6: Constraints to Locating a Bioenergy Facility in Gretna, Virginia

Constraints to Locating a Bioenergy Facility in Gretna, VA John S. Cundiff Biological Systems Engineering Department David J. Parrish Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences Department The USDOE has suggested the US can produce 1 billion tons of bioenergy feedstock annually. Virginia could contribute significantly to this goal, with soils and a climate that can sustain high levels of productivity of both woody and herbaceous biomass, i.e., lignocellulosics. The technologies for biomass combustion and for converting lignocellulosics into liquid fuels and chemicals are advancing to the point that a bioenergy facility can employ multiple feedstocks. For example, herbaceous biomass could be used for half the year, and hardwood chips could be the feedstock for the other half. Piedmont Virginia could be especially well positioned to attract bioenergy production facilities because of its large forestry resource combined with good availability of land to produce herbaceous biomass. In our analysis, the ultimate constraints on locating a bioenergy facility in Piedmont Virginia are more likely to be sociological or economic than technological or environmental. A 25-ton/hr plant at Gretna, VA, operating solely on switchgrass would require committing to switchgrass production 57% of the existing cropland within a 20-mile radius of Gretna. If such a facility were to include a 6-month woody biomass campaign, the cropland acreage required would be reduced to 28%, still a significant shift in the pattern of land use. Before (or as) investors might commit to locating a bioenergy facility in Gretna, VA, landowners in the six or seven counties surrounding Gretna must commit to an atypical (for Virginia) level of monoculture. A key step to attracting a bioenergy facility, then, will be generating community leadership to persuade enough landowners to grow the feedstock.

John Cundiff, jcundiff@vt.edu, 231-7603, Dept: Biological Systems Engineering, Mail code: 0303, Affiliation: faculty

15: Modeling Tools to Study Energy Markets

The team at Network Dynamics and Simulation Science Laboratory has been engaged in energy research for the past ten years. The research includes a wide spectrum of energy related topics such as market power, renewable energy, market efficiency, impact of network topology on the markets, network economics and price volatility. The team uses analytical tools, economic analysis and agent-based simulation modeling methods for its research. It has developed an agent-based, microscopic, end-to-end modeling framework for representing and analyzing a wide array of energy markets. For the electricity industry, a highly scalable market model with complete representation of generators, consumers and market clearing mechanisms has been built which is further coupled with a physical power flow model. Various studies aimed at understanding the interdependency between the markets and physical electrical network have been undertaken. Our results show that the topological properties of the transmission grid play a significant role in determining the locational market power of the generators. The work on renewable energy shows how the use of tradable renewable energy contracts can provide impetuous to renewable energy generation, high quality jobs, and has implications on the climate change plan that was offered as an alternative to the Kyoto protocol [1,2,3,4]. The poster will display our current and past research work on above mentioned areas. It will also showcase the relevance and use of our existing tools in addressing latest topics pertaining to crude oil price volatility, the deregulation of the electricity industry etc. Mozumder P., Marathe A. (2004) Implications of an integrated market for tradable renewable energy contracts. Ecological Economics 49(3): 259-272. L. Hadsell, A. Marathe, and H. Shawky. Estimating the Volatility of Wholesale Electricity Spot Prices in the U.S. The Energy Journal, 25(4) October 2004. H. Shawky, A. Marathe, and C. Barrett. Estimating the Relationship Between Electricity Futures and Spot Prices in the U.S. Journal of Futures Market, 23(10) 2003: 931-955. I. Arciniegas, C. Barrett, and A. Marathe. Assessing the Efficiency of U.S. Electricity Markets. Utilities Policy, 11(2) June 2003: 75-86.

Achla Marathe, amarathe@vbi.vt.edu, 231-9210, Dept: Virginia Bioinformatics Institute, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty

Karla Atkins, katkins@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty

Christopher Barrett, cbarrett@vbi.vt.edu, 231-8252, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty

Jiangzhuo Chen, chenj@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: postdoc

Anil Kumar, akumar@vbi.vt.edu, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty

Madhav Marathe, mmarathe@vbi.vt.edu, 231-8832, Dept: VBI, Mail code: 0477, Affiliation: faculty

17: Thirty-year Changes in Soil Carbon in the Soil Series of the Camp Branch Experimental Watershed

Concerns about global warming and discussions of possible mitigation measures have generated a need for information on changes in soil C over time. The Camp Branch Watershed, a second growth oak forest located on the Cumberland Plateau in central Tennessee, was the site of a series of studies during the period from 1975 to 1990. Soil samples were collected at permanently identified points on the Watershed in July of 1976 and archived. In July of 2002 a subset of these points was re-sampled to a depth of 50 cm to determine if changes in mineral soil C concentration could be detected after a 26-yr interval. Paired analysis indicated a 73% increase in the mineral soil C concentration across the watershed in the 0 to10 cm soil depth. Encouraged by these results, 74 of the 75 permanently identified points were sampled in July of 2006 to a depth of 10 cm. Twenty four tree plots established during the studies in 1976 were also re-measured to assess possible changes in species composition, forest cover and density. The specific objectives of this study are to build on previous work to determine if we can: (i) detect changes in mineral soil C in individual soil mapping units after a 30 year interval, (ii) provide an assessment of mineral soil C sequestration in the watershed using soil C mass, (iii) determine changes in mineral soil organic and inorganic N concentration and compare the ratio of total C to organic and inorganic N, and (iv) determine the influence of soil physical properties, topography, species composition, and forest cover on mineral soil C. Results of this study will be useful in assessing the potential role of forest soils in C sequestration.

Chris Kiser, lckiser@vt.edu, (540) 951-1962, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: graduate student

J. Michael Kelly, jmkelly@vt.edu, (540) 231-3479, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: faculty

25: Assessment of energy policy and its implications for environmental quality: insights from applied economics

Applied economic analysis provides insights into how alternative energy policies affect different groups of producers and consumers. It can investigate costs and benefits, at local and national levels, of different technologies, of different institutional structures, and of different incentive regimes. For example, ex-ante economic analysis predicted that emission trading systems would lead to more cost-effective control of dangerous emissions from electricity generation; ex-post analysis can quantify the benefits from trading and value the associated environmental improvements. The purpose of this proposed poster is to identify areas where economic analysis can improve energy policy making, demonstrate how economic analyses have been applied to energy issues facing the Commonwealth and illuminate avenues of potential economic research into the energy/environment interface. The poster will contain case-study examples of the contributions of applied economic analysis by VA Tech faculty with ample graphics and evidence. The cases will include: assessment of emissions trading systems, a tool to simulate the macro-economic impacts of alternative policies and technologies, an analysis of the economic viability of renewable energy, economic models of risk management in energy grids, and methods to value programs for carbon sequestration and acceptance of new production technology by consumers.

Jeffrey Alwang, alwangj@vt.edu, 231-6517, Dept: Agricultural and Applied Economics, Mail code: 0401, Affiliation: faculty

29: Canola - An Alternative Oilseed Crop for Virginia With Good Biofuel Potential

Canola (Brassica napus L.) is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family and is similar to oilseed Rape. Rape was modified in Canada to make it edible by eliminating erucic acid and glucosinolates. The result was Canada oil, low acid rape, commonly known as canola. Seed of canola typically has 40-42% oil content but higher amounts are possible through breeding. Two varieties that are adapted to Virginia soils and climate, VSX-1 and VSX-2, have been developed at Virginia State University. Winter type canola varieties could replace wheat in a soybean-wheat-corn rotation. Summer types that are adapted to Virginia are under development and could some day replace soybean in the rotation. Soybean averages around 32 bu/A (1600 lb/A) and could produce about 320 lbs of oil per acre; whereas canola averages about 40 bu/A (2000 lb/A) in Virginia, and could yield up to 800 lb of oil per acre. With a lower content of saturated fatty acids and lower cloud point, biodiesel from canola feedstocks has better cold weather performance than soydiesel. With a lower iodine value canola biodiesel also has greater stability than soydiesel. Byproducts of vegetable oil biodiesel include meal and glycerin. Based on amino acid content canola meal has about 10% lower digestability than soybean meal but is usable in swine and poultry feeds. If processed into a food grade, the glycerin component can be a valuable byproduct and constitutes about 1/10 of the bioprocessing output.

Fred Shokes, fshokes@vt.edu, 757-657-6450, Affiliation: faculty

Harbans Bhardwaj, hbhardwj@vsu.edu, 804-524-6723, Affiliation: faculty

Dave Starner, nparec@vt.edu, 540672-2660, Affiliation: faculty

Michael Roberts, mrob@vt.edu, 804-733-2686, Affiliation: faculty

51: The Economics and Politics of Power Market Design

Like other markets, wholesale electricity markets consist of elaborate rules of exchange, property rights, and even unwritten norms for the participants. The study traces the process of by which wholesale electricity markets in the US were constructed, with particular attention to the interaction of political interests and economic knowledge.

Daniel Breslau, dbreslau@vt.edu, 231-8472, Dept: Science and Technology in Society, Mail code: 0247, Affiliation: faculty

60: LandCare

LandCare is an internationally successful program promoting community-based, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable solutions to agricultural, energy, natural resource, and community development challenges. The College of Natural Resources, Conservation Management Institute, and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are working with international, national, state, and local organizations to establish operational LandCare programs in Virginia and position Virginia Tech to play a leadership role as LandCare emerges and spreads through the US. LandCare creates a new, politically powerful constituency for Virginia Tech and a living laboratory for our learning, discovery, and engagement activities. LandCare operates in more than a dozen countries. In Australia, for example, over 5,000 local LandCare groups exist and over 85% of Australians recognize the LandCare logo. LandCare Pioneers and the Council for US LandCare are two US organizations promoting LandCare in cooperation with partners such as the following: • National Association of Regional Councils • National Association of RC&D Councils • Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA’s National Sustainable Development Office • National Association of Conservation Districts • White House Cooperative Conservation Initiative • Numerous businesses and business councils Grayson LandCare is one of the few operational groups in the US and is already working closely with Virginia Tech faculty and programs. This Grayson County based organization seeks to improve landowner incomes and environmental conditions in the New River Basin through innovative practices for value-added grazing, forestry, water, and biofuels management. Using LandCare as the model, the effort has stressed personal responsibility for the environment and future welfare of the region, "neighbors helping neighbors" through community based groups, integrated watershed management, whole forest and farm planning, scientifically validated practices, and the development of value-added industries and products to access new markets. (The poster will list collaborating local organizations and VT faculty and describe program specifics)

R. Bruce Hull, hullrb@vt.edu, 231 7272, Dept: Forestry, Mail code: 0324, Affiliation: faculty

78: The Answer to Our Vehicle Energy Problem is Here: the Flex-Fuel, Plug-In Hybrid-Electric Vehicle

Our vehicle energy problem is characterized by poor fuel economy, over-reliance on petroleum fuels, urban air pollution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much research has focused on long term solutions, but hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a long way off, require new fueling infrastructure, and may not be very efficient; all-electric vehicles require long recharge times; and other alternative fuel vehicles have similar problems. One technology option has emerged that addresses all of the current vehicle problems and is remarkably close to being available today: the flex-fuel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (FFPHEV). The FFPHEV uses a flex-fuel engine that is designed to operate on gasoline or various ethanol-gasoline blends up to E-85; American automakers have developed this FF engine and sell 1 million of them each year. It is a hybrid having an electric motor to supplement the fuel engine. Hybrid vehicles are exploding on the market today. But the FFPHEV also has an extra bank of batteries so that its electric motor will dominate use is low-load urban driving. The extra batteries are recharged by plugging into the grid overnight. This poster illustrates the benefits and costs of an aggressive movement to this technology, including high gasoline fuel efficiency (up to 1000 mpg) and lower oil imports, lower per mile energy costs, zero to ultra-low urban vehicle emissions, reduced GHG emissions, and better use of the power grid and of renewable and distributed electricity sources.

John Randolph, energy@vt.edu, 231-7714, Mail code: 0113, Affiliation: faculty

91: The Green Fee: Research on an Undergraduate Policy Initiative

Objective: This research investigates the possibility of implementing a green fee at Virginia Tech to increase energy efficiency and to green disposal practices. Methods: The primary methodological approaches employed are microeconomic and institutional analysis. Microeconomic analysis is useful in illuminating the nature of tradeoffs between money invested in energy efficiency projects and investments in other activities pursued by the university. Additionally, microeconomics is used extensively to compare the relative merits of different projects based return on investment. Institutional analysis, especially the notion of transactions costs, is drawn on to explore various forms of social organizations to select and fund projects with green fee money. Possible benefits of implementing the green fee proposal include increased energy efficiency, transparency in environmental decision making, greater student input, and lower transactions costs in identifying and proposing efficiency and environmental projects. A number of other universities have implemented green fees to improve environmental stewardship. The approaches taken by these universities in implementing the green fees are diverse. One aspect of the project is to examine them critically, and to identify lessons learned. We are also investigating impediments to implementing this policy. These include a complex cost accounting system at many universities and the need to encourage students’ desire to participate in the decision making process concerning the use of green fees

Sara Breakiron, sbreak@vt.edu, 703-424-5674, Affiliation: undergrad

99: Virginia Tech Electricity Grid and Market Simulator (VTEGMS)

Virginia Tech Electricity Grid and Market Simulator (VTEGMS) is intended to be a software that allows researchers to experiment with different combinations of grid components, different reliability issues, and different policies and contracts. After a simulation, VTEGMS will provide a performance matrix, which covers three areas, namely grid performance (e.g. reliability, security, and volume), business section performance (e.g. profit and risk), and consumer sector performance (e.g. cost, reliability, and risk). The simulator engine is written in C++ and uses some robust mathematical routines from IMSL library. It utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) software package to create the graphical user interface. GIS software uses a geographic data model, which is a representation of the real world to produce maps, perform interactive queries, and analysis. The users provide the GIS data and case configurations to VTEGMS through the GIS software, which then creates a database based on the given data. The simulator engine uses this database as the input to perform the simulation. The simulator then calculates the performance matrix and records it in a database for further analysis. In our project, we want to use VTEGMS as a part of an educational module. We want create a case study that is small enough for the students to experiment with using our software. Due to security concerns, we cannot use real electric data for case studies. Therefore, we have to create fictional data for this purpose. So far our fictional electric data is finished and we are finishing up the simulator engine.

Boonyarit Intiyot, bintiyot@vt.edu, (540) 443-1062, Dept: Business Information Technology, Mail code: 0235, Affiliation: graduate student

Ralph Badinelli, ralphb@vt.edu, (540) 231-7688, Dept: Business Information Technology, Mail code: 0235, Affiliation: faculty