Search In The Media
 |
|
|
|
|
| In The Media Archive
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sonoma County and Community Fuels explore collaboration
|
Location: Blogs In The Media |
 |
| Posted by: Community Fuels |
6/19/2006 |
North Bay Business Journal, SANTA ROSA – Sonoma County could be home to a first-of-its-kind public-private experiment in the production of biodiesel fuel, possibly from wastewater algae.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sonoma County and Community Fuels explore collaboration |
North Bay Business Journal, SANTA ROSA – Sonoma County could be home to a first-of-its-kind public-private experiment in the production of biodiesel fuel, possibly from wastewater algae.
Water agency sees potential to use algae, grease to produce fuel
The Sonoma County Water Agency is in talks with private biodiesel startup Community Fuels for a possible collaborative effort to build an experimental biodiesel plant at one of the county's wastewater treatment plants.
Initially using recycled restaurant grease and oil to produce small batches of the biofuel, the plant would supply county vehicles and pumping machinery with either a blend of diesel and biodiesel or 100 percent biodiesel.
"We're already using a blend we purchase in Santa Rosa, but we'd like to have our own reliable source, perhaps for 100 percent biodiesel," said water agency General Manager Randy Poole.
"Using restaurant grease would get the message across to the food industry to dispose of used fat responsibly and save us the time we spend cleaning it from our treatment systems," he said.
Federal and state and some county agencies are calling for the adaptation of biodiesel in government vehicles, and although Sonoma County does not have such a mandate, Mr. Poole and the founders of Community Fuels think the time and place are right to move into production.
Community Fuels, which bowed to local opposition to a large-scale plant in Rohnert Park, is currently constructing a production facility in Stockton.
But the group maintains an office in Codding Enterprise's Sonoma Mountain Village project in the former Agilent buildings.
Focus on biodiesel research
Attorney, co-founder and board director Dan Lanahan said Sonoma County has the potential to become a center of advanced biodiesel research.
"There's no question of the value of biodiesel or its rapid adaptation by government agencies," said Mr. Lanahan of the Lanahan & Reilley law firm. "The only question is availability.
"Doing research here rather than large-scale production is viable, especially if we involve the public agencies whose concern is the environment and water quality."
One of his co-founders and co-directors is Brad Baker, president and CEO of Codding Enterprises, a major investor in Community Fuels. Mr. Baker would like to attract biofuel scientists and innovators to the small-business high-tech and biotech incubator he has created at Sonoma Mountain Village.
"The biggest need in advancing the industry is securing low-cost alternatives to the soy feed-stocks that now comprise 70 percent of manufactured biodiesel," said Mr. Baker.
"Using soy is an energy-expending process. There are far more efficient materials. Cover crops, oil-producing nuts and seeds, vegetable oil, poultry fat – these cost less and result in a better product.
"But most exciting are the studies now being done on the conversion of algae," he said. "I've studied alternative fuels for about seven years, and there are fascinating discoveries taking place."
Studies done at the University of New Hampshire have shown that algae grown on smokestack emissions can be made into fuel. Some pond algae contain nearly 50 percent oil, other studies show.
'Could be truly sustainable'
If biodiesel could be produced from the algae that plagues wastewater treatment systems, a sustainable loop would be attained, said Mr. Poole. It hasn't been done anywhere yet.
"This could be truly sustainable, and the project is a perfect opportunity for a public-private collaboration," said Mr. Poole. "We've had great success in the past from similar collaborations."
For instance, Santa Rosa's Geysers wastewater disposal system and Lake County's earlier project are unique in the volume of wastewater they transport and transform into steam at the geothermal field.
Mr. Poole said he has been in discussions with U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, "and he's very interested in the possibility of creating regional biodiesel plants that initially wean the government from its dependence on gasoline and then could do the same for the general populace."
The first step will be a feasibility study.
"We want a joint study to create an economic and environmental model. Can we do this? I envision the first small experimental plant to be located at our wastewater treatment plant on Skylane Boulevard. Or it could go in our regional substation.
"We're also open to bringing in the water districts of Santa Rosa and Windsor, perhaps using one of their sites.
"I don't care where it goes. The important thing is to demonstrate payback. A project like this is worth taking a risk," said Mr. Poole.
For the complete article please link to: http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060619/BUSINESSJOURNAL/60616011/1219
|
|
Loralee Stevens | |
|
| Permalink |
Trackback |
|
|
|
|
|