Biomass
Biomass refers to any solid biological material that can be used as fuel, and includes the chopped wood that many Vermonters already use to heat their homes. While antique wood stoves burn inefficiently, and put off lots of soot and smoke, modern biomass systems have very low particulate matter (tiny particles that can cause breathing problems) emissions… read more
Biofuels
Biodiesel and ethanol are the two most widely used liquid biofuels. They are renewable and burn cleaner than fossil fuels. Recent EPA analysis of lifecycle GHG emissions show that ethanol and biodiesel, when compared to their petroleum-based counterpart, will reduce atmospheric CO2 by 20 percent to 60 percent, depending on the type of fuel and… read more
Biogas
Biogas is another bio-based technology that harnesses natural sources and processes to produce energy. Animal wastes such as cow manure naturally give off methane as they breakdown. Animal wastes can be processed in an anaerobic (air-free) digester, producing high-grade methane which is used to power modified natural gas engines and generate… read more
Latest Renewable Energy News
- Release: Solar program receives governor’s award, extends deadline
Award-wining Solar Program Available Until July 1st Burlington, VT – The Energy Co-op of Vermont’s Co-op Solar hot water heating program has received the Vermont Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence for it’s contributions to protecting the environment, conserving energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Vermont Governor’s Awards were established in 1993 to “recognize the actions [...] - Legislation would give millions for rural renewable energy
Amanda Peterka, E&E reporter Tuesday, May 7, 2013 Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) this week plans to propose legislation that would provide hundreds of millions in funding for rural renewable energy programs and open up federal incentives to renewable chemicals. According to a draft of the bill obtained by E&E Daily, the legislation would also make several reforms to the [...] - Adding an electric car cut the payback point of solar panel investment in half
By Kevin Tofel – Read full article here When we discussed our home solar panel project in mid-2011 with friends, one of the first questions everyone asked was, “What’s the payback period before you break-even?” The second question was unsurprisingly, “How much is it costing you?” but the focus always ended up on the payback. After [...] - Cow power, the Vermont brand electricity
Read full article here By Sandy Levine This article first appeared in the Sunday May 5 edition of the Rutland Herald /Times Argus. For over a decade, Vermont’s hardworking cows and farmers have been keeping our lights on, curbing greenhouse gas emissions and helping local businesses grow. The renewable energy produced by cow manure in Vermont now powers [...] - New local energy partnership brings innovative solar tracker to Mid-Atlantic and Midwest region
Collinsville, IL . . . April 30, 2013 . . . A new partnership will bring the innovative AllSun Tracker solar electric system to homeowners and businesses in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest. The dealer partnership between local installer Day & Night Solar of Collinsville, Illinois and award winning solar tracker manufacturer AllEarth Renewables was announced today. The [...]
