The Greening of Louisiana’s Economy · development opportunities and workforce needs associated with the region’s green economy. Through a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department

Louisiana Workforce Commissionwww.LMI.LaWorks.net/Green

September 2011

The Greening of Louisiana’s Economy:Research and Development Activity

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not neces-sarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This solution is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

In 2009, Louisiana and Mississippi partnered to research economic

development opportunities and workforce needs associated with

the region’s green economy. Through a $2.3 million grant from the

U.S. Department of Labor, a consortium of the Louisiana Workforce

Commission, Louisiana State University, Mississippi Department of

Employment Security, and Mississippi State University conducted

an extensive study of economic activity that is beneficial to the

environment. This and other research products were developed as

part of that effort.

Research and Development Activity

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Executive Summary ................................................................................................... iiIntroduction............................................................................................................... 1Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 1 University of New Orleans ................................................................................. 2 University of Louisiana at Lafayette ................................................................. 3 Louisiana Tech University .................................................................................. 4 Louisiana State University................................................................................. 4 Tulane University ............................................................................................... 6Renewable Energy .................................................................................................... 7 Biopower ............................................................................................................ 9 Bioenergy .................................................................................................... 9 Biofuels ..................................................................................................... 10 Biomass ..................................................................................................... 12 Hydropower ...................................................................................................... 14 Wind Power ...................................................................................................... 18 Solar Power ...................................................................................................... 19 Geothermal Power ........................................................................................... 20Energy Efficiency .................................................................................................... 22Greenhouse Gas Reduction .................................................................................... 24Pollution Prevention and Environmental Cleanup .................................................. 25Recycling and Waste Reduction ............................................................................. 27Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation and Coastal Restoration ......................................................................................... 29Notes ................................................................................................................... 32

Contents

On the cover: test tubes in the lab at the Dynamic Fuels facility in Geismar, LA.

Photo © Dynamic Fuels

The Greening of Louisiana’s Economy

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Executive Summary

Louisiana is uniquely positioned for a leadership role in a number of research areas that help the environment. This report will provide an overview of research and technologies, in academia and the private sector, which help the environment and possess the potential for commercialization in Louisiana. Moreover, the discussion will address the infrastructure that plays a support role in the efforts to produce innovative research. Research and technology that help the environment are linked to areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, pollution prevention, environmental cleanup, natural resource conservation and coastal restoration.

• Louisiana is in a favorable position to innovate in the areas of advanced biofuels and feedstock development. This is a function of Louisiana’s abundant biomass resources and Louisiana’s network of centers, institutes and academic departments with expertise in advanced biofuel technologies and feedstock development. The Louisiana Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing will be an integral component in supporting biofuels and bioprocessing business development in Louisiana.

• Louisiana has a comparative advantage for the exploration and implementation of in-river hydrokinetic technologies for power generation. The Riversphere will provide all the resources needed to conduct feasibility and impact studies on in-river hydrokinetic turbines placed in the Mississippi River. Moreover, Louisiana has a trained workforce fluent in river conditions, and the Mississippi River is unmatched in the viable turbine sites.

• Louisiana has tremendous geopressured-geothermal resources, which can be used to create clean renewable energy. Access to natural gas at geopressured-geothermal resource sites reduces economic risks associated with geothermal energy extraction. Louisiana Geothermal has obtained U.S. Department of Energy stimulus money to conduct a feasibility study of a geopressured-geothermal energy facility in North Louisiana.

• Louisiana is in the early stages of creating the Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta. The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta will be the most comprehensive water management institute in the United States with a focus on rising water and coastal erosion. The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta will absorb members from the Costal Sustainability Consortium as well as public and private entities.


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Introduction

In today’s market, businesses are competing in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Businesses are relying less on location and natural resources to create competitive advantages. Instead, they are leveraging innovative technologies, the rapid availability of information and knowledge to create advantages in the market. Academia and the private sector play a key role in the research and development efforts that result in innovative technologies that increase the efficiency of business and operational processes. These organizations also provide the education and training to generate new knowledge.

Over the past decade, the strong influence of public, political and regulatory pressures have influenced Louisiana’s industries to provide greener goods and services as well as improve their sustainable business practices. For this reason, research and development efforts that focus on creation of new technology that help the environment, improve green goods and services, and enhance sustainable business practices have become increasingly important. Louisiana’s academia and private sector is uniquely positioned for a leadership role in various research areas that help the environment.

This report will address the current infrastructure in place that supports and conducts innovative research and technology commercialization efforts in Louisiana. Additionally, this report will provide an overview of environmentally beneficial research and technology development efforts occurring within Louisiana’s academia and private sector. Lastly, this report will discuss some of the comparative advantages and disadvantages Louisiana provides in the research and development of environmentally beneficial technologies. As with other components of this project, green was defined based on seven green activity categories:

1. Renewable Energy

2. Energy Efficiency

3. Greenhouse Gas Reduction

4. Pollution Reduction and Cleanup

5. Recycling and Waste Reduction

6. Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation and Coastal Restoration

7. Education, Compliance, Public Awareness and Training Supporting the Other Categories

Infrastructure

At the major Louisiana universities, researchers rely on several support offices to locate funding opportunities, obtain funding, acquire patents and market their innovative intellectual property. These support entities also develop public and private partnerships, foster workforce development and strengthen economic competitiveness. Aside from individual academic departments, major Louisiana universities also house research parks, centers


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and institutes, and business incubators, which work synergistically to conduct research and technology development.

Research parks support researchers by providing laboratory space, equipment, information resources (such as indexes and databases) and access to individuals with expertise knowledge. Moreover, research parks often serve as the physical location for the collaboration between academia and the private sector for the purpose of developing intellectual, human and technological capacity.1 Centers and institutes serve as the physical epicenter for researchers and staff, with specific expert knowledge, to conduct research and collaborate with peers. These facilities are often supported by field stations, which collect data in off-site and remote locations. Often, centers and institutes also provide expert opinion in the face of mounting public issues such as the BP oil spill. Lastly, business incubators provide startup companies with information resources and access to personnel with business expertise. This allows resource-scarce startup companies to make informed business decisions and focus on core competencies such as intellectual property and technology development.

There are several centers and institutes in Louisiana that were formed for the specific purpose of environmentally beneficial research and outreach. The following discussion will identify these centers and institutes that have a specific focus and tremendous impact on environmentally beneficial research and outreach activities. It will also discuss the research parks and business incubators providing support activities at major Louisiana universities conducting environmentally beneficial research. The discussion excludes academic departments that may have a focus on environmentally beneficial research and training. Refer to the respective university research and academic webpages for a more thorough list of research entities and academic departments with a focus on environmentally beneficial research and technology development. The support facilities at the following major Louisiana universities will be discussed:

1. University of New Orleans

2. University of Louisiana at Lafayette

3. Louisiana Tech University

4. Louisiana State University

5. Tulane University

University of New Orleans

The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park houses a handful of centers and institutes conducting environmentally beneficially research. There are several centers and institutes as well as academic departments at University of New Orleans that conduct environmentally beneficial research but do not reside within UNO Research and Technology Park. Many of the University of New Orleans research facilities and academic departments also collaborate on environmentally beneficially research and technology development projects to ensure the best outcome.

The University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park houses a $20 million, 104,000 square foot Center for Energy Resources Management (CERM) building.2 CERM conducts


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research in areas of energy and biotechnology, as well as coastal and environmental protection and restoration. The Center for Energy Resources Management consists of a variety of tenants including university researchers, companies collaborating with UNO on high-tech research products, not-for-profit organizations as well as local and state agencies.3

The Energy Conversion and Conservation Center (ECCC), located within the CERM building, conducts environmentally beneficial research on local, national and international projects that aim to solve technical problems associated with power generation, energy conservation and efficiency.4 The research at the ECCC is driven by the needs of the industry. Industry partners include General Electric, Siemens and 3M. The development of more energy efficient gas turbines and clean coal technologies are two focus areas at the University of New Orleans ECCC. The center operates under the guidance of the College of Engineering at the University of New Orleans and is part of the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium (CPERC).

The UNO Research and Technology Park is also home to the five-story, 79,600 square foot commercial multi-tenant Advanced Technology Center (ATC).5 The ATC provides work space for an international environmental engineering and design firm known as CDM. CDM combines expert knowledge and innovative technologies to provide solutions for environmental, water and energy problems. For example, CDM designs, builds and operates environmental remediation and restoration systems. QinetiQ, another company housed at the ATC, provides engineering, environmental planning and compliance services. QinetiQ provides the oil and gas industry with conservation, waste mitigation and waste reduction technologies, processes and products.6 They also develop methods for the efficient use of alternative fuels to produce environmentally friendly energy.7

The Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences conducts research for the purpose of delivering practical solutions to environmental challenges of the Pontchartrain Basin, the Gulf of Mexico and similar coastal ecosystems.8 The institute uses scientific research gathered about watershed and coastal system dynamics to detect and predict environmental changes in coastal systems.9 Moreover, their research is used for conservation and restoration efforts of Louisiana natural resources.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette consists of a network of centers and institutes, technology centers and academic departments that collaborate and conduct environmentally beneficial research. The University Research Park at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is located on 143 acres of ULL campus. The research park provides facilities that support basic and applied research in areas that help the environment. The National Wetlands Research Center, the Estuarine Habitats and Coastal Fisheries Center, Center for Ecology and Environmental Technology (CEET) and Center for Inland Water Studies (CLIWS) are a couple of the current tenants at the University Research Park.

The National Wetlands Research Center (NWCR) conducts research on forest and wetland ecosystems. The research is focused on the reforestation and restoration of species in wetland ecosystems. Researchers at the NWCR investigate the restoration potential of forested wetlands in the southern United States and provide an understanding of ecological processes and regeneration requirements for different types of forested wetlands,


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among other research areas.10 They also conduct research on sustainable management and restoration of coastal saltwater wetlands, coastal and inland freshwater wetlands, submerged aquatic ecosystems and coastal prairies.11

The CEET conducts research on the conservation of Louisiana wetlands and native species. They are currently participating in several ongoing conservation projects, which include Coastal Prairie Restoration, Louisiana Native Plant Initiative and the Bluebird Project.12 Similarly, the CLIWS conducts basic and applied research on coastal wetland restoration and protection For example, researchers have recently completed an emergency management river oil spill model and coastal system model that helps explain the linkage between hydrologic processes and landloss.13

Louisiana Tech University

Louisiana Tech University is currently constructing a research park known as the Enterprise Campus. The $25 million Enterprise Campus is a 50 acre extension of Louisiana Tech’s main campus.14 The Enterprise Campus will support collaboration between research entities and private sector, accelerate technology transfer by connecting innovative startups with business incubators and provide research training for graduate and undergraduate students. The Enterprise Campus will house several research entities pursuing research and technology development in environmentally beneficial areas. Louisiana Tech’s other research facilities and academic departments also collaborate on environmentally beneficially research and technology development projects.

One institute that plays a role in generating innovative environmentally beneficial research is the Institute of Micromanufacturing (IfM). The IfM conducts research and development efforts in the areas of biological and environmental micro/nanotechnology, among others. For example, researchers at the IfM have developed a technology capable of harvesting the “waste” heat of small electronic appliances and converting the heat into electrical energy. Researchers at the IfM are conducting computational research on hydrogen storage materials for the enhancement of onboard storage devices.15 The IfM’s research and services are not solely focused on environmentally beneficial research, but they continue to make innovative advances in environmental nanosystems.

Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University consists of a network of centers and institutes, technology centers and academic departments that collaborate and conduct environmentally beneficial research. The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, for example, plays an important role in advancing Louisiana in areas of bioenergy technologies, biofuels, energy feedstocks, pollution prevention and environmental cleanup. The LSU AgCenter consists of a number of entities who collaborate on these research efforts. The centers and institutes involved in this cooperative effort include the Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Audubon Sugar Institute and Forest Products Development Center.

Louisiana’s forestry and agricultural resources provide the state with an opportunity to be a leader in biomass-based renewable energy. The Institute for Biofuels and Bioprocessing was established to link Louisiana’s agricultural base with emerging bioenergy initiatives for the purpose of economic expansion.16 Researchers at the institute are developing economically


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viable technologies to produce biofuels, polymers and chemicals from Louisiana’s various biomass sources. The institute’s primary research focus is on the biological and chemical processes involved with biomass energy and biofuel production. They also conduct technical and economic feasibility research on various biomass feedstocks, which can be used for bioenergy and biofuel production. For example, researchers are investigating the use of algae as a feedstock for biodiesel production. They are also investigating high biomass production row crops, such as switch grass, which can be grown in less fertile areas of Louisiana.

In cooperation with the LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Stations (LAES) are also conducting research on row crops, algae and wood-based materials for the use of bioenergy and biofuel production. LAES consists of 20 research stations strategically located throughout Louisiana. The research stations allow for the researchers to work with crops and animals in the same environments and conditions as the Louisiana farmers and foresters.17 The Audubon Sugar Institute is also assisting in bioenergy and biofuels research. The Audubon Sugar Institute, for example, is currently investigating the feasibility of using Louisiana sugar mills as biorefineries during the off season. These biorefineries can be used for the production of biofuels and specialty chemicals. The Louisiana Forest Products Development Center (LFPDC) is also conducting environmentally friendly research. The LFPDC plays a key role in reducing pollution and increasing efficiency in the wood products market. The LFPDC was established by the LSU AgCenter to provide technical assistance to the primary and value-added processing wood products industries in Louisiana.18 The LFPDC

The Audubon Sugar Institute is a full-service unit capable of both laboratory and pilot operations and is designed for research and technical service to Louisiana’s agricultural industries; primarily the cane sugar processing industry. The facilities of the Institute are ideal for pilot studies.

Photo © John Wozniak; LSU AgCenter.


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conducts research on the removal of toxic compounds, for the purpose of recycling wood materials, in preservative-treated wood.

The Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), part of the LSU School of the Coast and Environment, conducts research on coastal morphodynamics. This research helps unravels important information about the changing Louisiana coastal shorelines and serves as a vital information resource for the conservation, management and restoration decisions needed to sustain the Louisiana coastline. The CSI also studies hurricane impacts and disseminates important research information to mitigate risks for coastal and inland communities.

The LSU Center for Turbine Innovation and Energy Research (TIER) and the Louisiana Geological Survey are two entities that do not specifically focus on green research but conduct research on environmentally beneficial technologies. The TIER Center collaborates with the U.S Department of Energy, the LSU Cogeneration Plant and a number of industry partners to develop next generation gas turbines with improved energy efficiency. The TIER Center is a component of the Louisiana State University Department of Mechanical Engineering and represents LSU in the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium. The TIER Center research groups focus largely on turbine blade cooling (both internal and external) as well as gas turbine combustion for improved energy efficiency.19 Additionally, researchers are also exploring energy generation through fuel cells and advanced materials for fuel cells.

The Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS) is the premier geological research institution in the state of Louisiana. Located on the Louisiana State University campus, the LGS is a component of the LSU Office of Research and Economic Development and LSU Center for Energy Studies.20 The primary purpose of the Louisiana Geological Survey is to provide information regarding the characteristics and distribution of Louisiana’s energy, mineral, water and environmental resources.21 The LGS also seeks to investigate the habitat of hydrocarbons (natural gas) in Louisiana and their environmentally safe extraction for commercial use. The LGS also conducts research in the area of geothermal technologies.

Tulane University

Tulane University consists of a network of centers and institutes, technology centers and academic departments that collaborate and conduct environmentally beneficial research. The Tulane-Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR) conducts research on environmental issues related to the lower Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. The research includes, among others, monitoring water quality and understanding the occurrence and movement of pollutants in the Mississippi River. The CBR is also involved in the use of in-river hydrokinetic turbines for power generation.

CBR and Tulane Energy Institute are collaborating on the Riversphere project. The Riversphere will be a center that assists businesses interested in designing or testing the feasibility of their hydrokinetic turbines in the Mississippi River. The Riversphere will provide 22,000 square feet of wet lab research, office, classroom, meeting, and exhibition space on the riverfront.22 The Riversphere facility will be located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans next to Mardi Gras World.


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The National Institute for Climatic Change Research (NICCR) consists of five universities, including Tulane University, which supports climatic change research objectives of the U.S. DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER).23 Specifically, NICCR conducts research that addresses scientific uncertainty about the response of coastal ecosystems to changes in climate and sea level.24 The research projects focus on the potential effects of climatic change on terrestrial ecosystems and improve the scientific basis for projecting changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is an energy source provided by renewable natural resources such as biomass, sunlight and wind. Renewable energy is known to have reduced environmental impacts compared to conventional sources of energy such as coal, oil and natural gas. These systems are also referred to as sustainable energy systems because they generate energy from a renewable resource, unlike conventional energy sources, which rely on finite resources for energy. Many of Louisiana’s industries are implementing renewable energy technologies to improve their environmental footprint, public image and often their bottom line. Residential renewable energy systems are also being implemented around Louisiana as a measure to improve energy efficiency and save money. Louisiana’s academia and private sector are leveraging their expertise and the diverse range of natural resources in Louisiana to deliver renewable energy technologies to a market with increasing demand.

Aside from market-driven demand, there have been a number of federal and state incentives, as well as state collaborative efforts, to increase the use of renewable energy in Louisiana. Louisiana incentives include federal advanced biofuel production grants25, federal cellulosic biofuel producer tax credit26, federal alternative motor vehicle credits, state residential incentives for wind and solar energy on residential property27, and more. These incentives have encouraged consumption of renewable energy technologies and increased investment in energy systems in Louisiana.

There are also collaborative efforts in Louisiana that aim to increase the use of renewable energy technologies. Notably, the Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium (CPERC) is a collaborative effort that focuses on providing cutting-edge research and development activities in areas of power and energy.28 CPERC’s focus areas include improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions from power generating systems, such as gas turbine systems, and developing and improving renewable energy systems, especially in the area of biomass energy. CPERC consists of six member universities including: Louisiana State University Main Campus, Louisiana State University Agriculture Center, Nicholls State University, Southern University, Tulane University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette and University of New Orleans.

The following discussion will touch on current renewable energy system research and technology development in the areas of biopower, hydropower, wind power, solar power and geothermal power. Currently, each type of renewable energy system is being implemented in Louisiana on a commercial or residential scale. However, the greatest focuses on technology development in Louisiana are in the areas of biopower, hydropower


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and geothermal power. The greater focus of technology development in these areas is a function of availability of natural resources, workforce expertise and economic feasibility. The economic feasibility correlates strongly with availability of natural resources, or geographic location, and a trained workforce.

Louisiana’s abundant agricultural, forest and water resources make biopower and hydropower attractive energy alternatives. Louisiana’s vast amounts of biomass, plant and animal organic matter can be burned to produce energy or converted into cleaner transportation fuels, such as biofuel and biodiesel. The Mississippi River lends itself to almost limitless kinetic energy potential, which can be harnessed for hydropower. Recent research has revealed Louisiana’s geothermal-geopressure reservoirs can be tapped for

The proposed site for the Riversphere research facility in downtown New Orleans.Photo © RiverSphere.


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geothermal energy. Louisiana also has a developed workforce with expert knowledge in dealing with these resources. As a result, technology development in the areas of biopower, hydropower and geothermal power is a significant focus in Louisiana.

Biopower

Biopower, or biomass energy, uses organic matter as a source for energy and advanced fuel production. Biomass is organic matter, which includes dedicated energy crops and trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural wastes and residues, wood wastes and residues, animal wastes, and municipal wastes.29 Bioenergy technologies use biomass sources to produce electricity, solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, heat and chemicals.

Louisiana is in a favorable position for research into biomass energy technologies because of the abundant biomass resources and expertise dealing with biomass. Louisiana has a rich base of biomass due to the forest-based and agricultural resources. Louisiana has more than 13.8 million acres of forestland and 5.1 million acres of cropland.30 Each year, approximately 3.01 million dry tons of biomass is produced by logging residues generated from forestlands.31 This, for example, provides enough energy to power more than 234,000 homes. Other biomass resources include rice straws, rice hulls, urban wood waste, soybean straw, wheat straw, corn stover, sorghum, cotton, sugarcane bagasse, livestock manure, and industrial (pulp and paper mill waste materials) and municipal waste. These biomass resources can serve as a sustainable source for bioenergy and advanced fuel production in Louisiana.

The research discussed below will focus on biomass energy technologies used to produce electricity and advanced fuels. The discussion will also detail ongoing research that focuses on identifying the most suitable biomass feedstocks for energy production as well as biofuel and biodiesel production.

Bioenergy

Researchers at major Louisiana universities are investigating ways to improve a method of producing clean energy known as biomass gasification. Generally, a biomass gasification system (gasifier) reacts plant-based or animal-based organic material at high temperatures with controlled amounts of oxygen to produce clean burnable gas known as syngas. Syngas is chemically similar to natural gas.

One problem with biomass gasification is the considerable tar build up on engine parts with a temperature below 250 degrees Celsius. Researchers at Louisiana State University’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering are investigating methods of reducing tar build up by implementing various filtration media. The filtration media serve to significantly reduce the particulate build up in the gasifier. A commercial limitation on the use of a gasifier is the transportation of the burnable gas because it takes up a considerable amount of space. Gasifiers that are capable of condensing burnable gases into liquid form are larger, more sophisticated and expensive. Therefore, researchers are developing an efficient portable gasifier that could be transported to a given site, eliminating the need for a gas to liquid conversion.

Point Bio Energy LLC, a wood pellet manufacturer, will be opening a new manufacturing facility at the Port of Greater Baton Rouge. The new facility will produce wood pellets, approximately 450,000 metric tons per year, which can be burned via gasification to


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generate cleaner energy. The wood pellets consist of debarked, dried, unitized, compacted and pelletized wood.32 The wood pellets can be burned in a gasifier, much like coal, but produce a cleaner fuel source. The new facility, which consists of a more than $100 million capital investment, will create up to 100 new direct jobs and 273 indirect jobs.33

Biofuels

Currently, plant-derived biofuels, such as corn-based ethanol, are a rapidly growing transportation fuel. Corn-based ethanol is currently the largest source of biofuel as a gasoline substitute or additive.34 Another prominent biofuel used as an additive is biodiesel. Legislation such as the Renewable Fuel Standard Program under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence Security Act of 2007 established the first renewable fuel volume mandate in the United States.35 Such legislation has assured the growth of corn-based ethanol and advanced biofuels.

Corn-based ethanol, however, has several disadvantages compared with advanced biofuels. One, corn is a valuable food and feed source in the United States, which limits the production of corn-based ethanol. Secondly, the amount of energy needed to grow, harvest and produce ethanol is significant compared to the energy provided by burning ethanol. In other words, there are more energy rich feedstock alternatives that can be used for ethanol production. Lastly, a tremendous amount of corn crop land is needed to produce meaningful levels of transportation fuel.

Major Louisiana universities are investigating alternative biofuel feedstocks for advanced biofuel production to address these concerns. Advanced biofuels are high-energy liquid transportation fuels derived from lower nutrient and high per acre yield crops, agricultural wastes, forestry wastes, municipal wastes or other sustainable biomass feedstocks including algae.36 Advanced biofuels use sustainable nonfood and nonfeed feedstocks, or use waste materials, as a source of energy.

One major trend in advanced biofuel research is the use of cellulosic biomass. Cellulosic biomass is primarily composed of plant fibers that are inedible by humans and consist predominately of cellulose.37 Cellulose is a compound that consists of several chains of glucose units. Generally, cellulose is broken down into glucose and then fermented into ethanol or converted into other advanced biofuels. Alternatively, the cellulose can be burned to produce a gaseous fuel. Cellulosic biomass may be available as dedicated energy crops or waste residues. Primary examples of residues in Louisiana would be sugarcane bagasse, rice hulls, cotton gin trash, sawmill waste, and pulp and paper mill waste.

Researchers at the LSU Department of Biological and Agricultural engineering department are interested in reducing the cost of cellulosic ethanol production through the reutilization of an expensive enzyme known as cellulase. Cellulase is a molecule that breaks down a complex sugar, cellulose, into a simple sugar for the purpose of fermentation. One method proposed for recycling cellulase is to bind the molecule to micro-magnetic beads. This method would allow the molecule to be recycled through magnetic attraction, thereby considerably reducing production cost of cellulosic ethanol.

Similarly, researchers at Louisiana Tech University are implementing nanotechnology to resolve the cost problems related to the catalysts used in cellulosic ethanol production. Researchers have developed a method of attaching molecules, used to break down


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cellulose, to a surface. This allows the molecules to remain stationary during the cellulosic ethanol production. This technique reduces the cost of cellulosic ethanol production by allowing the reuse of the expensive enzymes. At Louisiana Tech University, the Institute of Micromanufacturing plays a key role in the commercialization of such nanosystems.

The Verenium Corporation, a cellulosic ethanol producer, is also applying biotechnology to reduce the catalysts cost for cellulosic ethanol production. Verenium has developed a novel molecule, Pyrolase® 160 Enzyme, useful for converting cellulose into simple sugars for the fermentation process.38 The Verenium Corporation has completed a 1.4 million gallon per year pilot plant in Jennings, Louisiana, which tests various cellulosic feedstocks. In July 2010, BP and Verenium announced an agreement for BP Biofuels North America to acquire Verenium’s cellulosic biofuels business including the plant in Jennings, Louisiana.39

Aside from using enzymes as a catalyst for ethanol production, there has also been research into the use of bacteria to ferment sugar into fuel. Tulane researchers are using specific bacterial strains to convert cellulosic agricultural waste, such as sugarcane bagasse and corn stalks, into advanced biofuels. The researchers are investigating the use of several dozen novel bacterial strains that can be used to ferment simple sugars into a variety of solvents including butanol.

Butanol is considered to be a more advantageous biofuel than ethanol due to its higher energy content, higher boiling point and relatively easy transportable nature.40 Butanol production from microbial fermentation faces several challenges including low product yields, dilute fermentations and high costs associated with the required operating environment during production.41 To overcome these limitations, research is focused on new microbial strains with improved capability and the investigation of the microbes’ use of nutrients to improve butanol production during fermentation.

At Nicholls State University, research is under way on bio-ethanol production from sugarcane residue. During and after sugarcane harvest each year, sugarcane farmers eliminate crop residue by open- air burning.42 The crop residues, however, can be used for cellulosic ethanol production. Researchers are conducting laboratory-scale trials in optimizing pretreatment conditions of lingo-cellulosic ethanol production from sugarcane leaf and bagasse. The researchers tested a variety of alkaline and acid pretreatments of lignin. Lignin is a complex chemical that prevents the degradation of cellulose; a necessary step in cellulosic ethanol production. Lignin acts as a physical barrier between the molecules, which degrade the cellulose and the cellulose itself. Pretreatment, or removal, of lignin is required to maximize the breakdown of cellulose into simple sugars for the fermentation process.

The next section will discuss scientific research being conducted on dedicated energy crops that have the potential for use as advanced biofuel feedstocks or bioenergy generation. Aside from cellulosic biomass, other advanced biofuel feedstocks including oil seed crops, microalgae and animal waste materials are being researched at the major Louisiana universities. Louisiana provides an excellent environment for the growth and maintenance of a variety of trees, plants and grasses that may be used as advanced biofuel feedstocks. Additionally, the agricultural, forestry and paper and pulp industries provide an abundance of wood and waste residues that may be used for advanced fuels or energy production.


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Biomass

Researchers at the LSU AgCenter, and other major Louisiana universities, are currently evaluating dedicated feedstock crops such as high-fiber sugarcane (energy cane), sweet sorghum and switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol production. Researchers are investigating these energy crops for a number of reasons. These feedstocks are a short rotation crop, which means they regrow after each harvest, allowing multiple harvests without having to replant. These feedstocks also produce large amounts of cellulosic biomass, which can be used for energy. For example, commercial-grown varieties of energy cane can produce up to 40 dry tons of biomass per acre under optimal conditions.43 In addition to high cellulosic biomass, sweet sorghum and energy cane have high sugar contents, which increase ethanol production outputs. These crops also have growth advantages over traditional crops. For example, sweet sorghum can be grown in several temperate environments while switchgrass is fairly disease resistant and easily grown.

Researchers at the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, part of the LSU College of Agriculture, are investigating the feasibility of coupling biomass production of switchgrass with phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is the treatment of environmental problems through the use of plants to mitigate an environmental problem. Switchgrass can potentially be grown in areas with high phosphorus environments such as in poultry litter. The researchers are investigating the use of switchgrass to remove excess phosphorus while simultaneously serving as a biofuel feedstock.

Researchers from the LSU AgCenter and Hill Farm Research Station are currently developing the blueprints for an agroforestry management system that couples forest and switchgrass production. Louisiana’s forests are abundant and offer high biomass potential for the production of biofuels, however it generally takes 15 or more years for the trees to reach a harvestable growth.44 Researchers are proposing growing switchgrass as a biofuel feedstock within the alleys between trees. The switchgrass nearly reaches maturity by the second year and can then be harvested annually.45 Switchgrass can produce nearly 1,000 gallons of ethanol per acre, requires minimal fertilization and can be grown on less fertile soils.46 The researchers have demonstrated that switchgrass grows successfully in a shaded environment between the alleys of trees.

Similarly, in 2009, researchers at the Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro, conducted a study to explore the growth of switchgrass between alleys of Eastern Cottonwood trees.47 The purpose of the research is to develop an agroforestry management system for the growth of this vegetation in areas of the lower Mississippi River alluvial valley. The lower Mississippi River alluvial valley possesses soil of marginal quality and requires too much irrigation and fertilization to produce conventional crops profitably.48 Switchgrass and cottonwood, on the other hand, can grow successfully with little irrigation and fertilization. Cottonwood can grow eight feet per year and can yield approximately 700 gallons of ethanol per acre.49

Energy cane is another feedstock undergoing extensive research at major Louisiana universities. Researchers from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station (LAES) and American Sugar Cane League (ASCL) are developing new varieties of energy cane that are cold tolerant. This will expand the application of energy


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cane to other geographical areas. In 2008, ARS, LAES and ASCL released three varieties with an estimated ethanol yield of 1,240 gallons per acre.50

Research aimed at advanced biofuel feedstocks is not limited to cellulosic biomass. In fact, there is considerable interest in oil seed crops, microalgae and animal fats for biodiesel. Biodiesel is produced by reacting either vegetable oil or animal fats with alcohol. These feedstocks provide energy in the form of oil, rather than fermentation of sugars, which can be used to create biodiesel.

In the case of oil seed crops, the oil is extracted from the seed using a mechanical pressing method or solvent extraction. Likewise, oil may be extracted from microalgae using a variety of physical or chemical extraction methods. Researchers are interested in these feedstocks because they do not compete with food crops for land or other resources, and they have the potential to be economically viable without government subsidy.

Oil seed crops are primarily grown for the vegetable oil contained in seeds. In the United States, the most commonly used sources of oil for biodiesel production are soybean oil and cooking grease from restaurants.51 Common oil seed crops are soybeans, sunflowers and rapeseed (canola). However, these oil seed crops are not ideal for biodiesel production. Researchers at Louisiana State University are investigating the viability of second and third generation oil seed crops for biodiesel production.

Third generation oil seed crops, ideally, promote sustainability by reducing soil erosion and improving surface water quality.52 Moreover, highly productive oil seed crops should be suitable for use on underutilized land that is too wet, salty or infertile for conventional farming crops.53 Researchers across Louisiana have focused considerably on perennial oil seed crops such as Jatropha, Tung Oil trees and Chinese Tallow trees.

Researchers at Louisiana State University’s School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences indicated that perennial oil seed for biodiesel production offer an optimistic long-term opportunity. Researchers recently conducted a study looking at winter cover crops that could be harvested as oil seed crops. There are millions of acres of prime agriculture land that are not planted with cover crops during the winter months. As a result, erosion from these unprotected cultivated fields is a major source of surface water contamination in Louisiana.54 A profitable cover crop has the potential to increase farm income and supply oil seed desperately needed by the biodiesel industry, while reducing nonpoint pollution and enhancing soil fertility.55 The researchers are investigating viable cover crops that mature in sufficient time to prepare for summer crops.

Researchers at the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences at Louisiana State University are also working with perennial oil seed crops such as Tung trees and Chinese Tallow trees. In south Louisiana, tallow trees have the potential to not only stabilize wet, erosive and even saline oils, but they are capable of producing vegetable oil yields 10 to 20 times those obtained by soybeans grown on our better soils.56 On an acre basis, the cost of producing tallow tree seed will be equal or less than that of producing soybeans.57 Researchers believe the first step to commercialization is to identify and make available tallow trees with traits that ensure high yields and uniform properties, such as pest and disease resistance. Chinese Tallow trees are largely cross-pollinated so researchers are developing cloning techniques to ensure superior traits are expressed.


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Researchers from the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Louisiana State University are exploring microalgae as a potential feedstock for biodiesel production. Microalgae have enormous potential for biofuel and biodiesel production because of their low nutrient requirement and high yield per acre. Lipids, a group of molecules that include fats and oils, comprise a significant portion of the algae’s mass, which can be used as a fuel source. Specific strains of microalgae have the potential to yield as much as 3,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year compared to corn-based ethanol’s 380 gallons per acre per year.58 Harvesting microalgae is a significant limitation because they are only a few microns in size, thus microalgae are difficult to separate from water. Researchers are currently exploring various methods for cost-effective harvesting.

Dynamic Fuels, a joint venture of Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corporation, is building North America’s first renewable, synthetic fuels plant in Geismar, Louisiana. The plant will utilize a proprietary Bio-SynfiningTM process to produce synthetic diesel from animal fats and used cooking oils. The synthetic biodiesel produced by Dynamic Fuels has the lowest emission levels of any transportation fuel on the market. The Dynamic Fuel biodiesel is termed synthetic because it is made from sources other than petroleum, but after processing, the alternative sources yield the same molecule as from traditional petroleum diesel processing.59 The difference is the synthetic diesel does not contain the impurities that give petroleum diesel its characteristic odor and color.60 The Gesimar plant will be a 75 million gallon per year plant and will create more than 300 jobs.

Hydropower

An employee inspects a jar of synthetic fuel at the dynamic foods plant in Geismar, Louisiana. Dynamic foods uses a proprietary process to produce synthetic diesel from animal fats and used cooking oils.Photo © Dynamic Fuels.


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The second largest source of renewable energy consumed in the United States is hydroelectric power. The most common type of hydropower facility uses a dam to store river water in a reservoir. Water released from the reservoir flows through a turbine, spinning it, which activates a generator to produce electricity.61 Aside from dams, kinetic energy may be provided by ocean currents, tides or inland waterways. Recently, Louisiana has received considerable attention from hydrokinetic companies due to the potential of in-river hydrokinetic power.

In-river hydrokinetic power is created by river currents that power turbines either anchored to existing infrastructure or the river bottom. The Mississippi River makes Louisiana an attractive place for in-river hydrokinetic power. At New Orleans, the Mississippi River has an average flow rate of 600,000 cubic feet per second.62 The Mississippi River offers an abundant source of hydrokinetic energy, which has resulted in a number of companies interested in monetizing the potential.

Louisiana offers several comparative advantages that are attracting hydrokinetic energy companies. One of the largest hydropower companies in Louisiana, Massachusetts-based Free Flow Power (FFP), studied 80,000 potential sites along waterways in the United States and has found that the Mississippi River is unmatched for its channels, depths and viable turbine sites.63 The director of project development for Free Flow Power indicated that Louisiana is an attractive place for hydrokinetic projects because the workforce is fluent in river conditions.64 Louisiana also maintains rights over its riverbeds, making negotiations for turbine sites far easier because there is a sole owner.65 A general advantage of hydrokinetic energy is the fact that energy production is predictable because the rates of water are fairly predictable.

Louisiana offers another comparative advantage over many states. Companies involved in projects in Louisiana will have access to the Riversphere. The Riversphere is a hydrokinetic energy project led by Tulane-Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research (CBR) and in collaboration with the Tulane Energy Institute. The Riversphere will serve as a business incubator, testing and consulting facility for pilot-scale hydrokinetic turbines and will also provide a water resource research laboratory to assess hydrologic conditions and environmental impacts along the Mississippi River.66 The Riversphere will also lend trans-disciplinary expertise from Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering, the School of Business, School of Liberal Arts and the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.67 The director of the Riversphere commented that the Riversphere is available to help more robust companies that are ready to enter the market and provide assistance with startup businesses looking to test proof of concept for their technologies.

The Riversphere facility will be located on the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans next to Mardi Gras World. The Riversphere will provide “22,000 square feet of wet lab research, office, classroom, meeting and exhibition space on the riverfront4.”68 CBR has already obtained a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Agency for the construction of the Riversphere facility. The CBR is currently seeking sources of nonfederal funding to match the $3 million grant in order to begin construction.

According to the director, one of the major limitations of in-river hydropower is the absence of knowledge regarding the short and long-term effects of employing turbines in the Mississippi River.


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In fact, there are several questions about the impacts of in-river turbines on wildlife, water quality and transportation. For this reason, the Riversphere will be actively involved in studying the results of employing the turbines in the Mississippi River and determining whether it will be a feasible sustainable energy source. For example, the Riversphere will contain laboratories to research the hydrology and ecology of the Lower Mississippi River Deltaic Plain and assess the quality of the Mississippi River.

Free Flow Power, one of the largest hydrokinetic energy companies in Louisiana, has identified 80 sites on the Mississippi River and 17 sites on the Atchafalaya River as feasible spots for hydrokinetic projects. Many of the sites are located north of bends in the river, where the water flow reaches optimum acceleration.69 According to the director of project development for Free Flow Power, FFP could submerge 500 to 1,000 turbines at each site when it’s fully operational.70 Turbine sizes range from six inches to several feet in diameter, so fitting numerous turbines in one location is certainly feasible. Free Flow Power’s SmarTurbineTM generators, for example, are approximately 10 feet in diameter and can generate 10 kilowatts in 7.4 feet per second flows and 40 kilowatts in 9.8 feet per second flows71. Free Flow Power intends not only to produce in-river turbines for hydropower purposes but also manufacture the turbines for distribution to a growing number of hydrokinetic companies worldwide.72 The intention of mass producing turbines is to meet market demand and slowly drive down costs. Free Flow Power thinks it will need between 1,000 and 1,200 people to operate and maintain its turbines, plus more people to staff a manufacturing facility, possibly in Louisiana.73

Hydro Green Energy, a Texas-based company, is another developer and integrator of hydrokinetic power systems interested in monetizing the potential of the Mississippi River. Like Free Flow Power, Hydro Green Energy has proposed projects on the Mississippi River in Louisiana and Mississippi. Hydro Green developed a 100 kW turbine for the nation’s first commercial hydrokinetic power station at the Army Corps of Engineers dam in Hastings, Minnesota. Hydro Green’s turbines are the slowest moving in the industry and have been deemed fish friendly from a 2009 study. The 2009 study involved passing 504 balloon and radio-tagged fish through an installed hydrokinetic turbine. The fish survival rate was 97.5 percent. The company also plans to study how its turbine affects water quality, birds and mussels. The capacity of Hydro Green Energy’s turbines is 250 kilowatts per unit with a rotor diameter of 12 feet (flow rate not specified).74 A test done in the Mississippi River, which involved suspending the turbine from a barge in the river, proved the turbines could produce power, but the economics did not support expansion.75

Marmc Enterprise, a small hydrokinetic power company, plans to buy hydrokinetic turbines and place them in New Orleans and Plaquemines Parish. Marmc Enterpise has obtained four preliminary permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to place turbines along the Mississippi River. Nicoline Marinovich, Marmc Enterprise owner, is still working on her financing plan but indicated intentions to apply for federal stimulus money through the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to support the project.76

Underwater Electric Kite has obtained two preliminary permits in the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana. The UEK administrator indicated that the company will pursue sites in the gentle waters of the Atchafalaya River before the competitors stake a claim24. In an earlier attempt to employ hydrokinetic turbines, Underwater Electric Kite surrendered permits in the New


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Hampshire harbor when they realized the disturbance from ocean-going vessels created too much disturbance in the water for the turbines to operate effectively.77 The UEK turbines will not disrupt marine life or accumulate silt on the river bed floors.

The energy produced by the hydrokinetic power companies will be used in one of two ways. One, there will be local energy use such as private partners using energy to run facilitates. Secondly, there may be certain areas along the river where electricity is directed and connected to the grid. In-river hydrokinetic power in Louisiana will generate jobs involved in maintaining and manufacturing and will provide an environmentally energy source.

There are limitations and potential impacts of placing turbines in the Mississippi. One limitation of in-river hydropower is the time frame and requirements to accumulate the

A river turbine being inspected at the Free flow power facility.Photo © Free Flow Power.


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necessary permits to implement a turbine in the Mississippi River. Businesses have to obtain a number of permits before employing a turbine in the river. According to the director of the Riversphere, it takes approximately three years to obtain the appropriate permits. For example, the Wildlife Refuge requires a signed permit for land connected to a wildlife refuge. A business must also go through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in order to receive a license for the construction of a new project. There are also individual studies that have to be done in order to obtain certain permits. These studies may have to address such questions as the effects of turbines on navigation as well as environmental and ecological affects.

A second limitation of hydrokinetic power in the Mississippi River is landowner restrictions. A company interested in a particular section of the Mississippi River must be provided access by landowners. The director of the Riversphere indicated that joint ventures with companies are likely to occur due to land and permit restrictions. Thus far, Free Flow Power is more than one year through the permitting process and will likely be the first involved in testing phase.

The potential impacts of hydro kinetic turbines in the Mississippi River warrant additional research. The long-term effects on river and aquatic species is not well known. The placement of turbines can result in access restrictions for recreational activities and pose safety issue to humans. The benefits of hydrokinetic energy production in Louisiana, on the other hand, are tremendous.

Wind Power

Wind power is generated in a similar fashion as hydropower. Wind power is created in a process by which kinetic energy, from the movement of air, causes wind turbines to rotate and a generator converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy. Commercial-scale wind energy generation is generally produced onshore, but the viable economics of offshore wind energy has resulted in several projects around the country. Over the past couple years, there have been a number of analyses conducted by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Marine Institute, LSU Center for Energy Studies and other entities to assess the potential for commercial wind energy generation in Louisiana.

The results have shown that the economics of offshore78 and onshore79 commercial wind energy in Louisiana are not currently viable. Wind energy is not economically feasible in Louisiana due to the high capital costs of wind energy systems, technological limitations of wind energy systems, undeveloped infrastructure and inconsistent energy production. Louisiana does, on the other hand, have the intellectual expertise and equipment manufacturing capacity to support infrastructure located anywhere else in the Gulf Coast.80 Access to the Port of New Orleans makes distribution of large wind turbines feasible.

Blade Dynamics, a British company in the field of renewable energy, will manufacture wind turbine rotors and equipment at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Blade Dynamics develops technology for the manufacture of next generation wind turbine rotors. The company offers a Dynamic 49 wind rotor that is lighter, more powerful, more reliable and more cost effective than conventional rotors. Additionally, the Dynamic 49 rotor can be disassembled, which promotes ease of shipping. This is beneficial because the size of wind turbine blades for onshore wind energy systems is limited to a capacity that is capable


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of being shipped. Blade Dynamics also offers a revolutionary wind turbine blade surface material called Bladeskyn®. Bladeskyn® is an advanced polymer that protects the wind rotor from UV damage and abrasion, which effectively extends the lifetime of the rotor. The coating also minimizes the amount of dirt that collects on the rotor. This essentially maximizes the power output of the turbine by reducing surface variability. Blade Dynamics will create 600 direct manufacturing jobs and approximately 975 indirect jobs at the Michoud Assembly Facility.81

Blade Dynamics’ investment in Louisiana will provide opportunities for further research into wind energy technologies through academic and private research collaboration. As economies of scale for wind energy systems increase and technological advancements develop, the capital costs for implementing commercial-scale wind energy systems will be more economically viable. There are other hurdles, however, before wind energy systems are implemented on a commercial scale in Louisiana.

Solar Power

Solar energy is commonly produced by using photovoltaic material to convert light directly into electrical energy. Solar thermal energy is another method of generating solar power. This involves using lenses, or parabolic mirrors, to focus a large area of sunlight on a small area, which creates heat. This heat can be used to help power a turbine and subsequently create electricity. Solar thermal energy is less expensive than using photovoltaic material to directly convert light into electrical energy.

In Louisiana, state and federal renewable energy system incentives have encouraged the installation of solar and wind energy systems. Louisiana offers a personal tax credit equal to 50 percent of the first $25,000 of the cost of each system, including installation costs.82 The current federal incentive allows for a 30 percent tax credit for each system installed. The maximum incentive amount for each solar system installed, however, is $2,000. Despite increases in the installation of residential solar systems, Louisiana’s research into solar technologies is fairly limited.

Research into solar technologies is limited because of the state’s inexperience in design, fabrication and testing of semiconductors. Researchers have to collaborate with businesses located in other states, such as California, who have an established infrastructure suited for semiconductor design and construction. This leads to time-consuming and costly hindrances for building and testing a prototype. The cost of a solar cell prototype is in the range of $25,000 to $50,000. This is one deterrent for the startup of semiconductor and solar companies within Louisiana and limits the research into innovative solar technologies.

Researchers from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Louisiana State University have created a photonic crystal that will significantly improve the efficiency of solar cells. Calculations have indicated an efficiency of 30 percent conversion, which is approximately 15 percent higher than conventional solar cells. This increase in efficiency, however, comes with a cost. Optimizing solar cells occurs on two different levels, efficiency versus cost. Researchers generally pursue different directions depending on the market need.

According to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, the Southeast’s solar photovoltaic potential rivals some of the best resources in the country.83 However, Louisiana and other


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southern states lag behind in research and technology development of commercially feasible technologies. This can be partly attributed to the poorly established infrastructure for semiconductor design and construction, which limits research and technology development in solar technologies. As photovoltaic and solar-thermal technologies become more economically feasible, Louisiana will benefit from additional investments into residential and, eventually, commercial solar systems.

Geothermal Power

Turbine and generator units extract thermal energy from shallow ground, hot water and rock located several miles below the Earth’s surface to generate geothermal power. The heat is accessed by drilling water or steam wells in a process similar to drilling for oil. In the United States, most geothermal reservoirs are located in the western states such as Alaska and Hawaii.84 Louisiana has the potential to generate electricity from geopressured-geothermal resources, which are prominent along the northern Gulf of Mexico basin and the Pacific West Coast.85

Geothermal power plants are similar to traditional power plants in that they use many of the same power-generating equipment such as turbines and generators. However, the source of geothermal energy is unique at each site. For example, the fluid produced from a geothermal well can be steam, brine (water saturated with salt) or a mixture of the two.86 Additionally, the temperature, pressure and chemical composition can vary substantially from site to site.87 Geothermal-geopressured resources are unique in that they provide three energy forms: thermal, hydraulic and chemical energy. The thermal energy can be converted to electricity using a geothermal binary turbine, and the hydraulic energy can be converted to electricity with a hydraulic turbine. Lastly, the chemical energy (dissolved methane gas) can be separated and sold, burned, compressed, liquefied, converted to methanol or electricity by fueling a turbine.

Louisiana Geothermal LLC is currently demonstrating the commercial feasibility of geopressured-geothermal power. The Louisiana Geothermal LLC project is located on a 200 acre site in Sweet Lake, Louisiana. Thus far, Louisiana Geothermal has received $5 million of federal money from the Department of Energy. The funding was part of a $20 million incentive from the Department of Energy to develop innovative geothermal technologies in areas of low temperature fluids, geothermal fluids recovered from oil and gas wells, and highly pressurized geothermal fluids.88 Louisiana Geothermal will be also extracting natural gas in combination with the geothermal energy. According to the U.S Department of Energy, these “geothermal reservoirs often contain dissolved natural gas that may not be economical to produce alone, but can be economically developed in combination with geothermal energy production.”89 The power plant could potentially produce between two to five megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power between 2,000 and 5,000 homes.90 Construction could begin as early as 2011, pending additional funding.

A researcher from the Department of Mathematics at Louisiana State University recently received funding from the National Science Foundation to investigate enhanced geothermal systems. Enhanced geothermal systems differ from conventional geothermal systems because they do not exploit naturally occurring hydrothermal resources. Instead, enhanced geothermal systems extract heat by creating subsurface fractures to which water can be


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added through injection wells.91 The water from the injection wells are exposed to hot dry rock, which heats the water. The heated water is then obtained by the production wells. The hot water is used to power heat pumps or steam turbines.

The $314,000 NSF funding will be used to employ two undergraduate students and one graduate student to aid in research for three years. The researchers will use supercomputers, resources from the Center for Computation and Technology (CCT), as well as resources from the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI) to develop models to create artificial fractures that produce energy.92 The research group intends, in collaboration with the Coast to Cosmos Focus area at the CCT, to develop a multidisciplinary research initiative that explores the use of high-performance computing to better understand complex physical processes.93

As previously discussed, the majority of geothermal systems are limited to western United States because the reservoirs offer favorable characteristics. Enhanced geothermal systems are advantageous because they offer the potential to expand the use of geothermal systems to other geographic regions. The research at Louisiana State University will provide insight on mechanisms to create artificial fractures for use in enhanced geothermal reservoirs.

Another notable geothermal project is being undertaken by the director of the Louisiana Geological Survey (LGS). The director of the LGS was recently appointed to the National Scientific Advisory Board for a three-year geothermal energy project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. This $21 million project will establish a national geothermal database for assessment and development of geothermal energy resources nationwide.94 The LGS will compile information regarding geopressured-geothermal reservoirs along the Gulf Coast, particularly in Louisiana, for the nationally searchable database. The “data will include temperatures, geologic maps, suitable trends and sites for drilling, rock core and cuttings information, deep oil, gas and water well information, thermal gradient maps and more, in digital format95.” According to the LGS director, “Louisiana has tremendous geopressured-geothermal resources.”96

The use of geothermal heat pump technologies for commercial and residential buildings has been a growing trend and a cost effective way to reduce electricity use. Geothermal heat pumps use shallow ground energy to heat and cool buildings. Geothermal heat pumps exploit the constant temperature located just below the Earth’s surface. Ten to 20 feet below the Earth’s surface the temperature is a near constant temperature that ranges between 50ºF and 60ºF.97 A geothermal heat pump system consists of pipes buried in shallow ground near a building, a heat exchanger and ductwork into a building. In the winter, heat from the relatively warmer ground goes through the heat exchanger into the house. In the summer, hot air from the house is pulled through the heat exchanger into the relatively cooler ground.

The enormous potential of enhanced geothermal system technologies and Louisiana’s natural geopressure-geothermal resources are a driving force for further research. As research continues and technology develops, geothermal energy will play a more prominent role in Louisiana’s sustainable energy profile. Access to natural gas at geopressured-


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geothermal resource sites in Louisiana reduces economic risks associated with geothermal energy extraction.

Energy Efficiency

An effort made to reduce the amount of energy required in the production or consumption of a product or service may be considered as increasing energy efficiency. Energy efficiency improvements can be made in several areas such as buildings, energy production processes, electronics, and appliances and storage devices. The benefit of increasing energy efficiency is to reduce cost and minimize waste and environmental impact. In Louisiana, there has been considerable investment in programs and research to advance energy efficiency.

At the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, part of the LSU AgCenter, researchers are working on residential housing and building science with a focus on sustainability. The primary goal for researchers is to educate and disseminate knowledge to consumers regarding sustainable housing. Sustainable housing involves the following areas: energy efficiency, hazard resistance, weatherization and durability. For example, researchers from the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service are collaborating with the Louisiana Association of Community Action Partnership to disseminate knowledge in sustainable housing and assist low-income homes with making sustainable housing homes.

The LACAP has developed a weatherization training center, and they are conducting training classes on a range of weatherization topics. The classes train local people from the Community Action Agency to weatherize homes of low-income people. Moreover, federal funding from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is used to weatherize these homes. The trained workers can use up to $6,500 per home to increase weatherization and any excess money goes to energy efficiency improvements. The weatherization repairs that are made to the house focus on energy conservation repairs. Examples of repairs that would be made include sealing and caulking cracks around windows and doors, installing weather stripping around doors to seal them, replacing holes in floors, replacing broken window panes and attic insulation.

Geoshield, a Louisiana-based company, has developed a solar window film to increase the energy efficiency in buildings. Geoshield uses an advanced ceramic material to create a spectrally selective window film.98 The film selectively filters out heat-producing infrared and harmful UV light while allowing visible light to enter. Solar heat can significantly impact the heating and cooling costs for a building. These solar films play a crucial role in increasing the energy efficiency of a building. Geoshield is one of several companies participating in the Louisiana Business Development Center’s business incubator program.

One entity that plays a key role in developing innovative energy efficiency production processes for coal-fired power plants is the Energy Conversion and Conservation Center (ECCC) at the University of New Orleans. The director of the ECCC explained that the focus of the center is on developing clean coal technologies and improving the energy efficiency of coal-fired power. The ECCC’s focus on coal- fired power stems from the fact that current clean energy options are extensive and long term. Fifty-one percent of the United States’ electricity


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generation comes from coal power so it is not realistic to quit burning coal. Thus, the UNO ECCC is working to resolve the current issue of making burning coal a greener process.

The improvement of energy efficiency in the coal power plant allows for the use of less coal and natural gas which, in turn, reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Energy efficient production processes are important because coal power plants require a great deal of energy. The ECCC focuses largely on the use and design of high energy cogeneration. Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power, is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from a single fuel source.99 The heat is used in the cooling or heating of a building, facility or operational process.

The ECCC is also working to create energy efficient gas turbines. The efficiency of a gas turbine drops 20 percent in the summer time. The ECCC has developed a fogging method that deploys mists of water to cool the turbine. Internal mist and steam blade technology is developed at the ECCC for high temperature gas turbine systems.100 This is particularly important because the advances in gas turbine engines require that the engines continuously operate at temperatures much higher than the metal temperature of the turbine airfoils.101 Thus, effective cooling of the airfoils is essential. This technology is currently being implemented by specific coal power plants; improvements to the technology are still being made.

Similarly, researchers from the LSU Center for Turbine Innovation and Energy Research (TIER) collaborate with the U.S. Department of Energy, the LSU Cogeneration Plant and a number of industry partners such as GE Power Systems, Siemens and Rolls Royce to develop next-generation gas turbines with improved efficiency. The TIER Center research groups focus largely on turbine blade cooling (both internal and external) as well as gas turbine combustion.102 Additionally, researchers are exploring energy generation through fuel cells.

One specific industry demand for advanced gas turbines is an increase in power output and thermal efficiency. Thermal efficiency refers to a ratio of power output, or work produced, for a given input of thermal energy; a gas turbine with a higher thermal efficiency indicates the device has a higher energy conversion ratio. Advanced gas turbines have extremely high gas inlet temperatures, as much as 2,732 degrees Fahrenheit, which exceed the melting temperatures of the turbine blades and vanes.103 The gas turbine blades and vanes must be cooled significantly, around 932 degrees Fahrenheit, to function reliably. There are two ongoing projects at the TIER Center that address internal cooling of turbine blades.

One project explores the use of micro-heat exchangers for turbine blade cooling, an alternative for current cooling techniques in gas turbines. Micro-heat exchangers enhance cooling by the efficient transfer of heat from a hot fluid flow to a cold fluid flow usually separated by an intermediate metallic structure.104 Scientists are investigating the most promising set of heat exchanger parameters to be used for placement on the turbine blades.105 A second project is an improved turbulator design for internal cooling of turbine blades. A turbulator is a device used for improving air flow. In this project, dimple designs were placed on the turbulator, and it was found that the design provided a better flow of coolant.

Researchers at the Institute for Micromanufacturing in Ruston, Louisiana are testing various nano-engineered gasification catalysts to increase the conversion efficiency of hydrogen and carbon monoxides into diesel fuels. The researchers developed a unique cobalt nanowire


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catalyst, which has a very high surface area and resistance to physical wear. During gasification, temperature and pressure play an important role of reacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Catalysts, such as the one developed, enhance this reaction by allowing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to chemically bind to the surface of the catalysts.106 The oxygen eventually “desorbs” from the catalysts and binds with excess hydrogen to form water while the carbon and hydrogen remain on the catalysts to form hydrocarbon chains, such as gasoline and diesel.107 Researchers continue to pursue superior affordable catalysts that enhance the efficiency of the gasification process.

Researchers at the Institute for Micromanufacturing have also developed a novel technology that increases the energy efficiency of electronics and appliances. One innovative device, called the CNF-PZT Cantilever, offers small electronic devices the opportunity to harvest their own wasted energy. The device uses a cantilever made out of piezoelectric material and is coated with a carbon nanotube film on one side.108 When the carbon nanotube film absorbs light or thermal energy, it causes the piezoelectric cantilever to bend back and forth repeatedly. The piezoelectric cantilever converts the mechanical energy from bending into electrical energy. Essentially, the device allows small electronic devices to harvest their own operational energy.109 The research team demonstrated that the device could generate enough power to operate microsensors and integrated sensors.110

Additionally, researchers at the Institute of Micromanufacturing have developed a “shoe implantable” device that is capable of harvesting the mechanical energy produced from walking. Similar to the technology described above, a piezoelectric material converts the mechanical energy from bending into electrical energy. The innovation, however, is based on new voltage regulation circuit that efficiently converts a piezoelectric charge into usable voltage for charging batteries or directly powering electronics.111 Power harvesting technologies often fall short in terms of voltage output because many of today’s applications require higher power levels.112 The device implanted into the heel of the shoe is a low-cost polymer generator that does not reduce comfort.

Novolyte Technologies is a company with a 104 acre facility in Zachary, Louisiana that employees 90 individuals. Novolyte Technologies focuses on energy storage materials and green chemicals. Novolyte Technologies produces a brand of salts, called Purolyte® Electrolytes, which increase the energy efficiency of lithium ion batteries. In batteries, a chemical called LiPF6, has accelerated decomposition when exposed to higher temperatures.113 The decomposition of LiPF6 forms hydrofluoric acid, which causes corrosion and degradation in the battery.114 Novolyte Technologies has developed a series of LiPF6 salt additives, which can stabilize the LiPF6 and extend the life of the lithium ion battery.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction

Greenhouse gases are of considerable concern with regard to global climate change. Greenhouse gases include such gases as carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, water vapor and chlorofluorocarbons. Several greenhouse gases, most notably carbon dioxide, are being increasingly emitted by human activities. This has caused concern in the scientific community because it alters the Earth’s natural levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases.


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Research and technology development in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energies such as hydropower and geothermal power produce significantly cleaner energy than conventional methods. Third-generation advanced biofuels are carbon dioxide neutral. For example, microalgae used to create biodiesel absorb carbon dioxide for growth in amounts equal to the carbon dioxide produced when the biodiesel is burned. Advances in alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles reduce the burning of fossil fuels, which directly reduces emissions. Technology development in the areas of energy efficient production processes, such as combined heat and power and appliances, also reduces emissions by reducing power consumption. There are also research and technology developments strictly associated with greenhouse gas reductions. For example, carbon sequestration technologies are also implemented at energy production facilities to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One Louisiana entity that is making advances in clean coal technology is the Energy Conversion and Conservation Center.

One of the focuses of the Energy Conversion and Conservation Center (ECCC) is to develop clean coal technologies, or greener processes, for coal-fired power plants. For example, some of the gases produced from the combustion of coal are pollutant emissions such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). The ECCC works on reducing these emissions through a coal combustion method known as gasification. Gasification is a high-energy process with large amounts of heat that “cracks” the NOx and SOx. The researchers at the UNO ECCC have developed the Mild-Gasification Airblown Integrated Combined Cycle (MaGIC) for clean and efficient power generation. This system can be used to retrofit existing coal-fired power plants and results in increased efficiency and reduced emissions. The gasification process described above is 30 to 40 percent more efficient than a pulverized coal power plant but 20 to 25 percent more expensive, according to the director of the ECCC. The gasification process results in synthesis gas, which is commonly referred to as syngas. Syngas consists primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and often carbon dioxide. To sequester carbon dioxide, it costs three times more on the back end, and consumers are often reluctant to pay for increases in energy costs.

Pollution Prevention and Environmental Cleanup

Pollution prevention is a strategy of materials use, processes and practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants at the source of generation.115 This is often achieved through increased efficiency in the use of raw materials, energy, water or other resources. Pollution prevention and reduction is important because these pollutants, or contaminants, pose a serious threat to our environment and personal health.

Dioxins, for example, are highly toxic chemical contaminants that result from industrial processes such as paper pulp bleaching, herbicide manufacturing and incineration of treated wood.116 Studies of chemical workers exposed to dioxins have shown an increased risk of cancer; similar studies of highly exposed populations have shown dioxins can cause reproductive and developmental problems as well as increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.117 Researchers in the Department of Chemistry at Louisiana State University are investigating the mechanisms of formation of these combustion-generated pollutants.


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Researchers are also investigating the mechanisms of toxicity of dioxins to humans. Despite evidence of health risks of these chemicals, court battles continue over whether the US-EPA has the authority to regulate a pollutant whose health effects are poorly understood.118 The researchers are actively engaged in the development of innovative catalysts for the destruction of chlorinated hydrocarbons such as these dioxins.

Louisiana has more than a dozen extremely hazardous pollutant sites, known as Superfund sites, which need to be properly remediated. Louisiana is also home to several brownfield sites. A brownfield site is one that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and may be contaminated with low concentrations of hazardous waste. The site has the potential to be reused once it has been properly remediated. There are several technologies developed in Louisiana to remediate land and water contaminated with hazardous materials.

Researchers from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Tulane University, for example, have developed a method of use for specialized compounds shown to remediate chlorinated hydrocarbons from deep-seated groundwater.119 Chlorinated hydrocarbons can be produced, or be a byproduct, during the manufacturing of pesticides, solvents, coatings, polymers and plastics. These chlorinated hydrocarbons are highly toxic contaminants to humans and animals. Typically, they are denser than water due to the high atomic weight of chlorine. Some of these chlorinated hydrocarbons are also immiscible in water but still have a high enough solubility to contaminant the groundwater. Chemicals that are both more dense than water and immiscible in water are described by environmental engineers as dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPs). A common DNAP is trichloroethylene (TCE), which is widely used to degrease metals and electronic parts. DNAPs are problematic because they have a tendency to sink below the water table when spilled in significant quantities. DNAPs are mobile until they hit finer grained materials such as clay or impermeable bedrock. Thus, DNAPs can contaminate groundwater sources and pose a difficult remediation task.

The “Inexpensive Non-Zero Valent Iron for Remediation” treatment developed at Tulane University is used to cost effectively treat these dense non-aqueous phase liquids. The compound treats the DNAPs by degrading the chlorinated hydrocarbons into ethylene, which is then quickly dissipated.120 The compound used to treat the chlorinated compounds is constructed of nano-scale particles of carbon and cellulose. One advantage is they can be produced with a diameter that allows for soil-specific flow rates. This is advantageous for the delivery of the nanoparticles to the contaminated site. Another advantage is that the compound is effective without the addition of gold or palladium. The use of gold or palladium nanoparticles to treat the chlorinated hydrocarbons is seen as a preferable method over some of the traditional methods such as pump-and-treat and bioremediation, however gold or palladium nanoparticles are expensive, and there is uncertainty regarding long-term effects.

Researchers from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Tulane University are studying the processes involved in the separation, transport and reaction of bioremediation agents for contaminated soils. One method of bioremediation of contaminated soils is the use of bacteria that metabolize toxic organic compounds. One of the key challenges is to understand the multiphase transport, or delivery, of these bacteria through the porous soil to the contaminated site. Researchers continue to investigate


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the transport of bacteria through capillaries, which model the characteristics of various porous soils. The researchers visually study the random motility and chemotactic behavior, movement stimulated by the chemical environment, of E. Coli.121 This research helps unravel how bacteria can access contaminants in soil pores with dimensions that are comparable to their own size.122

One interesting approach to pollution prevention comes in the form of a “green” geopolymer concrete developed by researchers at Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University. The “green” geopolymer concrete is unique because it utilizes fly ash, one of the most abundant industrial by-products on earth, as a substitute for Portland cement. This is significant because the concrete industry generates large quantities, approximately 5 to 8 percent, of atmospheric carbon dioxide.123 Portland cement, a binding agent in concrete, plays a role in this atmospheric pollution. Production of Portland cement exceeds 2.6 billion tons per year worldwide and is growing at a rate of 5 percent annually.124 The geopolymer concrete has the potential to drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions by substituting Portland cement for a waste byproduct from coal-fired power plants (fly ash). Researchers believe that the life cycle greenhouse reduction of this “green” concrete is as much as 90 percent compared to ordinary Portland cement.125

Researchers from the Department of Construction Management and Industrial Engineering at Louisiana State University and Pureti Inc, a sustainable surface treatment company, installed the country’s first air purifying concrete and asphalt pavements. The photocatalytic material was installed at two locations on Louisiana State University’s campus on Dec. 13, 2010. Approximately 0.25 miles of air purifying concrete was installed between the clock tower and the Student Union and 0.25 miles of photocatalytic asphalt was installed on Aster Street.126 The installation is part of field study, funded by the Gulf Coast Research Center for Evacuation and Transportation Resiliency, which seeks to further evaluate the photocatalytic abilities of the Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles installed on the surface of the concrete. In the presence of light, the titanium dioxide releases hydroxyl radicals (OH-), which are incredibly effective at decomposing organic matter, including bacteria, fungi, odors and nicotine.127 According to an LSU assistant professor of Construction Management and Industrial Engineering, the photocatalytic pavements are capable of purifying outdoor air from nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds and sulfur dioxide resulting from traffic emissions.128

Recycling and Waste Reduction

Companies across Louisiana are implementing recycling and waste reduction technologies and programs to reduce their environmental footprint. Major universities across Louisiana are collaborating with industries to develop technologies that have a significant impact on recycling and waste reduction efforts. For example, the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center (LFPDC) plays a key role in reducing pollution and increasing efficiency in the wood products market. The LFPDC was established at the LSU AgCenter to provide technical assistance to the primary and value-added processing wood products industries in Louisiana.129

Researchers at the Forest Products Development Center are investigating novel methods for recycling decommissioned, preservative-treated wood. Wood is treated with preservatives


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to prevent degradation and ensure structural integrity. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood has recently been phased out for residential use because of unsafe levels of arsenic. A professor of the Louisiana Forest Products Development Center indicated that the disposal of decommissioned preservative-treated wood has become a concern because disposal options, such as burning and land filling, have become costly and impractical.130

Another method for preserving wood, known as liquefaction, uses relatively low temperatures, short reaction times and small amounts of organic reagents.131 This method produces zero discharge and multiple usable products, which makes the process environmentally friendly and economically viable, according to a professor of the LFPDC.132 Liquefaction is the method most likely to be used in industrial applications because it is safe, environmentally friendly, quick and produces multiple usable products. This process yields a nontoxic liquefied wood that can be used for resins, molded wood products, foams and plastics.133 Additionally, the process yields the chemicals originally used to treat the wood.

A second viable process uses water at a high temperature and high pressure, or super critical water, to recover the preservatives and detoxify the wood for reuse.134 This process produces several usable products such as toxin-free wood, industrially useful hydrocarbons

LSU researcher Marwa Hassan and a colleague have teamed up with CSG Pureti, a worldwide leader in sustainable surface treatments, to test the country’s first air-purifying asphalt and concrete photocatalytic pavements on the LSU campus.

Photo © Jim Zietz/LSU Office of Communications & University Relations.


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and other usable chemicals.135 Researchers have also developed ways to reuse the preservative-treated wood, with the preservatives still in it, for industrial applications. According to researchers at the LFPDC, discarded utility poles can be cut lengthwise and glued together to be used again. Damaged preservative-treated wood can also be flaked and made into structural flakeboard.

Researchers at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) have recently developed asphalt for new road construction that uses recycled scrap tires. The asphalt contains a mixture of recycled materials such as crumb rubber and recycled asphalt pavement.136 Crumb rubber is a fine, grainy substance made from shredded tires. In 2009, a total of 100,000 recycled tires were used in the Crumb Rubber Modified (CRM) asphalt; CRM asphalt was used for road installation across Louisiana.137 Researchers have studied the CRM asphalts across the state and found that they crack less, provide a smoother drive and requires less maintenance compared to conventional asphalts.138

Researchers at Louisiana Tech University have developed a layer-by-layer (LbL) nanocoating for the effective recycling of paper and mill waste to produce paper. Paper and mill waste materials consist of tiny lignocellulose fibers, one component used to make paper. Researchers bind these “waste” lignocellulose fibers together by creating positively and negatively charged fibers that attract one another. Researchers use a polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer nanocoating process to create this enhanced interaction between the lignocelluloses fibers.139 By doing this, the lignocelluloses bind to form a usable product for further processing. These modified fibers can be added to standard fibers at varying proportions to produce paper.140 This process has several advantages to be offered to the pulp and paper mills. This process allows for twice the increase in the use of recycled paper without a loss in the strength of the paper.141 Additionally, the process potentially allows the reuse of other resources, such as mill black water, incurs low materials costs and can be easily scaled-up and integrated into existing mills.142

Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation and Coastal Restoration

Louisiana’s coastal environment and natural resources have a tremendous economic impact on the state. Louisiana’s 15,000 miles of winding coastline supports a $3 billion fishing industry, an industry which provides a third of the seafood consumed in the United States, according to the Seafood Marketing and Promotion Board.143 Moreover, the rich natural resources in Louisiana support the thriving agricultural and forestry industries within the state. The following discussion will focus on the centers and institutes at major Louisiana universities that are conducting research on coastal restoration and protection as well as natural resource conservation.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is working with federal, state and private agencies to form the Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta. The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta will be the most comprehensive water management institute in the United States with a focus on rising water and coastal erosion. According to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation president,


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the institute will allow top scientists and experts to work with a nonprofit institute to make nonpolitical decisions.144 The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta will leverage its expertise and nonbiased decision making to provide water solutions for states around the country.

The Water Institute of the Gulf’s Delta will absorb members from the Coastal Sustainability Consortium, which consists of Louisiana State University, Tulane University, the University of New Orleans, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Louisiana Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other Louisiana universities.145 The Coastal Sustainability Consortium was established to support implementation of Louisiana’s State Coastal Master Plan set forth by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. The State Coastal Master Plan is a long-term, comprehensive plan for sustainable restoration of the Louisiana coast and protection of coastal communities.146 Additionally, the Coastal Sustainability Consortium serves other initiatives such as enhancing research, education, outreach, economic development and providing technical assistance with entities involved with coastal restoration and protection.147

Tulane University is home to the National Institute for Climatic Change Research (NICCR), which is sponsored by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The NICCR consists of five universities, which include Tulane University, Pennsylvania State University, Duke University, Michigan Technological University and Northern Arizona University. NICCR is hosted by the School of Science and Engineering at Tulane University and supports climatic change research objectives of BER.148 Specifically, NICCR funds research that addresses scientific uncertainty about the response of coastal ecosystems to changes in climate and sea level.149

Louisiana State University’s School of Coast and Environment consists of two important institutes conducting research in the coastal restoration and natural resource conservation areas, the Coastal Studies Institute and the Coastal Ecology Institute. The Coastal Studies Institute’s research in coastal morphodynamics involves the investigation of coastal processes including hurricane impacts, sediment transport and beach and near shore profile measurements.150 All of these areas provide insight on coastal erosion processes. The Coastal Ecology Institute provides solutions to environmental problems affecting coastal and marine environments.151

The University of New Orleans Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences (PIES) conducts research on Louisiana’s coastal system dynamics and watershed and detects and predicts environmental change.152 The institute consists of several laboratories, which focus on a specific field of research such as coastal restoration, estuarine, coastal environmental hydraulics and geochemistry research. PIES utilizes its research to solve environmental problems in coastal systems and also educate the public about concerns with the coastal systems. The UNO Department of Environmental Science conducts research in coastal restoration science. The UNO Laboratory for Coastal Restoration Science provides planning implementation and monitoring assistance for various coastal restoration projects in the United States.153 Their focus is on sediment dynamics in coastal wetlands with emphasis on sediment mobilization and marsh hydrology.154

The Coastal Restoration and Enhancement through Science and Technology program (CREST) was established in 2001 as an alliance of Louisiana institutions, and includes the University of Southern Mississippi, to address coastal habitats and communities in


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Louisiana and Mississippi. The program’s mission is to ensure policymakers, planners and coastal resource managers utilize the latest science and technologies for sustainable coastal habitats.155 Funding for the CREST program is provided by the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON), which obtained the funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.156 In June 2009, a total of $750,000 was made available for research on specific coastal restoration and protection topics.

In early 2010, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) announced $67 million in grant funding for the five Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas producing states: Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas157. The funding was made available through the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) for the purpose of mitigating the impacts of energy development on marine and coastal areas. The MMS awarded funding to Louisiana for a total of 29 projects that focused on conservation, protection and restoration of coastal areas.158

The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) was formed to coordinate and stimulate Louisiana’s activities in marine research and education.159 The LUMCON provides Louisiana’s universities access to coastal laboratories to conduct research in marine sciences. The consortium also coordinates the Wetland Warriors Adult Education Workshops, which aim to provide understandable and reusable wetland information to various civic group leaders, leaders in the community, members of the media, teachers and others.160

Centers, institutes and academic departments at the major universities across Louisiana are involved in natural resource conservation research and outreach. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Department of Renewable Resources, the School of Forestry at Louisiana Tech University, LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources and AgCenter, and the Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research are examples of the entities involved in preserving Louisiana’s natural resources. These entities collaborate with public and private entities to ensure Louisiana’s ecosystems thrive.


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1 “About Us.” The Enterprise Center at Louisiana Tech University. Web. 2010. <http://www.latechenterprisecenter.com/about-us>.

2 “UNO Research & Technology Park - CERM Building.” UNO Research and Technology Park Flash Player Detector. Web. 2010. <http://rtp.uno.edu/cerm.htm>.

3 “UNO Research & Technology Park - CERM Building.” UNO Research and Technology Park Flash Player Detector. Web. 2010. <http://rtp.uno.edu/cerm.htm>.

4 ECCC - Energy Conversion and Conservation Center of University of New Orleans. Web. 2010. <http://eccc.uno.edu/>.

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7 “Energy Systems, Systems Engineering & Integration - QinetiQ North America.” Systems Engineering, IT Solutions, Technology Development - QinetiQ North America. Web. 2010. <http://www.qinetiq-na.com/capabilitites-energy-systems.htm>.

8 UNO-Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences. Web. 2010. <http://pies.uno.edu/index.html>.9 UNO-Pontchartrain Institute for Environmental Sciences. Web. 2010. <http://pies.uno.edu/ourmission.html>.10 “Forest Ecosystem Branch.” USGS National Wetlands Research Center. Web. 2011. <http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/

about/feb/frst_eco.htm>.11 “Wetland Ecosystem Branch.” USGS National Wetlands Research Center. Web. 2011. <http://www.nwrc.usgs.gov/

about/web/wtlndeco.htm>.12 “Conservation : Center for Ecology and Environmental Technology : UL Lafayette.” Home : Center for Ecology and

Environmental Technology : UL Lafayette. Web. 2011. <http://ulceet.com/site72.php>.13 “UL Lafayette: CLIWS: Projects.” UL Lafayette: Department: Main Page. Web. 2011. <http://water.louisiana.edu/

projects/index.shtml>.14 Louisiana Tech University - Enterprise Campus - Welcome to Enterprise Campus. 08 Aug. 2011. Web. 2010. <http://

enterprise.latech.edu/index.shtml>.15 “Louisiana Tech University - Institute for Micromanufacturing::Research.” Louisiana Tech University - Welcome.

Web. 2011. <http://www.latech.edu/ifm/environmentaltechnology.shtml>.16 “Louisiana Institute For Biofuels & Bioprocessing - Bioenergy | Crops & Livestock | LSU AgCenter.” The Louisiana

State University Agricultural Center | LSU AgCenter - To Innovate, Educate, and Improve Lives Through Research and Education. 02 Sept. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/crops_livestock/crops/Bioenergy/biofuels_bioprocessing/>.

17 “About Us - Chancellor’s Office | Extension | Research | AgCenter Leads | Employment_opportunities | LSU AgCenter.” The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center | LSU AgCenter - To Innovate, Educate, and Improve Lives Through Research and Education. 31 Mar. 2005. Web. 2010. <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/administration/about_us/>.

18 “Louisiana Forest Products Development Center - Renewable Natural Resources | Our Offices | LSU AgCenter.” The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center | LSU AgCenter - To Innovate, Educate, and Improve Lives Through Research and Education. 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 2010. <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/departments/Renewable_Natural_Resources/research/forest_products/>.

19 “Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium - Louisiana State University.” Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium - What Is CPERC? Web. 2010. <http://www.cpercla.org/lsu/>.

20 “General Information.” Louisiana Geological Survey. Web. 2011. <http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/content/GINFO/index.php>.

21 Louisiana Geological Survey. Web. 2011. <http://www.lgs.lsu.edu/deploy/staff/sections.php>.22 CBR -- Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research. Web. 2010. <http://www.cbr.tulane.edu/rivers-coasts.

html>.23 “NICCR Coastal Center (Tulane University).” Tulane University. Web. 2010. <http://www.tulane.edu/~NICCR/about.

html>.24 “NICCR Coastal Center (Tulane University).” Tulane University. Web. 2010. <http://www.tulane.edu/~NICCR/

about.html>.

Notes


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25 “Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: Federal Incentives and Laws Sorted by Category.” EERE: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program Home Page. Web. 2010. <http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/fed_summary>.

26 “Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: Federal Incentives and Laws Sorted by Category.” EERE: Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center Program Home Page. Web. 2010. <http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws/fed_summary>.

27 Department of Natural Resources | State of Louisiana. Web. 2010. <http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder>.

28 Clean Power and Energy Research Consortium - What Is CPERC? Web. 2010. <http://www.cpercla.org/home/>.29 “Biomass Program: Feedstock Types.” EERE: EERE Server Maintenance. Web. 2010. <http://www1.eere.energy.

gov/biomass/feedstocks_types.html>.30 Jackson, Samuel W., and Chyrel Mayfield. “Louisiana - Biomass and Bioenergy Overview.”Southeast Sun

Grant Initiative. Web. 2010. <http://sungrant.tennessee.edu/NR/rdonlyres/9FB3F212-B6A1-4DE1-BE6C-F21713DB4ED3/0/louisiana.pdf>.

31 Jackson, Samuel W., and Chyrel Mayfield. “Louisiana - Biomass and Bioenergy Overview.”Southeast Sun Grant Initiative. Web. 2010. <http://sungrant.tennessee.edu/NR/rdonlyres/9FB3F212-B6A1-4DE1-BE6C-F21713DB4ED3/0/louisiana.pdf>.

32 “Business Description.” Point Bio Energy. Web. 2010. <http://www.pbioen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5&Itemid=2>.

33 “Press Release.” Doa.louisiana.gov. Web. 2010. <http://wwwprd.doa.louisiana.gov/LaNews/PublicPages/Dsp_PressRelease_Display.cfm?PressReleaseID=2452>.

34 “Bioenergy.” USDA Economic Research Service - Home Page. Web. 2010. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/features/bioenergy/>.

35 “Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) | Fuels & Fuel Additives | Transportation & Air Quality | US EPA.” US Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 2010. <http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewablefuels/index.htm>.

36 “Advanced BioFuels USA » Municipal Solid Waste.” Advanced BioFuels USA. Web. 2010. <http://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/tag/municipal-solid-waste>.

37 Lynd, Lee R., Lester Lave, and Nathanael Greene. “Cellulosic Ethanol Fact Sheet.” National Commission of Energy Policy Forum: The Future of Biomass and Transportation Fuels. 13 June 2003. Web. 2010.

38 “Pyrolase® 160 Enzyme.” Verenium. Web. 2010. <http://verenium.com/prod_pyrolase.html>.39 “BP and Verenium Announce Pivotal Biofuels Agreement.” BP. 15 July 2010. Web. 2010.40 “Tulane University - Tulane Advanced Biofuels: Butanol Facts.” Tulane University - New Orleans, LA. Web. 2010.

<http://tulane.edu/sse/cmb/people/dmullin/facts.cfm>.41 “Tulane University - Tulane Advanced Biofuels: Research.” Tulane University - New Orleans, LA. Web. 2010.

<http://tulane.edu/sse/cmb/people/dmullin/research.cfm>.42 (5), In Scopus. “ScienceDirect - Bioresource Technology : Microbial Decomposition of Post-harvest Sugarcane

Residue.” ScienceDirect - Home. Web. 2010. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852401000347>.

43 McCutchen, Bill F., Robert V. Avant Jr, and David Baltensperger. “High-Tonnage Dedicated Energy Crops: The Potential of Sorghum and Energy Cane.” Web. 2010. <http://nabc.cals.cornell.edu/pubs/nabc_20/NABC20_Part_3_3b-McCutchen.pdf>.

44 Blazier, Michael. “Perfect Pair for Biofuels: Switchgrass with Trees.” LSU AgCenter. Web. 2010. <http://text.lsuagcenter.com/en/communications/publications/agmag/Archive/2009/fall/Perfect+Pair+for+Biofuel+Switchgrass+and+Trees.htm>.





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50 “New Energy Cane Varietals in Louisiana Have Yields of up to 1240 Gallons per Acre.”Biofuels Digest. Web. 2010. <http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/10/22/new-energy-cane-varietals-in-louisiana-have-yields-of-up-to-1240-gallons-per-acre/>.

51 “Biodiesel Performance, Costs, and Use.” Web. 2010. <http://www.eia.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/biodiesel/>.52 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.53 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.54 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.55 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.56 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.57 “Gary Breitenbeck.” E-mail interview. 2010.58 “Chandra Theegala.” Personal interview. 2010.59 “Frequently Ask Questions « Dynamic Fuels, LLC.” Index. Web. 2010. <http://dynamicfuelsllc.com/wp-news/

frequently-ask-questions/>.60 “Frequently Ask Questions « Dynamic Fuels, LLC.” Index. Web. 2010. <http://dynamicfuelsllc.com/wp-news/

frequently-ask-questions/>.61 “Wind and Water Power Program: Types of Hydropower Plants.” EERE: EERE Server Maintenance. Web. 2010.

<http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/hydro_plant_types.html>.62 “Mississippi National River and Recreation Area - River Facts (U.S. National Park Service).”U.S. National Park

Service - Experience Your America. Web. 2010. <http://www.nps.gov/miss/press_riverfacts.htm>.63 “Many Shades of Green.” Louisiana Economic Quarterly. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://neworleansindustrial.com/

admin/newsfiles/EQ_Q2_10.pdf>.64 “Many Shades of Green.” Louisiana Economic Quarterly. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://neworleansindustrial.com/


admin/newsfiles/EQ_Q2_10.pdf>.66 CBR -- Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research. Web. 2010. <http://www.cbr.tulane.edu/rivers-coasts.

html>.67 CBR -- Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research. Web. 2010. <http://www.cbr.tulane.edu/rivers-coasts.

html>.68 CBR -- Tulane Xavier Center for Bioenvironmental Research. Web. 2010. <http://www.cbr.tulane.edu/rivers-coasts.

html>.69 “Many Shades of Green.” Louisiana Economic Quarterly. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://neworleansindustrial.com/


admin/newsfiles/EQ_Q2_10.pdf>.71 http://www.free-flow-power.com/Technology.html72 “Many Shades of Green.” Louisiana Economic Quarterly. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://neworleansindustrial.com/

admin/newsfiles/EQ_Q2_10.pdf>.73 Mowbray, Rebecca. “Energy Upstarts Dive in to Generate Renewable Power from Louisiana Waterways.” NOLA.

com. 10 May 2010. Web. 2010. <http://blog.nola.com/tpmoney/2009/05/energy_upstarts_dive_in_to_gen.html>.

74 Hydro Green Energy: Hydro Turbines, Hydro-electric Power, Alternative Clean Energy, Renewable Power Sources. Web. 2010. <http://www.hgenergy.com/technology.html>.

75 Simon, Stephanie. “Hydropower Is Making a Comeback - WSJ.com.” Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 2010. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703960004575427092861731122.html>.

76 “Funding, Paperwork Slow Ambitious Plans to Produce Power Using Underwater Turbines in Mississippi River | NOLA.com.” New Orleans, LA Local News, Breaking News, Sports & Weather - NOLA.com. Web. 2010. <http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2011/04/funding_paperwork_slow_ambitio.html>.


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77 Mowbray, Rebecca. “Energy Upstarts Dive in to Generate Renewable Power from Louisiana Waterways.” NOLA.com. 10 May 2010. Web. 2010. <http://blog.nola.com/tpmoney/2009/05/energy_upstarts_dive_in_to_gen.html>.

78 Coastal Marine Institute – An assessment of opportunities for alternative uses of hydrocarbon infrastructure in the gulf of mexico (see background info)

79 “Technology Assessment Division.” Department of Natural Resources | State of Louisiana. Web. 2011. <http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder>.

80 “Brian Synder.” E-mail interview. 2010.81 Scott, Robert T. “New Green Energy Manufacturer to Bring 600 Jobs to Michoud | NOLA.com.” NOLA.com.

17 Aug. 2010. Web. 2010. <http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/08/jindal_to_announce_600_jobs_at.html>.

82 “Louisiana Tax Credit for Solar and Wind Energy Systems on Residential Property (Personal).” DSIRE: DSIRE Home. Web. 2010. <http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=LA11F>.

83 “Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.” Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 2010. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/solutions/renewable_energy_solutions/SACE.html>.

84 “Geothermal Technologies Program: Geothermal Basics.” EERE: EERE Server Maintenance. Web. 2010. <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/geothermal_basics.html>.

85 John, Chacko J., and Brian J. Harder. “Gulf Coast Geopressure-Geothermal Program Summary Report Compilation.” International Energy Agency. Basin Research Institute - Louisiana State University, June 1998. Web. 2010. <http://www.iea-gia.org/documents/GulfCoastGeoPressGeothermProgRptDoEvol1Jun98492952_117Feb10.pdf>.

86 Energy Conversion. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Office of Geothermal Technologies, Mar. 1998. PDF.

87 Energy Conversion. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Office of Geothermal Technologies, Mar. 1998. PDF.

88 “Geothermal Technologies Program: Demonstrating the Commercial Feasibility of Geopressured-Geothermal Power Development at Sweet Lake Field Cameron Parish, Louisiana.” EERE: Funding Portal. Web. 2010. <http://www4.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/projects/183>.

89 “EERE News: Department of Energy Announces $20 Million to Boost Development of Innovative Geothermal Technologies.” U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Home Page. Web. 2010. <http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=401?print>.

90 “DOE Announces Industry-LGS Partnership Award for Geothermal Research.” Louisiana State University - News. 4 Dec. 2009. Web. 2010. <http://appl003.lsu.edu/UNV002.NSF/ebbed8deb406c8c986256da30052e7dd/8446ba9d54e6261786257682007386d2?OpenDocument>.

91 “Geothermal Technologies Program: How an Enhanced Geothermal System Works.” EERE: EERE Server Maintenance. Web. 2010. <http://www1.eere.energy.gov/geothermal/egs_animation.html>.

92 “LSU Professor Receives National Science Foundation Funding to Explore Alternative Energy Source.” LSU Center for Computation and Technology. Web. 2010. <http://www.cct.lsu.edu/site.php?pageID=65&newsID=1051>.

93 “LSU Professor Receives National Science Foundation Funding to Explore Alternative Energy Source.” LSU Center for Computation and Technology. Web. 2010. <http://www.cct.lsu.edu/site.php?pageID=65&newsID=1051>.

94 Berthelot, Ashley. “Louisiana Geological Survey Director Appointed to DOE Project Board.”Louisiana State University - News. 28 July 2010. Web. 2010. <http://appl003.lsu.edu/UNV002.nsf/(NoteID)/D749EEE4665A25F18625776E006B008A?OpenDocument>.



97 “Energy Basics: Geothermal Heat Pumps.” U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Home Page. Web. 2010. <http://www.eere.energy.gov/basics/renewable_energy/geothermal_heat_pumps.html>

98 “What’s up at Geoshield.” Solar Window Film | Ceramic Window Tint | Wholesale Window Tint. Web. 2010. <http://www.geoshieldusa.com/company.html>.

99 “Basic Information | Combined Heat and Power Partnership | US EPA.” US Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/index.html>.


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100 “ECCC Home.” ECCC - Energy Conversion and Conservation Center of University of New Orleans. Web. 2011. <http://eccc.uno.edu/>.

101 Mist-Steam Cooling of High-Temperature Gas Turbines. University of New Orleans Energy Conversation and Conservation Center. PDF.

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109 “Louisiana Tech Researchers Design, Fabricate Innovative Energy Harvesting Device | E! Science News.” E! Science News | Latest Science News Articles. Louisiana Tech University, 8 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/10/08/louisiana.tech.researchers.design.fabricate.innovative.energy.harvesting.device>

110 “Louisiana Tech Researchers Design, Fabricate Innovative Energy Harvesting Device | E! Science News.” E! Science News | Latest Science News Articles. Louisiana Tech University, 8 Oct. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://esciencenews.com/articles/2010/10/08/louisiana.tech.researchers.design.fabricate.innovative.energy.harvesting.device>

111 Guerin, Dave. “Shoe Power Generator Earns Louisiana Tech Professor National Attention – News @ Tech.” Louisiana Tech University: News @ Tech. Louisiana Tech University, 25 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://news.latech.edu/2010/04/25/shoe-power-generator-earns-louisiana-tech-professor-national-attention/>.

112 Guerin, Dave. “Shoe Power Generator Earns Louisiana Tech Professor National Attention – News @ Tech.” Louisiana Tech University: News @ Tech. Louisiana Tech University, 25 Aug. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://news.latech.edu/2010/04/25/shoe-power-generator-earns-louisiana-tech-professor-national-attention/>.

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117 “Dioxins.” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - National Institute of Health. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/dioxins/>

118 “Barry Dellinger.” Louisiana State University Chemistry. Web. 2011. <http://chemistry.lsu.edu/site/People/Faculty/Barry0/020Dellinger/item1089.html>.

119 “Inexpensive Non-Zero Valence Iron for Remediation.” Tulane University. Tulane University. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://tulane.edu/ott/john-i.cfm>.

120 “Inexpensive Non-Zero Valence Iron for Remediation.” Tulane University. Tulane University. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://tulane.edu/ott/john-i.cfm>.

121 “Tulane University - Kyriakos Papadopoulos.” Tulane University - New Orleans, LA. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://tulane.edu/sse/cbe/papadopoulos.cfm>.


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122 Liu, Zewen, and Kyriakos D. Papadopoulos. Unidirectional Motility of Escherichia Coli in Restrictive Capillaries. New Orleans: Department of Chemical Engineering, Tulane University, 17 Mar. 1995. PDF.

123 Salton, Jeff. “New ‘green’ Geopolymer Concrete Delivers Win-win for Industry and the Planet.” Gizmag | New and Emerging Technology News. 2 Oct. 2009. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.gizmag.com/green-geopolymer-concrete-technology/13016/>.



126 Berthelot, Ashley. “Concrete Steps: LSU Professor to Lay Pollution-Cleaning Pavement on Campus and Aster Street Dec. 13.” Louisiana State University: Media Center. Louisiana State University, 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.lsu.edu/ur/ocur/lsunews/MediaCenter/News/2010/12/item22709.html>.

127 “Titanium Dioxide - How It Works (introduction to Photocatalytic Coatings).” The Future of Green, Clean, Self-cleaning Technology. The Green Concept. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://thegreenconcept.com/how_does_titanium_dioxide_work.html>.

128 Berthelot, Ashley. “Concrete Steps: LSU Professor to Lay Pollution-Cleaning Pavement on Campus and Aster Street Dec. 13.” Louisiana State University: Media Center. Louisiana State University, 10 Dec. 2010. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.lsu.edu/ur/ocur/lsunews/MediaCenter/News/2010/12/item22709.html>.

129 Vlosky, Richard. “Louisiana Forest Products Development Center - Renewable Natural Resources | Our Offices | LSU AgCenter.” The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center | LSU AgCenter - To Innovate, Educate, and Improve Lives Through Research and Education. LSU Agricultural Center, 27 Aug. 2009. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/our_offices/departments/Renewable_Natural_Resources/research/forest_products/>.

130 Bogren, Rick. “LSU AgCenter Recycling Could Keep Treated Wood Out Of Landfills.” Manufacturing & New Product Development. LSU Agricultural Center, 28 July 2005. Web <http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/forestry/forest_products/Manufacturing++New+Product+Development/LSU+AgCenter+Recycling+Could+Keep+Treated+Wood+Out+Of+Landfills.htm >






136 Mohammad, Ph.D., Louay N. Characterization of HMA Mixtures Containing Recycled Asphalt. LTRC Research Project Capsule, Oct. 2008. PDF. <https://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2008/capsule_091b.pdf>

137 Gilbert, Jenny. Local Research Center Reuses Scrap Tires in Louisiana’s Roads - Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Recycles Unused Tires and Increases Road Quality. Louisiana Transportation Research Center, 21 Sept. 2009.

138 Gilbert, Jenny. Local Research Center Reuses Scrap Tires in Louisiana’s Roads - Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt Recycles Unused Tires and Increases Road Quality. Louisiana Transportation Research Center, 21 Sept. 2009.


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139 Zheng, Zhiguo, John McDonald, Rajneek Khillan, Yi Su, Tatsiana Shutava, George Grozdits, and Lvov Yuri. “Ingentaconnect Layer-by-Layer Nanocoating of Lignocellulose Fibers for Enhanced ...” Ingentaconnect Home. Web. 2011. <http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asp/jnn/2006/00000006/00000003/art00006>.

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141 Nanocoating for Effective Paper Recycling and Mill Waste “Broke” Recycling. Louisiana Tech University Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization. Doc.

142 Nanocoating for Effective Paper Recycling and Mill Waste “Broke” Recycling. Louisiana Tech University Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization. Doc.

143 Gonzalez, Angel. “Louisiana ‘Fishing Capital’ Braces for Giant Slick - WSJ.com.” Business News & Financial News - The Wall Street Journal - Wsj.com. Web. 31 Aug. 2011. <http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704302304575214453701804226.html>.

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The Greening of Louisiana’s Economy · development opportunities and workforce needs associated with the region’s green economy. Through a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department