Renewable Energy
Renewable energy, simply put, is energy generated from natural resources (Wikipedia). There are five commonly identified sources of renewable energy: solar, hydropower, wind, biomass (biofuel) and geothermal. Two sources can be directly related to agriculture and/or land owners: Biofuels - solid, liquid or gas fuels made from recently-harvested biological material (biomass); Wind power - provides no toxic air emissions or greenhouse gases, but raises potential issues of noise/asthetics and accidental death to birds and bats that fly into the blades.
CORNELL RESOURCES
Biofuels and Renewable Energy Systems
This site highlights the efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University to develop renewable clean energy and economically sustainable systems to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels.
Cow Power
A joint project between Cornell University and the NYS Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which is exploring fuel cell feasibility for energy conversion on dairy farms. This site also provides links to renewable energy resources and organizations.
Grass Bioenergy
A program within the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University which focuses on growing perennial grasses to produce grass pellet energy on marginal farmland that will provide alternative resources to rural communities.
Manure Management Program
This program which is part of PRO-DAIRY within the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University provides ongoing research and information about Biogas, which is a product of anaerobic digester systems.
The Department of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, offers the following resources on renewable energy for farmers and land owners:
- Economic Analysis of Anaerobic Digestive Systems and Financial Incentives Provided by NYS (2008)
- Creating Renewable Energy from Livestock Waste: Overcoming Barriers to Adoption (2008)
- Inputs for Biogas Economic Assessment (2008)
- Implications of Growing Biofuels Demands on Northeast Livestock Feed Costs: Understanding the Technical Relationships between Ingredient Prices and Fuel Costs (2008)
- Timber Prices: A Guide for Woodlot Owners in NYS (2005)
- Wind Energy Development in NYS: Issues for Landowners (2005)
RELATED RESOURCES
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA offers programs and incentives directed toward energy conservation and renewable energy to agricultural producers in New York State.
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
The DEC works with other agencies to promote and develop renewable energy resources.
Biomass Program (US Department of Energy)
The U.S. Department of Energy's Biomass Program has a goal to transform the nation's renewable and abundant biomass resources into cost competitve, high perfomrance biofuels, bioproducts and biopower.