U.S. Department of Energy/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Chemical Process is a New Source for Alternative Fuels
A catalytic process developed at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will create a compound used in a new type of alternative fuel while broadening the application of a chemical used in commercial processes. Scientists at Pacific Northwest have created the first-ever, multi-step catalytic process that converts levulinic acid, a compound derived from waste cellulosic materials, into an alternative fuel component called methyltetrahydrofuran, or MTHF. MTHF would be used with ethanol and pentanes from natural gas liquids as the P-series alternative fuel under a recent DOE proposal. The proposal seeks to meet Energy Policy Act mandates for agencies with a fleet of cars and trucks.

This catalytic process possesses high yield capacity, which means less waste and fewer byproducts. Lab tests indicate an 83 percent yield on a theoretical (molar) basis, equivalent to a yield of nearly 110 gallons of MTHF for every 100 gallons of levulinic acid. On a weight basis, the yield is 63 pounds of MTHF for every 100 pounds of levulinic acid.

DOE has funded the research with about $185,000 over the last two years. An additional $40,000 has been provided by research partners Biofine Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The project is one of several in the alternative feedstock research area that is being pursued through Pacific Northwest's Agriculture and Food Processing Initiative. Pacific Northwest uses levulinic acid produced by Biofine. Levulinic acid is a platform chemical that can be converted into a variety of commercial chemicals such as solvents and pesticides.

Pacific Northwest's project is part of a larger DOE program to create value-added, environmentally friendly products. DOE and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority have paid Biofine $5 million to construct and operate a full-scale demonstration plant for its new levulinic acid process. DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colorado and Chemical Industry Services Inc., of West Lafayette, Indiana also are working with Biofine on alternative uses of levulinic acid.

Pacific Northwest is one of DOE's nine multiprogram national laboratories and conducts research in the fields of environment, energy, health services, and national security. Batelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, has operated Pacific Northwest for DOE since 1965. For more information visit the Pacific Northwest Laboratory Web site.

Contact: Staci West, (509) 372-6313, or email Staci West

Arizona
Energy Office Co-Sponsors Renewable Energy Fair in Flagstaff
The Arizona Department of Commerce Energy Office teamed up with the Greater Flagstaff Economic Council and other corporate entities to put together the first annual Southwest Renewable Energy Fair. The Fair attracted more than 3,000 people at the Coconino County Fairgrounds. The Fair promoted alternative and energy-efficient practices through demonstration, education, and participation. Panel discussions focused on deregulation and legislative policy relative to renewable technology promotion. Keynote speakers included Curtis Framel from the U.S. Department of Energy and Bruce Driver from the Land and Water Fund of the Rockies.

Contact: Jim Arwood, (602) 280-1409, or email Jim Arwood

California
CEC Votes to Join EPRI
In a move to help safeguard Californians' right to cleaner, safer, more reliable, more affordable energy in a deregulated era, the California Energy Commission on September 23 voted unanimously to become a member of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). EPRI, the nation's premier science and technology consortium for energy, offers the Energy Commission the opportunity to leverage the capabilities of a worldwide program for the benefit of the people of California.

According to Dr. David Rohy, commission vice chair, this partnership between the public and private sectors will allow a diversity of people to work together on significant energy research. He said the agreement should be considered a "handshake between the free market and government that could be a model for other states to follow."

The commission's collaboration with EPRI will focus on seven key areas of California energy usage and industry including waste water systems, food processing, agriculture, utilization of natural gas, advanced meters, and distributed generation. Specifically, membership in EPRI will support work to:

• Save energy in the treatment of water and waste water in California communities
• Improve safety and cost of food processing
• Save energy costs for agriculture through advanced electrotechnologies
• Improve efficiencies of pumping and movement of natural gas, petroleum, and chemicals
• Develop advanced "smart meters" that allow customers to lower costs and better manage their energy utilization
• Evaluate markets and deployment issues associated with distributed energy generating resources
• Develop products and services that will help the CEC and the California Independent Systems Operator (ISO) with scheduling, demand bidding, and other issues associated with the reliable operation of the first independently operated transmission system in the country.

The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, charged with ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major responsibilities: forecasting future energy needs, siting and licensing power plants, promoting energy efficiency, developing advanced energy technologies, and planning for and directing state response to energy emergencies. Notably, the Commission is responsible for public interest research in the newly deregulated electricity market.

EPRI, headquartered in Palo Alto, California, was established in 1973 as a center for public interest energy and environmental research. Focusing on energy, electric power, and environmental science and technology, the organization is funded by its members and others interested in supporting a given area of research. EPRI is rapidly expanding internationally to serve an increasingly interconnected global economy.

Contact: Claudia Chandler, (916) 654-4989, or email Claudia Chandler

Iowa
Computer Model Developed for Integrated Energy Farm
The Department of Natural Resources, working in cooperation with Sunrise Energy of Blairstown, Iowa, has developed an economic feasibility study, computer model, and business plan for a hypothetical energy-producing farm. The premise of the integrated energy farm is that each of the farm's activities produce by-products and the waste generated from each activity can be economically used by other farm activities as feedstock.

The computer model developed for this project allows the user to input a wide range of financial data regarding corn-to-ethanol production, cattle feedlot operation, methane digester, aquaculture, and greenhouses. The various components of the energy farm may be examined as stand-alone operations or as an integrated farm system. The model enables the user to evaluate the economic viability of using different types of waste as feedstock. Spreadsheets may be generated that provide facility data, capital requirements, production cost and sales, revenue-expense projections, cash flow projections, depreciation, amortization, loan parameters, and balance sheet. The information obtained from this model was designed to be a transferable resource for others considering similar ventures.

To receive a copy of the user friendly Integrated Energy Farm computer model, contact David Downing at the telephone number listed below or by email. For those interested in more detailed information regarding the model, a manual is available at a cost of $20.00. Visit the Web site at http://www.state.ia.us/dnr/energy/.

Contact: David Downing, (515) 281-4876, or email David Downing

Kentucky
Division Trains Students to Conduct Energy Audits
The Kentucky Division of Energy (KDOE) conducted its eleventh Students Weatherization/Audit Training (SWAT Jr.) workshop in September. The SWAT Jr. program trains one teacher and two students from participating high schools throughout the state to conduct energy audits of their school facilities. In addition to classroom instruction, the training includes a hands-on audit of a nearby school. The student-teacher teams also prepare school action plans that outline how they intend to implement energy conservation measures in their schools. Upon returning to their schools, workshop participants form "SWAT teams" to analyze their schools' facilities. During the three-day training, students also participate in classroom activities available through Kentucky's National Energy Education Development program, an affiliate of the national program. In December, SWAT Jr. participants will meet with KDOE staff to give updates on their school action plans and share information with other schools. The SWAT Jr. program is funded under a cooperative agreement between KDOE and the University of Kentucky's DOE/EPSCoR (Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) program. Visit the Division of Energy's Web site.

Contact: Greg Guess, (502) 564-7192

New Hampshire
Governor Awards Five Renewable Energy Grants
Governor Jeanne Shaheen announced grants of $10,000 each to five organizations that will show the public how solar panels use photovoltaic cells to turn sunlight directly into electricity. Unlike coal or oil, sunlight is a renewable resource. "Technologies like these are important because New Hampshire and the region still depend on fossil fuels like coal and oil to provide energy for our homes and businesses. But emissions from fossil fuels pollute our air and contribute to global warming," said Governor Shaheen.

The grants are part of the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services' (ECS) Renewable Energy Technology Grants Program. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy technologies and to educate the public about these technologies.

The following five organizations and institutions will match the grants with substantial funds and in-kind services of their own to install solar electric systems at their facilities and use them as part of a public education program:

• Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, Concord
• University of New Hampshire Office of Sustainability Programs, Durham
• Massabesic Audubon Center of the Audubon Society of New Hampshire, Auburn
• Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, Concord
• New Hampshire Technical Institute, Concord.

Funding for the Renewable Energy Technology Grants Program is from the federal Petroleum Violation Escrow Program. "We look forward to the siting of new, cleaner, more efficient gas-fired generation in New England, but we also must work to expand our energy options with renewable resources to ensure that we continue into the future to enjoy the many benefits of fuel diversity," said Deborah Schachter, Director of the Governor's Office of Energy and Community Services.

The Governor gave each recipient a certificate of appreciation for their commitment to developing renewable energy technologies and to improving the state's environment.

Contact: Terry Lochhead, (603) 271-2121

Oregon
Free Heating Oil for Customers Who Won't Want to Waste It
Oil heating customers who requested a free energy analysis from the State Home Oil Weatherization (SHOW) program by October 30, 1998, were entered in a drawing for 100 gallons of heating oil, two randomly selected. And while special funds last, anyone who heats with oil can get a 25 percent cash rebate--up to $400--for recommended insulation, caulking and weather-stripping, duct sealing, and oil burner replacement, with no income limits.

Besides a cash rebate, homeowners can get a 6.5-percent interest loan to pay for these measures and for replacement furnaces and storm or replacement windows and doors. More than 37,000 Oregon homeowners and renters have had a SHOW energy analysis since the program began in 1982. SHOW analysts check insulation in the attic, walls, and floors; inspect the windows; and perform a free furnace efficiency test. They leave a written report showing which energy-saving measures will save the most money the fastest.

SHOW is a program of the Oregon Office of Energy and is funded by the Oregon fuel oil industry.

Contact: Lisa Schwartz, (503) 378-8356

Washington
Washington Summit Stresses Potential of Solar
A highly successful two-day photovoltaic forum, "Putting Solar Electricity to Work," provided an opportunity for Washington's public power utilities to meet with representatives from many of the state and national photovoltaic (PV) companies. Washington-based solar companies and international giants such as British Petroleum and Siemens drove home the message that solar technologies have established strong markets both here and abroad. Washington state solar companies do a brisk $100 million of business a year, mostly in international trade.

Mike Nelson, the Washington State University Cooperative Extension Energy program's Photovoltaic Program Manager, presented graphs and tables indicating that Seattle annually receives 70 percent as much sun as Los Angeles, California. During Washington's long summer days, Yakima beats our neighbor to the south by 102 percent. He also pointed out that Germany, with one of the most aggressive PV programs in the world, receives less sun than western Washington.

Developing plans for implementing Washington's new state Net Metering Law for renewable energy systems was a major conference task. Net metering encourages installation of PV systems on homes by allowing homeowners to feed excess power from their home solar electric systems into the electric grid and receive credit for it by spinning their meters backwards. Tom Starrs, a nationally recognized legal expert in net metering, described Washington's net metering law as "possibly the best in the nation." Tom says one of the best features of Washington's law is that it makes virtual seasonal storage of solar electricity a reality by allowing summer credits to be used during the winter. Participants identified the development of uniform standards for safety as a key to the success of PV in the region.

The conference officially kicked off "Washington's 5,000 Solar Rooftops by 2005" effort. This collaborative effort between the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association, the Washington State University Energy Program, and others parallels the national commitment of "One Million Rooftop Solar Systems by 2010." Curtis Framel of the U.S. Department of Energy indicated that DOE is looking forward to working with the Washington State Collaborative Partnership.

At the conference, Washington State's 5,000 Solar Rooftops Collaborative introduced their "Plug and Play" solar electric rebate program. This program is an opportunity for Washington residents without affordable access to electricity to choose the solar option. The "Plug and Play" program combines pre-engineered modular PV systems with low interest financing and a 25 percent rebate. The Program will be accepting "Plug and Play" applications for new photovoltaic systems beginning November 1.

Sponsors of the forum included, Okanogan Electric Cooperative, Okanogan PUD, the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association, and the WSU Energy Program. The forum was funded by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. To learn more about Washington's Net Metering Law, 5,000 Solar Rooftops by 2005, and "Plug and Play," please visit the "What's New" section of the WSU Web site.

Contact: Mike Nelson, (360) 956-2148, or email Mike Nelson

CONSERVATION UPDATE is a free monthly publication prepared by the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Energy, with funding from the United States Department of Energy, to facilitate the transfer of current State Energy Program (SEP) and technical information among the states and territories. Please submit short articles that describe successful programs, solicit ideas, share reports, studies or evaluations, or announce new publications, personnel changes, office address changes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Submittals are due by the seventh of each month. Please send submittals, address corrections, or name changes to: CONSERVATION UPDATE, Division of Energy, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-7192, facsimile (502) 564-7484, email: landry@nrepc.nr.state.ky.us. Past issues are available upon request. For more information, contact Karen W. Landry, Editor, or John M. Stapleton, Director.

Visit the Division's Web site at www.nr.state.ky.us/nrepc/dnr/energy/dnrdoe.html

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