Looking for a Pragmatic Discussion of Biofuels? Check Out the BioEnergy Deployment Consortium
Ben Thorp is one of the true gentlemen in the biofuels industry, humbly but energetically chairing the non-profit BioEnergy Deployment Consortium. Retired from business after an enviable lifetime of successful engagements, he’s dedicated himself to the proposition that biomass needs to be a) understood, and then b) implemented on a pragmatic basis. Yet this represents a considerable challenge.
“There are 11 definitions of the term ‘biomass’”, he told me. “What fits for a business plan to a VC firm might fail completely in an application for a loan guarantee or a permit application. And how about this: is MSW (municipal solid waste) really ‘renewable energy?’ In some places it’s regarded as such, but not in others.”
These really are tough questions – one of the reasons that my hat’s off to these folks for trying to make sense of all this.
Then, of course, there are the political issues. What happens when a biomass project comes up against the most powerfully moneyed forces on the planet, e.g., the utilities? Consolidated Edison has put asunder many potential players, large and small, who have attempted to disrupt how they buy and sell electrical power — whether that disruption was threatened by biomass or some other form of renewables.
We all remember start-up hydrokinetics player Verdant Power, who had the temerity to want to take a few kilowatts out of the East River in NY and sell it to ConEd customers. Due to a combination of governmental over-regulation and corruption, it took Verdant no fewer than six years to get a permit to make this happen – and in order to get the permit approved, they had to pay ConEd for the power that the utility was unable to sell.
And what about organized crime? Isn’t it common knowledge that the mob owns the flow of garbage out of New York City? (For the record, I don’t know. Hell, I don’t want to know.)
Ben tactfully acknowledges all this, but doggedly goes on with his work, which seems largely based around sorting out the truth from the lies – or at best, gross exaggerations in this space. “We only list technologies that we’ve been able to validate,” he told me. “Have you noticed that there are a great many unproven claims in this arena?” he asked.
You could say! It takes me hours to sort through this stuff, some of it obviously written to confuse or deceive, the reader. It’s no country for old men like me. Fortunately Ben is made of sterner stuff. I hope you’ll check out this group’s fine work.
I have known Ben for 49 years. We met in 1966 when he was transferred from New York to the company in Greeneville, Tennessee where I had been employed for a few months. Ben Thorp is not someone you meet and forget. I would like to tell you just a few things I remember about Ben: 1) He is the most intelligent person I have known in my 70 years of life. My life has been filled with many very intelligent and successful people. This, however, should not be listed as number one. 2) Ben was a caring man. I clearly recall his saying, “If I ever have my own Company, it will be a Company who cares about its people.” At this time Ben was 29 yrs old. He loved philosophy and dreamed of teaching this subject at the college level “someday”. 3) He once told me he learned something from every person he knew. It did not matter if that person was educated, had letters after their name or was just an ordinary guy/gal. He respected everyone. He valued each person equally. 3) I remember how much he loved to ski! 4) The memory that should have been listed as number one – the strongest memory I hold of Ben is his telling me the greatest most important thing in his life is “Justice”. He wanted to live in a JUST world.
It appears to me that he continues working for that goal.
Now for his faults: As I knew him there was only one. It, however, can make life difficult. Ben could not allow himself vulnerability. If I had a golden heart perhaps I would keep it my secret too!! Congratulations Ben for all you have accomplished and for all you continue to do in hopes of making the world a better place. I am very proud to have known you.