There is much legitimate concern about the use of corn to produce ethanol: diversion of food sources, higher corn prices, continued use of water damaging fertilizers, energy-in versus energy-out. A professor at UF has developed and patented a technology to produce ethanol from yard trimmings, sugar cane waste and orange pulp. The governor and legislature have set in motion a revolutionary technology. Read More…
- Sam Kendall
This conference includes Frank Leslie’s session on March 7th on Renewable (Sustainable) Energy from 2:00 p.m. until 4:20 p.m.
News Release
MELBOURNE, FLA.—Florida Tech will address smart growth and environmental sustainability at its fourth international, interdisciplinary forum, “Sustainable Pathways: New Research and Practices,” on March 6-7 on campus. The forum is a collaborative effort of the Florida Tech College of Business and
College of
Science, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME). The public is invited to attend. And additional sponsors are being sought.“The forum will focus on practical solutions to emerging sustainability issues from business, science and socio-political viewpoints,” said Gordon L. Nelson, dean of Florida Tech’s
College of
Science. “It is designed to appeal to a varied audience and will offer the latest academic research and perspectives for practitioners and public policy makers.”Speakers complementing Florida Tech and BME speakers will include Ken Lindeman, Environmental Defense Fund; Isabella Bunn, Oxford University; Keith Winsten, Brevard Zoo; Laurilee Thompson, Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival; Duane E. De Freese, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute; Terry Gibson, Florida Sportsman Magazine; Mark Chatelain, Johnson Controls; William Broussard, Forever Florida; Bob Martinez, former Governor of Florida; Suzanna Hecht, UCLA and Princeton University; Frank Jackalone, Sierra Club, Florida; and Steven Seibert, executive director of the Century Commission for a Sustainable Florida, to name a few.Sponsors include: Environmental Defense Fund, FP&L, Waste Management and Florida Institute of Technology.Online registration is available at http://research.fit.edu/sustainability/register.phpA conference registration fee of $85 entitles registrants to attend all daily sessions as well as luncheons. The fee is $25 for students. A separate fee of $45 covers a keynote dinner on the evening of March 6. For more information, and to register, contact Linda Ward at (321) 674-7573 or at lward@fit.edu.
A proposal is being considered for a 75-megawatt biomass plant to be located on FSU property in Tallashassee. The idea is competing with a proposal for a regional coal plant that could generate 800 megawatts. Tallahassee would only use 150 of those megawatts. A city commissioner opposed to the coal plant reasoned that two biomass plants could fill their needs. Unfortunately, he’s in the minority. Hopefully, there’s still time to win the others over. You can read more here in the Tallahassee Democrat.
Craig Williams
Progress Energy has recently signed a contract with Biomass Investment Group to purchase electricity from a proposed generation plant to be fueled with a tall-growing grass that will be grown on 15,000 acres surrounding the plant. The plant is to be located somewhere south of Orlando with three sites currently under consideration. The projected output is said to be enough for 80,000 homes. You can find more info here at Progress Energy’s website.
Craig Williams
You may be interested in Brevard Biodiesel, a small group exploring the use of biodiesel in Volkswagen Jettas.
Check out their website here.
Frank Leslie
Ann Bartuska, deputy chief for research and development for the US Forest Service, will be giving a lecture at the University of Florida in Gainesville on March 28th. Her topic is “Why Biomass is Important – The Role of the Forest Service in Managing and Using Biomass for Energy and Other Uses.” For more details, click here.
Craig Williams
