The GREEN ProgramIceland: Renewable Energy and Sustainability Program
May 25 – June 3, 2015Ben Schultz
Key Program Outcomes Gain a comprehensive understanding along with a personal
familiarity of the science and technology behind renewable energy systems: hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels.
Develop skills to evaluate energy sources and projects in terms of feasibility within the matrix of technical, economic, environmental, and political implementation.
Develop leadership, teamwork, and networking skills through adventure excursions and exposure to professional industry relationships.
Gain a critical global perspective demanded by corporate recruiters today to prepare for accelerated career opportunities.
Develop a Capstone Project focused upon renewable energy and sustainability
Day 1• Arrived at 6:20 am• Visited the Álfagjá Rift Valley
Day 1• Arrived at 6:20 am• Visited the Álfagjá Rift Valley• Visited Gunnuhver Geothermal
Park
Day 1• Arrived at 6:20 am• Visited the Álfagjá Rift Valley• Visited Gunnuhver Geothermal
Park• Arrived at Hjarðarból
Guesthouse
Day 2• Lectures at Reykjavik
University• Introduction to Iceland
Energy• Geothermal Power• Hydropower
Day 2• Hiked up Hengill Volcano• Bathed in the natural hot
springs
Day 3• Visited Hellisheiði Power
Station – largest geothermal plant in Iceland
Day 3• Visited Hellisheiði Power
Station – largest geothermal plant in Iceland
• Visited Ellidavar Hydropower Plant – oldest hydropower plant in Iceland
• University Lecture• Energy Economics
Day 3• Visited Hellisheiði Power
Station – largest geothermal plant in Iceland
• Visited Ellidavar Hydropower Plant – oldest hydropower plant in Iceland
• Laugardalur Swimming Pool
Day 4• Snorkeling in Silfra – a rift in
the tectonic plates filled with glacier water
Day 4• Snorkeling in Silfra – a rift in
the tectonic plates filled with glacier water
• Hiking around ÞingvellirNational Park
Day 5• Gulfoss – largest waterfall
complex in Europe • Geysir
Day 5• Gulfoss – largest waterfall
complex in Europe• Geysir• Friðheimar
Day 5• Gulfoss – largest waterfall
complex in Europe• Geysir• Friðheimar• Búrfell Hydropower Station
• Camping in Þórsmörk
Day 6• 8 mile hike around Þórsmörk
Day 7• Superjeeping• Exploring Þórsmörk Aftermath of
Eyjafjallajökull
Day 7• Superjeeping• Exploring Þórsmörk• Visited a local hydropower
plant• More waterfalls -Seljalandsfoss
Day 8• Visited local farm affected by
Eyjafjallajökull that creates biofuels from rapeseed
• Biofuel Lecture
Day 8• Skógafoss• Hiking on Sólheimajökull
Glacier
Day 9• Capstone Project Presentations in front of
university faculty and program directors
Day 10• Exploring downtown Reykjavik• Departed for USA
W.H.A.L.E: Widespread Harvesting of Algal Layer with Extraction
Katie Warfel, Maddie Milligan, Ben Schultz, Ignacio Martos, Kevin MarceskiThe GREEN ProgramJune 2, 2014
Algal Blooms Eutrophication
Lake Erie 2011: bloom covered 5,000 km2
(20%), water treatment plants shut down 2014: contained 22,000 MT of
algae 2015: blooms started earlier than
usual Gains 9.8 million lb/year
phosphorus Government initiative to spend
$16 million
http://www.dispatch.com/content/graphics/2013/07/03/erie-forecast-art-gmqnkink-10703gfx-erie-forecast-compare-eps.jpg
Algal biofuel
The W.H.A.L.E. System Algae vacuum collection
system Boat collects algae and
produces biofuel on board Algae 20% oil by weight
(low) Boat runs on biodiesel
The Process
http://www.oilgae.com/algae/oil/extract/extract.html
Capital Apply for grants from those
states Global environmental fund Environmental Protection
Agency Venture capitalism Great Lakes Restoration
Initiative $285 million in 2013 Total investment since 2010: $1.3
billion
Marketing and Customer Service
Contact customers directly Cleaning contract with lake management Sell byproducts Biomass as fertilizer, feedstock Biodiesel
Cost and RevenueEstimated Cost Structure: Initial Capital
(Boat Frame, Bioreactor, Storage tanks and QF Machinery):$300,000
Construction$100,000
Transportation $20,000
Contingency$80,000
Total Estimated Cost: $500,000
Projected Revenue Streams:
• Algal Bloom Remediation(contract based)
• Algal BioDiesel($2/gal)
• Dry Algal Biomass (less than 5% collection/year): $5.8 million
Long term goals
Start with small boats National/international Varying sizes Oil collection
Thank you for listening!