Kenneth Hellevang, PHd, a professor, Extention engineer and director of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bio Energy and Product Innovation Center lead the break-out session discussion “New Energy Opportunities.”
He began by his asking the audience to “look at the whole picture related to energy" and to "think of it from a holistic approach.” Hellevang updated members on production and conversion, bio-products, and energy economic development. NDSU is studying which crops are being grown for CRP land and how farmers can diversify with crops such as perennial grasses. The college studies a variety of agriculture including a process to remove material from yellow corn that may play a role in preventing health issues such as cataracts. Research is also underway on technology to keep biodiesel from gelling including a campus lab to test biodiesel production on a small-scale. Current college projects also include finding the “break-even” point on various soil types when switchgrass is planted to use in the production of biofuels.
On a national scene, he said the Renewable Fuels Standard encourages research on the next age of energy sources. As slimy as it may sound, this includes making biodiesel out of algae.
Wind energy was a hot topic including a few raised eyebrows during his comments about an electrolyer that converts wind energy into a fuel that would power gas engines. “The primary issue with wind energy, however, is wind leases,” said Hellevang. “We want to plan an economic development process that makes sense long-term.”
He noted that NDSU offers winter workshops on wind energy leases. He noted that the Langdon wind farm has 106 turbines and has a $1.4 million annual impact on various entities.
Hellevang said many other questions need to be addressed such as “what to do with the energy when the wind isn't blowing” and “how do we move power from here to other states” where the demand is. Hellevang credited the North Dakota Alliance for Renewable Energy for pushing for more access to state funding and promoting renewable energy in the state. Additionally, the North Dakota Biomass Energy Task Force has many recommendations in an “action plan” to be presented in the upcoming legislative session. The ND EmPower Commission (communityservices.nd.gov/energy) provides additional information. HB1462 establishes an energy commission to look at the affect on landowners and famers' income. “North Dakota has been referred to as the Saudi Arabia of wind,” said Hellevang, “but it takes investment; and we produce more energy than we use.”
The lease is a factor in wind energy, yet the overall impact must factor in transportation of the energy to places such as Chicago, where supply and demand is high. “We've taken a major step forward in looking at how interconnected everything is,” said Hellevang.
