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Co-ops sponsor technology conference

The first national technology conference for Touchstone Energy electric co-ops and their customers will be held Feb. 23-25, 2000 in Tucson, Ariz. The conference, titled "New and Emerging Technologies:

Helping America's Business Customers," will highlight cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing, energy management, food and agriculture and distributed generation and help business customers of rural co-ops use or market these technologies.

Touchstone Energy

Four-hour pre-conference workshops will be offered on "Helping Rural Businesses Export Products," "Opportunities for Rural Businesses with e-commerce," "Telemedicine and Rural America; Opportunities for Co-ops," and "Accessing World-class Manufacturing Support for Small Businesses."

Manufacturing technologies exhibits will include "virtual factories," Internet-enabled capabilities, coating, design optimization and computer-aided design and manufacturing. The new food and agriculture technologies to be displayed include ultraviolet light to purify liquids, electron induction heating of liquids, and the flash-bake oven that cooks with quartz halogen lights. Technologies for distributed generation will include fuel cells, microturbines and the latest generation of advanced diesel gen-sets. Also on display will be smart meters and 'smart' breaker boxes, which can measure the amount of electricity a business or household uses down to the appliance level.

Electricity from biomass for rural America

Some researchers are predicting that in several years, biomass, or renewable organic matter such as forest residues and agricultural crops and wastes, will power fuel cells that generate electricity in rural areas.

A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of fuel directly into electricity. Fuel cells produce electricity from a variety of fuels by an electro-chemical process akin to that found in batteries. A fuel cell differs from a battery in that it produces electricity as long as fuel and air are supplied. In this sense, a fuel cell is like a conventional engine. However, in a fuel cell the fuel and air do not come into contact with each other so there is no combustion. While the fuel cell can produce steam, the emissions produced are nearly nonexistent.

Fuel cells can produce power and heat for dispersed generation using indigenous biomass and/or waste-derived fuels. These power plants can provide energy on-site while reducing energy costs.

Robert Brown of Iowa State University suggests that biomass with little value such as corn stover, alfalfa stems, obsolete seed corn and oat hulls could be used in generating electricity via a fuel cell.

The power for future energy-intensive ethanol plants may be provided by a fuel cell. Feasibility studies indicate that carbonate fuel cells can provide all the electricity and much of the thermal energy required by an ethanol production facility using diluted ethanol of 15 to 30 percent.

Hybrid electric-gas Honda gets 70 mpg

Honda recently introduced a hybrid electric-gasoline car for under $20,000 that gets up to 70 miles per gallon of gas. The first of its kind in the United States, the Insight is unlike vehicles powered exclusively by electricity because its batteries don't need recharging. A new design, the two-seater coupe employs new technology, according to American Honda Motor Co.

The Insight's electric motor draws power from the batteries to boost engine performance to the level of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and also acts as a generator during braking to recharge the batteries. Honda has combined this engine, which it calls the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) hybrid system, with a rigid and lightweight aluminum body and advanced ultra-low emissions technology. Honda says their new technology makes the car the cleanest and most fuel efficient, gasoline-powered vehicle ever offered to American consumers.

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Electric bicycles make their mark

The electric bicycle is now being mass-produced. EV Global Motors, founded by former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, hopes to sell 1,000 light electric vehicles (LEV's) a week. Their first line of LEV'S, the E-Bike, has a top speed of 15 miles per hour (MPH), weighs only 67 pounds and has a range of up to 20 miles. Its costs less than $1,000, and an average electrical charge for a 15-mile trip costs less than five cents.

Schwinn has introduced the Sierra Electro Drive, with a top speed of 18 MPH, it weighs less than 50 pounds and has a range of up to 30 miles.

With the rapid advancement of alternative transportation technologies, the electric bicycle will become quicker, more efficient and less costly in the near future. They're great for short commutes and, even with the electric motor, you still get the added benefit of exercise.

Clean water in rural Illinois

More than $34 million has been earmarked for clean water and wastewater systems in rural areas. Rural Development Loans and Grants for water and wastewater systems to rural areas or municipalities can be used for the construction of new systems, or for improvements and extensions to existing projects.

This year 27 water and six sewer projects were funded in rural Illinois. Fifteen of these water systems were designated as Water 2000 Initiative projects meaning they provided new water service in areas where residents were experiencing quality or quantity problems (often hauling water). These projects provided central water service for the first time to 2,579 households, farms and businesses, or the equivalent of 7,221 individuals. The new sewer systems provided central sewer service to 759 households and businesses that previously had inadequate individual systems.

A cure for the winter blues

Experts estimate that 10 percent of North Americans suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, which has been associated with everything from irritability and weight gain, to fatigue and insomnia, to anxiety and depression.

While not everyone experiences severe symptoms during the winter, each of us is impacted by the decrease in daylight to some extent. Interestingly, studies show that the time between sunrise and sundown is the key factor in SAD rather than the lack of sunny days or colder temperatures. Declining sunlight triggers the brain to release too much melatonin, the chemical that regulates our "body clocks" and controls our hormonal and immune systems, moods, sleep patterns, appetites and sex drive. We feel, quite simply, crummy.

The most common treatment for this winter ailment does not require a prescription — simply exposure to more light. However, getting the necessary amount of sunlight may be a challenge as Jack Frost holds you hostage indoors. A natural lighting alternative developed by Solatube International Inc. can help you get natural light without venturing out in the cold.

Tubular skylights cost just a fraction of the price of box skylights because no structural refraining, dry walling or painting is necessary. For more information on Solatube tubular skylights, call (800) 966-7652 or visit the Solatube website at www.solatube.com.

Farmers consider niche markets

Young folks hoping to farm might do better with veggies, flowers and pie than they will with corn, beans and wheat, says Livy M. Coe, an agribusiness researcher from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. "There are limited opportunities for younger people in traditional agriculture because the capital costs are so high," Coe says.

For example, pepper and tomato growers in Kentucky showed gross returns of $4,000 to $10,000 per acre. Specialty crops don't require a lot of land. Illinois, particularly the southern part of the state, has an ideal climate and soil for growing vegetables. Yet 95 percent of vegetables come from out of state.

"We're approaching Depression-era farm prices. We have to find some way to help the smaller farmers make money," said Coe.

To find out more, contact Coe care of the Agribusiness Department, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901-4410, or call (618)453-1711 or e-mail him at coel@siu.edu.

Start-up child care and restaurant help

Two new publications are available from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) to help entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses. The Restaurant Start-Up Profile and The Child Care Start-Up Profile are now available through the DCCA's First Stop Business Information Center.

The Restaurant Start-Up Profile will assist potential restaurateurs and community leaders in evaluating whether or not a new restaurant will succeed in their hometown, and help current restaurant owners decide whether or not to expand. Additionally, the guide will contain information on successful restaurants in Illinois to show potential restaurant owners some characteristics of a well-run restaurant.

The Child Care Start-Up Profile was created in response to a 1997 DCCA study that found that 1,000 new day care centers will be needed just to meet the projected day care demand over the next few years. Available, affordable and high quality day care is a top priority for DCCA. These facilities are integral to successfully continuing welfare-to-work programs.

First Stop was launched in August of 1995 as a starting point for potential Illinois entrepreneurs. Call (800) 252-2923 for more information.

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