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Renewable energy powers hurricane recovery efforts

The Gulf Coast witnessed nature's power in all its punishing fury this summer, but a different kind of natural power is helping residents of Texas and Louisiana rebuild their homes and towns.

Solar power and two different types of biomass are playing roles in hurricane recovery efforts, while demonstrating to the rest of the nation the benefits of diversified fuel sources.

PV provides emergency light and power

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory teamed up with Florida Solar Energy Center to provide solar-powered charging stations to the town of Kilm, Miss. NREL sent a portable, 600-watt unit that the lab uses for demonstrations and backup power. FSEC provided another 500-watt portable PV system.

The generators consisted of solar panels and batteries mounted on trailers for easy towing. The FSEC's 500-watt, PV trailer replaced a failing diesel generator powering a commercial radio station that transmitted emergency communication every other hour. The 600-watt unit provided the power to charge mobile phones, laptop computers and hand-held radios.

"Solar energy is particularly suited to this kind of application where the grid goes down," said NREL Spokesperson George Douglas. "It's portable and modular so you can tailor it to the load, and as long as you have sunshine, you have power."

Several solar manufacturers donated panels and systems to light-critical locations, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association. Working with donated solar panels from Sharp Solar Systems, Solar Outdoor Lighting, Inc., installed 30 solar-powered lighting systems around camps housing state police from nine states.

Canada-based Carmanah Technologies, Inc. held back other shipments to rush more than 500 orders of solar-powered LED lights to areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Most of the orders were for solar-powered marine navigation lights for the U.S. Coast Guard, but solar lights were also used to mark railroad bridges and helicopter landing pads.

Donated biodiesel fuels supply deliveries

The biofuel industry has been a big contributor to relief efforts, as well. The soybean checkoff, a farmer-sponsored program to promote U.S. soybeans at home and abroad, partnered with several organizations to bring much-needed fuel and animal feed to farmers in the hurricane-ravaged regions.

The Veggie Van Organization, a nonprofit group from Venice, Calif., teamed up with West Central West Central biodiesel company of Iowa and the Naples, Fla., City Council to transport 13,000 gallons of biodiesel to help victims.

The National Biodiesel Board helped to coordinate biodiesel donations from West Central and other producers. “Food companies sent food, clothing companies sent clothes and individuals sent money. As a fuel industry organization, we tried to relieve fuel supply shortages in the region,” said Chief Executive Officer Joe Jobe. "Biodiesel is an especially important alternative in times when the nation’s fuel supply is threatened by natural disasters or other events," he added.

The donated fuel powered a former military ship, as well as makeshift medical facilities and emergency generators aboard the vessel. The 105-ton M/V Diamond left from south Florida Sep. 16 carrying 12 tons of food and running on biodiesel for the first time in its operation.

Veggie Van Organization founder Josh Tickell went on the voyage and recorded the trip in his online blog. “Thanks to the biodiesel fuel donated by West Central and the donations we received online, we were able to help people who needed it most and document the work on our Web site," Tickell commented in his blog.

The Veggie Van was in Lake Charles, La., when Hurricane Rita hit, forcing Tickell to leave the vehicle behind during evacuation. Fortunately, the damage was not too severe, and the van was back on the road by Thanksgiving.

The organization is continuing long-term green rebuilding efforts, with Tickell making return trips to Louisiana to work with local groups. The Veggie Van team received a personal commendation from former President Bill Clinton for its aid efforts. Clinton endorsed the use of biodiesel in hurricane recovery and other applications.

Deal turns debris into power

Green Energy Resources is looking beyond immediate relief to long-term recovery. The New York-based bioenergy company pledged to purchase up to one million tons of hurricane-damaged wood each from Louisiana and Mississippi. With a contract to supply the United Kingdom with more than five million tons of wood chips annually, there is no lack of market for the hurricane debris.

In a recent announcement, CEO Joseph Murray stated that the company may buy another million tons for power plants in the northeast. "Each hurricane provides an opportunity to strengthen the U.S. economy and energy security and develop new export markets," he commented.

The plan to divert the wood waste from landfills creates jobs, develops new export markets, and provides the states with badly needed revenue streams. Biomass can be processed into ethanol, gasified or mixed with coal to reduce greenhouse gases. According to the company, the abundance of biomass for renewable energy from each natural weather event could power up to 10 percent of America's total energy demand.

It will take time and hard work to restore the Gulf Coast's infrastructure, and nothing can ease the pain and loss the hurricanes caused. If residents find ways to build a more secure and sustainable future with renewable energy, however, the nation may yet be able to see the green lining in those storm clouds.