Fair Oil

Last month, the North Carolina State Fair opened a day earlier, and the attendance on Sunday was a record for the last day. We especially applaud an exciting project at this year's event: around 8,000 gallons of used cooking oil was collected. The used vegetable oil will be converted into biodiesel fuel, to be used by the NC Department of Agriculture at their research stations. It's great to see our "waste" being recycled!

Biofarm Internships

The Piedmont Biofuels Cooperative is now offering the only biodiesel internship program of its kind in the world on their organic biofarm. They are accepting applications for their first internships at their pilot biodiesel plant, one to be held this year from June through August and another from September through December.

"Prospective candidates for the internships should want to leave a legacy," according to Matt Rudolf, the Cooperative's Executive Director. Past projects have included fuel making, a blog aggregator, a constructed wetland, a presence at the farmer’s market, and a wood management center. The interns selected will receive a small stipend and free housing at the co-op's site in Pittsboro, NC. There are many other benefits, including class credits, nearby hiking and mountain biking trails, and a unique resume entry.

Piedmont Biofuels, a cooperative started by some continuing education students at Central Carolina Community College, has grown substantially over the years. In addition to researching and producing diesel fuel from waste vegetable oil, they have implemented a variety of green building strategies and deployed passive solar, active solar and solar thermal. An active agritourism program welcomes thousands of visitors each year to see their organic farm, composting program, and oilseed experiments, and an information-packed Web site describes their ongoing projects and results.

Intern Power was used in the construction of this off grid, straw bale, passive solar biodiesel distribution point, at left, at their Industrial facility. Interns will have ample opportunities for participation in the co-op's extensive education and outreach, so strong communications skills and public speaking experience are preferred. Also, Rudolf says that preference will be given to those individuals without vehicles, or who arrive in diesel vehicles. Interested applicants can learn more at The Cooperative Internship Program.

Biofuel Options

Mark Englander, of Charlotte Energy Solutions, drives a car fueled only with waste vegetable oil (WVO). “There are 35 to 40 others in our area who use it. They locate and collect their own waste oil from restaurants.”

Using WVO in your diesel vehicle requires a modification to your engine. The conversion kit costs $600 and up, Englander says, but it will pay for itself in around 4 months of driving without traditional fuel. The Veggie Oil Mercedes at left, offered on eBay, is ready to go. For information about trying WVO in your diesel car or truck, contact Englander or check out Charlotte’s co-op, Metrolina Biofuels.

Biodiesel, the other alternative diesel fuel, can be used without car modification. It is produced by chemically treating WVO, fat or other vegetable oil. You can purchase biodiesel at Metrolina’s pump.

Want to learn more about biofuels? Metrolina Biofuels partners with Central Piedmont Community College for workshops and classes. Such classes may eventually be part of a technical degree program. This quarter CPCC offers a technical course called Environmental Biodiesel at their main campus. The class will meet once a week from May 14 to July 16. Registration continues until the first day of class. For information and registration call 704-330-4223, or contact Program Chair Terrence Fagan, 704-330-6204.