Report: US Ethanol Production Will Cause Long-Term Rise in Crop Prices

A new report from the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University projects that ethanol demand will cause a long-term increase in crop prices. What's been growing in awareness is that the growing demand for Ethanol is causing a growing demand for Corn. In the U.S. anyway we equate Ethanol production with Corn, even though Corn is one of the most inefficient ways to generate Ethanol. A few months ago there were food riots in Mexico because the peasants could no longer afford to buy tortillas, because the price of corn has risen so high.

There are other ways to generate biofuels besides diverting food to create fuel. There is all sorts of agricultural wastes which can be processed, there are promising experiments with algae and other organisms, and there are specific crops that can be grown on marginal land and which are not normally food crops.

There are other ways than trying to do political gamesmanship. In the U.S. the corn lobby is powerful so politicians wishing to gain favor with that lobby will every so often throw some kind of corn subsidy their way. But if that doesn't solve any problem, then why do it?

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Report: US Ethanol Production Will Cause Long-Term Rise in Crop Prices

Solar Power at Half the Cost

Soliant Energy, Inc. has developed a solar panel system using a simple concentrator to increase the amount of light hitting the solar panel. This is said to increase the efficiency of the overall system.

The innovation here is called the 'heliotube.' It's a tube of glass that concentrates the sun's rays onto a very thin strip of silicon solar panels at the base of the tube. The tube is then connected to a frame in blocks, and the frame uses the power coming off the panel to tilt the tubes to track the sun. These panels use 88% less photovoltaic material, but are almost as efficient per square foot as traditional solar panels.

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Solar Power at Half the Cost

Soliant Energy, Inc.

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Soliant Energy, Inc.

Description: 

Designs and manufactures concentrating photovoltaic modules for commercial and later residential applications. Our goal is to dramatically reduce the price of solar electricity for consumers and enhance the performance of photovoltaic systems. We do this not by seeking to bring high-risk technologies to market, but by effectively engineering the solar technologies that are available today into a practical solution that allows consumers to begin saving money now.

We are a talented group of engineers, including a core team from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and executives who are dedicated to delivering the full promise of solar energy.

Gravitational Vortex Power Plant is Safe for Fish

If you think hydroelectric power only comes in valley dominating sizes, think again. There are various kinds of small scale hydro-electric power systems. The typical such installation is a homeowner in the woods who has a permanent stream running across their land. If they can capture the water the right way, they can run it through a small generator and get some power.

This gravitational vortex thing is a similarly sized idea. But it's very high efficiency, does not create a danger to fish, and improves water quality by adding oxygen (aerating the water). Very interesting.

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Gravitational Vortex Power Plant is Safe for Fish

Camelina @ Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

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Camelina @ Agricultural Marketing Resource Center

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Camelina is an oilseed that is getting attention for its Omega 3 nutritional attributes and as a possible, affordable source for biodiesel. It contains about 34 to 36 percent Omega 3 oil. Camelina is an annual that originated in Northern Europe. A member of the mustard family, it is also known more as a weed with names like false flax, gold of pleasure and leindotter.

Camelina is well suited for marginal soils. According to Montana State University research, camelina has a lower break-even cost compared to wheat and canola. The seed can be broadcast or drilled. Montana State University trials indicate seed rates of 2.5 to 3 pounds per acre. The seeds are dense and small at 345,000 to 465,000 seeds per pound. Yields vary depending on soils and rainfall. Based on Montana State research, camelina will average 1,800 to 2,200 pounds per acre under 16 to 18 inch rainfalls. Yields drop with less rainfall and increase when using irrigation. Montana State University suggests including camelina in a three- or four-year crop rotation. Camelina byproducts are being studied as feed sources for fish, chickens and cattle. In addition to Montana, camelina is grown in Slovenia, Ukraine, China, Finland, Germany and Austria.

Camelina_sativa

Camelina_sativa

Ancient Plant May Become New Source of Biofuel

Researchers are all abuzz over a promising new source of biofuel that flourished almost 3,500 years ago in Europe. Camelina, if planted on a large scale on marginal farmland from eastern Washington to North Dakota, could provide a significant source of clean energy....Unlike other potential biofuel feedstocks like canola, camelina can grow in arid conditions, can produce more oil from its seeds for a lower price and doesn't require the excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

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Ancient Plant May Become New Source of Biofuel

MSU Researchers Say New Crop Could Produce Affordable Biodiesel

Growing interest in the Camelina plant due to its high oil content. It is interesting because of high Omega-3 fatty acids, making it of interest to heath food lovers, and because of the growing interest in biodiesel. Montana's cool and dry climate is well suited to growing this plant.

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MSU Researchers Say New Crop Could Produce Affordable Biodiesel

Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilseed

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Camelina: A Promising Low-Input Oilseed

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A scientific paper covering the Camelina plant. It is attractive because it can grow on marginal land, and produces a high oil content. The paper is over 10 years old and only covers interest in edible oils, but today there is growing interest in using oils to produce biodiesel.

Spectrolab

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Spectrolab

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The world's leading manufacturer of space solar cells and panels. Spectrolab's product portfolio includes terrestrial concentrator solar cells and modules, searchlight systems (Nightsun?series), solar simulators and Photodetector products. They are a world-class supplier of compound semiconductors, in the form of solar cells and panels, to the space industry.