I was doing some reading about the US gov't agricultural biofuel & wind hybrid programs highlighted briefly below or in outline form if anybody's interested.
RESEARCH THEMES - ARS Research in Biobased Products & BioEnergy http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/themes/biopande.htm As the principal in-house research agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been conducting research to find new uses for agricultural commodities and byproducts for over 60 years. Research related to biobased products focuses on developing technologies leading to new and improved non-food products- including fuels- that expand markets for farm products, replace imports and petroleum-based products, and offer opportunity to meet environmental needs. Research also addresses the development of appropriate feedstocks for biobased products and bioenergy..... NATIONAL PROGRAMS http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/programs.htm ARS Research is organized into 22 National Programs. These programs serve to bring coordination, communication and empowerment to the more than 1200 research projects carried out by ARS. The National Programs focus on the relevance, impact, and quality of ARS research. (101-108) Animal Production, Product Value and Safety (201-207) Natural Resources and Sustainable Agricultural Systems (301-308) Crop Production, Product Value and Safety..... National Programs - Bioenergy & Energy Alternatives (307) http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/programs/programs.htm?np_code=307 Program Planning Documents -- Action Plan 1 - Introduction NOTE: All projects associated with the Bioenergy and Energy Alternatives National Program will be evaluated for scientific quality by an external peer panel in May 2004. Program Objectives: - Reduce our Nation's dependency on foreign oil - Decrease environmental pollution - Enhance farm income - Create jobs in the rural sector and elsewhere - Sustainably use renewable agricultural resources - Alleviate America's trade imbalance 2 - Component I. Ethanol 3 - Component II. Biodiesel 4 - Component III. Energy Alternatives for Rural Practices 5 - Component IV. Energy Crops NOTE: In the Midwest, initial research indicates that over 500 gallons of fuel ethanol could be produced per acre from switchgrass if.... 6 - ARS Projects Program Direction Program Rationale Program Component Definitions Ethanol Biodiesel Energy Alternatives for Rural Practices Energy Crops Projected Outcomes/Impacts NOTE: New enzyme-based conversions for tallow, vegetable oils, and recycled greases. The enzyme technology is designed to replace environmentally harsh chemical conversions. By using commercial lipases, alkyl esters will be prepared from the above substrates for use as biodiesel, as well as lubricants.... Program Annual Reports FY 2001 FY 2000 FY 1999 FY 1998 Project information List of Projects in this Program List of Project Annual Reports in this program PROGRAM DIRECTION Vision Statement America's energy needs met using renewable resources Mission Statement To create jobs and economic activity in America, reduce the Nation's dependence on foreign oil, and improve the environment by developing alternate energy sources and increasing the use of agricultural crops as feedstocks for biofuels. Research Components Ethanol Biodiesel Energy Alternatives for Rural Practices Energy Crops Projects in this Program - by State [MORE] PROGRAM RATIONALE http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/programs/programs.htm?np_code=307&docid=811 The last decade has been characterized by huge U.S. trade deficits. Petroleum imports account for much of the trade imbalance. In fact, petroleum imports for transportation purposes alone were $50 billion in 1996. America's dependency on foreign oil (now over 60 percent and rising) is not only an economic issue, but is one of national security--particularly in times of global unrest. These factors, coupled with environmental concerns regarding the use of fossil fuels and production of CO2, fostered with the expansion of the fuel ethanol industry, make ethanol a high priority issue for USDA. The capacity of the U.S. industry exceeds 2.1 billion gallons per year. The industry has become an important partner with American agriculture, and the USDA estimates that 17,000 jobs are created for every billion gallons of ethanol produced. Similarly, a nascent biodiesel industry has been developing in recent years. Current use of ethanol and biodiesel as fuel additives or alternative fuels (e.g., E-85 and neat biodiesel) depends on many factors, including political actions, tax policies, agricultural practices, regulatory issues, and international economic trends. The relatively high cost of ethanol production and the very high cost of biodiesel production, however, remain as important constraints on their use. Removing technical constraints is the key to a viable biofuel industry of the future. A likely market for alternative energies is within agriculture itself. Low-cost alternative fuels can be used to power farm tractors and small agricultural production and processing facilities within rural communities. Wind and solar energy, as well as biofuels, may also be used to supply or supplement electrical energy for water pumping, small-scale irrigation systems, and other farmstead needs. Wind Power Pioneer: Nolan Clark, U.S. Department of Agriculture July 2003 http://www.eere.energy.gov/windpoweringamerica/pioneers_clark.html Q. What are the prospects for wind-biodiesel hybrid power systems for the farm? A. We are currently working in this area because of a need to develop small-scale biodiesel systems for farm use. Biodiesel has been successfully used to power normal diesel-electric generators, either as single units or as wind-hybrid units. You should see biodiesel systems installed at several locations over the next 3-5 years. It is now an education issue rather than a technical problem. We know how, we just need the money to make it happen. The increase in natural gas price may make these systems appear rapidly in the coming year.... [MORE] Wind/hybrid Control Prototype Development 2002 Annual Report Start Date: Jul 15, 1998 End Date: Jul 14, 2003 http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=402333&showpars=true&fy=2002 www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=402333 Research Project: Wind-Biodiesel Hybrid Electric Power Generation http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/projects/projects.htm?ACCN_NO=407084 Start Date: Apr 01, 2003 End Date: Mar 31, 2008 OBJECTIVE: 1) Measure performance of engines burning biodiesel operating in a wind/hybrid electric power network; 2) Determine the reduction in emissions from engines using biodiesel instead of petroleum diesel; 3) Develop new and revised control specifications for wind/hybrid system controllers for remote farms and villages; and 4) Integrate a microturbine into the wind/hybrid electric power generation network. APPROACH: A 150 kW wind/diesel (biodiesel) hybrid electric generation plant has been constructed at Bushland, TX with 3 diesel generators, 2 wind turbines, motor and resistance loads, 100 kW of battery storage, and experimental control system. Biodiesel made from different feedstocks will be used in the diesel generators to generate electricity. Performance measurements (power, fuel consumption, electrical stability, etc.) and emissions measurements (Nox, SO2, CO, etc.) will be made to determine the best biodiesel fuels. Controller logic and controller operation will be determined to assist the development of a commercial controller. A microturbine electric generator will be installed and operated in a hybrid configuration with the wind turbines and battery storage system. All systems will be evaluated for operation in remote areas for potential on-farm applications. Wind Hybrid Electricity Applications Wind energy is widely recognized as the most efficient and cost effective form of new renewable energy available in the Midwest. However, wind energy is an intermittent source of power. So what do you do for power when the output of the wind turbine is not sufficient to meet the demand for energy? Wind hybrid technology options mix wind with other power sources and storage devices to help solve this problem. [Iowa USA] Table of Contents http://web.archive.org/web/20021002023934/http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/energy/pubs/whea/index.htm > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. 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