are a designated Center of Excellence located at the
Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) on the University of North Dakota (UND) campus. The Centers conduct critical research, development,
demonstration, and commercial deployment of technologies utilizing biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro-electric energy sources. The
Centers also aid in the development of technologies focused on energy efficiency.
Biomass Web Exclusive
Alternative Fuels for Military, Only if Price is Right
By Chris Zygarlicke
As a means of ensuring long-term fuel supply security, the U.S. military is actively pursuing development of petroleum alternative jet fuels from
domestic resources. In addition to being “drop-in-compatible” with, and less carbon-intensive than their petroleum-derived counterparts, they
must be cost-competitive.
The U.S. Congress has been debating over whether to allow funding for production of renewable biofuels for use by the military. Last year, the U.S. Navy
spent approximately $26 per gallon to acquire renewably derived jet fuel for testing by jet aircraft. While it can probably be agreed that $26 per gallon is
unsustainable, “first-off” technologies are almost always considerably more expensive than their proverbial “nth plant” versions, which benefit from process
optimization, engineering and manufacturing ....
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