Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons^™

Investigating Perspectives Of Rural Nevadans On Climate Change Solutions, Tricia Dutcher

Graduate Research Symposium (GCUA)

Rural perspectives are important for the issue of climate change. Rural areas are high concentrations of active voters who deny the problem of anthropogenic climate change. Rural residents also face decisions about inviting large, utility scale renewable energy developments in their areas. This research examines rural Nevadan’s perspectives on climate change to offer insights about the relationship between climate change perceptions and communication strategies. The research offers policy implications that address context specific issues, solution-oriented dialogue, and interest matching to mitigate anthropogenic climate change.

Method For The Conversion Of Cellulose And Related Carbohydrate Materials To Low-Molecular-Weight Compounds, Walter S. Trahanovsky, Ronald C. Holtan, Kyle W. Quasdorf, Normon K. Olson, Alyse A. Hurd, Joseph A. Marshall

Iowa State University Patents

Methods of converting cellulose or related biorenewable carbohydrate materials into high-value chemical compounds. The methods provide a means of converting low-cost materials such as cellulose and biomass into high yields of compounds such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, methanol, hydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone.

Energy Independence In The Usa, Janice Ringler

Student Papers in Public Policy

During President Barack Obama’s first term and throughout the recent presidential campaign, there was much discussion about becoming energy-independent as a nation. Indeed, one of the most pressing issues facing the country today is our energy future. This is especially a concern in areas where mainstream energy sources (coal, gas, oil) do not exist, and thus must be imported. Many believe that this is a problem that communities and states are better suited to tackle than the federal government due to the flexibility and knowledge of state policy initiatives. In this brief I will propose a variety of measures ...

Modeling Of Co2-Water-Rock Interactions In A Mississippian Sandstone Reservoir Of Kentucky, Anne M. Schumacher

Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences

This study examined CO₂-water-rock interactions occurring during a carbon sequestration pilot test into a Mississippian oil reservoir in western Kentucky. New samples (n=62) and archived data, both collected from oil wells, were used to characterize the chemistry of formation waters from the Sugar Creek field in Hopkins County. In addition, core and cuttings samples (n=17) from the reservoir and overlying cap-rocks in, or near, the field were analyzed for bulk and clay mineralogy using X-ray diffraction. Electric logs were used to select sample intervals within the overlying cap-rocks and the center of the producing zones in ...

Co2 Injection Into A Deep Saline Aquifer: Porosity Measurements, Numerical Modeling, And Costs Associated With Uncertainty Of Petrophysical Parameters, Michael John Gragg

Masters Theses

Anthropogenic levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂) have increased rapidly over the last several decades and coincide with rising temperatures globally. One possible solution is to capture CO₂ before it is released into the atmosphere by large point sources, such as fossil fuel power plants. Once captured, the CO₂ can be condensed and transported to a storage facility. Of the available options for storage of condensed CO₂, geologic sequestration in deep saline aquifers is considered the most viable option.

Porosity measurements were obtained for nearly 100 core samples of the Knox and Stones ...

Local Residents' Experience Of The Coal Ash Spill In Kingston, Tennessee: A Phenomenological Study, Amy Lynn Mathis

Doctoral Dissertations

On December 22, 2008, near Kingston, Tennessee, a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) retention pond holding approximately 1.7 million cubic yards of coal fly ash failed, spilling the ash into the nearby Emory River and inundating farms and homes in the Swan Pond community. As a result more than 100 people were permanently displaced from their homes and the clean-up effort is ongoing.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of living near Kingston, Tennessee, in the aftermath of the spill. Using existential phenomenology as the guiding research methodology, I interviewed 9 participants from the area and ...

Seeking Peace In The Niger Delta: Oil, Natural Gas, And Other Vital Resources, Darren Kew, David L. Phillips

New England Journal of Public Policy

Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region has seen little benefit from the billions of dollars earned from oil over the last four decades, prompting a growing but disorganized insurgency across the region. Irresponsible oil companies and government officials have reduced the Niger Delta to one of the most polluted environments on earth. Corrupt local and national politicians, many of whom came to power through rigged elections, have colluded to manipulate ethnic divisions amid poverty to loot the region’s wealth. Consequently, the people of the Niger Delta have no formal political voice in Nigeria’s nascent democratic system, increasing the ...

Hydro Power, People Power: Hydroelectricity’S Potential For Community Development, With A Focus On The Khimti 1 Project, Amelia Prior

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Hydropower, a source of renewable energy that transforms water into electricity, has great potential in Nepal. It can be used to electrify homes, increase efficiency of agriculture, and improve businesses to spur economic growth. This research will examine the current status of hydropower in Nepal and the main obstacles to its expansion. More importantly, however, is the importance on developing hydropower responsibly and ethically. Harnessing the energy and generating electricity is not enough; hydropower projects should involve their surrounding communities, affecting genders, ethnic groups, and socio-economic classes equally. This research will examine how communities are affected by hydroelectricity projects and ...

Modeling Energy Production Of Solar Thermal Systems And Wind Turbines For Installation At Corn Ethanol Plants, Elizabeth Ehrke

Theses and Dissertations

Nearly every aspect of human existence relies on energy in some way. Most of this energy is currently derived from fossil fuel resources. Increasing energy demands coupled with environmental and national security concerns have facilitated the move towards renewable energy sources. Biofuels like corn ethanol are one of the ways the U.S. has significantly reduced petroleum consumption. However, the large energy requirement of corn ethanol limits the net benefit of the fuel. Using renewable energy sources to produce ethanol can greatly improve its economic and environmental benefits. The main purpose of this study was to model the useful energy ...

La Contaminación Intradomiciliaria Por Combustibles En Las Casas De La Ix Región De Chile, Hannah Bewsey

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Fresh air: a natural and necessary commodity, and yet one that is missing from many of the world’s households. In rural communities and in the developing world, indoor air pollution is a very real health burden, constituting a factor in 2.5 million deaths every year. The homes of the IX Region of Chile are particularly disposed to indoor pollution, due to the use of biomass fuels for cooking and heating during the cold winter months. This investigation aims to supplement the relatively scarce amount of literature investigating the use of biomass fuels that contribute to indoor pollution in ...

Pine Springs Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase Ii, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (UT)

The purpose of the Pine Springs Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase II project is to reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels that have accumulated over the last several decades in order to prevent the potential for large catastrophic fire events. In addition, the proposed action is needed to maintain important sage-steppe habitat for a variety of wildlife species in the project area.

Moonshine Ridge Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase Ii, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (UT)

The purpose of the Moonshine Ridge Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase II project is to reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels that have accumulated over the last several decades in order to prevent the potential for large catastrophic fire events. In addition, the proposed action is needed to maintain important sage-steppe habitat for a variety of wildlife species in the project area.

Bottom Canyon Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase Ii, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (UT)

The purpose of the Bottom Canyon Hazardous Fuel Reduction Phase II project is to reduce the buildup of hazardous fuels that have accumulated over the last several decades in order to prevent the potential for large catastrophic fire events. In addition, the proposed action is needed to maintain important sage-steppe habitat for a variety of wildlife species in the project area.

Gasco Production Company Proposes To Drill 6 Oil Wells From 6 Existing Well Pads, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

Environmental Assessments (UT)

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze the potential impacts of GASCO Production Company (GASCO) oil well drilling project in the 8 Mile Flat area of Uintah County, Utah. GASCO has a valid existing right to extract mineral resources from federal leases UTU-16544, UTU-76262, UTU-75090 & UTU-78433 subject to the lease's terms and conditions. The BLM oil and gas leasing program encourages development of domestic oil and gas reserves and the reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign energy sources.

Quantification Of Physical And Chemical Properties, And Identification Of Potentially Valuable Components From Fuel Ethanol Process Streams, Christine Wood, Kurt A. Rosentrater, Kasiviswanathan Muthukumarappan, Zhengrong Gu

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Publications and Papers

Wider exploration of ethanol coproduct uses is necessary as the ethanol industry continues to face challenges. Currently, process streams such as thin stillage and condensed distillers solubles (CDS) are processed into distillers dried grains with solubles and used as animal feeds, but other higher value opportunities may exist. The objective of this study was to identify chemical components and quantify physical properties of CDS and thin stillage. Protein, organic acid, and sugar profiles were determined. Zein protein was identified, and glycerol was determined to have a concentration of 18.8 g/L in thin stillage and 63.2 g/L ...

New Business Competition For A Different Generation Launches In Nevada, Nevada Institute For Renewable Energy Commercialization (Nirec)

Nevada Newsflash

On Nevada Day (October 26), a new competition was announced that is designed to stimulate business formation in the Silver State by offering the state’s largest-ever cash grand prize as an incentive.

The related tagline gets right to the point: “$100,000 cash. Your business idea. A room of investors. 5 minutes. One chance to prove you have what it takes.”

Sunvelope: A Nevada Company Revolutionizes Solar Hot Water Collectors, Nevada Institute For Renewable Energy Commercialization (Nirec)

Nevada Newsflash

Solar hot water is just not sexy to the general public—and that’s created a challenge for Pete Mokler, director of marketing at Sunvelope Solar. “Our technology can deliver more energy units per dollar invested—whether counted in therms, BTUs, or kilowatt hours—than photovoltaic, wind, geothermal and biomass,” says Mokler, “but you say ‘solar hot water’ and people yawn.”

Nevada's Top Energy Industry Representatives Call For More Collaboration And Education, Nevada Institute For Renewable Energy Commercialization (Nirec)

Nevada Newsflash

More than 75 representatives from every sector of Nevada’s energy industry gathered at Reno’s Desert Research Institute last week to discuss energy challenges facing the Silver State, opportunities available and actions needed to lead the West and the nation in renewable energy generation, transmission and delivery.

Startup Weekend; Hooking Up For Economic Growth, Nevada Institute For Renewable Energy Commercialization (Nirec)

Nevada Newsflash

The Startup Weekend, a national grassroots business-launching event, is coming to Northern Nevada, September 28-30, 2012. Startup Weekend Elko will connect local entrepreneurs, developers, designers and startup enthusiasts with mentors and resources for a weekend of sharing ideas, forming teams and launching startups. The weekend-long event will take place at the Great Basin College campus in Elko.

Special Edition: National Clean Energy Summit, Nevada Institute For Renewable Energy Commercialization (Nirec)

Nevada Newsflash

Young Professionals in Energy–Nevada recently gathered for an up-to-the-day report on renewable energy at UNLV’s LEED-certified Science and Engineering Building given by Associate Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research Tom Piechota—just hours after President Obama appeared on campus in support of higher education.

Piechota, who also heads UNLV’s Urban Sustainability Initiative (and is this author’s boss in that capacity), covered all the overlapping curriculum and research going on. Of about 400 total research projects university-wide, 142 involve clean energy, water or environmental science – some at the nexus of all three. Department of Energy remains the biggest ...