NC Sustainability

new law comming!

2007-12-19T20:43:00.000-08:00

so i found this article about a new law that could be coming, and bring new sources of ethenol.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22314332/

biodiesel magazine

2007-11-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

So this article is about one of the comanies trying to create a biodiesesel out of algae. It isout of the BioDiesel Magazine. which a really awsome site if you are looking for information on Biodiesel. From here there are links to the ethenol and biomass magazines as well.
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=1910&q=&page=1
Bree

totally helpful article!

2007-11-15T19:58:00.000-08:00

check out this article and other nat'l geograohic stuff. they may help you on you portion of the project.
Breanna

http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels-p3.html
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels-interactive.html
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/biofuels/biofuels-learn.html
http://www7.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0604/feature2/index.html

the ruf draft of the sumary on the forum

2007-10-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Summary of League of Women Voters Forum: Homegrown Fuel (whole title?)
Panel of Experts:
Bob last name?
Herb last name?
Jason Fishbok
Brenda last name?
Tim Nolen
Bob discussed what biodiesel is and why people use it. Biodiesel is diesel fuel made from oil, usually plant, and the advantages over traditional diesel. These advantages include a product that is less toxic in all aspects, less storage requirements, a fuel that cleans out the fuel system of a vehicle because it is a solvent, biodiesel is also a natural lubricant. Biodiesel can be mixed at any percentage with regular diesel. Minnesota requires by law that all diesels be mixed with at least two percent biodiesel (B2). This makes up for the absence of sulfur in traditional diesel, sulfur is the traditional lubricating agent in diesel. Emissions of biodiesel are forty-eight percent cleaner. There are no sulfur oxides discharged. Nitrogen dioxides, however, actually are increased, yet in our area this has little to zero chance to bond with atmospheric ozone. The exhaust is much less harmful, when inhaled, than that of traditional diesel. In cold temperatures, depending on the plant that the oil is extracted from, there is a problem with biodiesel congealing. This gelling renders the biodiesel useless as a fuel, the user could preheat before utilizing it, or switch back to a higher percentage of traditional diesel. The Lake Superior National Lake Shore park is running on biodiesel to lower costs, and lessen their ecological footprint. The biggest challenge the park has is acquiring the amounts biodiesel they require. The second issue the park has is one of labor, they have to manually blend biodiesel and traditional diesel. They do this in winter to avoid gelling, and to ensure the warranties of their newer vehicles are not voided. The performance of their engines is improving. The solvent properties keep the vehicles clean so that operating costs are lower.
Herb discussed the feasibility study he did on behalf of Artiban, and the construction of a biodiesel plant, in Ashland. He spoke mostly about the economics of the process. He stated that the demand for oil, for fuel, is rising yet the supply of oil is decreasing. There is an end to cheap oil. The U.S. dollar is getting weaker, which means that oil is becoming more expensive to import. The economics of producing our own biodiesel, in the Ashland area, are beneficial because it will produce more local jobs and biodiesel sells for cheaper than regular diesel. The company, which already has a larger plant in Cumberland, would like to buy their oil from local farmers, thus strengthening the local economy further. Herb discussed the various types of oil, typically grown in this area, and the best type for biodiesel in this area. The oil reacts to temperature changes in the same manner as the plant acts. Cold weather plants produce oils that are more resistant gelling in low temperatures. Thus the production of a fuel that can be used year round in out climate, requires a plant native to our area, such as sunflower oil, not palm oil, or soy beans. He also talked about the business’s plan to have very few net emissions, and zero waste. They plan of finding uses on a local level for the glycerin byproduct of the biodiesel production process. They could sell the glycerin to soap manufacturers and to people looking for more compost.
Jason discussed the idea of large-scale biodiesel use. (Lots of statistics) Powerpoint attachment
Jason discussed the fact that biodiesel is not the answer to our nation‘s massive oil crisis. Conservation is needed, while biodiesel may work on a local level hear in the Ashland area, this idea would not work in a large city such as Los Angeles. Fuel is scarce and we should act accordingly. Farmers can grow the raw plant, extract the oil, and use the rest of the plant as a feed stock for animals. He mentioned the idea of ethanol, which is a substitution for gasoline, and how this similar idea is not an absolute answer to our oil crisis today.
Brenda discussed the small-scale side of biodiesel and how recycled oil can be used. She owns Number 2 Septic Pumping. She uses vegetable oil after restaurants have used it in their deep fryers. During the summer, she uses one hundred percent biodiesel (B100) in all the off-road vehicles, and a smaller percentage in the winter for Number 2 Septic. She uses biodiesel to lower her business’s ecological footprint, and to lower fuel costs. The biodiesel she produces works out to cost her forty-eight cents per gallon. The problems she has had include water getting in the oil, different chemicals in the oil, both fairly common issues when using recycled oil, and plugged filters on her vehicles when the weather turns warm because she uses traditional diesel during the winter, and the biodiesel dissolves any buildup in the engine. She discussed the cyclical manner in which she tries to save energy. The byproduct of biodiesel is glycerin, which she uses to make soap, among other things. She also gives the grease she does not use to persons who have a use for it. Brenda also discussed the recent discovery of algae and how using the oil from algae can be used to both make biodiesel and breakdown human waste. This is something that is still being researched.
Tim discussed the systematic approach that needs to be taken to create a truly sustainable community. We need to think about a cradle to cradle method where “waste” can be recycled over and over again. He challenged us to think outside of the traditional box, and think of a community with little to no waste, and gave examples of companies trying to start this style of production. “The good is the greatest rival of the best” ~ Nellie McClong.

Campus Transportation Project Outline

2007-10-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

Priorities/Project Timeline
1. Devise mission statement
2. Develop list of project objectives
3. Finalize questions for campus transportation poll
-Distribute, collect, and analyze data for Feasibility Report
4. Summary of LWV forum on Bio-diesel
-Present or make available to community
5. Bio-diesel Feasibility Report
6. Transportation Report
-Define Northland’s footprint in terms of energy/fuel for transportation
-Assess opportunities for conservation
7. Discuss/research conservation possibilities
8. Set goals/commitments for energy/fuel conservation at Northland
9. Form club/organization
10. Write formal report/proposal
11. Present report/proposal to administration and campus
12. Execute proposal on campus
-Community education
Bio-diesel Feasibility Report
1. Business plan
-Cost/benefit analysis
2. Investigate sources of oil
3. Meet with maintenance
-Van fleet, maintenance vehicles, lawn mowers, etc
-Possible space
4. Assess need
5. Technology
6. Research funding possibilities
7. Future
-How much produced?
-End price?
-For whom?
-Work study?
Questions for LWV Forum Summary
1. Clarify what GMO’s are
2. Efficiency of process vs. economics of selling
3. Input/output ratio for bio-diesel vs. oil
4. Why Artisam is choosing Chequamegon Bay area
5. Eco-industrial concept
6. Alternative sources of biomass
7. Differences between bio-diesel and ethanol production
8. Creating infrastructure
9. Impact on average citizen
10. Economic advantage to farmers
11. Co-operative possibilities
12. Distribution plans
13. Warranty issues

this is what i call upcycling

2007-10-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/10/11/heineken-wobo-the-brick-that-holds-beer/

Long Term Thinking

2007-10-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

I think we need to discuss whether using the land specifically for biodiesel production on a large scale in Wisconsin would be beneficial in the long run. The U.S. uses 700 million gallons of oil everyday. Certainly, there would be no way to switch all of that use to biodiesel, because then we would be producing no food. Is there a problem with our food and our fuel competing for the same land? -Cori

Forum

2007-10-14T21:16:00.000-07:00

We really didn't discuss exactly how much biodiesel would be needed and a few other specific subjecs... but perhaps the first thing to do is address the more general issues at the forum? ~catherine

Forum Discussion

2007-10-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

So, this is kinda cool!

At the forum do we all want to focus on a different aspect of the biodiesel production, and make sure that each aspect is answered? That way our paper will not be all about the basics of biodiesel.

Breanna O.