Maine Offshore Wind Farm Project Receives $2M Grant

Offshore-Wind-Turbine

Maine’s taking its clean energy to its coast; the state’s Energy Office received a $2.166 million grant for its offshore wind roadmap, from the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The project will create a roadmap for establishing a floating offshore wind power industry. The Energy Office’s intention is to examine manufacturing processes, supply chains, port facilities, transportation systems, shipbuilding opportunities, ecosystem relationships, workforce development plans, power interconnections, exports and economic impacts.

Maine’s Offshore Wind Technology

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of the Interior (DOI) released a National Offshore Wind Strategy document. It stated that 80% of the country’s electricity demands are from coastal states, and that the total U.S. offshore wind energy potential is more than twice the national usage. The Gulf of Maine’s wind quality is higher than most parts of the U.S. As such, a 2009 Ocean Energy Task Force report set goals, one of which was installing 5 GW (5,000 megawatts) of offshore wind energy by 2030.

The University of Maine (UMaine) has, over 10 years, developed patented VolturnUS floating concrete hull technology. It has potential to significantly reduce the cost of offshore wind and supports wind turbines in water 150+ feet deep (Maine’s waters are some of the deepest around the country, approximately 200 feet deep). In 2013, the university deployed a VolturnUS prototype one-eighth of regular size. It was the first grid-connected floating wind turbine system in the Americas, and data from this has fuelled the development of two full-scale floating offshore hulls for wind turbines.

The Aqua Ventus Project

In 2019, the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) signed a 20-year power purchase agreement for Maine Aqua Ventus. The project will deploy a turbine on VolturnUS, the floating concrete semi-submersible hull developed by UMaine, south of Monhegan Island. The state’s and UMaine’s goals are to demonstrate VolturnUS tech at full scale, to create jobs, provide clean energy at low cost, and pave the way for other floating wind farms.

Are you developing new software, products or inventions? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs and CFPs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

The DOE has Announced Plans for Hydrogen Fuel Cell R&D

trucks 2320435 960 720

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched its plans to advance fuel cell truck and hydrogen production. The Million Mile Fuel Cell Truck (M2FCT) and the H2NEW consortia will work to identify ways to make the technologies more durable, efficient, affordable and viable in today’s market. This comes off the DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy office’s (EERE’s) announcement to invest $100 million into the projects.

The combined intention of the projects is to produce hydrogen in environmentally-friendly ways, and then use that hydrogen as a fuel source.

H2NEW

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Colorado) and Idaho National Laboratory will lead this project, and attempt to develop large-scale electrolyzers, which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.  The hydrogen produced is perfect for hydrogen fuel cells.

Electrolysis has been around since 1800, and a number of methods have been developed. However, it’s not always a cheap endeavor. This consortia will look at how to make the electrolyzers more efficient and cost effective.

M2FCT

Fuel Cell Trucks (FCTs) have the diesel engine replaced with a battery-hydrogen fuel cell hybrid system. The hybrid feature allows for optimal performance in heavy duty applications, with minimized environmental impact. FCTs produce no emissions, only water. Los Alamos (New Mexico) and Lawrence Berkeley (California) National Laboratories will lead the project, focussing on fuel cell durability, performance, and minimizing cost.

Are you developing a new invention? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs and CFPs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

A Connecticut Startup is Solving Issues of Waste Management and CO2 Emissions

oceanplastic

Waste management tech startup Ecogensus has patented recycled fuels to replace coal, in some of the most wasteful countries. The company’s systems heat solid waste into a dense char. This char can later be burned as fuel, replacing coal in power plants and cement factories.

The Farmington Valley company has received its patent in Indonesia, the world’s second largest plastic waste contributor according to a 2015 study. It also has several waste management systems in other countries, including the U.S. 

The System

Ecogensus’ systems convert mixed solid wastes, including plastic waste, into high energy fuel. Ecogensus’ flagship system is the Model EGS-5000L, a transportable system designed for transfer stations, recycling centers, or directly at landfills. It uses a thermal treatment process called torrefaction to dry out and breakdown waste at extreme temperatures, removing oxygen to prevent combustion. 

The result from this process is a biofuel, similar to coal. However, coal contains harmful metals like mercury and burning it adds to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The biofuel from Ecogensus’ machines is cleaner, and easier to transport, store, grind and produce energy from. 

Torrefaction is often used to treat biomass that are then burned to generate electricity. But, the process of combining waste materials and creating a product with similar energy as coal has never been done before. This is mostly due to fire hazards, which Ecogensus says it has overcome with this machine.

The startup’s founder and CEO, Bjornulf Ostvik, says he wanted to create a solution for both the waste and utility industries. The EGS-5000L units reduce the need for landfill and burning waste, the two most prominent waste disposal systems in the U.S.

Are you developing a new invention? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation and audit compliance to claim disputes.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPAs and CFPs. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Is Artificial Photosynthesis the Answer to Reducing Carbon Emissions?

Life Science Growth

It’s a harsh reality that Global Warming is no longer a future concern, but it’s rearing its ugly head now. And while many argue over the political neglect that’s brought us to this point, others are wondering what can be done moving forward. On a small scale, individuals can make ‘greener’ choices: use public transport or walk; eat less meat and more vegetables; use a reusable water bottle; or take shorter showers. But, in 2017, the Carbon Majors Report confirmed that 70% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies. So, while millions of people making small scale changes may help, it’s large corporations who need to change the most.

And so, hundreds of companies are making the move to be more sustainable, especially energy companies. More and more are investing in carbon dioxide capturing, also known as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This technology can capture up to 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions pro­duced in electricity generation and industrial processes, preventing the CO2 from entering the atmosphere. But, even better is Carbon Capture Storage and Utilization (CCSU).

This is where a Houston based biotech startup may have the perfect answer. Cemvita created a CO2 utilization platform that merges electrochemical engineering and synthetic biology to mimic photosynthesis, turning carbon dioxide into glucose. The carbon negative company started with a brother and sister team; Moji Karimi has a background in oil and gas drilling, and Dr Tara Karimi in biochemistry. It was because of their mixed backgrounds that the co-founders began selling their technology to the oil and gas industry. The glucose is a great foundation for the creation of industrial chemicals and polymers. Oil and gas companies can specify what they want their CO2 converted to, and Cemvita will run a pilot program for less than $100,000. 

The technology, however, isn’t limited to energy companies; Cemvita has started selling its tech to the aerospace industry. Mars’ atmosphere is over 95 percent CO2, making it the perfect place to capture carbon and convert it into a direct food source. Or, it can be used to manufacture other nutrients and pharmaceuticals needed for deep space exploration. The company is thinking big, with a mission to ‘create a sustainable future on Earth and Mars’.

Are you developing a technology to make Earth greener? Did you know your R&D experiments could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

WHO WE ARE:

Swanson Reed is one of the Texas’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firm, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program in Texas, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

A California startup has just made major leaps towards solving climate change, and it’s not slowing down

microgrid

Environmental tech startup Heliogen has achieved a scientific breakthrough, reaching over 1000°C with concentrated solar energy. At this temperature, it can replace fossil fuels in producing cement, steel and petrochemicals. But, the company says it’s not stopping there. Its next goal is 1500°C; then it can split water and carbondioxide, to create gas used to power factories and fuel cars.

Heliogen’s mission is to reduce greenhouse gases as quickly as possible, in an effort to reverse the effects of climate change. In the last 270 years, more than 392 billion metric tons of carbon have been release into the atmostphere due to fossil fuels. Half of that’s happened in the last 35 years, since the mid 1980s. Industrial processes, like making concrete, are responsible for more than a fifth of all emissions. Using solar energy is a step in the right direction.

How do they do it?

Commercial concentrating solar thermal systems have previously been able to generate power, reaching up to 565°C. But industrial processes are burning through fossil fuels at accelerated rates and the climate crisis calls for bigger action. Heliogen reached the breakthrough temperatures because of its tech. It uses advanced computer software to align a large number of mirrors to reflect sunlight towards a specific target. The mirrors act as one, thanks to a closed-loop control system. The light is targeted towards a tower with a receiver, which converts the sunlight into ultra-high temperature heat.

What if we got rid of fossil fuels today?

Sadly, the world isn’t ready to stop using fossil fuels just yet. But, just for a moment forget the administrative headache of switching to entirely renewable energy sources, and take an optimistic view. Pollution would almost entirely end – both because mining would end, and because there would be no way to make non-biodegradable products without petroleum. Public health would improve because of the drop in pollution, meaning Americans would save US$74.6 billion every year that’s currently spent on coal-related health issues. Most importantly, the halt in carbon emissions would put a halt to climate change.

Are you developing a way to alleviate climate change? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the U.S.’ largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

Futuristic smart homes are no longer a future dream.

open lab shop local

Sustainable, 3D printed smart homes seem like something out of a ‘Back to the Future’ film, but they’re very much a reality. Nevada-based company haus.me is creating just that, even marketing their homes as ‘zombie-proof’. Although the zombie-proofing is yet to be tested, haus.me’s homes are ready to be shipped, even internationally, complete with all the bells and whistles of smart home technology.

Smart houses are a growing trend in the US, with their market value reaching US$ 51.9 Billion in 2018. There’s a lot of perks to living in a house with mobile monitoring of all systems. Smart homes give people the ability to regulate various functions and appliances, providing ‘greener’ living with the added benefit of cheaper energy bills. They also come with safety benefits in more ways than one: not only can people check which appliances have been left on, but automation systems can also notify people about intruders and other suspicious activity.

There’s also a social movement for tiny homes. They’re a cheaper, mobile alternative to regular houses, with lesser living costs and impacts on the environment. Some love the simplicity of tiny homes, but they’re certainly not for everybody. American homes are, on average, 2,687 square feet. Tiny homes, according to the International Residential Building Code, are almost seven times smaller – a maximum of 400 square feet.

Thankfully, haus.me’s homes currently come in three models, only one of which is considered a ‘tiny home’. The company’s ‘off-the-grid studio’ is 400 square feet and can be manufactured in four to seven weeks. The other two models include a two-bedroom ‘single family house’ and a ‘luxury family house’ that has two floors, with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. All three models are nothing short of impressive; the houses are:

  • Mobile, fully autonomous, self-sustaining and efficient on energy. Water tanks, solar battery storage and autonomous sewage all come with the house, so it’s possible to live even in the strangest places. The houses are also equipped with a cloud-based diagnostic system to diagnose maintenance issues in real-time.
  • Complete and ready. They come assembled with electronics, furniture, decor and even wine glasses. There’s also no need for a foundation or any construction.
  • Fully equipped with smart technology. The company doesn’t hold back either, ‘fully equipped’ in this case includes HEPA air quality controls, Sonos speaker systems, Apple TVs, 100 inch projector screens, high-speed internet connections and even a fingerprint door lock. All systems – even security – are remote-controlled from a phone, tablet or other device.
  • Safe. The 3D composite polymer frame is built to last through hurricanes, earthquake, and apparently zombies.

The 3D printing has limitations: there’s a lack of experts and so far only plastics and concrete can be printed. However, material costs, waste and productions time are all reduced. It’s an innovative process that could not exist 20 years ago, and is now revolutionary.

Are you developing extraordinary buildings or smart technology? Did you know your work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

Who We Are:

Swanson Reed is one of the US’s largest Specialist R&D tax advisory firms, offering tax credibility assessments, claim preparation, and advisory services. We manage all facets of the R&D tax credit program, from claim preparation & audit compliance to claim disputes. 

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE and CPE credits for CPA’s.  For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

2020 Budget Request Could Hamper Clean Energy R&D

clean energy r&d

According to budget documents released in March by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Administration proposed deep cuts that will reduce new spending on federal programs for clean energy research and development.

The request, if approved, eliminates funding for programs that lawmakers consider critical. This includes the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) that’ll see a slash of 87 percent – from $2.4 billion approved in the 2019 budget to $343 million in new spending come 2020.

At first glance, EERE’s cut seems less extensive because the fiscal year 2020 budget included some past funding that had been delayed.

However, even with the roll-over funds, the new total of $700 million for the department will cripple support for promising and novel technologies such as high-tech materials, advanced wind turbines, green buildings, and much more. The weatherization program that handles hidden pockets of energy asymmetry may also be abolished.

Another program that could take a hit is the Office of Science, which currently funds research in crucial areas such as chemistry and materials research, biology and environmental science, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, and supercomputing.

In fact, this marks the 3rd time the Administration has tried eradicating ARPA-E, which funds emerging, energy-related projects such as improving basic components of solar panels and next-generation batteries.

it’s highly unlikely this proposal will come into play without major changes since the latest numbers need final approval from Congress, which is currently dominated by Democrats, but scientist have pointed out the proposal alone has had a chilling effect.

Scientists around the nation are concerned that they will face instability and resistance in future budgets, which could, in turn, affect their competitiveness and effectiveness.

Up to $7 Million R&D Incentive for Offshore Wind R&D

offshore energy

New developments and research to America’s offshore wind energy industry will receive a significant books as the US government will provide up to USD $7 million in funding. The funding will be invested in research on new technologies aiming to reduce the costs for developing offshore projects.

Targeted projects will be looking at reducing time and cost  in the implementation of offshore projects. Strategically as this is still a new American industry the R&D Incentive will be critical to its Advancements.  

Nils Bolgen, director of Massachusetts Clean Energy Centre said “ this solicitation provides important resources that will help connect our research and testing community with industry players, driving innovation.”

Clean Energy R&D Could Be the Solution to Climate Change

climate change

Research and Development is the unsung hero when it comes to American innovation. Decades ago, unemployment and lack of sufficient industries were the biggest challenges in America, but Government funded Research and Development (R&D) innovations took care of all of that. Today, we have a different challenge: climate change.

But the good news is that R&D can help take care of that too, through clean energy R&D policies. In fact, clean energy R&D policies are already making a difference in the realm of climate change.

Did you know that clean energy is cheaper today compared to any other time in history? And that is a direct result of scientific innovations that were made possible by R&D investments made 10, 15, 20, and even 30 years ago.

Even though this improvement is nowhere close to goals we would like to attain in the long term, it is significant progress we should definitely include in the “win” column.

That said, we cannot fully take control over climate change only using the technology we have today.

“Clean Energy R&D innovation is the ultimate solution to the surging threat in climate change. All nations around the world do not have the luxury to sit around and wait for the next cutting edge technological inventions to emerge so they can start taking action,” said Ernest Moniz, Secretary of the Department of Energy.

This means governments need to make serious investments in clean energy R&D right away.

On the bright side, clean energy R&D that has already had an impact is Solar Photovoltaics. These devices were invented back in the 1950s, but they were too expensive to be adopted for commercial and non-commercial use back then.

However, thanks to recent, multiple R&D breakthroughs, the market cost of these devices dropped from $76.67 in 1977 to $0.26 in 2016. This marks a decrease of more than 99% in 39 years.

This astounding price decrease accelerated deployment, opening the doors wide open for the solar sector: which, in turn, encouraged private investments in the clean energy economy.

To meet the challenges of climate change wholly, we need more R&D victories like these.

Ed Kaplan Innovation Center Opens At Illinois Institute of Technology

renewable energy

The Illinois Institute of Technology recently opened the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship, a 70,000 square foot innovation center. The center uses innovative materials to control energy usage and bring sunlight into the building. For instance, ETFE foil weighs only one percent as much as glass and helps reduce solar heat. Furthermore, the flat roof is ideal for solar panels, which will hopefully be added in the future.

The architect, John Ronan, referred to the Institute as “an idea factory, a place of creative collision… where new ideas are explored and tested on their way to becoming meaningful innovations.”

The $37 million center will be used by engineering students to collaborate with businesses on R&D projects. This collaboration between industry and universities is critical to achieving greater innovation and commercialization. Projects will range from electric vehicles to the Internet of Things, with a specific focus on clean energy technology. Inside, there are classrooms, exhibition spaces and areas for prototyping and fabrication.

Project leader, Howard Tullman, said that one of the problems they aim to solve is the ‘last-mile problem,’ by finding a zero-carbon footprint transportation solution for short trips, such as autonomous electric vehicles.

There are already 100 graduate students using the building. The center will aim to teach students innovative techniques and will provide management skills to encourage entrepreneurship. This will also help graduates increase their pay at higher executive levels.

Illinois has been focusing heavily on clean energy for the past few years. The 2016 Future Energy Jobs Act and Illinois Power Agency’s plan to increase its reliance on renewables have sparked a wave of action by local businesses and institutions.

The building will be fully functional by January.