Alternative Power

In a bid to increase the speed and growth of alternative fuel technology, a new 10-year agreement has been announced between Siemens (News - Alert) Energy & Automation, Inc. and the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC).

 

Alternative fuel technology is increasing in demand today and the need for more qualified personnel that can operate and manage bio-fuel refineries is on the rise.

 

According to statistics from the NCERC, "there are 110 ethanol plants in operation in the U.S. and approximately 80 new plants are under construction."

 

The partnership with Siemens includes, "hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, software and on-site simulation training," a news release noted.

 

The new release also noted that the NCERC is utilizing the SIMATIC PCS 7 distributed control system and instrumentation from Siemens in a bid to assist validation of near-term technologies for more sustainable and more economic renewable fuel production.

 

“Our partnership with NCERC gives Siemens the opportunity to help reduce the time it takes to bring alternative fuels to market. Siemens is committed to the ethanol industry and will continue to look for new opportunities that will grow the viability of the market,” commented Dave Hankins, vice president, Chemical/Pharmaceutical Center of Competence, Siemens Energy & Automation.

 

The NCERC research facility located at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, focuses on commercializing new technologies for producing ethanol more effectively and offers workforce training in the Bio-Fuels industry as well as research in agricultural science.

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