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Zane Helsel, Rutgers University Extension

Dr. Zane Helsel, eXtension specialist in agriculture energy at Rutgers University, has fused agronomy and agricultural engineering during a career that has spanned nearly 40 years. Dr. Helsel is also a Courtesy Professor of Agronomy at the University of Florida, where he’s been involved in the biomass energy program since 2008.

Dr. Helsel has been an eXtension educator, teacher, and researcher. His most recent focus has been on the potential for biomass energy feedstock production in New Jersey. He has …

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Ernst Conservation Seeds Transforms Leftover Biomass into Energy Product

Switchgrass biomass left over after seed harvest had little value for Ernst Conservation Seeds until the company began using it to manufacture pellets.

Switchgrass pellets. Photo credit: Calvin Ernst.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Ernst Conservation Seeds in Meadville, Pennsylvania has been growing and marketing grass seed for more than fifty …

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Terra Green Energy: Pioneers in Torrefaction for Commercial Co-Combustion

A torrefaction demonstration facility employs a patented process to convert biomass into a renewable, energy-dense carbon carrier that functions much like coal, and which can be burned in existing coal-fired power plants

 

Table of Contents

Torrefaction reactor. Photo credit: Terra Green.

An Innovator in Commercial Torrefaction

Terra …

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Fast Pyrolysis Efficiently Turns Biomass into Renewable Fuels

Fast pyrolysis holds promise for producing heating and transportation biofuels for the renewable energy market. This article describes how fast pyrolysis works, its advantages and disadvantages, and how it might fit into our renewable energy future.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Processing biomass feedstocks such as perennial grasses, woody plants, and agricultural residues into useful fuel …

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Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas

 

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This Biogas module provides reasonable expectations for investing in on-farm bio-digesters to convert animal waste to process heat and/or electricity. Learn how to calculate the number of animals needed to build a cost effective system.

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the On Farm Energy Production Curriculum Series: 

Bioenergy Feedstock Production | Biodiesel and SVO | Biogas | Wood …

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Manufacturing Wood and Grass Pellets

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This module covers the fundamentals of manufacturing biomass pellets on the farm, to be used as a renewable fuel.  Procedures, equipment, and economics are all discussed, with ample time for questions and feedback. 

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the On Farm Energy Production Curriculum Series: 

Bioenergy Feedstock Production | Biodiesel and SVO | Biogas | Wood and Grass …

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Biodiesel and Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO)

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This module covers the production and use of Straight Vegetable Oil (SVO) and Biodiesel on farms in the Northeast. Topics include differentiating SVO from biodiesel, oilseed crops for SVO and biodiesel, the biodiesel production process, safety and personnel protection, economics of production, energy return and carbon avoidance.

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the On Farm Energy Production Curriculum

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Energy Efficiency in Field Crop Production

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This curriculum module on Energy Efficiency in Field Crop Production examines four major areas where analysis and management of energy inputs in field crop production can lead to energy savings. These include reducing fuel consumption in tractor and equipment use in field operations, considering energy invested in optimizing nutrient use and pest control, saving energy in irrigation and managing grain drying for energy conservation.

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from …

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Energy Efficiency for Tree Fruit Production

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This curriculum module on Energy Efficiency for Fruit Production covers energy use in orchards and opportunities for saving energy during irrigation, refrigeration and field operations.  The Orchard Block Fuel Use Calculator helps producers assess ways to reduce fuel consumption on the farm.

Link to all of the Northeast Farm Energy IQ Curriculum, developed by Extension specialists from Penn State, Rutgers and University of Vermont.

This is part of the Farm Energy Efficiency Curriculum Series: 

Farm Energy Efficiency Principles | …

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Greenhouse Energy Efficiency

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This curriculum module on Greenhouse Energy Efficiency reviews the heat loss calculations needed to determine the (maximum) capacity of a greenhouse heating system. Common greenhouse heating systems are discussed. Natural and mechanical ventilation systems for greenhouses are presented and design parameters provided so that energy consumption by the ventilation system can be determined. Review of several alternative energy sources and systems suitable for greenhouse production. Finally, energy savings strategies are provided along with a calculation tool (Virtual Grower) …

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