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Sumesh Arora
Sumesh Arora, Ph.D.
Director

Bubba Weir
Innovation Resources Development

Joseph Linton
Economic Analyst
 
Claire2
Claire Sojourner
SBS Outreach Intern
Strategic Biomass Solutions
e-Newsletter
March 2013  
Director's Cut

Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of the Strategic Biomass Solutions newsletter.  March is almost gone and I hope everyone had a good spring break.  Last year during spring break I was in Vancouver, Canada attending the GLOBE 2012 conference, a biennial event that is all about the business of improving our environment.  Since then, we have been working to build further relationships with Canadian companies involved in the renewable energy space as well as connect businesses in the South who are looking to expand into foreign markets.  When it comes to energy, Canada is perhaps the United States' most important trading partner.  Last year (2012) the United States imported an average of 124,1100,000 gallons of petroleum every day from Canada, an amount greater than imports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait combined, according to the Energy Information Administration.  Additionally, Canada exports roughly 50 terawatt-hours of electricity to the United States per year, approximately 80 percent of which is from a renewable resource - hydropower.  According to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, this constitutes about 10 percent of the hydropower used in the United States.

 

Cross border trade in the energy sector is a vibrant part of North American continental economy, even prompting some political leaders to put forth proposals for North American Energy Independence at a macro level.  On a micro level this means tremendous business opportunities across all types of energy products that include fossil energy and renewable energy.  In March, we had the honor of hosting Mr. William Stolz, trade commissioner for the Consulate General of Canada located in Atlanta, Georgia.  Bill traveled throughout the state meeting with companies and public sector officials who could potentially benefit from trade with Canada.  I urge our readers to check out the interview with Bill included in this newsletter and follow us on Twitter for the latest information on renewable energy developments in Canada and other parts of the country.  Also, check out information in the newsletter about the upcoming 6th Annual South Eastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) Conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

 

I also want to thank all of the teams with whom we worked to submit their applications for the MegaWatt Ventures Competition managed by the University of Central Florida (UCF).  I have been invited to join the UCF mentor network and am looking forward to working closely with various entrepreneurs.  Please stay tuned to the results as this competition moves forward.  Talking about entrepreneurship, please note that Innovate Mississippi will present the 6th Annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge Business Plan Competition Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Jackson Convention Complex.  Don't miss this opportunity to have your startup company's business plan heard and critiqued by some of Mississippi's top entrepreneurs and investors.   

 

Starting this month, we are also featuring a new print advertisement that appears in the latest issue of Pointe Innovation magazine published by Innovate Mississippi.  The magazine is now available in a full digital format at www.innovate.ms, and you may also view the Strategic Biomass Solutions advertisement by clicking here.  We are always interested in your feedback and want to know how we may serve you better.  Please contact me at sarora@innovate.ms or 601-960-3659 if I can be of any assistance, whether it is related to international trade or the New Venture Challenge here at home.

 

 

Sumesh M. Arora, Ph.D.
Director, Strategic Biomass Solutions 
Vice President, Innovate Mississippi 
Catching up with William Stolz, Trade Commissioner for the Consulate General of CanadaInterview
Strategic Biomass Solutions staff recently spoke with Trade Commissioner William Stolz from the Consulate General of Canada. Click here for more information.     
Funding Opportunity NewsFunding

Southern Research Institute Wins $925,000 Department of Energy Award to Liquefy Biomass for Production of Transportation Fuels 
Birmingham-based Southern Research Institute is working with the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a mild liquefaction process that will economically convert biomass to petroleum refinery-ready bio-oils.  Click here
for more information. 

ARPA-E Announces $40 Million for Research Projects to Develop Cleaner and Cheaper Transportation Choices for Consumers 
The Department of Energy recently announced that approximately $40 million from its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will be made available for two new programs that will engage our country's brightest scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to develop technologies that shift our cars and trucks off oil.  Click here for more information. 
Policy Newspolicy
 
Senate Votes to Maintain Military Biofuel Spending 
The United States Senate has voted down an amendment to H.R. 933 that would strip $60 million in biofuels funding from the U.S. Department of Defense budget.  Click here for more information. 
 
Energy Department Launches New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative 
This initiative is focused on increasing United States competitiveness in the production of clean energy technologies and strengthening United States manufacturing competitiveness across all sectors by increasing energy productivity.  Click here for more information.

The Biggest Fight Over Renewable Energy is Now in The States 
Nowadays, a huge chunk of the action on clean energy in the United States is happening at the state level. Some 29 states and Washington D.C. have renewable energy standards requiring electric utilities to get a portion of their power from sources like wind or solar.  Click here for more information. 
Technology and Research NewsTECHRES

NASA Begins Flight Research Campaign Using Alternate Jet Fuel 
NASA researchers have begun a series of flights using the agency's DC-8 flying laboratory to study the effects of alternate biofuel on engine performance, emissions and aircraft-generated contrails at altitude.  Click here for more information.
Research May Result in Biofuel Production from Atmospheric CO2 
Researchers at the University of Georgia have found a way to transform the carbon dioxide trapped in the atmosphere into useful industrial products.  Their discovery may soon lead to the creation of biofuels made directly from the carbon dioxide in the air that is responsible for trapping the sun's rays and raising global temperatures.  Click here for more information.

Scientists Build Stronger, Greener Concrete with Lignin
Kansas State University civil engineers are using biofuel byproducts to reduce concrete's carbon footprint and make it stronger.  The research at Kansas State University was funded by more than $210,000 from the National Science Foundation.  Click here for more information. 
Market and Business NewsMARKET

Nestle Sets Out 2020 Sustainability Goals 
Nestle, the world's largest food company, has set out an array of sustainability and development targets.  The company will look to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent for every ton of product it makes by 2020.  Click here for more information. 

Energy Information Administration: Biomass Power Generation Increased in 2012 
According to a report by the Energy Information Administration, biomass other than from wood was used to generate 1.762 TWh of power during December 2012, a 1.8 percent increase compared to December 2011.  Click here for more information.

Solar Takes Lead in Renewable Energy Growth 
Renewable energy sources (biomass, geothermal, solar, wind) increased by 12.8 percent in 2012, and provided 5.4 percent of net U.S. electrical generation.  Since 2007, non-hydro renewables have more than doubled their contribution to the nation's electrical supply.  Click  here for more information.   
Event NewsEvents
 
Central Europe Multi-Sector Business Development Mission 
The Mississippi Development Authority is planning a mission trip in May 2013 to Germany and Poland, and has identified renewable energy as a key market sector.  Click here  for more information.

New Venture Challenge 

Innovate Mississippi will present the 6th Annual Mississippi New Venture Challenge Business Plan Competition Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at the Jackson Convention Complex.  Don't miss this opportunity to have your startup company's business plan heard and critiqued by some of Mississippi's top entrepreneurs and investors.  Click here for more information. 

6th Annual Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Alliance Conference
In July, a Mississippi delegation comprised of business leaders and economic development officials will travel to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to participate in the 6th Annual Southeastern United State -Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-CP) conference.  Click here for more information.  
Thanks for reading our e-newsletter.  Please forward this to other interested parties and contact us if you have any questions.
Strategic Biomass Solutions is dedicated to connecting entrepreneurs, investors and economic developers in order to drive renewable energy technologies to market.  SBS is funded in part by the United States Department of Energy.