The conference provides an opportunity to meet and work with other algaepreneurs who have the commitment to accelerate the growth of our economy, to keep the $700 billion/year we spend on foreign oil here in the US., and to create energy independence and millions of jobs by fast-tracking commercial-scale algae production.

The attendees will also have the opportunity to network and form strategic alliances with algae producers, equipment manufacturers and algae researchers who all share a common interest in helping the US get off of foreign oil  – “we need commercial-scale algae production NOW.”

Preceding the conference, NAA will be hosting the second sitting of the Algae Production Certification Program on January 12th.

Other speakers will be talking about solar renewable energy, water harvesting techniques, and the efficient use of small wind turbines.

If you would like to attend, registration begins at 8:00 am at the Murchison and Whitehead show barn complex.  Let us know you are there.

Call the Menard County Extension Service office at 325-396-4787 for directions or give us a call at 1-888-440-1112. We’ll look forward to seeing you.

As in most renewable energy forums we’ve attended in the last several years, the focus is mostly wind and solar energy, but there were several speakers talking about biofuels (including biodiesel). The vendors present showed many ways that home owners can take advantage of energy saving devices for even the most urban and suburban homes.

There were a number of speakers talking about waste management and ways to reduce impacts on landfills by composting and recycling on a large scale.  It is encouraging to hear business’ talk about having zero waste.  This presenter runs a restaurant in the Austin Texas area and they either compost or recycle all of the restaurant waste, eliminating the need for any trash collection.

West Texas BioEnergy isn’t about recycling and organic growing but these are topics that fit perfectly with our business vision of creating energy at the local level to support and strengthen our country and personal spheres of life.

Algae is used in oil production for biodiesel. The Algae Production Certification Program will be an intensive – 2 day course covering topics such as: algae strains, growing, harvesting techniques and extraction methodologies. Participants are expected from around the world.

Algaepreneurs will learn:

• Algae Cultivation
• Growing
• Harvesting
• Extraction
• Economics

Once the certification course is completed the National Algae Association will host an industry conference on April 29-30, 2010 at the same location as the certification course at the Doubletree Hotel Houston Intercontinental Airport.

Follow this link for registration for the event or further information about the events
http://www.nationalalgaeassociation.com/certify.html.

Topics will include:

• Biodiesel history
• Biodiesel workshop handbook
• Introduction to making biodiesel
• Advanced biodiesel processing
• Catalysts
• Alcohols
• Accelerating the process
• Varying the process
• Handling Mono-Glycerides and Diglycerides
• Vehicles and equipment for use with biodiesel

Sign up at the Howard College website by clicking here.  We hope to see you there.

West Texas BioEnergy provides quality workshops regularly for anyone interested in learning more about producing biodiesel.

During the workshops, you’ll have a chance to see first-hand the process of making biodiesel using on-site equipment. We demonstrate how to perform the titration test to determine the amount of lye (catalyst) for your batch, and then go through the process of mixing and making a batch of biodiesel. The titration test is the most critical part of the process and getting this right nearly ensures that you will make quality biodiesel every time.

The workshop usually lasts about 4 hours and are held at 301 Ellis Street, Menard, Texas 76859.

Call for reservations at 1-888-440-1112.