As we become more focused on shifting the Nation’s energy reliance from fossil fuels to alternative forms of energy, the ability of each state, or at least each region to produce as much energy as it consumes is increasingly significant.  Clean technology advancements gives states the ability to capitalize on new forms of energy production using local resources, making them less reliant on importing fuels, thus improving their energy balances and stopping the flow of capital out of the state.   Researching, developing, and deploying alternative energy technologies locally, such as advanced waste gasification facilities, are excellent examples of how states can take advantage of abundant resources right in their backyard, to improve their energy balances.

Massachusetts, like California, is a significant importer of energy; however, unlike California, the Commonwealth has no fossil fuel resources. Massachusetts is a prime example of how innovative clean technology developments can positively impact the State’s energy balance. While the State  is a leader in generating electricity from landfill gas and municipal solid waste, we still have a long way to go to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels derived outside our borders (EIA).  Nationally, Massachusetts is recognized for the development of cutting-edge renewable energy technology, the key is making sure we focus on effectively deploying the technology right here in the Commonwealth.

Photo: David Humber

Recognizing that diverting carpet waste from the landfill has a long way to go,  carpet industry members, along with government officials, and non-governmental organizations signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Carpet Stewardship (MOU), in January, 2002. The agreement set forth a landfill diversion goal of 40% by 2012. They note the MOU is the “the first step in the eventual elimination of land disposal and incineration of post-consumer carpet.” Ze-gen’s Liquid Metal Gasification (LMG) process represents a possible method to increase carpet waste diversion, while using the material in a beneficial manner. The ground-up carpet material may be used as a feedstock, blended with primary feedstock materials, such as a wood waste, to create a high-quality syngas that can be used in a wide range of industrial applications.

One notable omission, in our opinion, is gasification.  While Gates does not mention biomass gasification or biofuels as part of the big five, it remains an important part of the energy solution. Biomass gasification is considered carbon neutral because the CO2 is biogenic in origin and sequestered as new trees and plants regrow.   Yes, biomass gasification faces some obstacles in widespread commercialization like Gates mentioned, however, it offers significant advantages as it is a reliable source of energy that does not require large scale capital investment or face intermittent production challenges.

The initiation of the solicitation process represents a significant step forward for the sustainability of renewable energy development and generation in Massachusetts. The ability to sign long-term contracts provides renewable energy projects with increased financial certainty, and therefore, helps to increase the project’s ability to attract investors. For example, when Ze-gen begins to commercialize our process, in order to finance the construction and operation of the facility,  a long-term power purchase agreement will help to make the financing much more attractive. This is true not just for Ze-gen, but for other alternative energy developers, such as solar and wind projects as well, which means these contracts will help to further diversify and increase the State’s energy portfolio.  Helping to ensure financial certainty for renewable energy projects will go a long way toward Massachusetts to fulfill its energy goals.

Railroad ties (or “railway sleepers” outside of the U.S.) are the rectangular load-bearing objects that are used as a base for railroad tracks.  Ties can be made of wood or concrete; wood railroad ties are the predominant type in the United States, while concrete railroad ties are used widely outside of the U.S.  alongside older wood varieties.  In the U.S., approximately 3000 ties are used per mile of railroad track.  Given that approximately 3% of total railroad track is replaced annually for maintenance and disposal,  according to the Railroad Tie Association, and many older railroads get removed each year, many waste railroad ties are discarded regularly and require disposal.  In fact,  13 million ties are removed from the tracks each year (Waste Age). While about half are reused in landscaping projects or bike paths, the other half usually makes it way to the landfill.

Railroad ties must function in varied weather conditions and last for a long time without rotting to minimize the cost of replacement.  Wooden railroad ties are, therefore, treated with chemical wood preservatives, usually containing creosote and/or arsenic, to effectively extend their functional life.  However, these preservatives are toxic and require special handling and disposal when the ties are discarded.  These preservatives can lead to serious health problems, if not handled safely, and many states require that they be disposed of in specially designated landfills to reduce environmental hazards, like potential groundwater contamination.  Thus, new treatments and  disposal methods are always in demand for this difficult waste stream.  The ability to receive railroad ties and use the material for generation of renewable fuel will help to alleviate the challenges with railroad tie management, while keeping this preservative-treated wood material out of the landfill.

For more background on the history of railroad ties check out Railroad Tie Association’s video.

The event will begin at 5:00 PM with a tour of Genzyme Center at 500 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA. The panel discussion will begin at 6:00 PM. Click here to register.

While he’s not expressed a formal opinion, there is no doubt his election to the Senate will help to shape the final form of the Senate’s energy legislation. Leaving aside cap-and-trade, the establishment of a coherent national policy for the development and commercialization of alternative energy technologies represents a significant opportunity and challenge for the country. Government grants and loans that incentivize the production of innovative renewable energy technologies will provide our nation with the necessary tools to take the lead in achieving a sustainable and environmentally sound energy future. Instead of enacting regulations that stifle technological development, we need policies that encourage the commercialization of a range of alternative technologies.

Mr. Brown – we look forward to working with you as our new Senator from Massachusetts.

Testing will occur at Covanta’s facility in West Wareham, Massachusetts, and the company hopes to be able to gauge the economic viability of the project by the end of the year. It is the  continued research and development of processes like this one that will help to reduce the environmental burden of waste and offer lasting energy solutions.

This Hub Concept is not a new one.  The DOE’s website notes, “Energy Innovation Hubs represent a structure modeled after the forceful centralized scientific management characteristics of the Manhattan Project (e.g., Los Alamos and the Metallurgical Laboratory at the University of Chicago), Lincoln Lab at MIT that developed radar, and AT&T Bell laboratories that developed the transistor.”

The Energy Innovation Hub strategy represents the third approach the DOE has recently established to accelerate the commercialization of breakthrough energy technologies.  The other two programs are the Energy Frontier Research Centers and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). All three of these strategies aim to avoid the “valley of death” problem faced by capital-intensive innovations that have high costs of technology demonstration – a challenge that often prevents breakthrough technologies from market penetration. During the FY2010 year each hub will receive a total of $22 million, and will be provided with a “substantial” five-year funding stream. The collaborative nature of the Hubs encourages integrated teams from varied disciplines to work together to solve energy technology challenges that range from primary research to engineering development to commercialization readiness.

We at Ze-gen think this is an exciting new addition to the DOE’s funding strategy.  Ze-gen continues to be an advocate for the development of green energy centers where innovative new companies can share resources as they develop and demonstrate clean energy technology.  Sustainable industrial parks and green energy research centers offer the nation the ability to accelerate the commercialization of transformative technologies.  The centralized nature of such Energy Innovation Hubs and Green Energy Industrial Parks helps to ensure that the new capital-intensive technologies survive the difficult period between laboratory testing and commercialization and flourish in the marketplace.

• Just over 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the United States (that is enough to fill a football field 10 stories high)
• Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, Americans throw out an extra million tons of trash each week (that’s a 25% increase)
• 38,000 miles of ribbon alone are thrown out each year–enough to tie a bow around the Earth
• Each year, 50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S. and about 30 million go to the landfill

Think about some ways to reduce our waste generation, such as using electronic greeting cards, recycling your wrapping paper, and cutting down on food waste.  While forgoing the annual Christmas tree tradition is a bit extreme to reduce the landfilling of the evergreens, Scott Martin, a landscape designer in California, has established a business that literally “greens” Christmas.   A recent New York Times article writes that his Christmas tree rental company delivers trees to LA homes using biodiesel trucks. After the holidays, the trees are picked up and planted on industrial properties, saving the tree from the dump. While not all increases in waste generation can be avoided during the holidays, it is important to consider similar innovative ways to reduce the long-term impact of waste and landfilling.

[Sources: California Integrated Waste Management Board, Recycle Works (a program of San Mateo County, California)]