It was both interesting and a bit depressing to attend the mini-conference on alternative and renewable energy in Caledonia on November 16.
First, let me say it was very worthwhile, and I commend the Houston County Economic Development Authority for sponsoring it. Only about 20 people attended, which was too bad, but the subject matter is very important to promote, and I hope the EDA continues to do so.
The interesting aspect was simply the fact that there are many great ideas about renewable and alternative energy being shared and implemented. Wind and solar energy have some very practical applications. Anaerobic digesters for dairy farms really make sense.
The most intriguing idea for me was combining an anaerobic digester with a hydrogen fuel cell. Itís happening now at the Haubenschild dairy farm near Princeton, Minnesota. Hereís how a University of Minnesota explanation of it. ìThe anaerobic manure digester produces biogas, which is composed of methane, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and trace gases. Once the biogas from the manure digester is cleaned, the biogas is converted to hydrogen fuel, which produces electricity in the fuel cell. Hydrogen is seen as an attractive alternative to fossil fuels since it doesnít release carbon dioxide or harmful greenhouse gases.î
It seems like a perfect thing to study and to invest in. What makes more sense than taking waste from a farm, converting it to gas, then using that gas to generate electricity, with no use of fossil fuels, no pollution, no greenhouse gases. As the article states, ìHydrogen may be one of the primary drivers of the economy within 10 years. Hydrogen is clean, can be stored, and does not pollute the atmosphere.î
So why arenít we doing this everywhere? I asked myself that question more than once during the mini-conference. Why is there only one such hydrogen fuel cell project in the entire state?
The simple answer is obvious: money, or lack thereof. Money is extremely hard to come by for this and all other alternative energy projects. Thatís the refrain that always surfaces at alternative energy conferences. The fuel cell project cost $200,000, and has $150,000 more budgetted to continue with biogas clean up. The anaerobic digester project cost about $500,000.
We applaud innovation, we tip our hats to people who can get off the electric grid. But we know itís not practical or affordable, and about the best we can do is little things like unplug the beer refrigerator in the garage. (Thatís something I did after attending the mini-conference, thanks to a tip from one of the speakers.)
It boils down to misplaced priorities. Our country should be investing in these things. I mean really investing. Not a grant here and a low interest loan there.
Well, where would we get that kind of money?
The answer to that comes on a daily basis. Money is being spent to the tune of a billion dollars a week in Iraq, and ironically itís being spent in our pursuit for a stable supply of oil.Ý
Think how that money could be used to work on hydrogen fuel cell technology and the many other feasible alternatives. Then perhaps we would not need to go to war to keep the oil flowing.
Oh, never mind. That will never work. It makes too much sense!

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