Tags: #pittsfieldillinois #illinois #windturbine #renewableenergy #greenenergy #highway54 #ushighway54
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Large Wind Turbine 01
Large wind turbine near Pittsfield, IL. June 8, 2015.
Tags: #pittsfieldillinois #illinois #windturbine #renewableenergy #greenenergy #highway54 #ushighway54
Tags: #pittsfieldillinois #illinois #windturbine #renewableenergy #greenenergy #highway54 #ushighway54
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Multi-mode RCCI (Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition)
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
Can you imagine driving a car that runs on both gasoline and diesel? The #Energy Department’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by our Vehicle Technologies Office, is working on a technology that uses both fuels to increase #efficiency. Multi-mode RCCI (Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition) has the potential to improve fuel economy and reduce smog-forming emissions by at least 15% compared to traditional light-duty diesel engines. If RCCI (demonstrated in graphic below) is combined with other advanced technologies such as hybridization, there's an even greater potential for saving consumers fuel and money. This is just one project being reviewed this week at our Merit Review held by our offices dedicated to advancing vehicle and fuel cell technologies. Learn more about this project on the EERE Success page:http://go.usa.gov/3NHyV. #SustainableVehicleWeek#vtoamr
Can you imagine driving a car that runs on both gasoline and diesel? The #Energy Department’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, supported by our Vehicle Technologies Office, is working on a technology that uses both fuels to increase #efficiency. Multi-mode RCCI (Reactivity-Controlled Compression Ignition) has the potential to improve fuel economy and reduce smog-forming emissions by at least 15% compared to traditional light-duty diesel engines. If RCCI (demonstrated in graphic below) is combined with other advanced technologies such as hybridization, there's an even greater potential for saving consumers fuel and money. This is just one project being reviewed this week at our Merit Review held by our offices dedicated to advancing vehicle and fuel cell technologies. Learn more about this project on the EERE Success page:http://go.usa.gov/3NHyV. #SustainableVehicleWeek#vtoamr
H2USA
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
As fuel cell vehicles hit the streets, #hydrogen infrastructure remains a challenge. The #Energy Department co-launched H2USA, a public-private partnership to overcome these challenges in 2013. Today, the number of partners has increased 4 fold! Learn more: http://h2usa.org/
#h2amr #h2iq #SustainableVehicleWeek
As fuel cell vehicles hit the streets, #hydrogen infrastructure remains a challenge. The #Energy Department co-launched H2USA, a public-private partnership to overcome these challenges in 2013. Today, the number of partners has increased 4 fold! Learn more: http://h2usa.org/
#h2amr #h2iq #SustainableVehicleWeek
US Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB)
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
You’ve probably heard that fuel cell electric vehicles are now starting to be produced by multiple automakers. But #DidYouKnow that some cities are powering their public transportation with fuel cells? A US Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) AC Transit in Northern #California recently exceeded 19,000 hours and is on its way to meeting the ultimate target of 25,000 hours before needing its fuel cell stack replaced. Putting FCEBs like this on the road helps reduce carbon emissions and gets us closer to a cleaner more sustainable #energy future. Our Fuel Cell Technologies Office provided support for this project and continues work to advance this technology. Learn more:http://go.usa.gov/35VrT.
#h2amr #h2iq #SustainableVehicleWeek
You’ve probably heard that fuel cell electric vehicles are now starting to be produced by multiple automakers. But #DidYouKnow that some cities are powering their public transportation with fuel cells? A US Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Bus (FCEB) AC Transit in Northern #California recently exceeded 19,000 hours and is on its way to meeting the ultimate target of 25,000 hours before needing its fuel cell stack replaced. Putting FCEBs like this on the road helps reduce carbon emissions and gets us closer to a cleaner more sustainable #energy future. Our Fuel Cell Technologies Office provided support for this project and continues work to advance this technology. Learn more:http://go.usa.gov/35VrT.
#h2amr #h2iq #SustainableVehicleWeek
Wave Energy Conversion Device
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
You’re looking at what could be a significant clean energy source for #America in the future: harnessing the enormous potential of renewable #electricity from#ocean waves. This Azura wave energy conversion (WEC) device was recently launched and connected to the grid at the U.S. Navy’s Wave Energy Test SiteMarine Corps Base Hawaii. Azura is the first open-ocean, grid-connected WEC device in North America to be independently verified by a third party: University of Hawaii at Manoa. Get all of the details on the EERE Blog about this major advancement that could one day contribute to America’s clean #energy portfolio:http://go.usa.gov/3Pkz4.
You’re looking at what could be a significant clean energy source for #America in the future: harnessing the enormous potential of renewable #electricity from#ocean waves. This Azura wave energy conversion (WEC) device was recently launched and connected to the grid at the U.S. Navy’s Wave Energy Test SiteMarine Corps Base Hawaii. Azura is the first open-ocean, grid-connected WEC device in North America to be independently verified by a third party: University of Hawaii at Manoa. Get all of the details on the EERE Blog about this major advancement that could one day contribute to America’s clean #energy portfolio:http://go.usa.gov/3Pkz4.
Sunday, June 7, 2015
U.S. and China Convene
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
Every two years, energy leaders from the #US and#China convene at the U.S.-China Renewable Energy Industries Forum to discuss ongoing clean #energycollaborations and explore new opportunities that can help create #jobs, drive economic growth, and address#climate change—in both countries. At this year’s forum, three new U.S.-China clean energy partnerships were recognized, including one with American #solarcompany BrightSource Energy to build the first commercial scale concentrating solar power plant in Qinghai, China (rendering below). Learn more about these partnerships and the U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership: http://go.usa.gov/3NNMJ.
Every two years, energy leaders from the #US and#China convene at the U.S.-China Renewable Energy Industries Forum to discuss ongoing clean #energycollaborations and explore new opportunities that can help create #jobs, drive economic growth, and address#climate change—in both countries. At this year’s forum, three new U.S.-China clean energy partnerships were recognized, including one with American #solarcompany BrightSource Energy to build the first commercial scale concentrating solar power plant in Qinghai, China (rendering below). Learn more about these partnerships and the U.S.-China Renewable Energy Partnership: http://go.usa.gov/3NNMJ.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
BESC, Mascoma develop revolutionary microbe for biofuel production
From the Oak Ridge National Laboratory:
A yeast engineered by Mascoma and BESC could hold the key to accelerating the production of ethanol in the U.S. (hi-res image)
BESC, Mascoma develop revolutionary microbe for biofuel production
A yeast engineered by Mascoma and BESC could hold the key to accelerating the production of ethanol in the U.S. (hi-res image)
OAK RIDGE, Tenn., June 3, 2015 – Biofuels pioneer Mascoma LLC and the Department of Energy's BioEnergy Science Center have developed a revolutionary strain of yeast that could help significantly accelerate the development of biofuels from nonfood plant matter.
The approach could provide a pathway to eventual expansion of biofuels production beyond the current output limited to ethanol derived from corn.
C5 FUEL™, engineered by researchers at Mascoma and BESC, features fermentation and ethanol yields that set a new standard for conversion of biomass sugars from pretreated corn stover—the non-edible portion of corn crops such as the stalk—converting up to 97 percent of the plant sugars into fuel.
Researchers announced that while conventional yeast leaves more than one-third of the biomass sugars unused in the form of xylose, Mascoma’s C5 FUEL™ efficiently converts this xylose into ethanol, and it accomplishes this feat in less than 48 hours. The finding was presented today at the 31st International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis.
"The ability to partner the combined expertise at Mascoma and BESC in engineering microbes to release and convert sugars from lignocellulosic biomass has greatly accelerated the translation of basic research outcomes to a commercial product," BESC Director Paul Gilna said.
Gilna noted that this success and continued efforts through BESC could go a long way toward reducing the cost of ethanol and growing the number of commercial-level ethanol production plants. A key focus of BESC is to use basic research capabilities and expertise to validate the consolidated bioprocessing approach to improve cost competitiveness.
"Driving down the cost to develop, verify and consolidate bioprocessing was at the heart of the BESC effort when we began in 2007, and this achievement allows us to advance to the next challenge," Gilna said. "This accomplishment represents a clearly impactful example of how our partnering with industry can accelerate the translation of our research capabilities and findings into commercial products.”
Although cellulosic biomass such as corn stover, wheat straw and bagasse (the fibrous remains after sugar is extracted from sugarcane or sorghum) is abundant and cheap, because of recalcitrance — a plant's resistance to releasing sugars for conversion to alcohol – it is much more difficult to utilize than corn. However, Mascoma's new strain of yeast, which is one of many strains Mascoma developed as part of BESC over the last two years, proved highly effective at xylose conversion.
While most processing methods simply convert cellulose to sugar, this new approach also converts hemicellulose, which significantly increases overall sugar yield and thereby increases the level of ethanol produced. In fact, the new strain of yeast simultaneously yields 97 percent conversion of xylose and glucose—and does so in a significantly shorter period of time than existing approaches.
Kevin Wenger, executive vice president of Mascoma, a subsidiary of Lallemand Inc. (http://www.lallemand.com), shares Gilna's enthusiasm and emphasized that the BESC model of collaboration made this result possible.
“The scientific and technical resources that we have had access to as a member of BESC for the past six years have made possible the development of this uniquely high-performing yeast product,” Wenger said. “This is just the start of a pipeline of second-generation yeast products planned by Mascoma and Lallemand Biofuels and Distilled Spirits.”
The next step for BESC will be to demonstrate and again validate the application of the consolidated bioprocessing approach using thermophilic, or heat-loving, bacteria to produce biofuels directly from biomass in a single process.
Led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, BESC (http://bioenergycenter.org/besc/index.cfm) is one of three DOE Bioenergy Research Centers established by the DOE's Office of Science in 2007. The centers support multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research teams pursuing the fundamental scientific breakthroughs needed to make production of cellulosic biofuels, or biofuels from nonfood plant fiber, cost-effective on a national scale. The three centers are coordinated at ORNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in partnership with Michigan State University.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visithttp://science.energy.gov/.
The approach could provide a pathway to eventual expansion of biofuels production beyond the current output limited to ethanol derived from corn.
C5 FUEL™, engineered by researchers at Mascoma and BESC, features fermentation and ethanol yields that set a new standard for conversion of biomass sugars from pretreated corn stover—the non-edible portion of corn crops such as the stalk—converting up to 97 percent of the plant sugars into fuel.
Researchers announced that while conventional yeast leaves more than one-third of the biomass sugars unused in the form of xylose, Mascoma’s C5 FUEL™ efficiently converts this xylose into ethanol, and it accomplishes this feat in less than 48 hours. The finding was presented today at the 31st International Fuel Ethanol Workshop in Minneapolis.
"The ability to partner the combined expertise at Mascoma and BESC in engineering microbes to release and convert sugars from lignocellulosic biomass has greatly accelerated the translation of basic research outcomes to a commercial product," BESC Director Paul Gilna said.
Gilna noted that this success and continued efforts through BESC could go a long way toward reducing the cost of ethanol and growing the number of commercial-level ethanol production plants. A key focus of BESC is to use basic research capabilities and expertise to validate the consolidated bioprocessing approach to improve cost competitiveness.
"Driving down the cost to develop, verify and consolidate bioprocessing was at the heart of the BESC effort when we began in 2007, and this achievement allows us to advance to the next challenge," Gilna said. "This accomplishment represents a clearly impactful example of how our partnering with industry can accelerate the translation of our research capabilities and findings into commercial products.”
Although cellulosic biomass such as corn stover, wheat straw and bagasse (the fibrous remains after sugar is extracted from sugarcane or sorghum) is abundant and cheap, because of recalcitrance — a plant's resistance to releasing sugars for conversion to alcohol – it is much more difficult to utilize than corn. However, Mascoma's new strain of yeast, which is one of many strains Mascoma developed as part of BESC over the last two years, proved highly effective at xylose conversion.
While most processing methods simply convert cellulose to sugar, this new approach also converts hemicellulose, which significantly increases overall sugar yield and thereby increases the level of ethanol produced. In fact, the new strain of yeast simultaneously yields 97 percent conversion of xylose and glucose—and does so in a significantly shorter period of time than existing approaches.
Kevin Wenger, executive vice president of Mascoma, a subsidiary of Lallemand Inc. (http://www.lallemand.com), shares Gilna's enthusiasm and emphasized that the BESC model of collaboration made this result possible.
“The scientific and technical resources that we have had access to as a member of BESC for the past six years have made possible the development of this uniquely high-performing yeast product,” Wenger said. “This is just the start of a pipeline of second-generation yeast products planned by Mascoma and Lallemand Biofuels and Distilled Spirits.”
The next step for BESC will be to demonstrate and again validate the application of the consolidated bioprocessing approach using thermophilic, or heat-loving, bacteria to produce biofuels directly from biomass in a single process.
Led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, BESC (http://bioenergycenter.org/besc/index.cfm) is one of three DOE Bioenergy Research Centers established by the DOE's Office of Science in 2007. The centers support multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research teams pursuing the fundamental scientific breakthroughs needed to make production of cellulosic biofuels, or biofuels from nonfood plant fiber, cost-effective on a national scale. The three centers are coordinated at ORNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of Wisconsin-Madison in partnership with Michigan State University.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE's Office of Science. The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visithttp://science.energy.gov/.
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