I posted about the promise decentralization/regionalization has for alternative energy a couple of months ago. This morning I ran into a post/notice of an alternative energy conference focused around this concept.
The differences in climates/topography/available feedstock etc…make every region/city of our country very different for optimal alternative energy production. The cornbelt already has its claim to fame. We will surely see more regions promoting their alternative energy expertise in the near future. Time to get the checkbooks ready, more state/city investment incentives to come!
May 5, 2007 at 5:48 am |
Francesco, it occurs to me that there are very few counties in the U.S. that couldn’t achieve Energy “Independence.”
It won’t happen, tomorrow; but, it’s nice knowing that it’s an option.
May 5, 2007 at 12:57 pm |
What we should be focussing on now is analyzing where certain technologies should be developed, and promoting them in those areas to spur development/attract investors.
This goes along with the business advice I give alot of people: stick to what you are good at.
May 5, 2007 at 2:25 pm |
It’s moving so fast Francesco, that it’s hard to get a handle on it. I have been retired several years, but this thing fascinates me so much that I just have to take a swing at it.
I’m looking at ways to bring the “revolution” to small farmers/landowners in the south and east. Having been raised on a small farm, and with a strong background in sales/marketing I feel like I have the tools, but the technology is popping fast. The last thing in the world I want to do is get caught with “last year’s story.”
I’m reasonably sure it’s going to involve cellulosic, and pastureland; but, whether it will involve moonshing on the farm, or whether it will involve an intermediate step like Pyrolysis Oil I haven’t figured out, yet. I think it might involve small communities like Reynolds, In (Bio-Town, USA.) What do you think?
May 6, 2007 at 7:53 am |
I am a fan of cellulosic because of the flexible nature of its feedstock. It reminds me of the time machine in back to the future II that used ANYTHING for fuel (french fries, beer, the beer can, etc…).
We do really need to bridge the science vs. application gap. There are many commercial “demonstration” plants being built as we speak. The real tie-breaker is the price of the cellulosic enzyme, followed by a close second of genetically engineered cellulose-rich crops.
I am trying to get interviews with industry-leaders in cellulosic to let us know what the future looks like. Stay tuned!
May 6, 2007 at 5:45 pm |
Francesco, it’s exciting to see a fellow Babson grad. (I’ll be graduating from 2 year program next week) discussing the potential for entrepreneurs to develop a “decentralized” clean energy model capable of disrupting the traditional energy industry. Creating a energy industry that is a far cry from the input-intensive, linear, centralized, subsidized and inefficient energy infrastructure we have today.
Decentralizing the clean energy industry will provide flexible, cost-effective alternatives to replacing aging, centralized energy infrastructures. It will also reduce the overall energy consumption because each person, business or town will only consumer what they need – realigning energy systems from supply-oriented to demand-led.
Anyways…I would love to talk to you more about the topic. I’ve started a business venture called Feed Resource Recovery that is decentralizing the waste management industry. We make systems that onsite systems turn organic waste into renewable energy and organic fertilizer.
When you get a chance lets talk in more detail.
Shane
May 7, 2007 at 10:37 am |
Shane, I would like to hear a little more about your company. My email address is – Biorufus@yahoo.com
Anything that you could tell me would be appreciated; Thanks.
May 7, 2007 at 10:45 am |
Check out http://www.feedresource.com
September 12, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
I’ve been trying to think of a good business venture that involves helping companies go green and then providing agressive marketing in the surrounding community to help them spread their new green image. My wife has a masters in marketing and can handle that part. I need to figure out what service to provide these companies. Any suggestions?