Archives: August 2007
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31 August 2007
Department of Energy to Make Available up to $33.8 Million to Support Commercial Production of Cellulosic Biofuels
On August 28, 2007, the Department of Energy announced that they will provide up to $33.8 million, for FY08-11, to support research and development of enzyme commercialization, specifically of “hydrolytic enzymes or enzyme system preparations that can effectively saccharify pretreated lignocellulosics to produce fermentable sugars under process relevant conditions”. Efforts should focus on production of biofuel from non-food materials and agricultural waste.
Letters of intent are due September 10, 2007, and completed applications are due October 30, 2007. Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov to be considered for award.
10 August 2007
Event August 14: Innovative biofuels workshop to be held in Sturtevant
WHAT
“Sustainable Biofuels and Local Climate Change Solutions”
This collaborative seminar is designed to educate grain and livestock farmers, agriculture professionals, government officials and policy makers, educators and biofuels enthusiasts about how to make and use biofuels in today’s changing global climate.
Featured presenters include: Sue Beitlich, WFU President; Jamie Derr, Chief Operating Officer for Great Lakes BioFuels; Tom Perlick from the Wisconsin Soybean Association; Maria Redmond of the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence; Dr. Kenneth Walz, MATC Chemistry Instructor; Luke Mathews, Prairie Fire Biofuels Co-op; and Greg Bareta, Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Co-sponsored by Wisconsin Farmers Union, Gateway Technical College, Great Lakes BioFuels and the Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET).
WHEN
Tuesday, August 14, at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE
Gateway Technical College’s Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI)
2320 Renaissance Blvd.
Sturtevant, Wisconsin
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The cost to attend this workshop for non-WFU members is $45. The cost for students is $25. Non-WFU members and students who join WFU will receive a $5 discount off their registration fee. WFU members may register for $15.
To pre-register, call the WFU state office at 715-723-5561 or 800-272-5531. Walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event.
For driving directions to CATI, contact Joyce Peterson at 262-898-7514 or petersonj@gtc.edu.
All area media is welcome to attend, cover the event, and conduct individual interviews with the presenters
9 August 2007
Report Shows Governor’s Global Warming Panel Biofuels Can Reduce Global Warming, Air Pollution, Create Jobs and Help Farmers
Madison— A report outlining ways to reduce the State’s gasoline needs by 40% and coal use by 50% was presented today to the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The report, titled “Cellulose Prairie: Biomass Fuel Potential in Wisconsin and the Midwest” was written by Better Environmental Solutions and funded by the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. The report outlines the possibilities of converting common Wisconsin biomass materials such as wood waste, corn stover, manure and prairie grass to energy and biofuels. (more…)
3 August 2007
Investing in Agriculture Conference August 16th
Pewaukee, Wis. – Entrepreneurship and innovation in Wisconsin agriculture is the focus of the upcoming Badger AgVest and the Agricultural Innovation Center’s agriculture investment conference. Mark your calendars for Investing in Agriculture on Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center in Pewaukee.
The day-long conference looks at the future impact science, engineering and agriculture will have solving America’s energy needs. A key-note presentation by University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Dean Molly Jahn, will highlight the new Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and its function to expand the potential of bioenergy. The GLBRC involves scientists and engineers analyzing new technologies to help convert cellulosic plant biomass like cornstalks, wood chips and perennial native grasses to energy for vehicles, power plants and more.
“We need to develop an energy future that’s good for our environment and good for our agriculture and forestry-based economies in both the short and long run,” states Jahn.
In addition, there will be panel discussions on Wisconsin’s emerging alternative fuel developments in ethanol and hydrogen, along with clean technology and bio-technology in agriculture focusing on manure management improvements. The day will close-out with investment presentations from three early-stage Wisconsin-based agricultural companies.
“The choices that we each make now about energy and technology will determine our success tomorrow in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels,” notes Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). “Wisconsin needs to explore all opportunities to keep our momentum towards expanding our renewable fuels portfolio and building our bio-based economy.”
Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and save $15 if you register by Aug. 10. Registration includes materials, lunch and breaks – Visit http://aic.uwex.edu to register online.
For more information about the Investing in Agriculture conference contact the program at 608-265-2903 or aic@uwex.edu.
This conference is organized by Badger AgVest LLC, a statewide angel investor network focused on Wisconsin’s agricultural industry, and the Agricultural Innovation Center. Their goals are to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in Wisconsin agriculture by providing business development assistance directly to entrepreneurs and by supporting opportunities in the emerging bio-economy and local food systems.
Major sponsors include the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance; State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions; and Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP.
31 August 2007
Department of Energy to Make Available up to $33.8 Million to Support Commercial Production of Cellulosic Biofuels
On August 28, 2007, the Department of Energy announced that they will provide up to $33.8 million, for FY08-11, to support research and development of enzyme commercialization, specifically of “hydrolytic enzymes or enzyme system preparations that can effectively saccharify pretreated lignocellulosics to produce fermentable sugars under process relevant conditions”. Efforts should focus on production of biofuel from non-food materials and agricultural waste.
Letters of intent are due September 10, 2007, and completed applications are due October 30, 2007. Applications for this Funding Opportunity Announcement must be accessed, completed, and submitted through Grants.gov to be considered for award.
10 August 2007
Event August 14: Innovative biofuels workshop to be held in Sturtevant
WHAT
“Sustainable Biofuels and Local Climate Change Solutions”
This collaborative seminar is designed to educate grain and livestock farmers, agriculture professionals, government officials and policy makers, educators and biofuels enthusiasts about how to make and use biofuels in today’s changing global climate.
Featured presenters include: Sue Beitlich, WFU President; Jamie Derr, Chief Operating Officer for Great Lakes BioFuels; Tom Perlick from the Wisconsin Soybean Association; Maria Redmond of the Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence; Dr. Kenneth Walz, MATC Chemistry Instructor; Luke Mathews, Prairie Fire Biofuels Co-op; and Greg Bareta, Wisconsin Department of Commerce.
Co-sponsored by Wisconsin Farmers Union, Gateway Technical College, Great Lakes BioFuels and the Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET).
WHEN
Tuesday, August 14, at 8:30 a.m.
WHERE
Gateway Technical College’s Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI)
2320 Renaissance Blvd.
Sturtevant, Wisconsin
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
The cost to attend this workshop for non-WFU members is $45. The cost for students is $25. Non-WFU members and students who join WFU will receive a $5 discount off their registration fee. WFU members may register for $15.
To pre-register, call the WFU state office at 715-723-5561 or 800-272-5531. Walk-ins are welcome on the day of the event.
For driving directions to CATI, contact Joyce Peterson at 262-898-7514 or petersonj@gtc.edu.
All area media is welcome to attend, cover the event, and conduct individual interviews with the presenters
9 August 2007
Report Shows Governor’s Global Warming Panel Biofuels Can Reduce Global Warming, Air Pollution, Create Jobs and Help Farmers
Madison— A report outlining ways to reduce the State’s gasoline needs by 40% and coal use by 50% was presented today to the Governor’s Task Force on Global Warming. The report, titled “Cellulose Prairie: Biomass Fuel Potential in Wisconsin and the Midwest” was written by Better Environmental Solutions and funded by the Governor’s Ethanol Coalition. The report outlines the possibilities of converting common Wisconsin biomass materials such as wood waste, corn stover, manure and prairie grass to energy and biofuels. (more…)
3 August 2007
Investing in Agriculture Conference August 16th
Pewaukee, Wis. – Entrepreneurship and innovation in Wisconsin agriculture is the focus of the upcoming Badger AgVest and the Agricultural Innovation Center’s agriculture investment conference. Mark your calendars for Investing in Agriculture on Thursday, Aug. 16 at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center in Pewaukee.
The day-long conference looks at the future impact science, engineering and agriculture will have solving America’s energy needs. A key-note presentation by University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Dean Molly Jahn, will highlight the new Department of Energy Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) and its function to expand the potential of bioenergy. The GLBRC involves scientists and engineers analyzing new technologies to help convert cellulosic plant biomass like cornstalks, wood chips and perennial native grasses to energy for vehicles, power plants and more.
“We need to develop an energy future that’s good for our environment and good for our agriculture and forestry-based economies in both the short and long run,” states Jahn.
In addition, there will be panel discussions on Wisconsin’s emerging alternative fuel developments in ethanol and hydrogen, along with clean technology and bio-technology in agriculture focusing on manure management improvements. The day will close-out with investment presentations from three early-stage Wisconsin-based agricultural companies.
“The choices that we each make now about energy and technology will determine our success tomorrow in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels,” notes Rod Nilsestuen, Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). “Wisconsin needs to explore all opportunities to keep our momentum towards expanding our renewable fuels portfolio and building our bio-based economy.”
Take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and save $15 if you register by Aug. 10. Registration includes materials, lunch and breaks – Visit http://aic.uwex.edu to register online.
For more information about the Investing in Agriculture conference contact the program at 608-265-2903 or aic@uwex.edu.
This conference is organized by Badger AgVest LLC, a statewide angel investor network focused on Wisconsin’s agricultural industry, and the Agricultural Innovation Center. Their goals are to foster entrepreneurship and innovation in Wisconsin agriculture by providing business development assistance directly to entrepreneurs and by supporting opportunities in the emerging bio-economy and local food systems.
Major sponsors include the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance; State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions; and Michael Best & Friedrich, LLP.
