Tips And Advice For Buying Small Solar Panels

Energy capture technology that uses the power of the sun is now no longer a far off dream. Solar panels have become a ubiquitous sight in our lives. They offer a simple way to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. If we were all to adapt this green technology, the damage being caused to the environment and atmospheric systems would be reduced almost immediately. If you have an interest in learning more about this renewable form of energy, and integrating photovoltaic cells into your life, the following information should be of use to you.

First of all it is worth noting that there are a number of different panels available today. These can be classified into three groups - portable, residential, and commercial. Over the last five years there has been a lot of research into the usability of small photovoltaic cells.

Small, portable, energy harnessing systems have a number of useful applications. There are now solar panels available that can be used to charge up various electronic gadgets, for example mobile phones and netbooks. Also, those that are of a compact size can be integrated into outdoor lighting to reduce the need for mains supplied electricity.

If you have an interest in purchasing a photovoltaic panel for personal use, there are a number of factors that you should analyze prior to making a purchase. An important consideration will be the cost. As the technology become widespread, the outlay involved is a lot more affordable. There are now portable solar chargers available that can be had for less than two hundred dollars. These are a great gadget to have on hand when on an outdoor expedition or fishing trip. Likewise, you can purchase PV lights that would not cost you a great deal more than a regular design.

The wattage of the panel is also an important consideration, this relates to the amount of electricity that can be produced. It is useful to be aware of your energy requirements before investing in a product. Related to wattage, the efficiency of photovoltaic cells does differ. Always understand how suitable the panel would be for the amount of sunlight that is available in your region.

Another important factor, that should help you to make the right choice, is the warranty. Most solar cells have no mechanical parts, for this reason they have an inherent durability. Nevertheless it is still important to opt for a product that has an extensive warranty in case a circuit becomes damaged.

Great tips and advice for buying small yet effective solar panels now in our

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Alternative Fuels - Are Biofuels the Way to Go?

Biofuels, for those who aren't yet aware, are one of the most promising ways to help to lower our dependency on fossil fuels as well as on oil from foreign countries.

Bio- fuel technology is available for those who want use it and sustainability is just one positive benefit of biofuel techniques. Biofuels are not, however, the be-all and end all that they have been touted as. In fact, many professors, energy experts, and scientists are warning that biofuels are still carbon fuels, a fact which tends to escape many of us as we proclaim them to be preferable for the environment.

The reality is that long term testing hasn't been done on biofuels and we don't know the effect they may have on our environment. That being said, biofuel are the prime example of a totally renewable source of energy and the production of biofuels to power vehicles and other engines would be a major step to taking us away from our reliance on other countries and on the oils and fossil/carbon fuels that are not so renewable.

Ethanol, one of the most popular types of biofuel is simply not sustainable because it uses almost as much energy to convert the corn as the energy it may provide, meant that it is simply too inefficient to be used. Scientists though think that they may have an answer and it's one that offers more fuel energy per a smaller amount of fuel materials needed.

The latest biofuel exploration seems to be heading out to sea. The most serious limitation that we have in our present exploration of the non-fossil fuels is the lack of products with which to make them, as well as the high cost that is incurred for their use--one issue feeding into the other.

Soybeans and corn, the major feed stock materials that are also used to make most biofuels are not an endless supply. The same can't be said though of the algae that scientists are working with. Algae is nearly endless in the supply and with the right conditions, that is to say, just about anywhere at all that has brackish water or salt water or swampy areas, you can grow the algae. The growth of algae is not a seasonal one, which means that you can get more than 20-30 times the production of the normal crops that have been typically used for biofuels.

Crops of algae can be grown on wastewater and even have a positive potential for help to recycle carbon dioxide that is currently spewing from business and industries. One man, Professor Cushman who has been working with algae as a replacement for other crops in the making of biofuels has found a way that he could extend the growth season up to about nine month even in a cold climate, making algae our best bet for new sources of biofuels.

Of his work, Cushman says that their long term goal is to find strains of algae that are the most suitable to making biofuels. They want to identify the most viable and most energy producing algae strains to learn how to improve the production of the fuels that we need It is the belief of science that they can significantly alter the biofuel industry using algae to produce it.

The bottom line is that we've got a far better chance of making some truly lower cost and far more usable biofuel with algae. It not only grows better, it actually puts out more energy or fuel, than land based crops.

[http://www.cheapsolarpanelsreview.com]

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Biofuel Fireplaces - Environment Friendly Options For You

The problem of pollution is increasing day by day that is why it has become extremely essential to put a stop to this problem. These days people are trying to use various alternatives that can put a control on pollution. If you are using traditional fireplaces then you can now replace them with the biofuel options that are environment friendly and extremely affordable. Traditional fireplaces make your home look very appealing but they surely require a lot of maintenance and cleaning on a daily basis. If you do not have the time or energy to clean the fire pits then the biofuel is surely the most efficient option for you. Most people live in small apartments and flats that are not very spacious hence a traditional option would not be very suitable for them.

Biofuel fire pit is the most suitable option for those people who do not have the money or space to get a separate inglenook constructed at home. These options originated in Europe and after they gained immense popularity they were exported to other parts of the world. A great advantage of this option is that you do not have to get a chimney constructed for them.

Biofuel inglenooks are very convenient for keeping your home warm. So, if you are looking for some important information about this equipment, you must surely consult this article.

1. Environment friendly
The fuel that is used in the fireplace is environment friendly and you do not have to worry about the smoke or the ash. The fumes that come out are not at all suffocating and harmful for your health. People who suffer from allergies related to smoke and ash must certainly consider this option for their homes. The fuel that is basically used is ethanol and it comes in the liquid form. It is easily available in the market and you can order it from online websites as well. Some other natural materials can also be used as the fuel. It depends totally on you to select the most appropriate option for your equipment.

2. Easy to purchase
The biofuel options are very easy to purchase and they are available in various home improvement stores these days. If you want to purchase some affordable options then you can also search on the internet for some economical option. During the off season and sale period you can really avail some great discounts on these items. People who already have installed traditional fireplaces at home can get the option converted into a biofuel one. As the biofuel option does not require a chimney, you will not face any problems during the conversion.

3. Advantages of biofuel fireplace
There are various benefits of installing this option.
• They are energy efficient when compared to the traditional options.
• You do not need additional installments for this option.
• It is a very affordable option that is easily available in the market.

So, what are you waiting for, just visit the market and purchase the best biofuel option that would be the most efficient for your home.

For more information on choosing the right Biofuel Fireplaces for your home,visit our site Electric Fireplaces.

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The Benefits Of Using Renewable Biofuels

An alternative to using traditional fossil fuels for powering diesel engine vehicles and heating homes that is growing in popularity is biofuel. Biofuel is a renewable energy source as it consists of agricultural products like soybeans. It can also be made from WVOs (also known as Waste Vegetable Oils) and is often found discarded in restaurants, making it a readily available resource in most areas. Whatever the materials renewable biofuels is made of, the benefits of using this alternative fuel source is tremendous.

With gas prices rising higher and higher at the pumps, it is no wonder that citizens are contemplating a substitute fuel source. There are benefits to using biodiesel blends that employ as little as five percent of biofuel mixed with diesel. Just a small change like that can offer a significant price reduction in fueling your vehicle. Blends range from one percent and can go as high as ninety nine percent biodiesel mixed with one percent petroleum diesel. The mixes are marked with a "B" and the percentage of how much biofuel is contained within the blend. There is also B100 available, which is a pure renewable biodiesel. These are all effortless to utilize, non-toxic and biodegradable.

Using any blend of renewable biofuels greatly reduces your impact on the environment and lightens your carbon footprint. The air quality is helped considerably by the biofuel burning cleaner than traditional fossil fuels. Renewable biofuels do not contribute to the pollution caused by burning diesel fuel. This pollution in turn has been linked with health problems associated with lung cancers, respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma attacks.

In some cases, heart and respiratory disorders have resulted in death from the impact diesel pollution has made. Another benefit to using renewable biofuel energy is the reduction of life cycle emissions and greenhouse gasses. With a reduction in global warming, the effects of our heated planet could start to reverse and in turn protect us and future generations from one of the biggest threats that Earth faces.

Another big benefit of switching to renewable biofuels is the resulting freedom and independence from foreign oil sources. By relying on a domestic fuel source, the need to borrow money to import oil can be eliminated. And another result of cutting off foreign oil trade is the creation of a new job market. With hundreds of thousands of jobs generated across the country, the recent economic downturn could be righted. The agricultural field and rural development could also see stimulation.

From clean energy to green technology, Alexander Sutton is involved with a number of green endeavors and wishes to spread awareness about environmentally friendly issues. For more information, please visit Renewable Biofuels.

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The Benefits Of Using Renewable Biofuels

An alternative to using traditional fossil fuels for powering diesel engine vehicles and heating homes that is growing in popularity is biofuel. Biofuel is a renewable energy source as it consists of agricultural products like soybeans. It can also be made from WVOs (also known as Waste Vegetable Oils) and is often found discarded in restaurants, making it a readily available resource in most areas. Whatever the materials renewable biofuels is made of, the benefits of using this alternative fuel source is tremendous.

With gas prices rising higher and higher at the pumps, it is no wonder that citizens are contemplating a substitute fuel source. There are benefits to using biodiesel blends that employ as little as five percent of biofuel mixed with diesel. Just a small change like that can offer a significant price reduction in fueling your vehicle. Blends range from one percent and can go as high as ninety nine percent biodiesel mixed with one percent petroleum diesel. The mixes are marked with a "B" and the percentage of how much biofuel is contained within the blend. There is also B100 available, which is a pure renewable biodiesel. These are all effortless to utilize, non-toxic and biodegradable.

Using any blend of renewable biofuels greatly reduces your impact on the environment and lightens your carbon footprint. The air quality is helped considerably by the biofuel burning cleaner than traditional fossil fuels. Renewable biofuels do not contribute to the pollution caused by burning diesel fuel. This pollution in turn has been linked with health problems associated with lung cancers, respiratory illnesses, allergies and asthma attacks.

In some cases, heart and respiratory disorders have resulted in death from the impact diesel pollution has made. Another benefit to using renewable biofuel energy is the reduction of life cycle emissions and greenhouse gasses. With a reduction in global warming, the effects of our heated planet could start to reverse and in turn protect us and future generations from one of the biggest threats that Earth faces.

Another big benefit of switching to renewable biofuels is the resulting freedom and independence from foreign oil sources. By relying on a domestic fuel source, the need to borrow money to import oil can be eliminated. And another result of cutting off foreign oil trade is the creation of a new job market. With hundreds of thousands of jobs generated across the country, the recent economic downturn could be righted. The agricultural field and rural development could also see stimulation.

From clean energy to green technology, Alexander Sutton is involved with a number of green endeavors and wishes to spread awareness about environmentally friendly issues. For more information, please visit Renewable Biofuels.

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Biofuel Production - Is Membrane Technology the Answer?

Biofuel production with the help of membrane filtration technology is not entirely new technology as some think it is. In fact we are talking here about tried and proved industrial method that has been utilized in many industrial facilities, and after many positive experiences has been now implemented in biofuels production.

Many energy experts expect that with the help of membrane filtration technology "second-generation" cellulosic ethanol production could be significantly improved, especially in terms of fuel recovery as well as getting as much as possible secondary products from the used feedstock. To put things as simply as possible this new technology should mostly help improve the efficiency of biofuel production by offering lower overall energy costs.

The things you need to know about the membranes used in this process is that they are highly engineered, and they are designed to allow the passage of materials only up to a certain size and shape. As said above the process of membrane filtration has been used extensively in several different industry facilities for many years. The best examples to mention here would be sugar, food, wine, and similar other enzyme manufacturing sectors.

But let us get back to biofuel production. Membrane filtration technology is becoming very important in production of biodiesel, where membranes are used to facilitate water reuse, this is especially helpful in areas where water is scarce..

Energy experts expect that within this decade we will see lot more biofuel facilities that will use this process for biofuel production. This should also increase the popularity of biodiesel and other biofuels on global level.

Ned Hall has so far written many interesting articles about biofuels, as well as many other interesting renewable energy articles

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Cellulosic Biofuel Issues

There are many different types of fuel available for use by consumers for transportation purposes. Some of these fuels are sourced from naturally occurring deposits below the earth's surface. Crude oil, a form of fossil fuel, is one of the most common types of substances extracted from deposits deep below the earth's surface. Crude oil is processed into a useable substance, either gasoline or diesel fuel, that can be used in automobiles, trucks, locomotives, ships and generators. Although fossil fuels are the most common fuel sources, they are also some of the least efficient and produce some of the highest levels of carbon emissions of any fuel. Carbon emissions can be harmful to environmental processes, which is undesirable and there is a finite natural source which may be depleted very rapidly at the present rate of consumption.

There have been technological advancements that allow the use of non-fossil based materials that can be converted into useable products that can, in part, replace fossil fuels. One of the materials that have used to produce biofuels is corn. Corn is a reasonably good alternative fuel source. However, there are some downfalls of corn as a feedstock; it needs to be replanted in order to have a crop each growing cycle. While corn is a good alternative to fossil fuel, some argue, there are even better alternatives know as cellulosic biofuels.

Biofuels are fuels produced from organic materials that are grown rather than drilled for in deposits found in the earth. Cellulosic biofuel is fuel that is produced from organic sources but not from corn or other high sugar content feedstock. It is actually produced by using feedstock that is alternative to corn feedstock. Wood chips are just one example of an alternative feedstock source. Another example is algae; algae are very abundant and are very easily renewable as a feedstock choice.

Cellulosic biofuel is fast becoming a viable option to traditional fossil fuel based products. The abundance of material is changing the industry very rapidly. What was once a fringe idea and a very inefficient model has become the new challenge and goal of fuel producers. By utilizing organic feedstock, that in some cases is waste product from other manufacturing processes like saw dust or wood chips, the producers of petroleum and petroleum based products will slowly change the landscape of transportation fuels. Cellulosic biofuels are the future of the petroleum industry.

From clean energy to green technology, Alexander Sutton is involved with a number of green endeavors and wishes to spread awareness about environmentally friendly issues. For more information, please visit Cellulosic Biofuel.

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Algae Based Biofuel Production: The New Wave Of Green Energy

The "green" trend has been around since the 1970s, when an OPEC boycott, gas rationing, and spiking prices called into question our reliance on oil. The creation of suburbs and expansion of cities led to increased numbers of large, gas-guzzling cars on the road, and air pollution was growing more prevalent, begging the question, "How can we find inexpensive, clean, renewable energy?"

Enter the Biofuel Revolution. Biofuel is any fuel produced from biomass, or organic material. The challenge is to produce biofuel from biomass that can be renewed, so that it won't tap out as a fuel source the way oil reserves will. With recent gas price hikes and the number of SUVs and inefficient fuel-burning vehicles on the road today, the issue of biofuel production is once again at the forefront. Some recent biofuels, such as ethanol, have met with limited success: Yes, ethanol waste is mostly water and ethanol is cheap. But the amount of land and energy that goes into planting, maintaining, and harvesting corn for ethanol, on top of ethanol production, make it much less environmentally-friendly than previously thought. Plus, there are ethical considerations about growing fields of food crops just for biofuel production.

Energy investors today are putting efforts into a new solution: algae based biofuel production. Algae use sunlight, ocean and wastewater to grow, and produce oil that is then harvested. The amount of oil that can be produced for biofuel from 15,000 square miles of algae farms is estimated by the US Department of Energy to be enough to replace all petroleum-based fuel in the country. That statistic is astounding: algae based biofuel production would use less than one-seventh of the land dedicated in the US to corn production, and would produce up to 100 times more energy per square mile. Algae are also biodegradable, and unlike petroleum, are relatively harmless if spilled. Best of all, algae don't require high-quality soil, so farms producing algae could use land unsuitable for food crops.

With the discovery of clean algae based biofuel production, what is holding back the market? The answer is the same as with many biofuels of the past: High prices. Capital investments to set up a farm are costly. In time, these investments will be recouped and prices will drop, however. And with oil prices rising steadily, green biofuel may be competitively priced sooner than we thought. Good news for green energy.

From clean energy to green technology, Alexander Sutton is involved with a number of green endeavors and wishes to spread awareness about environmentally friendly issues. For more information, please visit Algae Based Biofuel Production.

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Grassroots Innovation for Generating Efficient Biofuel - Biomass Gasifier

The whole world is busy in doing research for generating and using biofuels. Scientists have already developed biofuels in all the three forms of matter. Unaware of all these developments, an uneducated common man Raj Singh Dahiya from Rajasthan, India, has made his own biomass gasifier which generates the clean fuel producer gas from wood and agricultural wastes.

Features, process and advantages of the biomass gasifier

The whole setup of the innovative machine consists of a gasifier, an aspirator, a mixer and a modified engine. Biomass is first fed into the gasifier unit which heats up to 200 degree centigrade to convert the solid biomass into producer gas. The producer gas at this point has ash, tar and other residues and so, needs a lot of filtration which is done by a series of filters arranged sequentially in two stages. In these two stages, baffles and sieves arranged in order of progressively fine perforations filter the gas. The aspirator sucks the filtered producer gas and passes it through a water cooling cyclone followed by another cyclone which removes the carbon and ash contents. The water jacket surrounding the filtration unit and the water-cooled cyclone do the job of cooling the hot producer gas. Now, the clean producer gas is fed into the mixer unit where it is mixed with air in a correct fuel-air ratio. This mixture gas is then used to run the modified engine.

* The biomass gasifier can run an engine of 30 HP for an hour from 20 kilograms of biomass wastes.
* This system's running cost is half of what an electric run machine costs in generating the same output.
* The biomass gasifier can be used to run machines like water lifting pump sets, saw mills and flour mills.
* It can also be used to generate electricity by charging an alternator.
* The unique design of Raj Singh's biomass Gasifier enables it to consume 30 to 40 percent less biofuel than other available designs.
* The machine has been priced at Rs. 125,000 for its 10 KW units version.

Support and recognition for the grassroots innovation

The innovation was first recognized at district level and later, by National Innovation Foundation, a non-profit autonomous body under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. NIF has awarded the innovation in its biennial national competition of unaided green grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge and has also filed a patent application for it. With the help and support of NIF, Raj Singh has also achieved some initial success in commercializing his biomass gasifier and has already sold more than 50 units of it.

Ashish Kumar D is a student at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He writes articles on grassroots innovation and other related topics. To know about Raj Singh's biomass gasifier in detail, please visit http://www.nif.org.in/bd/biogas.

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Malunggay's Moringa Oil Seen as Biofuel Source

As the Philippines seeks better ways to use its resources in combating climate change, a new discovery by a Filipino biotechnology company based in the U.S. has tapped a wonder plant in the country as a source of biofuel.

Malunggay, scientifically known as Moringa oleifera Lamk, which is widely grown in the Philippines and is considered one the world's most useful plants, is found as a good source of Moringa oil. This oil is believed to be a biofuel source.

SECURA International announced that malunggay oil is being tapped by the North American Biofuels Inc. (NABI) since January as possible raw material for biodiesel production. As a result, the former is currently growing malunggay in 500,000-hectare farmland to meet the demands of NABI.

Since malunggay can easily be grown in the country, SECURA International president Danny Manayaga encouraged the Filipino farmers to take advantage of the situation in meeting the demands of the world for the Moringa oil supply to be used as biodiesel.

Manayaga said this business is sustainable since the market is very accessible. Currently, there are 165 marketing companies in the U.S. for biodiesel using soybean oil as raw material. It is expected that in the next 50 years, Japan and Korea will be the biggest markets of Moringa oil for their automobiles that will use biodiesel.

Others might be thinking of the real viability of Moringa oil as biodiesel. But the NABI has already authenticated that it has passed the biofuels standards. This means doubts of whether this can truly be used are over.

Earlier, the Philippine government is endorsing jatropha as a source of biofuel. However, Manayaga said Moringa oil is more useful that jatropha. What makes malunggay better than the jatropha is that malunggay is 100 percent usable; all parts are biodegradable. Unlike jatropha, it has a toxic part. Once its oil is extracted, the left-over part becomes a nuclear waste according to the findings.

With malunggay as a biofuel source in the Philippines, the country may in some way help other countries reduce the impact of global warming by sharing the benefits of Moringa oil.

Maynard Joseph Delfin finished AB Journalism (cum laude) at the University of Santo Tomas. He has worked as book editor, deskman, copy editor and research and publications officer in leading publishing and research companies in the Philippines.

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Adaro Develop Fuel "Jatropha"

PT Adaro Energy Tbk develop the use of biodiesel fuel derived from Jatropha for moving conveyances their coal products in South Kalimantan.
The project which started in early 2010 was beginning to show results even though the project has just reached a year old. "This is already showing results, but still in the pilot project level and it can not be regarded as a valuable commercial projects," said Manager of Corporate Reporting Adaro, Perry B Slangor in Jakarta on Monday (5/30/2011).

The development of this project conducted in cooperation with Komatsu Ltd. Adaro and PT United Tractors Tbk. The project started on March 31, 2010.
Bio Diesel from Jatropha curcas will be used for a fuel dump trucks (class mining truck manufactured 90-ton Komatsu). If the project is successful, then Adaro hope will gain a new source of renewable fuels, and leave the dependence on fossil fuels.
"We're going to enter the bio-diesel is gradually on the dump truck tank is gradually mixed with fossil fuels. However, over time will further increase the composition of bio-diesel," said Perry.

Bio diesel produced in this project is 1-2 tons per day. "We are planting jatropha curcas adjacent to the mine area. We select suitable jatropha because of the distance in the region that are not fertile as mine," said Perry in a journey towards the town of Tanjung, South Kalimantan, one of the largest mining areas managed by Adaro.

PT Adaro Energy require mine reclamation land or unproductive land to plant jatropha trees. These plants are needed as raw materials for manufacture of vegetable oil fuel, which is used to drive the vehicle at a coal mine operations that they manage in the Cape region, Tabalong regency, South Kalimantan.

Director of Marketing and Support, Komatsu Limited (manufacturer of heavy equipment up hope Japan) in Indonesia, Chikaya Sakai, express it in Tanjung, Tabalong, Tuesday (05/31/2011). He explained about the development projects jatropha curcas Fuel Development in the area coal mines managed by PT Adaro Indonesia, a subsidiary of PT Adaro Energy.
According to Sakai, until recently, the area planted new range of existing 50 hectares. Though the land needs to reach 4,000 acres. "The thing is, we can only develop their own land for planting distance on a land mine reclamation area of 400 per year. So much land needs," he said.
Planting 4,000 hectares of land was needed to achieve the target production of castor oil fuel as much as 8,000 tons per year in 2012.

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Algae keeps nosing around clean energy news

It doesn't have the sunny cache of solar or the exotic qualities of wind, tidal and geothermal power. But the rapidity of algae fuel's reported advances are hard to ignore. At least for this former reporter.

In my backyard at the University of California, Merced, researchers received a grant to "perform a comprehensive life cycle analysis study of algae biofuels." The money, a modest $142,747, is part of about $3.5 million issued by the California Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research program.

Algae takes a back seat in the grant to other projects that include improving grid reliability, energy efficiency and automobile fuel economy. But, hey, it's algae. Pond scum. This is the stuff that may be grown in wastewater settling ponds, harvested and turned into diesel fuel. Or food additives, you never know.

But the important thing is algae wasn't left out. It's not cold fusion. This stuff shows true promise as an alternative energy source.

CEC Commissioner Jeffrey Byron put it this way in a statement from the agency: "California's strength comes from the ability to invest in energy research across the board."

No kidding. And this pond scum just may keep oil prices from breaking the bank. Cambridge, Mass.-based Joule Unlimited announced that it has created a "cynobacterium" that secrete a product identical to ethanol or diesel fuel, according to Joule biologist Dan Robertson, quoted in dailytech.com.

This breakthrough, the company says, could enable the production of 15,000 gallons of diesel per acre annually. The company says it can do it for $30 a barrel.

That has yet to be proved commercially, of course. But developments are coming hot and heavy across the globe. Biodigest.com rattled off a handful of promising developments in Australia, topping off the list with serious production efforts by Aurora Algae and Algae.Tec.

And Oilgae.com/blog/, an aggregator of stories, lists multiple posts daily. One that caught my eye highlighted a peer review of the draft report "Biofuels and the Environment: First Triennial Report to Congress," scheduled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The report will give Congress a taste of what's coming.

Expect pond scum to do more than lurk in a puddle on the floor with lobbyists during discussion.

I do like to include practical applications in these rants. Nothing epitomizes that more than the biofuel-powered Bentley Continental Supersports convertible, reportedly capable of more than 200 mph. The vehicle debuted this week at the Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland. Ami Cholia of inhabitat.com writes: "an on-board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank to make sure that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel."

Pretty cool. So it can handle anything you throw at it and still go fast. We put fuel oil in a bug once and it ran. Barely. We had to clean the plugs, but it got us out of a jam.

The Bentley, I assume, would be better.

Biofuels still must prove themselves. Ethanol, even as an additive, has gotten mixed reviews. For instance, the lawnmower mechanic in Old Town Clovis told me if I kept using that "cheap garbage gas" I'd continue to have problems with my mower's carburetor. Her gripe? Ethanol. It gets gummy and nasty if allowed to sit too long. (Hint: use stabilizer.)

UC Merced plans to analyze emerging algae biofuels technology and provide feedback on the rather interesting concept of extracting fuel that doesn't require much land, water or tending. And pond scum grows rapidly in any kind of water. The leftover material, after oil extraction, could be used for fertilizer.

"We will consider the efficient use of residual algae biomass as an energy rich waste stream and new harvesting techniques that could improve the sustainability of the overall process," wrote J. Elliott Campbell and Gerardo Diaz of UC Merced and Joseph M. Norbeck of University of California, Riverside.

As I read over their proposal, I determined that the process of extracting and refining sounds far above my paygrade.

But as I was scanning through one of the many algae related websites, I found this do-it-yourself book: "Making Algae Biodiesel at Home" (Making-Biodiesel-Books.com, $99.99). It says it can, among other things, show the home brewer how to build an 80-gallon algae photobioreactor "for less than $215."

Somehow it doesn't sound as promising as my once prolific beer-brewing efforts in Anchorage before I was married. But who knows? The practice may catch on.

All you need is a biofuel Bentley.

Mike Nemeth, project manager of the San Joaquin Valley Clean Energy Organization, spent 24 years working as a newspaperman editing and reporting from Alaska to California. The SJVCEO is a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life through increased use of clean and alternative energy. The SJVCEO is based in Fresno, Calif. and works with cities and counties and public and private organizations to demonstrate the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy throughout the eight-county region of the San Joaquin Valley. For more information, go to http://www.sjvcleanenergy.org.

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How to Make Biodiesel from Jathropha curcas

Biofuels as an Alternative Replacement Fuel

In general, the term can mean fuel biofuels from vegetable, the most probable development for the substitution or replacement of energy is biodiesel (from Jatropha oil and Palm Oil) as an alternative to diesel and bio ethanol (from cassava) as a substitute for gasoline.

How to Make Biodiesel from Jatropha Fruit (Jathropa curcas)

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L), which is a bush plant family Euphorbiaceae. Within five months of this drought-resistant plants begin to bear fruit, full productive at the age of five years, and the productive age of 50 years. Many encountered in Indonesia as a hedge plant.

The fruit can not be consumed because it can cause poisoning. People in rural areas often make use of this plant to treat constipation in children under five years old (toddlers) or eliminate dental pain with distance tree sap dripping into a hollow tooth.

From the results of research conducted Dr.Ir.Robert Manurung MEng, a lecturer in the Department of Industrial Chemistry Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), together with his team (Nagayama and Masanori Kobayashi Eiichi from New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO-Japan):

"Jatropha oil can replace petroleum diesel to power generators. Because jatropha can be grown in almost all regions in Indonesia, the castor oil really help generate electricity in remote areas, this oil can be produced by the communities that need electricity, "

According Manurung, castor oil-making process is not too complicated and could dilakukanoleh anyone with sophisticated tools, follow these steps:

* Steam the pieces for an hour distance.
* Then, meat was destroyed by machine blender.
* After that, the fruit flesh and seeds that have been destroyed inserted into the forging machine oil.
* With emphasis on the hydraulic jack, the pulp is squeezed to produce oil.

Every 10 pounds of crushed castor seeds will produce 3.5 liter of castor oil as an alternative to diesel. This oil is intangible, such as cooking oil, which is thick, smooth, and the smell was not noticeable.

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Biomass, Biofuels and Biogas

In recent years there has been a lot of interest in renewable and alternative energy sources. This has seemingly become an even bigger issue in the wake of the Japanese nuclear crisis, where the nuclear plant at Fukushima was damaged by the earthquake and resultant tsunami on March 11th. There is now a real danger that harmful radiation could escape from the site. People have always been uncertain of the safety of utilising nuclear power and such a scare only serves to heighten their concerns. That is why increasingly people are looking for alternatives. One such alternative is the use of biofuels.

What are Biofuels?

The term 'biofuel' refers to a broad range of fuels that are created from 'biomass' (see below). Biofuels are often used as an additive rather than as a 'pure' fuel. Bioethanol is an example of this. It is an alcohol created by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and whilst ethanol can be used as a fuel for cars in its purest form, it is normally added to petrol to improve the emissions from the vehicle and increase octane.

Ok, so what is Biomass?

Biomass is a renewable energy source. It refers specifically to biomaterials from living organisms and recently living organisms - examples of which are wood, waste and alcohol fuels. There are actually several different sources of biomass energy, so in addition to the three just mentioned, there are: garbage and landfill gases. There are a few different mechanisms by which biomass can be converted to energy:

Thermal Conversion

This involves the use of heat in order to convert biomass into an alternative chemical form. There are different forms of thermal conversion - two examples of which are torrefaction and pyrolysis.

Chemical Conversion

This is quite simply where a range of chemical processes are used in order to convert biomass to alternative forms.

Biochemical Conversion

This involves harnessing the power of naturally occurring biochemical conversion processes. Microorganisms are used to break down biomass - Anaerobic Digestion is an example of this.

Biogas

Biogas is a type of biofuel that is produced by anaerobic digestion or fermentation of biodegradable materials, including biomass. Biodegradable waste can, for example, be converted to methane - which is a renewable energy source.

So are Biofuels the answer?

It remains to be seen whether or not biofuels are a long term solution to the problems surrounding the energy industry. There are certainly discussions to be had about the impact that the production of biofuels has on carbon emissions and biodiversity, but these are certainly not the only issues.

Projen Project Management Consultants are experts in Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas: http://www.projen.co.uk/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Iranha

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Biofuel Technology - The Cost of Alternative Energy

Certainly consumers are concerned with escalating fuel prices as well as what fossil fuels are doing to the environment. The concern has led many consumers to find out more about alternative energy sources in the way of solar power, wind power and biofuel technology. However, are these technologies new? Certainly not - although now that energy is such a concern the technologies relative to biofuels, wind and solar can no longer be put on the back shelf. That said, this technology is a very old alternative energy solution. The costs of biofuel technology have to be looked at before solutions can be found.

The creation of a biofuel is not some sort of complex science. In order to create a biofuel the following needs to occur. First you will need to take some form of grain or vegetable and thoroughly grind it up. The grain or vegetable is then mixed with water. The grain or vegetable and water is then cooked for a very short length of time. During this short period of cooking time an enzyme is added to the mixture in order that the starch may be subsequently convert to sugar. The cooking process just described is referred to as Hydrolysis.

You next add some yeast. The yeast is necessary in order that the mixture can ferment. The fermentation of the mixture results in the production of Ethanol. A distillation process is applied in order to separate the Ethanol from the other ingredients. You may not be aware of it, but currently with the concern regarding diminishing fossil fuels and the threat they present to the environment there are a fair amount of websites showing various ways to manufacture the product of Ethanol at home. Even though the steps do not sound all that significant there is truly a great deal of time involved and a good deal of work. Further, some have mentioned it is not all that cost-effective to produce Ethanol at home.

However, on a larger scale a good deal of time and financial resources is being spent currently with respect to manufacturing methods pertinent to biofuels. In example, researchers are looking for ways to produce Ethanol by means that prove less expensive than what is incurred when using grains. This assures food sources are not used too frequently. It is not necessary for part of the population go hungry due to the fact food sources are being used over-extensively in the way of biofuel manufacture. Countries that have been manufacturing biofuels for a relatively long time now grow food products high in sugar content; one example of such a food product is sugar cane. Brazil is one country that grows a considerable amount of sugar cane. Brazil has also been producing biofuels for quite a while now.

It may be said, the majority of Ethanol used commercially is the result of manufacture using the by-product yeast. Ethanol is manufactured as well wherein gasoline is used within the production process. However, the majority of Ethanol produced is the result of using yeast. In manufacturing biofuels corn is considered in areas such as North America where its harvest is generous. However, though corn is generally used in the production of biofuels the process is pricey and the conversion into biofuel a good deal more detailed.

Greg has been writing articles for over 5 years. Please visit his latest website about renewable energy ideas at Alternative Energy Sources, with great information and thoughts surrounding Costs of Biofuel Technology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Parsons

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6041309

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Another Green Energy Source: Biofuels

A great alternative Green Energy source is Liquid Bio-fuel. Lately, people are starting to take notice of Bio-fuels as an alternative Green Energy Source which has been around for a long time. A natural and renewable domestic fuel that is used for diesel engines in cars is Liquid bio-fuel and is made from mostly corn and soy oils.

The fact that it contains no petroleum, is nontoxic and is biodegradable is one of the great things about Bio-fuel. With no emissions, you help eliminate pollutants in the air each and every time you fill up with Bio-fuel. Bio-fuel meets the requirements of the California Air Resources Board, has passed every Health-Effects test of the Clean Air Act, and right now is the only fuel approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Using a chemical process that separates glycerin and methyl esters from fats or vegetable oil, Bio-diesel is made from alcohol like methanol. To create their own version of bio-fuel, some countries have experimented with corn and sugarcane, aside from methanol. A common product in the making of toothpaste and soap is Glycerin. Unfortunately, this process costs much more per gallon as compared to petroleum. Because it is so new, the process of converting it is quite expensive. So, here is an opportunity to do your part to preserve a cleaner environment, improve the air quality and reduce cancer causing agents, which is huge in returns given what you pay for it.

Collecting cooking oil and then processing it is another cheaper and more primitive way to make bio-diesel fuel. If you do decide to use this type of fuel, be careful as it may not be good for your engine. Studies have shown that bio-diesel fuel is just as good as petroleum fuel in terms of power to efficiency, hauling and climbing, if you are skeptical.

Bio-diesel can be used in a blend with petroleum or in its pure form. Often referred to as B20 in the market, the most common mix is 20/80. This makes the mix 80% petroleum and bio-diesel the remaining 20%. Fuel composed of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol is another version and is called E85. You really only have to make a few changes to your engine to begin using bio-diesel, which makes that the best part of converting to bio-diesel. It helps to clean the engine aside from making the car run. I don't think there is a worry about voiding your warranty should there be a problem. But, it's always best to check with the manufacturer. Another unfortunate is that there are only a few gas stations that carry B20 which is the most common bio-diesel. The Ford company had plans at the beginning of the century to make the cars, especially the Model T, run using ethanol. Peanut oil was discovered to also fuel these early cars. But huge oil deposits were found, diesel was cheap so these plans never materialized.

People began to realize in the 1970's, 80's and 90's that we must find other sources for alternative fuel such as bio-diesel, ethanol to reduce our demand for foreign oil.

There is still time to use other Green Energy Sources such as bio-fuels. So it is never too late!

James Corbin is continuing his series of articles on Green Living. His latest interest however is helping his wife with her new web site on cross stitch magazines. Come visit their latest website over at http://www.crossstitchmagazines.net/ which helps people find the best cross stitch magazines and information for that just right project.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Corbin

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A New Alternative to Ethanol

Although ethanol is part of the drive to reduce dependence upon fossil fuels, the fact is that its production has been blamed for the rising price of corn, sugar and other foodstuffs.

Atlantic Energy Research has been at the forefront of the search for alternatives to corn and sugar-based ethanol as investors continue to seek opportunities in biofuels. The firm has been encouraged by the potential of a fuel developed from a source called Jatropha curcas.

Jatropha curcas is a poisonous plant that grows in abundance in Africa, Central and South America, Asia, and the Caribbean. The plant can co-exist alongside other crops including coffee, sugar, fruit and vegetables. Farmers already use the plant to defend their pre-existing crops from animals and insects. Jatropha plant seeds can be pulped to produce oil that can be burned in an unmodified diesel car engine while the remaining residue's uses include fuel for electricity plants and fertilizer.

Jatropha is able grow in areas where the environment is dry and inhospitable or where the soil has experienced erosion.

Since 2007, Jatropha has been considered to be a viable source of biofuel by a number of organizations but only recently have projects aimed at jatropha production been implemented to demonstrate the impact they can have on rural communities. Mali, a poor African nation, has abundant renewable energy resources that can be utilized to make a pertinent and tangible difference to rural Malians needing access to affordable electricity.

Atlantic Energy Research has identified a number of innovative companies that have set up sustainable biodiesel processors in parts of West Africa. Several of these firms have eschewed the traditional and somewhat callous practice of simply buying land cheaply from locals who do not appreciate the value of the resources under their very feet and, instead, have sought to offer the farmers a share in the profits which should benefit the entire community.

In contrast to other sources of biofuel, Jatropha production represents no threat to local food production and offers the most sensible advantages for the local farmer and the environment since it enables farmers to produce food whilst simultaneously reducing soil erosion, increasing soil fertility and boosting food crop yield.

The jatropha-derived biofuel is sold at a keen price, which is roughly 10 percent cheaper than the pump price of ordinary fuel.

Clearly, the jatropha plant has a number of advantages when one considers both the economic benefits for the local Malian communities and the exciting prospects for another sustainable energy alternative for the rest of the world. Atlantic Energy Research believes that communities cultivating jatropha seed in Mali are a good example of how forward-thinking and innovative companies are harnessing technology to tackle carbon emissions issues while, at the same time, making a real difference to poorer communities and, of course, generating healthy profits for shareholders.

For information on this topic and more visit http://www.atlanticenergyresearch.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Sloan

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Ethanol From Sugar Cane

Ethanol is a fuel additive also known as an alternative fuel that is made from plant life such as corn, willow, hemp, switchgrass and sugar cane. Ethanol is added to gasoline as an allegedly more eco friendly fuel and made to be more energy efficient. In order to make ethanol, sugar from the plant life is extracted and fermented, distilled and dehydrated to comprise the finished product.

The two countries that produce approximately eighty nine percent of the ethanol in the world are Brazil and the United States. Brazil has been making ethanol from sugar cane for the last thirty years successfully. Their success is attributed to the fact that they are able to grow enough canes to sustain the production and that they have some of the most advanced technology for the sugar cane ethanol production. Brazil also does not have any vehicles on the road that utilize gasoline only. In 1993 the Brazilian government made it mandatory that the blend of ethanol by volume would be at twenty two percent. Brazilian auto manufacturers produce flexible automobiles that will use any blend of gasoline and ethanol.

Brazil was a major exporter of cane back in the fifteen hundreds. Ethanol from sugar cane was first made in Brazil in the twenties and thirties with the introduction of the automobile. The production of ethanol peaked during the Second World War when oil supplies were threatened. Production fell by the wayside until the seventies when again oil was threatened.

At the present time ninety seven percent of the ethanol produced in the United States is from corn. There are no current plans to produce ethanol from cane or sugar beets in the United States. Brazil is still the major producer of ethanol made from their sugar cane crops which grow in abundance. In the United States there are eleven states currently producing sugar beets and that accounts for a major portion of our sugar production. Sugar cane is only grown in the four states that have weather closest to what would be considered tropical weather.

More on ethanol for cars and ethanol in general visit us at http://ethanol4car.com/ now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daniel_Lanback

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