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Teru Talk Newsletter

Volume IV, Issue 21, May 26, 2014 
Teru Talk by Michael Theroux (pronounced "Terú")  

Teru's Trash Talk

Memorial Day 2014Here in the US we take today to remember our military souls and the sacrifices they've made, that they continue to make. Memorial Day 2014 brings far too many reasons to ponder the constant conflict around this planet. We all need to think about what it is we can personally do to create a safer, saner, cleaner world.

If I made shoes for a living, maybe I'd find ways to make better combat boots. What then is it about our focus on waste conversion that could possibly improve our soldier's chances, lessen the strife, and staunch the flow of blood and money that we pour endlessly on the fires of war?

In Arlington, Virginia, the Office of Naval Research has been working on ways to take all the trash that military maneuvers generate and turn it cleanly into heat and power. Not to be outdone, the Air Force 1st Special Operations Civil Engineering Squadron (1 SOCES) has a similar program nearing completion. Both are working with high-end thermal systems that break down small amount of trash, leaving very little behind. Meanwhile the Navy is busily learning how to turn all their wet goo into biogas, and their commissary grease into biodiesel. Different vendors, different technologic approaches, all point to the broad goals of the Defense Energy Technology Challenge designed "to increase the safety of its troops, lower energy costs, and reduce its reliance on foreign energy supplies."

You have to wonder though when you hear griping about how the Department of Defense (DoD) is spending what seems an outrageous amount per gallon for "green fuel" if those same folks ever consider the true cost of fossil-sourced oil, if they factor in the weight of military spending dedicated to keeping that precious petroleum flowing. In the back of everyone's mind is this nagging suspicion that perhaps $50 a gallon isn't so bad if by investing in learning to make non-fossil fuel today, we can keep one more soldier alive a day longer, tomorrow. Maybe if the only thing left behind when an army base camp bugs out of some foreign hell hole is a warm spot on the sand, we can tighten the security just that much more. Maybe if we stop throwing our resources into the dump, we wouldn't have to fight so hard to get "virgin materials.

Hey Rube!

Take a moment today, Memorial Day 2014, to check your precepts and really think about the actual Cost of Conflict. Not just the high bucks per gallon the DoD is spending on green jet fuel. Not whether you can score cheaper gas, across town. Certainly, continue to think about clean air quality in your very own Air Basin, but then ask yourself: Clean, Compared to What? Now go make sure your Flag is hanging straight, and say a prayer for our soldiers.

This Week's Top Story

Biomass Facility Officially Opens at Aurivo Dairy Ingredients Plant in Ireland

Ireland based Aurivo has announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art biomass facility at its Dairy Ingredients plant in Ballaghadereen, Co Roscommon in the West of Ireland. 05/19/2014

The Week's News

Drexel University to Evaluate Heat Recovery and Grease from Wastewater

The Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) has awarded Drexel University two contracts to study: 1) heat recovery from wastewater, and 2) the feasibility of using greases from wastewater for biodiesel. 05/25/2014

GIB Opens Fund to Replace Oil with Biomass Boilers at Scottish Distilleries

The United Kingdom (UK) Green Investment Bank (GIB) has announced a £5m fund for energy efficiency projects at a number of Scottish distilleries. 05/21/2014

REG Agrees to Acquire Tyson Foods' Half Ownership of Dynamic Fuels

Iowa based Renewable Energy Group, Inc (REG) and Tyson Foods, Inc have announced reaching an agreement for REG to acquire Tyson’s 50% ownership position in Dynamic Fuels, LLC. 05/21/2014

Alliance for Green Heat Announces Wood Stove Design Workshop at BNL

The Alliance for Green Heat has announced the Collaborative Wood Stove Design Workshop to be held November 4–7, 2014 at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) in New York and will involve hands-on stove testing, daily review of test data, and a series of presentations. 05/21/2014

Valmet Will Supply Renewable Fuel Boiler Plant to Hungarian Paper Mill

Finland based Valmet Corporation has announced that it will supply a complete boiler plant valued at EUR 50 million to Hamburger Hungaria Power in Dunaujvaros, Hungary. 05/20/2014

Wheelabrator Launches Public Consultations for North Wales EfW Plant

Wheelabrator Technologies Inc has announced the commencement of a series of public consultations for its proposed energy from waste (EfW) facility in North Wales to give people an opportunity to see the detailed proposals for the project. 05/20/2014

CES Starts Construction on New Biogas Plant at Broward County WWTP

Broward County, Florida has announced breaking ground on a "state-of-the-art" biogas to energy facility that will turn waste, such as restaurant fats, oil and grease (FOG) into renewable energy to provide electricity to power some of the County’s water and wastewater operations. 05/19/2014

ADBA Lauds UK Government's Continued Anaerobic Digestion Support

The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) has responded to news published today that EIS-qualifying funds will be allowed to continue to invest in anaerobic digestion (AD) projects. Charlotte Morton, ADBA chief executive: 05/19/2014

India Task Force Recommends More Waste to Energy Plants and PPPs

The New Delhi-based Green Clean Guide (GCG) has summarized a crucial Waste to Energy report submitted last week to the India government's Planning Commission, just as India prepares to welcome in a new Administration. 05/19/2014

The Week's Action Items

Due 06/19/2014: Proposals to LA County for Waste Conversion Consulting

The County of Los Angeles (LA County) Department of Public Works has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking environmental consulting services in support of Advanced Solid Waste Conversion Technology development and application. 05/21/2014

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