Just in the United States several hundreds of gasification plants have been operating for decades, securing the coverage of the electricity demand with a cleaner energetic technology in opposite with the traditional coal-, or oil-, or gas fed power plants.

The Thermo-Chemical Gasification (TCG) technology is only the “next generation” of the gasification technology, that means a cleaner, closed, - consequently - higher efficient - technology, that was evalueted to the first rank among the known energetic technologies.

The “technological references” are - on the one hand - well known, and can be found in the gasification power plants everywhere in the world, and - on the other hand - the above mentioned evaluation is an accurately documented process performed by the Department of Energy of the United States. (U.S. DOE) The public version of the strictly confidential report can be found among the downloadable documents.

The Renewable Energy Testing Center – RETC – in the program called “Accelerating the Marketplace for Renewable Technologies” the U.S. Army ordered the investigation and testing campaign, and preparing a final report. (1602-460 FTR PUBLIC.PDF)

According to the official wording… „Research for the Renewable Energy Testing Center is intended to provide validation of advanced processes that generate renewable energy and reduce energy usage compared to conventional processes. This report covers the work performed under Task #5 of contract W15QKN-05-D-0030. Specific areas covered includes the evaluation of three alternative energy technologies on the conversion of biomass to synthetic gas and liquid fuels. This includes a Red Lion gasifier, ACTI gasification and liquid fuel system, and Pacific Renewable Fuels diesel production system.”

Research on this project is intended to provide validation of advanced processes that generate renewable energy and reduce energy usage compared to conventional processes for metal casting and other defense applications. This work is a continuation of the work started under the Casting Emission Reduction Program (CERP) CRADA in June 1994 (USAF CRADA Number 94-SM-16), and which is now being conducted under a U.S. Army CRADA with an effective date of 31 March 2003, now expired.

This project had four (4) Research Tasks that included:

• Specific research to evaluate materials, processes and equipment required to generate renewable energy and renewable fuels for their potential to a) produce renewable energy and fuels b) determine the cost effectiveness of technologies and c) determine the environmental emissions from the processes and equipment. The results of these efforts were provided in separate technical reports.
• Perform Emission Measurement Technology research and development that ex pands the capabilities to measure air emissions for alternative energy processes. The results of these efforts were provided in separate technical reports.
• Provide Technology Transfer, Knowledge Transfer and Outreach to the DOD, EPA, DOE, and other stakeholders to share the results of the research effort. Present papers at Industry and DOD conferences, have exhibits at conferences, and partici pate in Industry and DOD workshops, seminars, technical conferences, and stan dards committees. Provide access to results of the research effort by maintaining a website with both secure and public sections on the World Wide Web. The results of these efforts were provided in one (1) technical report.
• Program Management, including Quarterly Reports and this Final Technical report.

The majority of work performed on this Task was conducted by Technikon, LLC at its 60,000 square foot facility containing a fully operational foundry. Emission testing, labo ratory research and process development activities were also completed for this project at this site and by Technikon and authorized subcontractors at off-site locations. During the performance of the Task 5 the following were completed: a) Evaluations of three (3) alternative energy technologies; b) RETC overview report; c) A technical review of small scale energy technologies; d) A report on the development of the Technikon facility as an alternative energy test site; e) An evaluation of emission measurement technologies required for renewable energy testing; f) an intercomparison of condensable particulate sampling methods – this report documents a test that was performed under a prior CERP contract; g) technology transfer and outreach.

During the next decade, our Nation’s ability to reduce its dependence on foreign oil requires that it maintain its technical capabilities and to provide leadership in technological innovations. The cost of manufacturing to support DOD requirements in industries such as Metal Casting will be challenged by declining research and development resources. Meeting this challenge will require a greater reliance on cooperation among Government, industry, and research organizations.

The development of Renewable Energy Technologies presents a major opportunity for such cooperation. The DOD and industry share the goals of reducing energy and fuel costs needed to support manufacturing. The metal casting industry is very energy intensive and DOD is in need of reducing its energy requirements for both manufacturing and transport. Many new processes are in development that would support these goals, but they are all relatively new and untested. The RETC fulfills the need for a renewable energy testing and validation program that supports DOD and industry requirements.

The program would continue with the CERP mission to prevent further loss of metal casting facilities due to noncompetitive processes, energy costs and environmental regulations. Domestic control of this basic industry is critical for national security (military vehicles, ordnance, and ship components) and for U.S. competitiveness of the automobile and heavy vehicles industry. The Casting Emission Reduction Program was created to respond to these requirements, and the Renewable Energy Testing Center (RETC) is a component of these efforts.

The focus of this project is to validate new energy technologies that support the American metal casting industry so that it can continue to deliver quality cost competitive products while having a reduced impact on the environment and reduced energy usage. The Renewable Energy Testing Center (RETC) program is based on the concept of testing and validation of renewable energy technologies related to biomass feedstock with a particular focus on biofuels for transportation. Technikon has a world-class research, demonstration and deployment facility located in the greater Sacramento, California region that is being utilized for this initiative.

The RETC program focuses on support of relevant and emerging renewable energy technologies in the area of cellulosic waste and biomass to energy and fuel conversion technologies that would support Department of Defense (DOD) needs for compliance to Executive Order 13423 that sets goals for the DOD to increase alternative fuel consumption at least 10% annually. In recent years, the need to produce a lighter, more highly-mobile fighting force has become evident. Critical to this effort is lightweight metals and improved fuel efficiencies. In response to this need, the RETC is focusing efforts on new technologies such as cellulosic energy conversion technologies for the reduction in fuel costs, reduction of air emissions and energy consumption in the production of casting lightweight metals.

The scope of this effort is to provide for the testing, evaluation, qualification, and modification of renewable energy generation equipment and processes, as well as the testing of the hazardous air emissions from these processes. The selected processes would be tested and validated for efficiency in producing energy (electricity & heat) and liquid or gaseous fuels that are required for the metal casting industry and DOD applications.”