Poultry littler can ease energy problems

In Bangladesh, if the government had used poultry waste for generating electricity, instead of costly diesel then it could have saved foreign currency. It could also have avoided a free fall of the local currency that is causing the inflation. "Poultry waste can generate 2,000 megawatts of power annually at a much lower cost than what the country is incurring now," said Dr Atiur Rahman, governor of Bangladesh Bank.

Bangladesh had to import oil worth over US$6 billion (€4.628 billion), this fiscal year, mainly to feed the rental power plants. Moreover, a good amount of money is being spent on fertiliser imports. The consequence is that demand for the dollar is now record high and the local currency was devalued over 15 percent against the dollar in 2011. Read more ...

Biomass heating system a landmark step

Minister Allan Kelly opens energy conference in LIT Tipperary (Thurles) and congratulated, the campus for their innovation, calling their innovation of a biomass heating system as a Landmark step in improving the energy efficiency of an academic institution. Kelly said "I congratulate them on their fantastic achievement and their integrated approach to sustainable energy as it meets both energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives." Read more ...

Research to analyse biofuel production and land use

University of Minnesota scientists and Extension Master Gardeners will explore this possibility as part of a new, five-year, US$25 million (€18.083 million) multistate grant. As to weather a single biofuel production system can reduce water and nutrient runoff from farm fields, reduce soil erosion and turn a profit for the farmers who grow it. “The unique part is that Master Gardeners get to work on cutting-edge bioenergy research and bring those results out to the people of Minnesota,” said Julie Weisenhorn, Master Gardener program state director.