Did you realize Wisconsin Energy Innovations are coming to life in new programs and technology?
Wisconsin Energy Innovations
Monday, October 26, 2015
Friday, October 23, 2015
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Thirty industry experts slated to speak at the Nov. 16-19 event in Orlando, Florida.
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Fueling our Future, from Wood to Wing
From the #USDA:
A $39.6 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is helping turn forest byproducts into biofuel. (Courtesy of NARA)
U.S. airline carriers collectively used more than 16 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2014. Given growing concerns over energy independence and the environment, commercial airlines are looking for secure and reliable alternative jet fuels that reduce global emissions.
To address this problem, researchers at Washington State University formed the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) with biofuels company Gevo, Alaska Airlines, and several other partners across academia, industry, and government. As a result of NARA’s efforts, made possible by a $39.6 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Alaska Airlines is planning to use 1,000 gallons of NARA-produced biofuel in a demonstration flight scheduled for 2016.
NARA’s alternative jet fuel originates from forest residuals (tree tops, branches) that are left over and must be burned after a forest harvest. Use of forest residuals for bioenergy feedstock capitalizes on the existing forestry industry and eliminates the need to establish growers and a hauling infrastructure. Once harvested, the residuals are ground, screened, and treated to isolate their desirable simple sugars. These are then fermented into an alcohol and converted into jet fuel using Gevo’s proprietary processes.
NARA also has an education team that has successfully promoted energy literacy to approximately 32,000 students thus far through its several member organizations. “Our key objective has been to use the NARA project as a case study of problem-solving around a complex energy issue,” says Dr. Karla Eitel, associate professor at the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources and director of education at the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS). One of MOSS’s lessons teaches students to measure the amount of carbon in a tree, calculate the number of miles that could be flown with fuel derived from that tree, and evaluate the trade-offs of leaving the tree standing for carbon sequestration vs. harvesting the tree for wood and fuel.
Education resources are available online. Facing the Future (FtF), another NARA member, offers a series of hands-on, interdisciplinary units targeted across all ages entitled “Fueling Our Future (FoF): Exploring Sustainable Energy Use.” When FtF partnered with the Sustainability in Prisons Project to teach inmates about bioenergy issues, FoF helped students realize their broader role in the global ecosystem. “I learned that I too am energy,” one woman remarked. “I have so much to give.”
NARA combines a diversity of perspectives and works at the intersection of research, education, and extension to address a complex problem. “USDA’s investment in this area has shown tremendous insight and leadership,” says Dr. Mike Wolcott, NARA project co-director, “and we are honored by their trust in our team.”
NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Wayne Simmons, a recurring guest on Fox News who claimed to have 27 years of experience with the CIA, was arrested Thursday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he lied about his service.
Simmons is accused of falsely claiming that he worked as an "outside paramilitary special operations officer" for the CIA from 1973 to 2000. On Fox, this was often shortened to "former CIA operative."
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Simmons is accused of falsely claiming that he worked as an "outside paramilitary special operations officer" for the CIA from 1973 to 2000. On Fox, this was often shortened to "former CIA operative."
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Duke Energy to add second solar project for its "Sunshine State" customers - Duke Energy
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -
Duke Energy Florida today announced plans to construct a new solar facility in Perry, Fla.
This will be the second such project in the company's plan to advance the development of solar energy in the Sunshine State.
Duke Energy to add second solar project for its "Sunshine State" customers - Duke Energy
Photovoltaic System
From National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
In a recent report, NREL concluded that nearly half of households and businesses in the United States are unable to host a photovoltaic (PV) system.
PV business models and regulatory environments have
historically not been designed to provide access to a
significant portion of potential PV system customers,
and as a result, the economic, environmental, and
social benefits of distributed PV are not available to all
consumers.
Shared solar programs can open up the market to
these consumers. 1.usa.gov/1X3U5Xd
In a recent report, NREL concluded that nearly half of households and businesses in the United States are unable to host a photovoltaic (PV) system.
PV business models and regulatory environments have
historically not been designed to provide access to a
significant portion of potential PV system customers,
and as a result, the economic, environmental, and
social benefits of distributed PV are not available to all
consumers.
Shared solar programs can open up the market to
these consumers. 1.usa.gov/1X3U5Xd
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Duke Energy's solar rebate helps customers harness the sun in the Palmetto State - Duke Energy
GREENVILLE, S.C. -
Duke Energy today launched a solar rebate program designed to help its South Carolina customers with the upfront cost of installing solar on their property.
The rebate is another step forward in implementing Duke Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) program – a direct result of several years of productive collaboration with the state’s environmental leaders, businesses and community voices, and the creation of historic legislation passed by the General Assembly.
Duke Energy's solar rebate helps customers harness the sun in the Palmetto State - Duke Energy
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