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Alganomics
Renewable Energy Producing Renewable
Energy
Biofuel Facility in Southport, NC Installs Solar
Power and Hybrid Windmills
February
17, 2012 - Southport, NC - Alganomics, LLC, Southport,
NC based leader in culturing algae for biomass,
installed in cooperation with the region's leading solar
company, Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC, a photovoltaic
solar system to offset energy used during the process of
culturing algae for biofuel. With the aim to add new
alternative energy sources to the renowned tubular photo
bioreactor processes, a 4.8 kW solar electric system and
hybrid windmills were installed at the algae culturing
plant located at Oak Island's Wastewater Treatment
Facility.
Implementation of this unique project was possible
thanks to a 2009 NC Green Business Fund grant award.
This funding source was a conversion from State of NC
funds to Federal American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Stimulus funds for conserving energy, utilizing
renewable sources and reducing the carbon footprint.
"Creative applications of renewable energy will keep
North Carolina in the forefront of innovation for
biofuels development and environmental remediation. We
are very appreciative to have the opportunity to
showcase North Carolina's vision by teaming with such NC
organizations as the Biofuels Center and the Dept. of
Commerce," states Dr. Kimberly Jones, Founder and CSO of
Alganomics. The solar system mainly saves energy needed
for fluid circulation during the biomass creation
process. The hybrid windmills, installed by R.L. Jones &
Sons Construction, LLC, feed compressed air into the
photobioreactors.
Wilmington, NC based Cape Fear Solar Systems designed
and installed the photovoltaic system that will generate
over 7 Megawatts (MW) of electricity per year. "With the
increased awareness of its benefits and the recent
reductions in panel prices, solar is finding its way
into projects that would not have otherwise used
alternative energy a few years ago," points out John
Donoghue, President of Cape Fear Solar Systems.
The solar electric system consists of twenty SunPower™
240 watt panels from their E19 series, which is the
highest efficiency and performance available on today's
solar market. The SunPower panels deliver a total panel
conversion efficiency of 19.3% and produce more power in
the same amount of space: up to 50% more than
conventional designs and 100% more than thin film solar
panels. "Solar is enjoying a widespread increase in
demand and the combination with the installation of the
hybrid windmills makes this project truly
extraordinary," comments Donoghue.
A significant influence in this project is the Town of
Oak Island that formed a collaborative partnership with
Alganomics back in September 2008 to demonstrate an
algae culturing system on the site located at the Oak
Island Biological Treatment and Water Reuse Facility. By
allowing this project to be supported with the
installation of the two renewable energy systems, the
Town of Oak Island supported the aim of reducing the
Planet's carbon emission.
The realization of this project was possible due to the
solid partnerships between Alganomics, Cape Fear Solar
Systems and Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperative (BEMC),
The Board of Science & Technology, under the NC Dept. of
Commerce, and NC GreenPower. "The support of all these
organizations for green energy adoption in our region is
more than obvious and sends a clear message to the
public, showing the current trend," expresses Dr. Kim
Jones. "Our mission at Alganomics is to make a
significant difference in our community, state, and
nation by becoming more environmentally responsible and
sustainable within the biofuels industry, and this
project is certainly supporting our goal," Jones
concludes.
About Alganomics, LLC
Alganomics, LLC is a leader in culturing algae for
biomass. Innovations in tubular photobioreactor systems
and the downstream processes are a primary company
focus. An additional focus is utilizing these
technologies for environmental remediation. A pilot
plant for algae to oil is underway at the Oak Island
Wastewater Treatment Facility, Oak Island, North
Carolina. Alganomics operates to produce reliable,
environmentally responsible, natural and renewable
bioproducts from algal sources, and to promote the use
of renewable energy alternatives.
About Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC
Cape Fear Solar Systems, LLC (CFSS) is a fully licensed,
insured and certified alternative energy solutions
provider. As a solar expert, CFSS offers a wide range of
solar panels for solar water heating, photovoltaic and
solar pool heating for residential and commercial
applications. With in-house design and engineering, CFSS
provides complete solar installations. This includes
management of all necessary permits and approvals,
handling of all utility paperwork, providing information
on available State and Federal investment tax credits as
well as consulting on community guidelines (HOA/POA/ARB/ACC).
CFSS is an Authorized Dealer for the following
established and proven technology leaders: SunPower
solar panels - the world's most efficient solar modules,
Sharp solar panels, solar thermal systems from Apricus
and Schüco, and Solar Service’s pool heating systems.
Having installed over 50 solar systems in Southeastern
North Carolina, the experience in solar installations
and an authorized dealer for the most efficient solar
panels on the Planet, SunPower, makes CFSS the local
leader in turnkey solar solutions.
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