Integrated Grain Processors Co-Operative Inc. Integrated Grain, a farmer and business cooperative
with over 500 members, will receive $11.9 million for a new plant in Brantford, Ontario.
Below the $10 million mark was Permolex Ltd, which will receive
$1.1 million to expand its existing facility in Red Deer, Alberta; and Power Stream Energy Services Inc., which is to receive
$7.3 million to convert a closed starch plant in Collingwood, Ontario.
Minister Mitchell on the announcement pointed out the benefits for
Canadian farmers, "This is good news for the agricultural community, as it creates a new market for Canadian farmers."
Minister Mitchell also indicated that the two rounds of funding so far are expected to increase Canadian ethanol
production by 1.2 billion litres to 1.4 billion litres per year – seven times greater than before the program started.
As part of the program to fund six ethanol plants in Canada, the Government of Canada has also emphasized that
it plans to work with industry to make use of agricultural residues, such as straw and corn stalks, as well as forestry byproducts
to improve the environmental aspects of the technology.
JULY 5th, 2005
Simeken, Inc., which bills itself as an environmental energy
company, reported that it’s Pyrolysis Recovery Oven (PRO), used to convert wood waste and tires to energy in an oxygen
free environment, had exceeded expectations. The demonstration unit was reported to be process up to 75 tons per day of tires
and wood waste at air emissions levels well below environmental standards. According to David Weddle, Vice President of Operations
for Simeken, Inc., "These last six months have provided positive results beyond our expectations. Our ability to provide clean
heat for energy as well as the quality of our recycled by-products has shown that our technology can be both environmental
and economic."
The company said that one Simeken’s system can be used to
process up to 300 tons per day. The demonstration unit in Mexico has the capability to generate over 5 megawatts of electricity
and 30 tons of carbon per day, which can be processed and recycled.
The company indicates that over 275 million tires are replaced each
year and weigh about 5.5 billion pounds. Systems in the past have not been successful in the conversion of these tires to
energy.
The Semeken’s process uses "high heat" convection technology,
which produces as by products energy and carbon.
JULY 1st, 2005
Diversa Corporation (NASDAQ: DVSA) and Valley Research, Inc. officially
launched the “Ultra-Thin” enzyme. The enzyme, considered the holy grail of ethanol production enzymes, is officially
termed a pH 4.5 alpha amylase enzyme, is said to allow the efficient conversion of starches found in corn into sugars, which
are than processed into ethanol. The key to the high efficiency is the pH. A pH of 4.5 is said to lower the operating costs
of ethanol producers significantly. According to Art Sears,
President of Valley Research, the company that will market the product, "The starch processing industry has been asking for
a pH 4.5 alpha amylase enzyme for almost 30 years, and Diversa has successfully developed the first product to satisfy this
unmet need. We look forward to demonstrating the value of Ultra-Thin enzyme to ethanol producers and launching additional
enzyme products with Diversa.” The enzyme has also been approved to be used in the production of sweetener.
With the announcement, Diversa sited United States ethanol production
statistics from the Renewable Fuels Association. In 2004, over 3.41 billion gallons of ethanol were produced, a 21 percent
increase from 2003 levels, and a 100 percent increase from 2000 levels. The company also said that there are 81 ethanol plants
in 20 states, with an additional 16 plants and 2 major expansions underway. The new plants and expansions are expected to
add 750 million gallons to the annual production rate.
JULY 1st, 2005
Six Energy Companies Awarded
Renewable Energy Contracts
Six long-term renewable energy contracts with Southern California
Edison and several wind, biomass and geothermal energy companies were approved by the California Public Utilities Commission
(CPUC). The contracts in total add up to an initial 141 megawatts with a potential to reach 427 megawatts between 2006 and
2009.
The companies that won wind energy contracts were Coran Energy Group,
SeaWest Wind Power, and Western Wind. The largest initial wind contract went to Western Wind, which is for an initial contract
to supply 40 megawatts with a potential for 120 megawatts. Biomass contracts were approved for McCarthy Farms Biofuels and
Silvan BioMass. Silvan’s was the larger of the contracts, initially let for 7 megawatts with a potential for 22 megawatts.
The geothermal contract was to Vulcan Power Company. That contract was initial for 30 megawatts with a potential for 120 megawatts.
The contract duration’s ranged from 5 years to 50 years. Western Wind, which had the largest contract in terms of megawatts,
also had the longest length, at 50 years.
Southern California Edison, with the announcement, reported
that its renewable energy portfolio is the largest in the United States, with a total capacity of 2,588 megawatts. This includes
1,021 megawatts from wind energy, 892 megawatts from geothermal, 354 megawatts from solar, 226 megawatts from biomass and
95 megawatts from small hydro. As a point of reference Southern California Edison reports that 1 megawatt is enough electricity
to power 750 average homes during the summer months.
JULY 1st, 2005
Soy-Based Gasoline Additive Improves Fuel Economy 5 Percent
Crystal Flash Energy of Grand Rapids, one of the major fuel producers in Michigan, reports
that it has already sold over 2 million gallons of its SoyDiesel XC product. The additive, which has only been available at
its own gas pump at its headquarters in Michigan, offers one more way to save on gasoline costs. According to the company,
SoyUltra works in all gasoline engines and improves fuel economy by up to five percent. According to Tom Fehsenfeld, President
of Crystal Flash Energy SoyUltra also helps to reduce maintenance problems, "In extensive product testing, we found that the
fuel helps increase engine performance and reduce maintenance problems."
SoyUltra is a friction modifier, which coats the combustion chamber
walls and valves, which results in 40 percent more lubricity than what ordinary gasoline has to offer.
JUNE 29th, 2005
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS), considered
the third largest United States public pension fund, and VantagePoint Venture Partners have invested $30 million into New
Energy Capital Corp., a clean energy company.
Former United States Assistant Secretary of Energy, and now New
Energy Capital President and Dan Reicher, had this to say about the investment, "the support we are receiving from VantagePoint
and CalSTRS helps us put clean technology to work around the nation and in doing so demonstrate that the right company investing
in the right projects can do well - and do good. "
New Energy Capital with the funding announcement summarized some
of its recent projects. These included the financing of three cogeneration facilities at dairy food processing operations
in California and Massachusetts, and an investment in a biodiesal production facility in Delaware.
CalSTRS’s pension fund has a current market value of $125
billion and has over 750,000 members, representing teachers throughout all of California.
JUNE 29th, 2005
Plasma Environmental (TSX VENTURE:PE)and Kinectrics have completed
a pilot Plasma Assisted Gasifier (PAG) system. The new system is based on plasma arc technology and is used to convert selected
waste, that is high energy content waste, to fuel gases for use in distributed energy projects. On announcement of completion
of the project, Plasma President John Wright indicated that the company was ready to verify the commercial viability of the
system, "All of our work to date has shown the value of a system that can cleanly and efficiently turn waste to energy. With
the four tonne pilot system in place and functional we will be able to work with our partners to process their specific waste
and further verify PAG's commercial viability."
The PAG converts waste with high BTU (British Thermal Units) to
fuel gas with a high hydrogen content. Among some of the high-energy waste used by the system include sorted municipal solid
waste, de-watered sludges and chipped tires.
Plasma technology is a non-incineration process.
JUNE 22nd, 2005
65 Million Unit Market Cited for Home / Business Energy
Cogeneration in USA - Eliminates Utility Energy Wire Loss
Jackson Associates, a Durham, North Carolina energy market research analysis firm, indicates
that the market for combined heat and power (CHP) systems is substantial. The CHP systems, also referred to as cogeneration
systems, have the potential to save consumers and small businesses 50 percent on their utility bills, according to the firm.
Underlying that savings is the fact that on-site or at-home energy systems don't suffer from line wire losses associated
with lengthy and some say unsightly utility company wires and poles.
The big question is how the CHP systems will be marketed. The CHP systems, which can utilize waste heat, are portable enough for home
applications and provide a way for consumers and small businesses to become independent of the power grid - and the associated
problems of that centralized system. One grid problem is often a lack of power in emergency situations, such as
natural disasters like earthquakes.
The CHP research report is the market research firm’s fifth
report and was sponsored by CHP organizations.
JUNE 20, 2005
Anaerobic Digester Technology Basis of Dairyland's High Power Generation Capabilities
Environmental Power Corporation (AMEX:EPG) plans to celebrate the
opening of the Dairyland Power Cooperative with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 22. The ceremony will be held at Five Star
Dairy in Elk Mound Wisconsin. A tour of the dairy's energy generation facility will be made. On that tour one will see the
design and construction work that went into the development of 6.5 million kilowatt energy production facility. The anaerobic
digester system at the site turns the waste from 800 milk cows into enough energy to power about 600 homes. The facility was
designed by Microgy, Inc. a subsidiary of Environmental Power.
JUNE 15th, 2005
The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has reported that it
is ready with its low-emissions engine to meet the United States EPA's 2007 clean diesel rule. However, the association is
concerned about the ability of oil and pipeline companies to deliver on the necessary 15 parts per million (ppm) sulfur diesel
fuel needed. According to EMA President, Jed Mandel, "Engine manufacturers have done their part and are ready with the engine
and aftertreatment technology needed to meet the 2007 emission standards. Oil and pipeline companies and the EPA must assure
that diesel fuel that fully complies with the established standards is available and delivered on-time. Any backsliding is
unacceptable from a vehicle engineering and air quality viewpoint." He went on to emphasize the importance of meeting the
schedule. "The clean diesel technologies required by EPA's 2007 rule are designed to operate on diesel fuel with less than
15 ppm sulfur content and need the ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel to operate properly. There can be no slippage in the delivery
schedule or quality of the fuel."
Mr. Mandell pointing out that engine companies have spent hundreds
of million of dollars on the development of the low-emissions engine, continued, "As we introduce these significantly cleaner
engines and vehicles, potential buyers need the assurance that the appropriate diesel fuel required by this new technology
will be available as promised. Over the last four years, engine manufacturers have designed and manufactured engine systems
based upon single digit ppm sulfur content fuel with a cap of no more than 15 ppm, and we fully expect that a diesel fuel
that complies with this requirement will be available."
JUNE 14th, 2005
Colusa Biomass Begins Trading - $890 Per Acre Seen from
Waste Rice Straw
Colusa Biomass Energy, Inc. (Pink Sheets:CBGY), a biofuels company, that plans to convert waste
rice hulls and waste rice straw to ethanol for fuel applications, has begun trading on Pink Sheets.
With the announcement, Tom Bowers, CEO of CBGY, took the opportunity
to discuss the company's unique approach to producing energy, "We are delighted to see that all of our efforts in the field
of waste biomass conversion to energy will finally be seen by the investing public. Years ago, we discovered a bountiful supply
of energy growing in the sunshine all year round. We noticed that a lot of waste was created when our agricultural producers
grew our daily foods. Take rice as an example -- when the California rice farmer grows an acre of rice he gets about 8000
pounds of rice and 5000 pounds of rice straw. Most of the rice straw has no commercial value. Worthless waste rice straw is
not the case with CBGY. We have the proprietary technology to make an acre of waste rice straw into 313 gallons of fuel ethanol
and 900 pounds of high quality silica for industry. And, our process of waste biomass conversion goes through our proprietary,
patented process. CBGY has the ability to generate roughly $890 of revenue from an acre of waste rice straw -- with 3,600,000
acres of rice being grown in the United States, let alone China, India and other countries, we see tremendous growth potential
for CBGY in this niche arena of waste conversion. Our process has been successful in trial runs in California, and we will
be displaying it again in August, 2005. To our knowledge, no other company has this specific type of technology, and we are
excited about our prospects for growth."
Useful forms of rice straw have been reported to
serve as a nutrient rich compost, which can be used effectively to grow mushrooms and for the reduction of runoff in almond
orchards.
JUNE 14th, 2005
MEMS USA, Inc. (OTCBB:MEMS) and Central Pacific Power Inc. have
entered into a second joint venture to design, build and operate a biomass-to-ethanol facility in Canada. The plant is expected
to cost $150 million and be able to produce 160,000 gallons of ethanol a day. MEMS USA is to be primarily responsible for
the engineering of the facility, while Central Pacific Power is primarily responsible for sales, distribution and marketing
of the ethanol as well as the sourcing of biomass materials and related operational tasks.
JUNE 9th, 2005
Biosphere Development Corporation, which has developed a system
to convert all types of biomass to energy, including your common household and industrial waste, has confirmed that it has
received a loan commitment from its financier, Diamond Ridge. The $3.4 billion commitment is considered a major vote of confidence
of the company's energy technology and a signal that the energy industry is on the threshold of a significant change.
Biosphere has planned to use the funds to go ahead with plans it
has made for the manufacture and deployment of its Biosphere Process System. These plans include an Agreement of Intent with
Shenzhen Branch of Yankuang Group Co., Ltd., and the Shenzhen Rayes Group Co. Ltd. Under the plan Biopshere is to form new
joint venture companies in China with these two organizations for the deployment of over 1,300 Biosphere Process Systems'
in China by 2010.
The Biosphere Process System, a cogeneration system, is used to
convert traditional and non-traditional waste materials into electricity, thermal energy and other marketable by-products.
Waste sources that the company lists as viable sources of electrical energy for its system include agricultural effluents
and parts, agricultural surpluses, chemical and biological waste, flared natural gas, forestry wastes, high sulfur oils, industrial
wastes, medical waste, municipal solid waste, munitions, oil contaminated top soil, petroleum and polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB) waste, sewage sludge, shale oil, sloppy gas, sour or wet natural gas, tires, waste bilge oil, waste drilling muds and
fluids.
The Biosphere Process, according to the company, also is reported
to have no toxic emissions or residue, and passes the environmental and permit requirements of modern countries. Besides the
generation of energy, the system also generates useful byproducts including potable water, fertilizer, cement, compost and
metals.
Biosphere Development Corporation is a subsidiary of Global Environmental
Energy Corp., (OTCBB:GEECF) (FWB:LFT).
JUNE 3rd, 2005
Green Energy Resources (otc pk:GRGR) reported on a contract, to
begin in 2006, for the construction of three biomass power plants. The three power plants are planned for completion in 2009.
The largest plant, which will be built last, is to have a power generation capacity of 250 megawatts. That plant will require
4 million tons of biomass each year to generate the electricity.
Green Energy Resources states that it "conforms to the European
Unions environmental sourcing and procurement requirements" and that "Green Energy Resources UTCS (urban tree certification
system) is 100% Kyoto compliant and environmentally certified wood biomass." Joseph Murray, CEO of Green Energy Resources,
further clarified the source of its biomass material, "its UTCS program will have a major positive impact on how American
cities and towns handle wood waste and storm damaged wood in the future. The contract firmly establishes a new market place
for UTCS certified wood. Its an opportunity for United States communities and local governments to reduce greenhouse emissions,
recycle, and participate in global carbon reduction."
In support of UTSC, Green Energy Resources indicated that its UTCS
software would be ready for the market this year.
JUNE 3rd, 2005
DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation (OTCBB: DYMTF), as part of
the West Lorne BioOil Cogeneration Project, funded by the Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), a $550 million
fund (Canadian), reported that it would ship 12 tons of BioOil to Classic Power, Inc. Classic Power plans to obtain information
from the test and analysis of the BioOil for use in its marketing program.
The BioOil, based on fast pyrolysis technology, which coverts renewable
biomass, otherwise refereed to as organic material, to a clean burning fuel for gas turbines and other machines. Biomass includes
agricultural and forest products and byproducts such as wood, bark, sugar cane bagasse and sawdust
To date Dynamotive has reported that the BioOil has "performed to
similar standards as natural gas in industrial tests conducted."
MAY 31st, 2005
The Kansas City Star reports that the price of blended e85, which
consists of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent unleaded gasoline, could be purchased in the Midwest for $1.69 a gallon, significantly
below the $2 plus price tag throughout the rest of the United States. Although the price is right, e85 is not available at
most gas stations and only certain types of vehicles can use it.
Because ethanol is made from corn, soy and other agricultural products,
the fuel has gained popularity with politicians and farmers in the Midwest. For example, Governor Dave Heineman, R-Neb., recently
signed an executive order that that directs all state employees, who drive state flexible-fuel or diesel powered vehicle to
use E-85 ethanol and biodiesel fuel whenever reasonable possible. Because of the economic benefits to the Midwest, it may
be safe to predict that more e85 fuel pumps will be seen at Midwest gas stations in the future.
MAY 26th, 2005
ABF’s BioFuel Manufacturing Process More Efficient
American Biofuels, LLC (ABF), which is owned in part by Green Star Products, Inc. (OTC:GSPI),
is now producing biodiesel with a low-cost biodiesel production process. The company utilizes a patent pending continuous
flow, waterless biodiesel production process. The company, like other companies throughout the world, uses a low-cost source
for its biodiesal, namely used restaurant cooking oil.
The company indicates that its ABF Bakersfield Plant is highly productive
and requires just a small factory to produce large quantities of biodiesel. At present the company can produce five million
gallons of biodiesel per year.
The company indicates that its waterless process has lower operational
costs than a conventional batch plant technology. The company noted that its Bakersfield plant required only 14 weeks to build.
American Biofuels reports that it was ranked the 8th largest production
of biodiesel in the United States and number one on the west coast (USDA Bioenergy Program website). The company is a member
of the National Biodiesel Board and has three EPA certificates for its biodiesel fuel and fuel additives.
MAY 24th, 2005
Ten yen per kilowatt is the price Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
places on electricity if a new technology it plans to commercialize in two years is successful. The energy source it targets
would be from water treatment plans. Mitsubishi indicates, through a report through Asia Pulse, that its technology recovers
methane and other gases from water treatment plants. That technology ferments the microbes used to clean the water to produce
methane gas at rates about 50 percent higher than normal.
MAY 24th, 2005
International Power Plans $300 Million Waste to Energy
Plant
Waste, despite being one of the biggest environmental problems, has the potential to
become one of the largest energy resources, especially as waste to energy technology becomes cleaner and more
efficient.
International Power Group, Ltd. (Pink Sheets: IPWG) , a company
that implements waste to energy plants has just entered into a contract with Naanovo Energy to build a $300 million, twelve
module waste to energy plant. The plant , to be built in Mexico, will be based on Naanovo's proprietary waste to energy technology.
That technology will allow each of the modules at the facility to convert 180 tons of solid waste per day to generate a total
of 6 megawatts of electricity. Additionally, as a byproduct, each Waste to Energy Module will produce 145,920 gallons
of distilled water per day.
The waste to energy facility is expected to be built and generating
electricity in about 26 months or sooner. 16 months is required to build the facility and another 12 months is required to
fine tune the operating facilities.
APRIL 29th, 2005
According to the Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, Rewo International
and Arab Affor Asean are investing in biodiesel oil, which is obtained from food factories as used vegetable oil. The release
indicated that the biodiesel oil procured in Thailand could be sold at a profit as biodiesel fuel.
APRIL 28th, 2005
Despite the advantages of solar, wind, wave and thermal differential
energy technologies, biomass, most often burned plant and tree material, is considered one of the most pragmatic ways to solve
the world's energy problems. Part of the reason is nanotechnology. Advances in nanotechnology indicate that products
will be developed that nearly completely eliminate the pollutants from energy sources that rely on fire and burning.
Nanotechnology may also be able to harness the power of forest fires to put them out and generate energy at the same time.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO)
estimates that up to 13 percent of the worlds petroleum supply could be replaced "in the shortterm" with biofuels. Today,
notes the FAO, petroleum accounts for 35 percent of the world’s energy consumption, coal, 23 percent and natural gas,
21 percent. Biofuel, mainly fuelwood and charcoal represents 10 percent.
APRIL 14th, 2005
Wave energy may help diversify Northern California away from its
traditional roots in lumber. DG Energy Solutions LLC has included wave and wind energy as part of its plans to upgrade the
Fairhaven Power Co. (Eureka, CA), which it just acquired by DG Energy. The upgrade to the plant includes a potential $2 million
to $3 million in environmental and reliability upgrades. DG Energy President and CEO Steve Mueller has been intrigued by the
opportunities in Humboldt County, "The opportunities for new and expanded power generation at this plant and in the Humboldt
County region are intriguing. We're certainly looking to increase plant efficiency, but that's only the beginning. Soon we
look to possibly team with the community to increase our site capacity with wind and wave power. We think it will be great
for the region, providing more energy independence."
The Fairhaven plant, certified by the State of California as a renewable
energy generator, is a biomass facility. It generates 120,000,000 kWH every year with about 260,000 tons
of wood waste. DG Energy indicates that it will add four to five additional biomass plants over the next two years in North
America.
JANUARY 25th, 2005
Micromachines
Get Ready to Take On Oil?
MEMS USA and Accelon Energy Systems Inc. announced that their joint venture, Cam-Am Ethanol One, Inc. engaged Merrill Lynch as its strategic advisor.
For a reason that looks related to micromachine technology, MEMS USA has obtained an interest in Can-Am Ethanol One,
Inc., which is to be the first biomass-to-ethanol plant in British Columbia. At a cost of $150 million, will the factory contain biomass MEMS that
will change the energy world?
JANUARY 18th, 2005
New Energy Source Based on Synthesized Cell Biology
From The Nikkei Weekly comes Japan’s latest technology. The
Nihon Keizai Shimbun's survey of technological achievements included a potential life like power source for micromachines.
The Tokyo Institute of Technology and Hamamatsu Phontonics KK have artificially produced adenosine triphosphate (ATP). If
one remembers back to high school biology, ATP is the chemical that living creatures create from the consumption of food.
The capability to synthesize the device with an instrument or micromachine, for that matter, could open up a range of new
power applications. The survey also reported on a biometric chip from Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., which not only
read fingerprints but also determine who the person is.
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