Recently in North Carolina Category
North Carolina State University will be home to a new national research center aimed "to revolutionize the nation's power grid and speed renewable electric-energy technologies into every home and business." The NSF Engineering Research Center (ERC) for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems is focused on developing technology for transforming the nation's electric power grid into a "smart grid" that will "easily store and distribute energy produced from solar panels, wind farms, fuel cells and other energy sources." The center will begin operations immediately with support from over 60 private companies involved in electricity production. More information about the center can be found at the FREEDM Center website and the NC State press release.
A recent report from Forbes magazine ranks the top five states for alternative energy in the categories of wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. Rounding out the top five best places for biomass are Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Georgia's 25 million tons of mill wood debris; Mississippi's 3.6 million
tons of logging waste, and North Carolina's methane from manure based on the
10 million hog population were the driving factors behind the rankings. Iowa and North Dakota ranked first and second.
In a press release, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said, "Georgia's wealth of natural resources combined with our research institutions and a strong business climate create an ideal environment for the development of renewable energy. We appreciate Forbes' recognition of our ability to develop alternative energy sources."
In a press release, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue said, "Georgia's wealth of natural resources combined with our research institutions and a strong business climate create an ideal environment for the development of renewable energy. We appreciate Forbes' recognition of our ability to develop alternative energy sources."
The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE) recently released the report Cornerstones: Building a Secure Foundation for North Carolina's Energy Future. The report recommends North Carolina take specific policy steps to reduce carbon emissions by 60 percent in 2030. The recommendations fall under the four categories of energy efficiency, clean energy, pollution capture, and long-range planning. The full report can be found here.
The Biofuels Center of North Carolina recently announced the recipients of their first grant
competition. The grants, totaling $2.5 million, are spread across 15 different
projects focused on biodiesel production enhancement, converting woody biomass
to fuel, workforce development, and economic feasibility of renewable biomass.
The Biofuels Center was created by a $5 million appropriation from the 2007
General Assembly. the full list of projects can be found here.
The theme for the 2008 Institute for Emerging Issues Forum at North Carolina State University was North Carolina's Energy Futures: Realizing a State of Opportunity. The forum provided a venue for energy stakeholders from across the industry to discuss the future of energy in North Carolina. Speakers included:
- Thomas Friedman, Foreign Affairs Columnist, New York Times
- Jeff Immelt, President & CEO, General Electric
- Rajendra Pachauri, Nobel Prize Winner, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- Amory Lovins, Chairman, Rocky Mountain Institute
In October 2006, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) released the report Energizing Appalachia - A regional blueprint for economic and energy development. The report focused on promoting energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy resources, and supporting the development of conventional energy sources. The paper state that
The report reviews the energy landscape for the ARC region and identifies strategies for reaching their objectives.
The commission's objective was to provide a strategic framework for the promotion of new energy-related job opportunities through the stimulation of sustainable energy production, efficiency measures, and innovation efforts throughout the region.
The report reviews the energy landscape for the ARC region and identifies strategies for reaching their objectives.
In May 2007, the North Carolina Biomass Council, the North Carolina State Energy Office, and the North Carolina Solar Center published the North Carolina Biomass Roadmap: Recommendations for Fossil Fuel Displacement through Biomass Utilization. The Roadmap sets the stage of North Carolina's current energy consumption, biomass resources, and opportunities available. In addition, the report lays out three targets and 17 recommendations for the development of biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts in North Carolina.
North Carolina's senior U.S. Senator, Elizabeth Dole, wrote an op-ed piece in support of cap-and-trade legislation that she has cosponsored. Dole describes the act this way:
America's Climate Security Act sets emission allowances starting in 2012 through 2050 for specific sectors and provides a framework for businesses to trade or bank unused allowances. Conversely, polluters that exceed their limit can buy or borrow leftover allowances from other sectors or auction. This is what is called a "cap-and-trade" system, and allowance amounts will decrease over time, thereby lowering total emissions.
At its September 2007 meeting, the North Carolina Community College System’s Board of Trustees granted Central Carolina Community College the distinction of becoming the first in the state to offer a biofuels associate degree program. The two-year program, “Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels,” and related certificate programs will provide the biofuels industry with workforce development and training. The degree program starts in fall 2008. Find out more here.
