In these times in America and around the world, there’s a lot of talk about energy conservation and protecting the environment. With current world tensions, strained relationships and raw materials pricing, energy and environmental issues have risen to much higher levels of interest.

Historically, timing has been the key element in the formula of change. Even for supposedly bright people. In the late 1800s, Charles H. Duell, Director of the US Patent Office, said, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” And, interestingly enough, Lord William Thompson Kelvin, English scientist, said: “Radio has no future. Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.”

Today, “alternative energy” is more than theory. While there are those in America seeking grants to pay them for their research, the real, practical sources of renewable energy are explicitly identifiable, currently in use with easy-to-understand implementation and benefits, and available. And, unlike crude oil resources, these renewable, alternative energy sources have a long, long life.

There are three primary renewable alternative energy sources around the world: 1) landfill-gas-to-energy; 2) solar; and 3) wood debris. And the even better news is that there are projects across the world and in America that are successfully operating today.

As a ninth-generation South Carolinian, I am most proud of our relationship with LMOP—the Landfill Methane Outreach Program of EPA—and our results in the state of South Carolina with the operational projects using these sources. The one which has received the most local, national, and international publicity and recognition is the Waste Management-Palmetto Landfill-BMW-Ameresco project in the upstate of South Carolina. That project, according to three leading international engineering firms, has raised awareness of landfill-gas-to-energy (LFGTE) across the world. And we have a superb electric utility ally, too: Santee Cooper, which currently has three additional operating projects and one in the test run phase.

Currently in the state of South Carolina, the four LFGTE projects in operation, according to LMOP, are saving 2,500,175 barrels of oil per year.

There’s even more good news nationally. Currently there are 401 operational LFGTE projects, and another 580 landfill candidates.

There are several key lessons from these LFG alternative energy projects. The first is that as long as we have humans, we will have municipal solid waste, which, according to international engineers, goes through the same process to create an energy source as fossil fuel does. Except the process for municipal solid waste is much faster. The benefits are explicit and easy to understand. Second, demonstrating those benefits and building collaborative partnerships, and getting buy-ins from project stakeholders at the onset are key foundation elements in the road to success. Third, LFGTE is an economic grand slam. Everybody wins, across the globe.

The second wonderful renewable alternative energy source, solar, will be available as long as the planet stays. And, it’s truly growing across the world. There are some superb resource allies. At the top of all lists in America is ASES, the American Solar Energy Society, and ISES, the International Solar Energy Society. Once again, the importance of “timing” in the formula has been explicitly demonstrated. With rising utility rates across America, people have become much more interested in alternative energy sources like solar.

The implementation of photovoltaic systems and solar hot water heaters is rapidly growing. And there has been a real growth in the interest of traditional utility companies. Santee Cooper in South Carolina is one of those leaders.

The third renewable alternative energy source around the world is wood debris. There are tremendous supplies of wood debris across most of America. Our forests are in much need of regular removal of the wood waste found on the ground. That debris, as well as other wood waste from pallets, construction debris, chipping, and other wood use represent ideal sources for renewable alternative energy generation. The quantities and opportunities are so great that there has been an academic term developed for it: biomass. And, a lot of folks are looking for grants. The good news is that the technology, systems, and opportunities are such that there is a superb economic opportunity for private development. No grants needed.

Even more good news is that the technology and systems are in place for using wood debris as a renewable alternative energy source, and they are most successful. A couple of other significant benefits center around the cleaning of our forests and the creation of independent jobs for folks who do that cleaning and haul out the wood.

An idea, which may well be ahead of its time for the use of all of these renewable alternative energy sources, is that all of them be combined to be used at a single site. The perfect location is the landfill and adjacent property. The methane from the landfill, when ready for collection and for the generation of electricity, would be covered and fed into the grid. At that time, a series of photovoltaic systems would be placed on portions of the covered landfill to produce more than 8 MWh of electricity, and tied into the grid. Adjacent to the landfill site, there would be a collection site for wood debris to be prepared for the turbines, generating methane and electricity, and tied into the grid.

We all know that radio has been most successful, and there are still a lot of things to be invented. Renewable alternative energy sources and their implementation are truly ready to help us build a better tomorrow.

SONNY DUBOSE is project coordinator, renewable energy, South Carolina Energy Office.

DE - November/December 2006