Florida’s Great Northwest (FGNW) released the findings today of its alternative energy and fuels study for Northwest Florida.

FGNW includes renewable energy as a targeted industry for business development opportunities in Northwest Florida.  FGNW is supporting the region’s growth of this industry through the creation of a renewable energy advisory council and development of a regional strategy that includes analyzing the available renewable energy raw materials in the region as well as the viability of the available technology to convert those materials to fuel or energy.

In an effort to better understand Northwest Florida’s alternative energy opportunities, FGNW commissioned a feasibility study in August 2007.  SJH and Company of Boston, Massachusetts was selected as the contractor for the region-wide renewable energy analysis.  SJH’s final report includes:

• A feedstock and process analysis
• Infrastructure analysis
• Labor skills analysis
• Market assessment
• Evaluation of political & competitive environment

The conclusion of the study and executive summary of the report were delivered at a meeting of FGNW renewable energy council, guests and media today at the Veteran’s Memorial Center in Bristol.

“We believe Northwest Florida has an opportunity to become a leader in the renewable energy and fuels industry,” said FGNW Board Chairman Fred Leopold.

Based on availability of biomass feedstock in the region and current proven conversion technology, the study recommends Northwest Florida pursue a Green Energy Business Park concept using either combustion or gasification technologies.  The Green Park concept proposed would use a mixed recipe of indigenous, renewable feedstocks, such as timber biomass, municipal solid waste in combination with food waste to maximize BTU values; act as a central feedstock collection and staging area; house various alternative energy companies and synergistic businesses co-located to take advantage of the green energy available at the business park; and serve as a platform for the development of future advanced technologies as well as a magnet to attract new businesses in the renewable energy and fuels industry.  The long term recommendation is to pursue the development of the biofuels industry as conversion technology is developed and distribution systems become more refined and economical.  The report concludes that Northwest Florida can most likely support three to four Green Energy Business Parks.

Al Wenstrand, president of FGNW stated, “The biofuels and renewable energy sector is the fastest growing portion of the energy industry.  Renewable energy can emerge as an economic engine that revitalizes the rural areas in Northwest Florida, reinvigorates the timber industry, and contributes a non-food solution to the emerging national energy policy.”

The study further recommends the support of current alternative energy and fuels projects within the Northwest Region of Florida, the study of unmerchantable timber (understory) as a viable, abundant feedstock within the region and neighboring states, and the development of a voluntary regional standard for renewable energy and fuels.