Renewable Energy is a primary mission area for VA FAIRS. This is an area in which VA FAIRS has had great success. Within the context of this program area we pursue numerous activities on behalf of our clients. These include:

• Establishing new and diverse marketing channels for rural producers of agricultural and renewable energy products, increasing local income opportunities.
• Developing new business entities, business plans and marketing structures for production of renewable and bio-fuels in Virginia and surrounding states.
• Working with producer groups to incorporate energy conservation into their business efforts.
• Providing ongoing technical assistance and general oversight of bio-energy projects.

As part of this mission area we have engaged in a wide variety of specific project activities to assist our clients. The following is a small sampling of some of the work areas that we have participated in since our inception in 2004:

Renewable Energy Generation and Conservation

• We continue to work in the pyrolysis arena. The bio-oil produced by pyrolysis may be used in industrial boilers without further refining. Upon further refining, value added fractionates similar to diesel and petroleum may be obtained. Co-firing of the crude bio-oil with fossil fuels will also reduce deleterious emissions from the generating facility.
• We have created feasibility studies for bio-diesel facilities utilizing several agricultural crops as feedstocks.
• We have engaged in applied research for the development of a system that will guarantee successful stands of warm season grass within a 12 month period for the purpose of fuel production. This is part of our research into suitable biomass crops for the Southeastern U.S.
• We have worked with 4 anaerobic digester projects (Methane production from anaerobic digestion of cow manure). One of these projects expended more than $2 million in construction costs. Most of this was retained in the community and created jobs that improved the net condition of the local economy.
• We have undertaken a study determining the feasibility of ethanol production in Virginia. The study indicated a ROI in the region of 23%. We have worked with assisting a working group looking at ethanol production in Maryland. VA FAIRS continues to offer business advice and assistance with entity type as well as incorporation.
• We have assisted entities that are exploring the development of wood pelletizing projects to generate energy in the region.
• We have worked with several other client groups on bio-energy studies.

The Conservation Arena

• We have developed a feasibility study for a LEED certified tasting room for a winery, and VA FAIRS has assisted with energy audits in Southside Virginia.

Project Financing

• Staff has secured $2.3 million (paid over multiple years) from the Virginia Tobacco Commission for a proof-of-concept pilot plant to produce bio-oil from woody material and grasses.
• We have aided several clients in securing USDA Value Added Producer Grants to partially fund their start-up and development activities.
• We assisted one of our anaerobic bio-digester feasibility study clients in the receipt of loans totaling several hundred thousand dollars as well as nearly 2 million dollars of local grant funding.
• We have conducted numerous "how to" workshops related to grant application and grant writing. These training workshops specifically included information related to VAPG and 9006 Energy Efficiency Grants.