Auburn University and Fultondale working on plan to convert ‘green’ waste into electricity

Municipal Green Waste

1:48 PM, May 6, 2009

AUBURN – A new environmental partnership in Alabama could provide municipalities a way to convert their “green” waste into energy while reducing the amount sent to landfills.

Auburn University is collaborating with the City of Fultondale, Alabama Power Company and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to develop a plan for using the city’s green waste – such as trees, tree limbs, leaves and grass clippings – as a source of clean, renewable energy.

“Fultondale, like other communities, sends tons of green waste to the city landfill each year,” said Steve Taylor, director of Auburn’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts. “By using innovative gasification technology available through Auburn University, those limbs and branches could be used to power as many as 500 homes. The first step is making sure the process can be carried out in a manner that is cost effective.”

Auburn researchers are using the university’s Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit to help evaluate converting Fultondale’s green waste, or biomass, into electricity. The gasification unit, mounted on a tractor-trailer vehicle, is cosponsored by Alabama Power Company, which provides funds to support travel throughout the region to explore new energy opportunities.

Gasification is a thermochemical process in which heat and oxygen break down biomass into a synthesis gas that contains hydrogen and carbon monoxide, both of which are flammable gases. This synthesis gas can be used as a fuel in engines and turbines that power electrical generators.

Researchers from Auburn’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences will install GPS tracking devices on Fultondale city trucks that collect biomass and will record the amount of material delivered to the landfill. They will combine this information with aerial and satellite images of the city to refine computer models for predicting the amount of biomass that will be generated by the city throughout the year.

At the same time, researchers in Auburn’s Department of Biosystems Engineering will be analyzing the material for the amount of energy and ash that it contains and its suitability for large-scale gasification systems.

“This information will be used to develop projections for the cost of implementing a system for biomass gasification and electrical power generation,” Taylor said.

Fultondale is one of several Alabama communities in the Auburn Energy Partners Program using a grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. Other communities participating in various projects include Gadsden, Enterprise and Henry County.

A demonstration of the use of renewable energy is being held Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-7, at the Fultondale Target store at 3489 Lowery Parkway. The setup includes the Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit as well as Auburn’s Emergency Housing Solution, a large shipping container converted into an emergency shelter that is being powered by the gasification unit at the event.

Students in Auburn’s Design-Build Masters Program built the emergency structure that would be beneficial after natural disasters, such as hurricanes, by using fallen trees to help power temporary housing for disaster victims or the relief effort’s operations centers. The structure also is designed with alternate hookups for grid utilities so it could use municipal water and power if available.

(Written by Charles Martin.)

Contacts: Leslie Parsons (334) 844-6147, (leslie@auburn.edu), or
Charles Martin (334) 844-9999, (marticd@auburn.edu)

Additional coverage concerning the May 6th media event in Fultondale, AL can be found:

In the North Jefferson News at:  http://www.njeffersonnews.com/local/local_story_124193724.html/ 

On CBS 42’s website at: http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Trees-and-Grass-Equals-Electricity/ZbQZFt1LokGCIXI1WtWdkA.cspx

In the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer at: http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/breaking_news/story/709400.html  

And in the Birmingham News at:  http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/2009/05/see_an_ecofriendly_shipping_co.html

Producing Biodiesel for Municipal Fleets from Waste Vegetable Oil – a guide

The Auburn University Natural Resources Management & Development Institute, its Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in cooperation with the Energy Division of the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs have produced and are pleased to make available a guide for those interested in small-scale, municipal biodiesel production from waste vegetable oil (WVO).  Below is an excerpt from the publication.  To access the entire publication as a .pdf, visit our website at:  www.nrmdi.auburn.edu/bio.

Executive Summary

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel alternative to traditional petroleum‐based diesel fuel. Biodiesel is an attractive option for producers who would like to process their own biofuels because it can be made at a relatively small scale using vegetable oils or animal fats. A growing number of municipalities are starting recycling programs to collect and process used cooking oils or waste vegetable oils (WVO) into biodiesel that can be used in the municipal vehicle fleet. This publication provides guidance to municipal small scale fleets on making biodiesel primarily by using cooking oil that has been recycled. Discussion is provided to help the municipality evaluate how much cooking oil might be available in their community; how to develop a recycling program and process the oil into biodiesel; how to test the finished fuel product; and how to store and dispense the fuel. Locally‐produced biodiesel will never be able to eliminate our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. However, it offers an important opportunity for every citizen to become a participant in recycling a waste product into a useful biofuel, which will, in turn, reduce demands on our landfills and wastewater treatment systems, and stretch taxpayer dollars in challenging economic times.

Auburn University’s Natural Resources Management & Development Institute selected as Southern Growth Policies 2009 Innovator Award Winner

Auburn University has been selected to represent Alabama as the winner of the Southern Growth Policies Board 2009 Innovator Award.  The Natural Resources Management & Development Institute (NRMDI) was chosen from a strong pool of nominees in the Southern region as an outstanding initiative that encourages economic opportunities relating to bio-products, alternative energy, and energy efficiency. As one of 13 Innovators in the Southern region, NRMDI will be publicly honored on Monday, June 8, 2009 in an awards ceremony and reception during Southern Growth Policies Board annual conference, The Business of Southern Energy, in Biloxi, Mississippi. This year’s conference is hosted by Mississippi Governor, Haley Barbour. Additionally, NRMDI will be highlighted in the 2009 Report on the Future of the South. 

 

For additional information concerning the ongoing activities related to alternative energy at Auburn University’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts, visit our website, or contact Center Director, Steve Taylor at taylost@auburn.edu.

Alternative Energy: The Quest To Fuel Alabama’s Future

Recently, Todd Keith of  Thicket Magazine interviewed Larry Fillmer, NRMDI’s Executive Director, for an article that appeared in the January/February 2009 Issue.  This thoughtfully written piece underscored the potential that the emerging bio-fuel industry has for reinvigorating rural Alabama economies.

Thicket Magazine has kindly made a copy of the article available here.

To learn more about the alternative energy intiatives taking place at Auburn University’s Natural Resources Management & Development Institute and its Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts, visit our websites, or contact us at (334) 844-6140.

Auburn Researchers Making Biofuels More Accessible

Larry Fillmer, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute, and Steve Taylor, Director of the AU Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts were recently featured in a three-part story from reporter Laura Beth Ezell of Huntsville’s WAAY, Channel 31  The series focuses on alternative energy efforts in the state of Alabama.  Check out it out below:

Transcripts of part 1 and part 2 are available online.

To learn more about alternative energy iniatives at Auburn University, visit our website at www.nrmdi.auburn.edu.

Larry Fillmer and Steve Taylor participate in Congressman Mike Rogers’ Annual Energy Tour

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Larry Fillmer, Steve Taylor (center) and Mike Rogers discussing a variety of feedstock types with energy tour participants.

On Wednesday of this week, Larry Fillmer  of the Auburn University Natural Resources Management & Development Institute as well as Steve Taylor and Christian Brodbeck of Auburn’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts particpated in Congressman Mike Rogers Annual Energy Tour of his district.  The delegation from Auburn joined Congressman Rogers at Jacksonville State University and there demonstrated AU’s Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit.  This mobile unit is capable of taking a variety of feedstocks (including but not limited to wood chips and poultry litter) and converting them to a synthesis gas which can then be used to create liquid fuels, electricity, or heat.

For more information about our Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit or our people and programs, visit our website at www.nrmdi.auburn.edu.

Christian Brodbeck of the AU Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts describes the gasification process.

Larry Fillmer and Steve Taylor attend 2008 Annual Meeting of the Energy Council

Auburn University's Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit used to demonstrate conversion of biomass into electrical power, heat, and liquid fuels.

On September 25^th and 26^th, Mr. Larry Fillmer, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute at Auburn University and Dr. Steve Taylor, Director of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts attended the 2008 Annual Meeting of The Energy Council in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  The Energy Council is a legislative organization comprised of eleven member states and six international affiliates drawn from the major energy producing regions of the United States and Canda.  It provides a forum for discussion government policies regarding energy and the environment.

Dr. Taylor was among the presenters and addressed attendees on the subject of biomass gasification as part of a discussion on commercialization of biofuels technologies.

Biomass gasification technology is one of the platforms available for conversion of biomass to electrical power, heat, and liquid fuels.  While research and development projects are finding ways to refine and implement large-scale gasification systems, small-scale systems are being used today to successfully convert agricultural and forest wastes to electrical power and heat.  Modular downdraft gasification units are available to convert on-site residues like agricultural processing wastes, small-diameter trees and logging residues, and municipal green waster into on-site power and heat.

Dr. Taylor’s presentation included a demonstration biomass gasification and power generation using Auburn University’s Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit.  The unit, sponsored in part by Alabama Power, travels widely for both research and demonstration purposes.

To learn more about biomass gasification or Auburn University’s Mobile Unit, contact Dr. Steve Taylor at taylost@auburn.edu or visit our website at www.nrmdi.auburn.edu.

Auburn Energy Partner, Fultondale, AL, receives significant energy grant

Auburn University's Mobile Biomass Gasification Unit will be used to convert muncipal green waste to energy as part of a unique alternative energy project in Fultondale, AL.

Last week, Fultondale was one of several Alabama communities awarded a significant grant from the Alabama Department of Environmental and Community Affairs in support of a unique alternative energy project involving Auburn University.

Fultondale, an Auburn Energy Partner, will work with researchers from the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts (part of the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute) to determine the feasibility of turning municpal green waste into energy.

Adam Smith covered the story for The North Jefferson News.  Following is an excerpt from his story:

Larry Fillmer, executive director of the Natural Resources Management & Development Institute at Auburn University, said the city’s affiliation with the school is part of the Auburn Energy Partners Program. “We work with communities and small businesses to help find solutions to provide low cost applications for producing power, biofuels and using natural resources in the state to do that,” he said.

 The university’s mobile gasification unit is co-sponsored by Alabama Power who provides funds to support travel throught the region to explore new energy opportunities.

 Fillmer said the mobile unit would likely be at the landfill site for a brief period of time and return at a later date for more extensive research. He said the goal is to provide the city with long-term energy solutions.

To read Adam Smith’s entire story, visit the North Jefferson News online.

To learn more about the Auburn Energy Partner’s Program, contact Steve Taylor, the director of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts at (334) 844-3534 or visit our website at www.nrmdi.auburn.edu.

Six Alabama Communities Receive Funds for Alternative Fuel Projects

“We were very pleased to learn this week that of the six community grants awarded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for alternative energy and biofuels projects, five were associated with Auburn University. 

The grants for Fultondale, Enterprise and Henry County are the result of joint efforts by the Auburn University Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts, under the direction of Dr. Steve Taylor, who directs the Center, Mr. Mark Hall, Regional Extension Agent for Renewable Energy for the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, and staff members from each of the municipalities involved. 

The Fultondale project will employ our mobile gasification unit to help evaluate opportunities for converting municipal green waste into electricity and eventually liquid fuels.  Today, the green waste material goes to a landfill. 

Both the Enterprise and Henry County projects involve collecting and recycling used cooking oil and converting it into biodiesel.  We also have similar projects currently underway with the City of Gadsden and on campus.  All three projects represent initial steps to use the abundant resource available in Alabama for renewable energy and biofuels produced from materials other than petroleum.  We celebrate the willingness of these communities to work with us to find solutions for our growing energy issues.”

Larry Fillmer
Executive Director
Natural Resources Mangament & Development Institute
Auburn University

To learn more about these alternative fuel projects, contact: Steve Taylor of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts at Auburn University, or Mark Hall of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, or visit our website at: www.nrmdi.auburn.edu.

Enterprise, AL: An Auburn Energy Partner

This week, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs awarded six grants to communities around the state.  Five of those six grants were associated with Auburn University.  One community identified to receive a $200,000 grant was Enterprise, Alabama. 

Kelly Tabor covered the story for the Enterprise Ledger.  Check it out below:

Enterprise Wins Biodiesel Grant

By Kelly Tabor

Published: September 18, 2008

Governor Bob Riley awarded the City of Enterprise a $200,000 grant this week to help pay for a facility to convert cooking oil into biodiesel fuel for the city’s vehicles.

Auburn University’s Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts will assist with the process of the producing the fuel which can then be used to power Enterprise’s 220-vehicle fleet and diesel equipment for less than $1 per gallon. Biodiesel is a non-petroleum-based fuel made by chemically altering vegetable oil, which can then be used alone, or blended with conventional diesel, in diesel-engine vehicles.

Public Works Director Jimmy Kilgore said the city will follow through with plans to collect used cooking oil, supplied mainly by local restaurants and possibly individual residents, and process it into a 20 percent biodiesel blend.

“There’s a lot to do. We’ve got to look at municipal rules and regulations, work up specifications and open up bidding,” said Kilgore, who hopes to have the facility running in less than a year. “We’ll be busy updating the filters on these vehicles so they’re up to speed. But it’s a good challenge and I’m enjoying it.”

Mayor Kenneth Boswell, who had expected the city to receive the grant, saw a low turnout last month when he called restaurant owners to a special meeting to discuss the oil collection plan. Kilgore said more people have since come on board with the project after realizing it would eliminate costs for having the used oil hauled away and for clearing out grease traps.

“I had 650 gallons delivered by an Enterprise resident just yesterday,” said Kilgore. “It should give them some pride to know they’re benefitting the city. When we reduce our costs, it will decrease theirs.”

Other grants totaling $900,000 were awarded to Bay Minette, Fultondale, Henry County, Lee County and Tuscaloosa, each of which will work with a state university on biofuel or alternative energy projects. The results will hopefully inspire other governments to replicate the technology, reducing fuel and energy costs and building revenue, according to a press release from Riley’s office announcing the grants.

“Innovative approaches are needed to make our nation energy independent and to free us from our dependence on foreign oil,” Riley said in the release. “By generating alternative energy from renewable sources, these projects will serve as an example that other governments may follow to cut energy costs and stretch taxpayer dollars.”

The grants, which were awarded from the Alabama Research Alliance Trust Fund, are being administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs. According to the governor’s press release, interest earned from the $10 million trust fund is used to support alternative energy research in Alabama.

To learn more about the Auburn Energy Partner’s Program contact: Steve Taylor, Director of the Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts or Mark Hall, Renewable Energy Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System.