The Tremendous Potential of Clean Energy Development, or, a Trip to See R&D at the University of Maine

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The tremendous potential of clean energy development, or, a trip to see R&D at the University of Maine

By Chellie

Amidst all the grim economic news -- the bailout or bankruptcy of big financial companies, high energy prices, and rising unemployment -- seeing all that is going on at the research and development facilities at the University of Maine was a welcome change.

Last week I spent an afternoon touring the facilities in Orono where exciting research and product development is happening in areas ranging from aquaculture to forest products to energy.

Habib Dagher met us at the Advanced Engineered Wood Composites Center (AEWC), where there is a tremendous amount of new research and product development going on. For example, they are developing new blade technology for the next generation of wind turbines. Not only would the blades be more efficient but, because this research is ongoing at the University, Maine is well positioned to bring the actual manufacturing of these blades to our state.

Habib walked us through a plan for putting 1,000 wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine, which would generate a total of five gigawatts of power (that's equal to six or seven coal fired plants). Believe it or not, Maine has some of the very best wind resources in the entire country. The potential for wind power is particularly good in the winter, when our energy demands are the highest.

These wind turbines aren't going to happen overnight and won't be free, but let's put them in perspective. The cost of building these turbines is estimated to run around $17.5 billion, and the timeline AEWC has developed puts the first ones online in about 8 years -- significantly less expensive and a lot faster than creating the same capacity from, say, nuclear power plants.

I don't think we can overestimate the potential for job creation and economic development around renewable energy -- think of the construction and maintenance jobs that building wind turbines in the Gulf of Maine would create. It's pretty clear we have a choice in this country: stay hooked on oil and keep sending billions of dollars overseas, or become energy independent by making a real commitment to clean, renewable and affordable energy and creating sustainable, good-paying jobs right here in Maine.

AEWC has also been working closely with Maine businesses to develop world-class products that create and support jobs here at home. Hodgdon Brothers in East Boothbay, for example, worked with AEWC to help develop the Mark V Patrol Craft for the Navy Seals. The new version, with a composite hull, will replace an 83' aluminum boat that had such a rough ride that crew members would routinely be injured in big seas. The composite version being built in East Boothbay would be a big improvement in that regard. Hodgdon Brothers has built one boat already, and if things go well the Navy could end up buying up to 20 boats at $10 million each. This is the kind of exciting technology and good-paying jobs we should be fostering.

Energy, of course, is on everyone's minds these days, which is why we had started the day with John Rebar from the University of Maine's Cooperative Extension Service. As a former organic farmer, I've had plenty of opportunities over the years to take advantage of all the Extension Service has to offer. These days they've shifted their focus to helping Maine families cope with the rising cost of fuel. In the short-term, the Extension has put together resources to help families become more energy efficient -- visit their website at http://www.extension.umaine.edu for more information.

Over the long term, the Extension is working on helping develop new forms of fuel from Maine resources, another important step towards our energy independence. Pelletized grasses is one -- a form of fuel for pellet stoves that comes from a special kind of fast-growing grass that packs an impressive amount of BTUs. Canola is another; grown as a rotational crop with potatoes, for a modest investment farmers can buy the equipment needed to crush the canola seeds and extract an oil that can be burned in diesel equipment right there on the farm. The Extension Service is even doing a feasibility study to see if building a canola bio-fuel refinery in Maine makes sense.

We also had time to visit the Aquaculture Research Center, where we saw video of some new tidal power technology that is being tested right now in Eastport. The Center has been developing a test platform for in-lab tank tests, working with Ocean Renewable Power Company who is developing the tidal turbines. Tidal power is another great example of how Maine is particularly well positioned to be a leader in clean energy development and reducing our dependence on foreign oil, while creating good-paying jobs.

Hemant Pendse from the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative also met with me to talk about some innovative products they are working on there, including new forms of wood pellets and bio-fuels from wood products. It's inspiring to see these people creating new ways to help traditional industries like forest products. "I have enthusiastic freshmen and sophomores who want to be part of the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative because they can see the industry has a future," Hemant told me.

It was an encouraging, exciting and inspiring afternoon at the University of Maine. I was once again very impressed with the talent and ingenuity of the people of Maine, and I am very enthusiastic about the tremendous potential Maine has to become a leader in clean energy development and true energy independence for our country. We all know we have to end our dependence on foreign oil and these and other projects happening here in Maine are showing all of us the path forward. If elected to Congress, I will be an enthusiastic and vocal advocate in support of this work and look forward to the opportunity to help industrious and independent-minded Maine people succeed to the benefit of all of us.

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