Small Scale, Self-Contained--Key Concepts at EnergyPath 2017

by Joanne Ivancic* (Advanced Biofuels USA) "The goal of EnergyPath is to increase in knowledge of and passion for sustainable energy in the leaders of today and tomorrow." Every region, if not every state, should follow Pennsylvania's Sustainable Energy Fund's lead on this event attracting industry professionals, policymakers and academia throughout the region and across the United States. With more than 100 scholarships to Energy Camp participants and up to $1250 top prizes for both the high school and middle school science fair, this annual event has reached into the real lives of everyday people for 20 years.

Small, self-contained. Joanne Ivancic and Pamela Rockwell staffed an Advanced Biofuels USA information table at the Thursday July 27 symposium and expo, thanks to space donation from the Sustainable Energy Fund. With a special continuous slide show and an example of an energy beet grown in 2016 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, they talked about not only advanced biofuels in general, but the efforts of the UMES project to make it possible for owners of small farms to participate in the bioeconomy via the energy beet-to-jetfuel project proposed for that area. This project proposes growing to 100 million gallons/year of ethanol-to-jetfuel production for the Navy at Norfolk.

A number of teachers stopped by to gather information and resource materials for classes. About 80% of the constant stream of visitors to the table wanted to talk about how small amounts of personal or business waste could be used more efficiently for heat/power or transportation energy.

For example, a woman with acres of marginal land wanted to know how to best use that to produce energy feedstock. A professional in biogas recounted how he has been trying to commercialize a relatively small, modular biogas system. Another presented photos of systems using heat from anaerobic digestion to warm greenhouses. Others discussed home and business use of biodiesel in heating oil and state policies related to encouraging that market. And Ensyn's renewable fuel for heating hospitals and schools, and possibly barges.

The three-day micro hydro track provided an intense look at technology that has the potential to deliver substantial energy with small power systems and minimal environmental impacts. This workshop provided participants with the fundamentals of design and installation of grid-interactive residential and farm-scale micro hydroelectricity systems (up to 10 kW).

The other tracks emphasized personal focus. "Introduction to Sustainable Energy" examined basic energy and electricity concepts, energy sources and energy efficiency topics in the classroom including tax credits and rebates for renewable energies, elecitricity delivery, energy sources and LEED certification.

The "How to Live and Work with Zero Carbon" track gave participants a theoretical and practical introduction to how and when they produce CO2 and other greenhouse gasses, and the range of alternatives available to high-carbon activities. Individuals calculated their personal 'carbon footprint' and experimented with various reduction strategies. Business-related case studies and scenarios expanded the analysis to practical no-carbon workplace strategies.

As a symposium speaker, I provided a quick overview of advanced biofuels from feedstock to fuels for heat/power and cooking, as well as transportation, followed by an update on the feasibility study of the UMES energy beet-to-jetfuel project that Advanced Biofuels USA is coordinating.

I noticed a significant difference between audiences for my first presentations in 2012 and 2013 and those attending this year. In 2012 or 2013 if anyone in the audience had heard of biofuels, it was probably corn ethanol and they had a negative impression. This year corn was the fourth response to the question, "What do you think when you hear the word "biofuel?" Discussions were deeper, more complex efforts to understand how truly sustainable, renewable fuels could be ethically incorporated into everyday lives.

At the conference awards dinner six fascinating women college students or recent graduates talked about how they will incorporate the experiences and lessons of EnergyPath 2017 into their plans which ranged from Peace Corps and AmeriCorps to international studies and plans for law school. They shared their recognition and apprehensions about current backsliding in areas of environmental concerns; yet expressed optimism that things would improve on many levels from the personal and professional to national and international policy. Because they were quietly confident that they, in one way or another, would be working to make that happen. Certainly, a fulfillment of the EnergyPath mission.

At the dinner, Vera Cole, Ph.D., the Program Officer for the Energy and Sustainability Policy programs at Penn State University received the Epstein Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her life dedicated to providing practical, useful products and information for sustainable energy such as her books and online publications, "Pennsylvania Homeowner's Guide to Solar" and "Sunny Money;" and extending to running for the PA State House of Representatives in 2016. She provides a shining example of a successful woman in typically male areas of expertise from mechanical engineering and computer-integrated manufacturing to industrial engineering. Her success in the lawsuit, PA DEP vs. Cole over acess to solar rebate records has been referred to as the 5th most important right-to-know case of 2012.

Reflecting signs of the times, EnergyPath 2017 was a bit smaller scale this year, with only 2 days of seminars following the 3-day intensive "camp" with only the micro hydro track participants enjoying truly hands-on outdoor, on-site building and designing activities. Organizers promise that the popular solar panel installation project will return next year. Consistent with previous years, nothing dampened the enthusiasm, intensity and high caliber participation of attendees, trainers, speakers, exhibitors and organizers.

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