SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES!OEP in conjunction with the St. Joseph County (MI) Sustainability Council is considering a one day, drive in conference on alternative energy to be held in February of 2010. The tentative title of the conference will be "LOCAL ENERGY FOR LOCAL PEOPLE!" If you would be interested in this conference please send us an email at info@optionalenergypartners.com. Any proceeds from the conference will go to support the work of the St. Joseph County Sustainability Council which is a 501c3 public charity.
FIRST TEST HARVEST AT MUSKEGON!
With the assistance of Steve Frenette and the Sali Group (www.saligroup.com), we now have our first test harvest of the algae at the Muskegon Waste Water Treat Facility. We are very excited about the potential of this endeavor. Samples have gone off for analysis at several locations to determine the greatest opportunities for use fo these alagal species. Keep checking back to our website for news on these analyses and for what comes next from this latest venture!
New Partnerships for OEP
Optional Energy Partners continues to work on the development of its partnership with the City of Sturgis, MI and is excited about all of the potential that partnership holds. But so much has happened since past September and we want to share that excitement with all who visit our website.
OEP has joined forces with Spectrum Straegies of Southfield, MI on a proposal for a project at the Lenawee Intermediate School District. This proposal concerns developing a plan for a unique Agriculture Technology Education Center. OEP's role in this project is to help develop a plan for a zero carbon footprint, pruducing and using renewable, agriculturally based energy, and the development of an algae farm. Jay Newman, President of OEP, participated in the inetrview for this project on May 20th and he reported that it was an impressive experience. Spectrum Strategies and their "GreenWorks" group did an amazing job of helping the leaders of LISD grasp as larger vision of what is possible. We eagerly await the next step in this process.
OEP has also partnered with Wightman-Petrie, Phase III Renewables, and Waste Water Management LLC for a proposal that has been submitted to the State of Indiana for the development of a collaborative project that will convert waste to energy and use algae farms as a means for maximizing the potential of that system.
OEP has recently enagaged in conversations with Civil and Environmental Consultants of Ann Arbor, MI and The Sali Group of Lansing, MI to investigate the possibility of some waste to energy system projects in Michigan. We may pursue some MEDC "Cenetrs of Energy Excellent" grant funds to support these projects. Most recently we have started a conversation with Burr Oak Tool of Sturgis, MI to see if they would also be interested in taking part in these projects.
As of May 14, OEP has now added the Muskegon County Waste Water Treatment Facility to its list of partners. OEP, The Sali Group, and the St. Joseph County Sustainability Council will be partnering on a grant submission to the US Department of Energy to commercialize the conversion of algae that naturally grows in an 850 acrea lagoon into ethanol and a dry solid byproduct that can be burned to generate electricity. Is project will cost a little over $2 million but should yield many millions in revenue over the next 5 years. To further assist us in this process, OEP is courting yet another partner into the mix. The name of this partner will not be revealed until the formal agreements ahve all be signed.
An aerial view of Muskegon WWTF Lagoons
We've been busy!
Alternative energy has become a very hot topic. OEP staff members have been asked to deliver keynote addresses, make workshop and seminar presentations, and have served as guest lectures at colleges and universities. If you are interested in having one of our professionals provide speaking services for your school or organization, contact us at 877-306-OEPI or email us at info@optionalenergypartners.com. We'll get abck to right away!
FROM SEWAGE and ANIMAL AG WASTE TO ALGAE TO BIOFUELS
- Ever tour a sewage treatment plant or large animal feeding operation? Chances are, if you have, you've experienced the unique odor created by sewage and/or manure.
- The fact is, the odor isn't the only problem. Sewage and manure are loaded with organic chemicals, nitrates and phosphates. If they get into our ground water, it ends up being polluted. Most small municipal plants take care of most of the problem but there is more that can be done.
- The final phases are relatively easy and inexpensively solved. And, you end up with some usable products in the end.
- The organics in sewage can feed methane producing bacteria. This process results in methane gas which can be burned as a fuel. The fuel can be used to drive electrical generators that can supplement a community's electricity needs. Many wastewater treatment plants already generate methane but have not used it to generate electricity. We can help!
- The other products from the methane production are carbon dioxide and a liquid effluent that contains ammoniates and phosphates; the raw materials needed to promote algae growth in lakes and ponds across the US. Once again, we can help!
- Using the right technology, we can grow massive quantities of algae. These algae usually have anywhere from 25% to 50% of their biomass as lipids. The lipids might be able to beseparated from the solids and made into a fairly high quality biodiesel and the carbohydrates can easily be fermented into ethanol.
- The remaining solids are made up of complex carbohydrates and proteins. This algae "Flour" is valuable nutrient that can be added to animal feed.
- Thus the circle is complete!
- OPTIONAL ENERGY PARTNERS, INC IS IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING RENEWABLE FUELS FROM WHAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THOUGHT OF AS A NUISANCE! YOU NEED ENERGY! THERE ARE OPTIONS! BIO-MASS, WIND, SOLAR, GEO-THERMAL, SOURCES YET TO BE DISCOVERED; PARTNER WITH US TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES!
