Make your own fuel, for a fraction of what you would pay at the pump. Small-scale home biodiesel production holds a singular attraction for the do-it-yourself enthusiast. While perhaps it can't save the world, this unique renewable fuel is economical, fun to make, better for the environment, and will help you reduce your dependence on Big Oil. And getting started is easier than you think. Backyard Biodiesel is written by two recognized experts in the field of small-scale biofuels. This comprehensive hands-on, practical, DIY guide includes: The basics of small-scale brewing-recipes, strategies, and technologies Advanced backyard analytics and troubleshooting Safety considerations and regulatory issues Topping up the tank-how to put your biodiesel to work for you. Making your own fuel is not only possible, it is rewarding. Designed to be accessible to everyone from readers with no prior technical expertise to alternative energy buffs, Backyard Biodiesel is a must-read for any aspiring brewer, packed with everything you need to get up and running quickly and safely.

The global bestseller has now come to Amazon.com! The New 2012 edition is here! The global bestseller is now in paperback. Over 350 pages, and over 80 pages of new material. Including... * Locating algal strains in your environment, * Where to buy algae strains world-wide. * Building a low-cost algae lab, * Building an algal "bio-pond", * Building a "Backyard Open Pond" * Building a low cost photo bio-reactor. *Commercial production concepts. And much, much more It's all here and more if you want to understand the concepts and how to get in on the cutting edge of 21st. century fuel making.

For anyone who is trying to keep up with the extremely rapid developments in the biodiesel industry, the second edition of Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy is an invaluable aid. The breathtaking speed with which biodiesel has gained acceptance in the marketplace in the past few years has been exceeded only by the proliferation of biodiesel production facilities around the United States--and the world--only to confront new social and environmental challenges and criticisms. The international survey of the biodiesel industry has been expanded from 40 to more than 80 countries, reflecting the spectacular growth of the industry around the world. This section also tracks the dramatic shifts in the fortunes of the industry that have taken place in some of these nations. The detailed chapters that cover the industry in the United States have also been substantially rewritten to keep abreast of its many new developments and explosive domestic growth. An expanded section on small-scale, local biodiesel production has been added to better represent this small but growing part of the industry. Another new section has been added to more fully explore the increasingly controversial issues of deforestation and food versus fuel, as well as GMO crops. The second edition concludes with updated views on where the industry is headed in the years to come from some of its key players.

Biodiesel Basics and Beyond aims to separate fact from fiction and to educate potential home, farm, and cooperative manufacturers on the economic production of quality biodiesel from both waste and virgin oil feedstock. The book includes: detailed processes and equipment required to produce biodiesel fuel that meets North American standards how farmers can use excess oilseed as a feedstock for biodiesel production the use of the co-byproduct glycerin in the making of soap a guide to numerous reference materials and a list of supplier data This is North America's definitive guide to responsibly producing biodiesel from waste vegetable oil while minimizing your environmental footprint in the process.

Explore a Major Component of Renewable Energy Introduction to Bioenergy takes a look at energy from biomass (thermal energy, power, liquid fuels, and biogas) and envisions a sustainable future fueled by renewable energy. From production to conversion to heat, power, and biofuel, this book breaks down the science of bioenergy and explains the major processes for its production, conversion, and use. Covers Solar Energy, Bioenergy, and Biomass Resources The book begins with an introduction to solar energy (the source of bioenergy) and then moves on to describe bioenergy, biomass, chemical conversion, and the renewable energy processes involved. The authors cover measurement energy parameters, analysis of data, and the prediction of energy production for different bio products. They also consider the institutional, environmental, and economic concerns surrounding bioenergy. An all-inclusive resource covering a rapidly-advancing field, this book: Explores the impact of climate change and global warming on the production of biomass Describes the positive and negative effects of biomass production on ecosystems and biodiversity Illustrates the use of biomass for the production of electricity Considers the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels, biofuel production, and emerging technologies Addresses institutional and environmental issues relevant to bioenergy Discusses factors impacting the economic feasibility of renewable energy systems Introduction to Bioenergy defines major processes for the production, conversion, and use of bioenergy. A book suitable for coursework or self-study, this essential work serves students and practicing professionals in the renewable energy, environmental science, agriculture engineering, and biology fields.

Dwindling petroleum supplies and growing environmental concerns are significantly impacting the cost of petro-fuel and its infrastructure. The search for alternative fuel sources has led to ethanol, a gasoline substitute that is already in the marketplace as Gasohol and E-85. But large-scale production of corn-based ethanol is controversial as it threatens the world’s food supply. There are alternatives, however: Brazil uses sugar cane, which is up to six times more productive in energy conversion. After the energy crisis of the 1970s, there was a lot of misinformation about the cost of individual ethanol production. In order to achieve energy independence from gasoline, ethanol lends itself to small-scale production, and especially to cooperative ventures in rural communities, often using “waste” feedstock. Alcohol Fuel is a practical, grassroots book that will give readers all the information they need, covering every aspect of making and using ethanol for fuel, including: *Permitting and planning *Budgeting and setup *Sourcing feedstocks *Finding and building distillation equipment *Storage and safety *Practical applications for converting motor vehicles, farm equipment, and space-heating systems The practical, user-friendly information on basic equipment needs, fermentation recipes, and distillation designs will be of interest to readers looking for information, as well as to those ready to make the switch. Richard Freudenberger was research director of Mother Earth News, where he managed the Alcohol Fuel Program and developed solar and renewable solar and energy projects. He is publisher and technical editor of BackHome magazine and lives in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Delve into the world of self-reliance and sustainable living with "The Backyard Homesteader," your comprehensive guide to transforming any outdoor space into a thriving, eco-friendly haven. This treasure trove of practical advice is the essential resource for anyone dreaming of producing their own food, decreasing their carbon footprint, and forging a deeper connection with the Earth. Discover the secrets behind the homesteading mindset, and learn how to recognize the abundant opportunities nestled in your own backyard. From the introductory pages detailing the essence of homesteading and the benefits it brings, to the nuanced understanding of your local ecosystem, this eBook lays the groundwork for an authentic homesteading experience. Embark on a journey through meticulous planning as you're guided through assessing your unique space, designing a thoughtful layout, and navigating the legalities and communal aspects of your homesteading adventure. Unearth the building blocks of healthy soil with chapters dedicated to composting, soil fertility, and vermicomposting, ensuring your garden thrives from the ground up. Watch your homesteading visions come to life with chapters on organic gardening, tackling techniques like no-till farming, crop rotation, and natural pest control. Harness the genius of raised bed gardening and container crops for spaces large and small, and learn to extend your growing season with specialized strategies. "The Backyard Homesteader" doesn't stop there; it takes you further into the realms of water conservation, perennial plant mastery, establishing a home orchard, and even keeping small livestock that enrich the web of life in your back garden. As your homestead blossoms, savor the fruits of your labor with detailed guides on preserving your harvest, engaging in DIY natural remedy making, implementing renewable energy solutions, and constructing practical structures that enhance the functionality and beauty of your homestead. From the enthusiast in a suburban lot to the visionary in a compact urban setting, this eBook is an ally to all aspiring homesteaders. Immerse yourself in community and urban challenges, adapt techniques for small spaces, manage homestead finances, flow with the seasons, and even undertake advanced homesteading projects like aquaponics and mushroom cultivation. Transformative, insightful, and endlessly informative, "The Backyard Homesteader" stands as your portal to a more self-sufficient life. Open the door to a future where homesteading and modern living not only coexist but complement each other, paving the way to a legacy of sustainability for generations to come. Set down roots with this guide and grow not just a garden, but a lifestyle brimming with vitality and harmony.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Al Gore's summer blockbuster An Inconvenient Truth, and crude oil prices soaring to all-time highs, more people than ever know the truth about our oil addiction. Global warming is here. M. King Hubbert's oil peak is fast approaching (or may already have arrived). The secret's out: fossil fuel reserves are dwindling and popular interest has created the need for accessible, realistic solutions. The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook, a clear-eyed view of the critical situation we face, offers ways out. Greg Pahl examines energy technologies currently available and homes in on renewable energy strategies that can be adopted by individuals and communities. Such cooperative initiatives have been common in Europe for years and are beginning to gain a foothold in the US. Each chapter focuses on a different renewable energy category--solar, wind, water, biomass, liquid biofuels, and geothermal--then reviews their advantages and disadvantages and desccribes numerous examples of successful, proven local initiatives. The Citizen-Powered Energy Handbook is an eloquent appeal for community and regional action to initiate an array of solutions to energy needs until now controlled by large, distant utilities and consortiums. It is time to take back control of the energy and environmental challenges ahead; this book will help people do just that. It is a handbook for anyone ready to take the first steps towards a more sustainable future.

In an era when incomprehensibly complex issues like Peak Oil and Climate Change dominate headlines, practical solutions at a local level can seem somehow inadequate. In response, Lyle Estill's Small is Possible introduces us to "hometown security," with this chronicle of a community-powered response to resource depletion in a fickle global economy. True stories, springing from the soils of Chatham County, North Carolina, offer a positive counter balance to the bleakness of our age. This is the story of how one small southern US town found actual solutions to actual problems. Unwilling to rely on government and wary of large corporations, these residents discovered it is possible for a community to feed itself, fuel itself, heal itself and govern itself. This book is filled with newspaper columns, blog entries, letters and essays that have appeared on the margins of small town economies. Tough subjects are handled with humor and finesse. Compelling stories of successful small businesses from the grocery co-op to the biodiesel co-op describe a town and its people on a genuine quest for sustainability. Everyone interested in sustainability, local economy, small business, and whole foods will be inspired by the success stories in this book.