While it’s not the Emerald City, it certainly is green.
Destiny, Fla., the state’s first fully environmentally conscious city, will harness the power of wind, water and rain to operate.
Located about 50 minutes southeast of Orlando, the development project sprawls over 41,300
acres and already boasts the state’s first energy farm.
Along with myriad public and private companies, UF also has a stake in the success of the
farm.
Zane Helsel, an agronomist and biofuel specialist at Rutgers University, is a UF visiting professor who has been working on the energy farm since April researching an alternative ethanol source.
Helsel, who works out of UF’s Everglades Research and Education Center, is researching a plant noted for its contributions to southern cooking.
From sunup to sundown, Helsel monitors the growth of sweet sorghum, a plant commonly found in states such as Tennessee and Kentucky, where it has been farmed for the production of food commodities such as syrup.
The plant is now being harvested in Florida because it may be the key to producing another source of ethanol, one that may be derived much more easily than ethanol produced from corn.
“Sugar can be squeezed out (of the plant) just like sugarcane,” he said. Agricultural specialists believe the plant will do well in southern Florida because it is able to grow in sandy soils and subsist on less water, he said.
“In this case, because we have less water and nitrogen, we’re being more sustainable,” he
said.
After doing the scientific testing of the soil moisture levels, measuring sugar content, and weighing samples for plant performance data, Helsel gets out of the lab and works alongside local, independent farmers who are growing sweet sorghum as a test crop.
Which fertilizers are used and how crops are irrigated is a huge factor in determining how to get the best harvest of sweet sorghum and, ultimately, how to produce the most ethanol for alternative fuel sources, he said.
After the first few months of testing, Helsel said the plant did both very well and very poorly
in different areas. He attributed these results to the fact that it has been a somewhat dry year, and he said the research will go on as long as there are positive tests.
Helsel will continue his work on the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm as a visiting professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for a year.
At a glance
· UF is researching alternative fuel sources on Florida's first energy farm.
· UF visiting professor, Zane Helsel, has been testing sweet sorghum for ethanol production.
· Sweet sorghum is a good match for Florida's climate because it grows in sandy soil and requires less water.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Biofuels expert researches ethanol production from sorghum
While it’s not the Emerald City, it certainly is green.
Destiny, Fla., the state’s first fully environmentally conscious city, will harness the power of wind, water and rain to operate.
Located about 50 minutes southeast of Orlando, the development project sprawls over 41,300
acres and already boasts the state’s first energy farm.
Along with myriad public and private companies, UF also has a stake in the success of the
farm.
Zane Helsel, an agronomist and biofuel specialist at Rutgers University, is a UF visiting professor who has been working on the energy farm since April researching an alternative ethanol source.
Helsel, who works out of UF’s Everglades Research and Education Center, is researching a plant noted for its contributions to southern cooking.
From sunup to sundown, Helsel monitors the growth of sweet sorghum, a plant commonly found in states such as Tennessee and Kentucky, where it has been farmed for the production of food commodities such as syrup.
The plant is now being harvested in Florida because it may be the key to producing another source of ethanol, one that may be derived much more easily than ethanol produced from corn.
“Sugar can be squeezed out (of the plant) just like sugarcane,” he said. Agricultural specialists believe the plant will do well in southern Florida because it is able to grow in sandy soils and subsist on less water, he said.
“In this case, because we have less water and nitrogen, we’re being more sustainable,” he
said.
After doing the scientific testing of the soil moisture levels, measuring sugar content, and weighing samples for plant performance data, Helsel gets out of the lab and works alongside local, independent farmers who are growing sweet sorghum as a test crop.
Which fertilizers are used and how crops are irrigated is a huge factor in determining how to get the best harvest of sweet sorghum and, ultimately, how to produce the most ethanol for alternative fuel sources, he said.
After the first few months of testing, Helsel said the plant did both very well and very poorly
in different areas. He attributed these results to the fact that it has been a somewhat dry year, and he said the research will go on as long as there are positive tests.
Helsel will continue his work on the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm as a visiting professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for a year.
At a glance
· UF is researching alternative fuel sources on Florida's first energy farm.
· UF visiting professor, Zane Helsel, has been testing sweet sorghum for ethanol production.
· Sweet sorghum is a good match for Florida's climate because it grows in sandy soil and requires less water.
Destiny, Fla., the state’s first fully environmentally conscious city, will harness the power of wind, water and rain to operate.
Located about 50 minutes southeast of Orlando, the development project sprawls over 41,300
acres and already boasts the state’s first energy farm.
Along with myriad public and private companies, UF also has a stake in the success of the
farm.
Zane Helsel, an agronomist and biofuel specialist at Rutgers University, is a UF visiting professor who has been working on the energy farm since April researching an alternative ethanol source.
Helsel, who works out of UF’s Everglades Research and Education Center, is researching a plant noted for its contributions to southern cooking.
From sunup to sundown, Helsel monitors the growth of sweet sorghum, a plant commonly found in states such as Tennessee and Kentucky, where it has been farmed for the production of food commodities such as syrup.
The plant is now being harvested in Florida because it may be the key to producing another source of ethanol, one that may be derived much more easily than ethanol produced from corn.
“Sugar can be squeezed out (of the plant) just like sugarcane,” he said. Agricultural specialists believe the plant will do well in southern Florida because it is able to grow in sandy soils and subsist on less water, he said.
“In this case, because we have less water and nitrogen, we’re being more sustainable,” he
said.
After doing the scientific testing of the soil moisture levels, measuring sugar content, and weighing samples for plant performance data, Helsel gets out of the lab and works alongside local, independent farmers who are growing sweet sorghum as a test crop.
Which fertilizers are used and how crops are irrigated is a huge factor in determining how to get the best harvest of sweet sorghum and, ultimately, how to produce the most ethanol for alternative fuel sources, he said.
After the first few months of testing, Helsel said the plant did both very well and very poorly
in different areas. He attributed these results to the fact that it has been a somewhat dry year, and he said the research will go on as long as there are positive tests.
Helsel will continue his work on the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm as a visiting professor with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for a year.
At a glance
· UF is researching alternative fuel sources on Florida's first energy farm.
· UF visiting professor, Zane Helsel, has been testing sweet sorghum for ethanol production.
· Sweet sorghum is a good match for Florida's climate because it grows in sandy soil and requires less water.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Florida's Destiny Energy Farm to test future clean tech
OSCEOLA COUNTY, FL - The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, a small portion of the planned
self-contained eco-sustainable city in rural Osceloa County, will be a proving ground for future clean energy technologies and practices says its developer.
The farm will act as a center for learning about potential energy crops such as sweet sorghum,
algae, jatropha, and others.
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum have already been planted. The plant grows even in poor soil
conditions and requires less water than others.
"Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and
is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," site
developer Anthony V. Pugliese said in a statement.
The farm is a cooperative effort that includes the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC,
Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern
Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC
self-contained eco-sustainable city in rural Osceloa County, will be a proving ground for future clean energy technologies and practices says its developer.
The farm will act as a center for learning about potential energy crops such as sweet sorghum,
algae, jatropha, and others.
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum have already been planted. The plant grows even in poor soil
conditions and requires less water than others.
"Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and
is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," site
developer Anthony V. Pugliese said in a statement.
The farm is a cooperative effort that includes the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC,
Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern
Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC
Florida's Destiny Energy Farm to test future clean tech
OSCEOLA COUNTY, FL - The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, a small portion of the planned
self-contained eco-sustainable city in rural Osceloa County, will be a proving ground for future clean energy technologies and practices says its developer.
The farm will act as a center for learning about potential energy crops such as sweet sorghum,
algae, jatropha, and others.
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum have already been planted. The plant grows even in poor soil
conditions and requires less water than others.
"Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and
is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," site
developer Anthony V. Pugliese said in a statement.
The farm is a cooperative effort that includes the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC,
Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern
Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC
self-contained eco-sustainable city in rural Osceloa County, will be a proving ground for future clean energy technologies and practices says its developer.
The farm will act as a center for learning about potential energy crops such as sweet sorghum,
algae, jatropha, and others.
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum have already been planted. The plant grows even in poor soil
conditions and requires less water than others.
"Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and
is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," site
developer Anthony V. Pugliese said in a statement.
The farm is a cooperative effort that includes the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC,
Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern
Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC
Farm-to-fuel initiative takes shape in Osceola
Development of Destiny -- a proposed self-contained eco-sustainable city near Yeehaw
Junction in Osceola County -- may be 25 years away, but a small portion of the property is
home to a farm-to-fuel initiative. Called the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, it will serve as a learning center where farming technologies will produce energy crops such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha and other crops that can be used for alternative fuels.
Three years ago, Delray Beach developer Anthony V. Pugliese III made a successful bid of
$137-million for 27,400 acres of pasture land in rural southern Osceola. "Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," Pugliese said. "It's just the beginning of building a city that operates with minimal impact on the environment and serves as a scientific hub where the latest green technology innovations will emerge."
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum, a plant that requires less water and fertilizer in less-thanideal
soil conditions, have already been planted. The farm is the result of a cooperative effort between several private/public individuals and companies, including the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC, Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC. Pugliese is working with partner Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway restaurants. They also own Green Sky Industries, a vertical recycling operation based in New Jersey.
Pugliese has said he envisions 40,000 homes will be built over the next 25 to 50 years. The
city is still years from construction. He is working with the state and Osceola County to secure
entitlement. Pugliese, who owns several development companies, has been credited with transforming Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach from a blighted neighborhood into an upscale community.
Junction in Osceola County -- may be 25 years away, but a small portion of the property is
home to a farm-to-fuel initiative. Called the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, it will serve as a learning center where farming technologies will produce energy crops such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha and other crops that can be used for alternative fuels.
Three years ago, Delray Beach developer Anthony V. Pugliese III made a successful bid of
$137-million for 27,400 acres of pasture land in rural southern Osceola. "Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," Pugliese said. "It's just the beginning of building a city that operates with minimal impact on the environment and serves as a scientific hub where the latest green technology innovations will emerge."
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum, a plant that requires less water and fertilizer in less-thanideal
soil conditions, have already been planted. The farm is the result of a cooperative effort between several private/public individuals and companies, including the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC, Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC. Pugliese is working with partner Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway restaurants. They also own Green Sky Industries, a vertical recycling operation based in New Jersey.
Pugliese has said he envisions 40,000 homes will be built over the next 25 to 50 years. The
city is still years from construction. He is working with the state and Osceola County to secure
entitlement. Pugliese, who owns several development companies, has been credited with transforming Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach from a blighted neighborhood into an upscale community.
Farm-to-fuel initiative takes shape in Osceola
Development of Destiny -- a proposed self-contained eco-sustainable city near Yeehaw
Junction in Osceola County -- may be 25 years away, but a small portion of the property is
home to a farm-to-fuel initiative. Called the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, it will serve as a learning center where farming technologies will produce energy crops such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha and other crops that can be used for alternative fuels.
Three years ago, Delray Beach developer Anthony V. Pugliese III made a successful bid of
$137-million for 27,400 acres of pasture land in rural southern Osceola. "Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," Pugliese said. "It's just the beginning of building a city that operates with minimal impact on the environment and serves as a scientific hub where the latest green technology innovations will emerge."
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum, a plant that requires less water and fertilizer in less-thanideal
soil conditions, have already been planted. The farm is the result of a cooperative effort between several private/public individuals and companies, including the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC, Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC. Pugliese is working with partner Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway restaurants. They also own Green Sky Industries, a vertical recycling operation based in New Jersey.
Pugliese has said he envisions 40,000 homes will be built over the next 25 to 50 years. The
city is still years from construction. He is working with the state and Osceola County to secure
entitlement. Pugliese, who owns several development companies, has been credited with transforming Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach from a blighted neighborhood into an upscale community.
Junction in Osceola County -- may be 25 years away, but a small portion of the property is
home to a farm-to-fuel initiative. Called the Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, it will serve as a learning center where farming technologies will produce energy crops such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha and other crops that can be used for alternative fuels.
Three years ago, Delray Beach developer Anthony V. Pugliese III made a successful bid of
$137-million for 27,400 acres of pasture land in rural southern Osceola. "Destiny's Energy Farm will be a proving ground for technologies and practices of the future and is a testament to our commitment to create a truly eco-sustainable community in the state," Pugliese said. "It's just the beginning of building a city that operates with minimal impact on the environment and serves as a scientific hub where the latest green technology innovations will emerge."
Twenty acres of sweet sorghum, a plant that requires less water and fertilizer in less-thanideal
soil conditions, have already been planted. The farm is the result of a cooperative effort between several private/public individuals and companies, including the University of Florida, GreenTechnologies LLC, Everglades Farm Equipment, American Drilling Services, Global Renewable Energy, Southern Farms, Energy Structures & Systems and Bio Greens Oil USA LLC. Pugliese is working with partner Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway restaurants. They also own Green Sky Industries, a vertical recycling operation based in New Jersey.
Pugliese has said he envisions 40,000 homes will be built over the next 25 to 50 years. The
city is still years from construction. He is working with the state and Osceola County to secure
entitlement. Pugliese, who owns several development companies, has been credited with transforming Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach from a blighted neighborhood into an upscale community.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Energy feedstocks to power green community of Destiny
DELRAY BEACH — A 20-acre tract of sweet sorghum is the first tangible step in the creation of Destiny, a proposed sustainable green community being developed by Delray Beach-based Land Co. of Osceola County LLC. Real estate developer Anthony Pugliese III and his partner, Subway restaurants founder Fred DeLuca, purchased the 41,300-acre Destiny property in 2005 with the goal of building the nation's first ecosustainable city. Construction will start in 2011, said Randy Johnson, chief operating officer of Land Co.
The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, with its fledgling sorghum crop, is basically a learning center where farming practices for alternative energy feedstocks, such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha, and other crops are being tested, Johnson said Wednesday. "We have to figure out what works and what doesn't," he said. Ultimately, plans call for renewable energy sources to provide the power to run the city of Destiny, which could house 250,000 residents. Ben Scheffres, a chemical engineer with Global Renewable Energy in Sebastian, said his company is growing the sweet sorghum crop west of Yeehaw Junction with Lake Placid farmer Ron Grigsby. Global Renewable Energy expects to start producing ethanol from sorghum at a commercial plant it plans to build in Florida within the next three to four years. "The reason sweet sorghum is so attractive to us is that you can make ethanol from it now. No new technology is needed," Scheffres said. "Our emphasis now is on how can we really maximize the yield while keeping costs down and doing it in an environmentally friendly manner." Belle Glade-based Everglades Farm Equipment has provided irrigation equipment for the crop. American Drilling Services Inc. in Okeechobee drilled a well that's powered with a solar pump, said Frank DeCarlo, president of American Drilling. Amir Varshovi, president of Gainesville-based Green Technologies LLC, said his company is providing the fertilizer. The University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade is testing the sorghum's sugar content.
Roz Gatewood, vice president of development with Destiny, said the farm's potential for a cash crop is attracting attention. "Many of the major citrus growers who have traditionally been hard-core citrus growers are testing jatropha and other plants," Gatewood said.
The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, with its fledgling sorghum crop, is basically a learning center where farming practices for alternative energy feedstocks, such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha, and other crops are being tested, Johnson said Wednesday. "We have to figure out what works and what doesn't," he said. Ultimately, plans call for renewable energy sources to provide the power to run the city of Destiny, which could house 250,000 residents. Ben Scheffres, a chemical engineer with Global Renewable Energy in Sebastian, said his company is growing the sweet sorghum crop west of Yeehaw Junction with Lake Placid farmer Ron Grigsby. Global Renewable Energy expects to start producing ethanol from sorghum at a commercial plant it plans to build in Florida within the next three to four years. "The reason sweet sorghum is so attractive to us is that you can make ethanol from it now. No new technology is needed," Scheffres said. "Our emphasis now is on how can we really maximize the yield while keeping costs down and doing it in an environmentally friendly manner." Belle Glade-based Everglades Farm Equipment has provided irrigation equipment for the crop. American Drilling Services Inc. in Okeechobee drilled a well that's powered with a solar pump, said Frank DeCarlo, president of American Drilling. Amir Varshovi, president of Gainesville-based Green Technologies LLC, said his company is providing the fertilizer. The University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade is testing the sorghum's sugar content.
Roz Gatewood, vice president of development with Destiny, said the farm's potential for a cash crop is attracting attention. "Many of the major citrus growers who have traditionally been hard-core citrus growers are testing jatropha and other plants," Gatewood said.
Energy feedstocks to power green community of Destiny
DELRAY BEACH — A 20-acre tract of sweet sorghum is the first tangible step in the creation of Destiny, a proposed sustainable green community being developed by Delray Beach-based Land Co. of Osceola County LLC. Real estate developer Anthony Pugliese III and his partner, Subway restaurants founder Fred DeLuca, purchased the 41,300-acre Destiny property in 2005 with the goal of building the nation's first ecosustainable city. Construction will start in 2011, said Randy Johnson, chief operating officer of Land Co.
The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, with its fledgling sorghum crop, is basically a learning center where farming practices for alternative energy feedstocks, such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha, and other crops are being tested, Johnson said Wednesday. "We have to figure out what works and what doesn't," he said. Ultimately, plans call for renewable energy sources to provide the power to run the city of Destiny, which could house 250,000 residents. Ben Scheffres, a chemical engineer with Global Renewable Energy in Sebastian, said his company is growing the sweet sorghum crop west of Yeehaw Junction with Lake Placid farmer Ron Grigsby. Global Renewable Energy expects to start producing ethanol from sorghum at a commercial plant it plans to build in Florida within the next three to four years. "The reason sweet sorghum is so attractive to us is that you can make ethanol from it now. No new technology is needed," Scheffres said. "Our emphasis now is on how can we really maximize the yield while keeping costs down and doing it in an environmentally friendly manner." Belle Glade-based Everglades Farm Equipment has provided irrigation equipment for the crop. American Drilling Services Inc. in Okeechobee drilled a well that's powered with a solar pump, said Frank DeCarlo, president of American Drilling. Amir Varshovi, president of Gainesville-based Green Technologies LLC, said his company is providing the fertilizer. The University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade is testing the sorghum's sugar content.
Roz Gatewood, vice president of development with Destiny, said the farm's potential for a cash crop is attracting attention. "Many of the major citrus growers who have traditionally been hard-core citrus growers are testing jatropha and other plants," Gatewood said.
The Destiny Sustainable Energy Farm, with its fledgling sorghum crop, is basically a learning center where farming practices for alternative energy feedstocks, such as sweet sorghum, algae, jatropha, and other crops are being tested, Johnson said Wednesday. "We have to figure out what works and what doesn't," he said. Ultimately, plans call for renewable energy sources to provide the power to run the city of Destiny, which could house 250,000 residents. Ben Scheffres, a chemical engineer with Global Renewable Energy in Sebastian, said his company is growing the sweet sorghum crop west of Yeehaw Junction with Lake Placid farmer Ron Grigsby. Global Renewable Energy expects to start producing ethanol from sorghum at a commercial plant it plans to build in Florida within the next three to four years. "The reason sweet sorghum is so attractive to us is that you can make ethanol from it now. No new technology is needed," Scheffres said. "Our emphasis now is on how can we really maximize the yield while keeping costs down and doing it in an environmentally friendly manner." Belle Glade-based Everglades Farm Equipment has provided irrigation equipment for the crop. American Drilling Services Inc. in Okeechobee drilled a well that's powered with a solar pump, said Frank DeCarlo, president of American Drilling. Amir Varshovi, president of Gainesville-based Green Technologies LLC, said his company is providing the fertilizer. The University of Florida's Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade is testing the sorghum's sugar content.
Roz Gatewood, vice president of development with Destiny, said the farm's potential for a cash crop is attracting attention. "Many of the major citrus growers who have traditionally been hard-core citrus growers are testing jatropha and other plants," Gatewood said.
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Destiny Florida will be a Clean Tech Hub
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