FARM ENERGY NEWS BLOG » Publications

Wisconsin Agricultural Biogas Casebook (2009)

Karl — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:08:46 +0000

This updated November 2009 report offers excellent and concise overviews (along with some history) of the 21 operating anaerobic digester (AD) systems in Wisconsin (at the time this report was published). The 93-page report offers good background on how these AD systems are working in Wisconsin.

In addition, the digester owners have generously shared experiences, ideas and innovations that may prove invaluable to those evaluating similar options for their farms.

The report was prepared by Joe Kramer, of the Energy Center of Wisconsin, for the Wiscosin Focus on Energy program.

Download the report (2.5 MB)

ACORE-EPRI paper identifies R&D requirements for expansion of renewable energy

Karl — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 03:29:07 +0000

Washington, DC — The American Council On Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) have collaborated to identify research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) requirements that would enable broad expansion of renewable energy.

The paper, titled “Reinventing Renewable Energy: Toward a Technology Strategy for Improving Security, Creating Jobs & Reducing Emissions”, was released in July 2009 and identifies the challenges facing wider use of renewable energy in the U.S. It encompassed wind power, solar energy, bioenergy, geothermal energy , hydropower, tidal, wave and other ocean power, and waste-energy resources across all application sectors including electricity generation, transportation fuels, and heating and cooling applications.

“This paper represents an interim milestone in our continuing programs to bring industry, government, and institutions together to identify the requirements – in this case research and development to advance the technologies – in order to make renewable energy fully cost-competitive compared to legacy generating technologies,” said Michael Eckhart, president of ACORE.

Note: You can download the discussion paper from the Farm Energy News web site’s Publications page.

New Publication Examines On-Farm Energy Use

Karl — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:26:07 +0000

AMES, Iowa — Equipment used in modern agriculture reduces labor, but consumes fuel and energy. So how much energy are Iowa’s agricultural producers using? A new Iowa State University Extension publication answers that question.

Click here to link to download page: “Farm Energy: How Much Energy Is Being Used on Your Farm?” (PM 2089A). The publication is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store/. The publication offers initial steps that help farmers analyze their farm energy use. Go to “environment” category under main topics section.