DEQ 'Green Business' Expo shows new products By James Ronald Skains The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has joined the growing list of entities promoting renewable resources. Energy efficiency, renewable sources of energy, and renewable natural resources topped the list of focus of the Green Business Expo. The event was hosted by Peggy Hatch, Secretary of the LA DEQ. Hatch noted in her opening comments, "Our state can no longer do nothing about energy efficiency, renewable energy and renewing our natural resources." "It all has to be part of a package to solve our energy and environmental problems," Hatch pointed out. "Being more energy efficient, more environmentally conscious and taking advantage of and protecting our natural resources go hand in hand. Each kilowatt of electricity not used and each gallon of fuel not used by being more energy efficient and environmental friendly, reduces our energy problems," Hatch stated. Steven Moret, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Economic Development, gave the opening remarks. Moret noted, "This Green Business Expo is a glimpse of the New Louisiana Business landscape. There is a new frontier in Louisiana for business activity." Exxon Mobil and Toxicological & Environmental Associates, Inc (TEA) were the two primary financial sponsors of the event. When asked by the Piney Woods Journal after his presentation on "The Outlook for Energy," Steve Blume, the ExxonMobil Refinery manager had this to say about the concept of "Peak Oil": "I don't believe that we have reached the point where we are using more oil than we are finding. I hope that point never occurs. However, the need for oil continues to increase dramatically and may double by 2030." Unlike many alternative energy conferences, the DEQ Green Business Expo focused on new approaches actually being implemented by Louisiana companies to reduce the carbon footprint and enhance environmental quality. Some of the companies making presentations of their operation included floating Island Environmental Solutions (FIES). They touted their Bio-Haven Floating Island as a man-made ecosystem, with all the component parts manufactured in the United States. FEIS pointed out that their Floating Island system offers a natural, cost effective virtually maintenance free solution to improve water quality, reduce the effects of erosion and beautify waterscapes. Next on the agenda was Bear Creek Services, LLC. This company has developed a novel oilfield wastewater reclamation system that is now being used commercially in the Haynesville Shale natural gas field. Their Green Machine, as they have named their technology, uses alternative energy and forward osmosis filtration to recycle drilling waste into a high quality completion fluid for use in hydraulic fracturing jobs. Using their technology, Bear Creek Services can recycle 80% of the drilling waste to provide 20% of the water required for hydraulic fracturing in the Shale. In addition to conserving water, reducing waste disposal volumes, and reducing environmental exposure, this technology significantly reduces the direct carbon footprint of the industry by eliminating hundreds of tanker truckloads of water per well. Bear Creek Services noted that it has five Green Machines in operation in the Haynesville Shale field. They noted that their system would save approximately $42,000 in the actual costs of drilling a natural gas well. Burns Mulhearn, President of Geoshield noted that advances in ceramic-based nano technology has allowed his company to bring to the market place a premium optical clarity and high-energy rejection product to solar control films. Cerion Energy, Inc, a Rochester, NY based company presented its Go2 Diesel Fuel optimizer (Go2). This product is a 3rd generation nanoparticle combustion catalyst. The effect of adding GO2 to diesel fuel is increased fuel economy and a significant reduction of unwanted and harmful exhaust emissions known as green houses gases. Lunch was catered by the La Madeleine French Bakery and Café The keynote luncheon speaker was Steve Gleason, a former seven year player in the NFL and Saints Defensive back. Gleason is now the Client Program Manager for the Baton Rouge based Shaw Group, Inc. Gleason discussed Shaw's Clean Energy Fund and how Shaw helps their clients go "green'' with solutions designed to help customers achieve regulatory compliances, reduce environmental impact and create long-term benefits. Several other presentations were made throughout the conference. Ultiworks Consulting, based at the Louisiana Business and Technology Center at Louisiana State University South Campus, helps utility clients assess, design, procure and deploy advanced metering systems. They also noted the high loss of electricity through the transmission systems which their services help reduce. Advanced Lubrication Technology, a nationwide company, has developed and is marketing MotorSilk Fluid System Treatment. MotorSilk was developed to treat engines, gearboxes, automatic transmissions, and fuel systems. This onetime treatment with MotorSilk reduces surface friction, and wear which results in the extended life of the fluid system while reducing energy usage and increasing horsepower. Once the MotorSilk enter the oil it begins to form a covalent bond with the metal alloy penetrating all carbon, varnish or corrosion forming a near-diamond hard boric oxide surface. Toxicological & Environmental Associates, Inc (TEA) provides "green and sustainable" remediation services through the use of emulsified zero valent iron (EZVI). The EZI technology is a NASA patented product that provides for direct remediation of source are contamination in groundwater and soil. Joule Energy, the next presenter, was a Louisiana company that has collectively installed over 1.4 megawatts of solar electric systems across the Southeast. They primarily work with architects and builders. Another company based at the Louisiana Business and Technology Center at LSU is Hydroflame Technologies, LLC. Hydroflame's Down Hole Steam Generator (DHSG) generates a mixture of high quality steam and hot non-condensable gases (NCG), consisting mainly of carbon dioxide and nitrogen, for heavy oil recovery. The hot NCG is injected along with the steam into the oil reservoir, reducing the cost of operation. The LA DEQ placed a disclaimer on its agenda, which read in part: "All representation made by participating companies are based solely upon information received from the participating companies. The LA DEQ does not endorse or provide any warranty as to any representations made thereof." Some 21 other companies had exhibition booths at the one day LA DEQ Green Business Expo displaying energy efficiency and renewable energy concepts and products. |