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Project aims to reduce dependency on foreign oil
Scattered all throughout Louisiana are resources that could help the country decrease its reliance on foreign oil suppliers.
That's according to several local officials who took part in a recent showcase of technology that converts biomass, such as wood chips, to electricity and liquid fuel.
Renewable International Fuels LLC of Baton Rouge recently demonstrated its new "Biomass to Energy Portable Experimental Units" at Scott's Climate Control Storage in West Monroe.
Dr. John Sutherlin, a political science professor at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, has been instrumental in spreading awareness about this form of energy conversion.
"The degree to which we convert wood mass into energy means we're using that much less in foreign fuel," Sutherlin said. "This is a renewable source, unlike oil, which is a finite source. We can grow wood and we have as much wood, or biomass, as we'll ever need."
"The idea is: Louisiana has long been an energy center, anyway, for oil and gas," Sutherlin explained. "With our trees and the amount of biomass in this state, why shouldn't we take advantage of that resource, too?"
He said the process would involve a partnership with paper mills, saw mills or any other group or business that has a viable wood or biomass source. That biomass source would be cut into small chips and placed into the biomass-to-energy portable units, which creates electricity through a generator.
"That generator could then power whatever you need it to power," Sutherlin said. "It's really just a function of how much wood debris you've got."
ULM, Louisiana Tech University and partners throughout the region are working on the project, Sutherlin said.
"They are involved in this project either as investors or workers developing this technology," he said.
Dr. Heath Barnett, director of Research and Development for Renewable International Fuels, is the lead scientist behind the project. Barnett is a graduate of LSU with a PhD in chemistry.
Ron Skains, chairman of Renewable International Fuels, said the project is a unique endeavor that should generate plenty of benefits throughout the state and country.
"To our knowledge, no one else is doing anything like this on this scale," Skains said. "The country is facing some huge difficulties importing oil, and there's no guess what will happen with electrical rates, but from all indications, they are going up, up, up."
"So we felt a real sense of emergency to get this on the market and make a real impact," Skains continued. "For many years we have been addicted to petroleum projects, so what we're trying to do is come on the market with a system that would allow people to make their own electricity. This would get them off the grid, so to speak."
Some biomass conversion units have the capability of making liquid fuel, too, Skains said.
"We envision a lot of independent home owners, small business people, farmers, ranchers, loggers and those with a lot of equipment will be the ones who could take advantage of this process," Skains said.
Individuals and businesses could purchase one of the units, possibly with an energy-efficient grant, renewable energy grant or through USDA financing, Skains said.
"Other than your capital cost of purchasing the unit, the only money scenario you have is the cost of your feedstock, so your operating cost would be very low," Skains said. "Your cost of electricity would not be very high and when we get into converting it into liquid fuel, your liquid fuel will be considerably cheaper than what you can buy at the pump."
Renewable Fuels International will offer a "bare-bones" unit that just converts biomass to electricity as well as larger unit that will produce both electricity and liquid fuel.
The liquid fuel conversion is based on technology from La. Tech, Skains said.
He said Renewable Fuels International will be able to supply feedstock to customers as well as operate any units if needed. All units also can be monitored remotely by computer to make sure all units are functioning properly.
For more information about the units and conversion process, visit Renewable International Fuels website at www.stumptopump.com.
Information can also be obtained by calling the company at 1-888-628-3835. |
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