Large-scale biofuel project on Molokai
In June 2006, Aloha Ethanol and Aloha Biomass Corporations [no websites] made an offer to Molokai Ranch, a luxury resort located on 26,000 hectares (66,000 acres) of pastureland, to bring large scale agriculture back to Molokai Island. The proposal was to lease approximately 3,600ha (9000 acres) of former pineapple plantation land, now fallow, to grow biofuel for ethanol production at a new fermentation plant near Kaunakakai.
Sam Monet, VP of Aloha Ethanol explains: "The ethanol fermentation process is not a "refinery" but more like a winery, where naturally occurring enzymes breakdown cellulose to produce sugars, that are then fermented into alcohol in a low pressure distillery. The process is environmentally safe and produces no hazardous materials. The by-products of the process are electricity and lignin, that can be used to make soap."
The Aloha Ethanol proposal to Molokai Ranch included development of a €30 million (US$40 million), 37.8 mio liter (10mio gallon) per year ethanol fermentation plant near Kaunakakai and a new farming operation that would provide over 100 new jobs and over €3 million (US$4 mio) in wages and other incomes to the local economy each year. The Hawaii based company's proposal included providing the island with low cost E-10 and E-85 ethanol based fuels that could bring the cost of gasoline on the island to below $2.50 per gallon. Most of the ethanol produced on the island will be transported to and sold on Oahu.
In addition, the ethanol fermentation plant would produce approximately 4 megawatts of excess electrical power per hour, which could be sold to a local utility for about 12 cents per kilowatt hour, reducing the cost of electricity to the islands residents by about 25%:
ethanol :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: Molokai :: Pacific ::
Other aspects of the proposal to Molokai Ranch included development of a new well on the property (at Aloha's cost) to tap into the islands 33 million gallons per day of sustainable yield underground water, trading the new potable water with DHHL for brackish water for farming and use at the fermentation plant. The Aloha Ethanol fermentation plant will consume approximately 25,000 gallons of non-potable water per day in its operations.
Aloha's proposal included an annual donation of up to $200,000 per year to Molokai's public school and library system for computers, sports equipment and building maintenance.
The bio-crop, switchgrass (panicum virgatum) a cousin to guinea grass, is a hardy perennial tall grass that regenerates, fixes nitrogen, is salt tolerant that requires about 35 inches of rainfal per year. Swtichgrass cultivation has been tested at the University of Hawaii. It can also be used as cattle feed.
Aloha Ethanol and Aloha Biomass are owned in part and managed by native Hawaiian businessmen Mr. Buzzy Agard and Mr. Sam Monet, who have family and historic interests in the long term development and benefit of Molokai's native Hawaiian population. "Sustainable, profitable agriculture on Molokai, low cost electricity and gasoline will help the people of Molokai continue on our own path, reducing the need to rely on tourism and real estate developments" says Mr. Buzzy Agard, Aloha Biomass' president.
Sam Monet, VP of Aloha Ethanol explains: "The ethanol fermentation process is not a "refinery" but more like a winery, where naturally occurring enzymes breakdown cellulose to produce sugars, that are then fermented into alcohol in a low pressure distillery. The process is environmentally safe and produces no hazardous materials. The by-products of the process are electricity and lignin, that can be used to make soap."
The Aloha Ethanol proposal to Molokai Ranch included development of a €30 million (US$40 million), 37.8 mio liter (10mio gallon) per year ethanol fermentation plant near Kaunakakai and a new farming operation that would provide over 100 new jobs and over €3 million (US$4 mio) in wages and other incomes to the local economy each year. The Hawaii based company's proposal included providing the island with low cost E-10 and E-85 ethanol based fuels that could bring the cost of gasoline on the island to below $2.50 per gallon. Most of the ethanol produced on the island will be transported to and sold on Oahu.
In addition, the ethanol fermentation plant would produce approximately 4 megawatts of excess electrical power per hour, which could be sold to a local utility for about 12 cents per kilowatt hour, reducing the cost of electricity to the islands residents by about 25%:
ethanol :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: Molokai :: Pacific ::
Other aspects of the proposal to Molokai Ranch included development of a new well on the property (at Aloha's cost) to tap into the islands 33 million gallons per day of sustainable yield underground water, trading the new potable water with DHHL for brackish water for farming and use at the fermentation plant. The Aloha Ethanol fermentation plant will consume approximately 25,000 gallons of non-potable water per day in its operations.
Aloha's proposal included an annual donation of up to $200,000 per year to Molokai's public school and library system for computers, sports equipment and building maintenance.
The bio-crop, switchgrass (panicum virgatum) a cousin to guinea grass, is a hardy perennial tall grass that regenerates, fixes nitrogen, is salt tolerant that requires about 35 inches of rainfal per year. Swtichgrass cultivation has been tested at the University of Hawaii. It can also be used as cattle feed.
Aloha Ethanol and Aloha Biomass are owned in part and managed by native Hawaiian businessmen Mr. Buzzy Agard and Mr. Sam Monet, who have family and historic interests in the long term development and benefit of Molokai's native Hawaiian population. "Sustainable, profitable agriculture on Molokai, low cost electricity and gasoline will help the people of Molokai continue on our own path, reducing the need to rely on tourism and real estate developments" says Mr. Buzzy Agard, Aloha Biomass' president.
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