[SustainableTompkins] Trends in Alternative Energy workshop

[GayNicholson at aol.com]

TRENDS IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
SATURDAY
MARCH 10, 2007
9:00 a.m. –  2:30 p.m.

Cornell Cooperative Extension
480 N. Main Street, Canandaigua
For  more information contact:
Cornell Cooperative Extension
(585) 394-3977 x  409
 
Trends in Alternative Energy
9:00 Registration and Coffee
9:30  Welcome
9:30 Introduction to the Energy Landscape
Mark Pierce of Cornell  University
This presentation will provide a short history of oil use and  a
brief discussion on how worldwide petroleum reserves may
soon be unable  to meet the global demand for energy. There
is a potential for renewable  energy to begin to reduce our
reliance on fossil fuels, along with economic  and
environmental benefits. There will be a discussion of the
forms of  renewable energy currently available and of the
challenges associated with  increasing their production.
Mark Pierce has worked as an Extension Associate  with the
Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at
Cornell  University since 1995. He provides educational
information to Extension  Educators and the public
concerning residential energy efficiency, indoor air  quality
and other health and safety issues related to buildings.

10:15 Break/refreshments

10:30 Introduction to Biofuels
Jerry Cherney, E.V. Baker Professor  of
Agriculture, Department of Crop & Soil
Sciences, Cornell  University
Biofuels alone are not going to resolve our rapidly
approaching  energy crisis, but coupled with energy
conservation efforts, biofuels can  help to alleviate the crisis.
New York State has a considerable acreage of  unused or
underutilized agricultural land that is currently growing
grass  crops. All of this land could grow grass crops for
bioenergy, regardless of  how marginal the soils are for
agricultural production. Grass biomass is one  of many
potential bioenergy sources as a cost-effective renewable
energy  supply.
Jerry H. Cherney’s current focus at Cornell is applied  field
research on perennial grass species and varieties in New
York State  and applied field research on perennial forage
crops for biomass.

11:15 Local Work in Alternative Energy
Steve Sheppard
Steve has  been experimenting and producing an alternative
energy source since 1988 on  his farm in Phelps. Today the
Sheppard Farm processes over 2 million bushels  of New
York grown soybeans each year. Steve designed and
built a biodiesel  system to convert soybean oil into fuel.
Steve Sheppard purchased his farm in  1981. He and his
wife started growing grain crops as well as  vegetables
and farmed about 800 acres. By 1988 he designed and
built a  soybean roasting system. Today he concentrates
on soybean processing and  trucking.

Brief Overview on E10 & E85
Ann Peck, NY Corn Growers  Association
Ann’s discussion will focus on the opportunities for
ethanol  and renewable fuels for state farmers with the
goal of 25% renewal energy by  2025. There will be a
brief overview of how ethanol is made from corn.
Ann  Peck is the Executive Secretary of the New York
Corn Growers Association and  has recently been Project
Coordinator for Empire Biofuels, LLC, a  proposed
ethanol plant in the Finger Lakes. Both positions are
part of the  work done by ConsulAgr Inc., an agricultural
consulting firm in Newark, NY  that works with farms
and agribusinesses.

12:15 Buffet Lunch

1:00 Save Energy, Make Energy!
Mark Denecke, Finger Lakes Energy  $martSM
Coordinator
In addition to an overview of NYSERDA  programs,
Mark will describe programs, incentives, conservation
and  renewable energy. He will also explain how wind
and solar power can be an  excellent fit for a farm or
rural property, harnessing the wind or sun to  make your
own power, naturally.
Under Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional  Planning
Council’s contract with the New York State Energy
Research and  Development Authority (NYSERDA),
Mark Denecke’s primary responsibility is to  promote
NYSERDA energy-efficiency and renewable energy
programs.

2:15 Evaluations

REGISTRATION FORM
Trends in Alternative Energy
Please return by  Thursday, March 1, 2007
with payment.
Early registration is advised, as  space is limited.
Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home  Phone:
Name:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home Phone:
#  Attending:
(First person is $25.00 - second person from same
family or  farm is $12.00)
Total Enclosed:
Make check payable to: Cornell  Cooperative
Extension. No confirmation will be sent!
Mail to:
Cornell  Cooperative Extension
Alternative Energy Program
480 North Main  Street
Canandaigua, NY 14424

Questions or if you need any special
accommodations to attend?  Please call Lynn at
585-394-3977 x 409.
"Cornell Cooperative Extension  provides equal
program and employment opportunities."
Agriculture &  Natural Resources Programs
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Ontario  County

Gay Nicholson, Ph.D. 

607-533-7312 (home  office)
607-279-6618 (cell)

1 Maple Avenue
Lansing, NY  14882
gaynicholson at aol.com

Sustainable Tompkins 
Program  Coordinator 
w_ww.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 

Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities
Regional  Coordinator
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
615 Willow  Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850
agn1 at cornell.edu

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