Energy and the Environment

Energy for Tomorrow: Biofuels and more
As energy consumption has steadily increased, demand for crude oil has escalated worldwide, especially in developing countries. In developing new energy resources, it is important to consider biomass more readily available in North Carolina, such as loblolly pine, fast-growing hardwoods, switchgrass, coastal Bermuda grass, and various agricultural residues. The College of Natural Resources and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are conducting research and technology development to enable a new biofuels industry. Researchers are working to improve the specific chemical and enzymatic processes to promote the economical production of biofuels from biomass. In addition, faculty and students in the College of Physics and Mathematical Sciences partner across campus to study energy production, distribution, usage, and the environmental impacts of energy utilization.
www.cals.ncsu.edu/agcomm/difference/biofuels/
cnr.ncsu.edu/wps/biomaterialspromo.html

In the Garden with Bryce Lane

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences produces the UNC-TV show In the Garden with Bryce Lane to help home gardeners enhance and protect water quality and the environment by providing research-based gardening information to the public. The show, which airs twice weekly reaching more than 100,000 viewers, features award-winning horticultural science professor Bryce Lane. From retirees in rural communities to community college students and professionals, In the Garden is reaching a wide range of audiences, many of whom participate in a for-credit course through the weekly television show.
www.unctv.org/inthegarden

State Climate Office

North Carolina has a complex climate due to its three district regions: the mountains, the Piedmont, and the coastal plain. The State Climate Office (SCO) is public-service center for climate-environment interactions in North Carolina, housed in the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. The SCO is the primary source for North Carolina weather and climate information and is involved in all aspects of climate research, education, and extension service. The office provided the state with weather data from a growing network of more than 30 research-quality weather stations, provides climate information for the citizens and businesses of North Carolina and assists state government agencies in climate-related challenges and decision support tools that reduce costs and conserve resources.
www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu

Cooperative Tree Improvement Program

Many of North Carolina's 436,000 private landowners sell timber for paper and wood products. Because of rapid urbanization and development, more wood must be produced on less land than ever before. More than 50 years ago, the College of Natural Resources partnered with industrial firms, forest landowners, and state agencies across the South to form a cooperative research, breeding, and testing program. Members of the NC State University Cooperative Tree Improvement Program have made dramatic improvement in the productivity and value of forest plantations, including $50 to over $300 per acre in net present value to landowners who utilize improved planting stock, 1,108 tons of improved pine seed produced by Cooperative members and more than 17 million acres reforested with genetically improved seedlings.
cnr.ncsu.edu/for/research/tip

North Carolina Sea Grant

The sustainable use of coastal and marine resources benefits all citizens of North Carolina. Thus, North Carolina Sea Grant provided profession, coordinated and responsive research and educational efforts focused on coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies. Sea Grant's outreach staff has a strong track record of bringing together stakeholders to increase understanding and facilitate informed decisions regarding limited resources. Extension staff members, located along the coast and in Raleigh, cover a variety of topics, including commercial and recreational fisheries and habitats, seafood technology, coastal hazards, and marine education. Sea Grant outreach topics also include aquaculture, coastal law and policy, coastal community development, and water quality. The award-winning Coastwatch magazine is Sea Grant's flagship publication.
www.ncseagrant.org

NC Solar Center

In 1988, NC State created the NC Solar Center as a focal point for research, extension and engagement on solar energy technologies and building practices. Today, the center focuses on renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the building, power, transportation, and industrial sectors. The center provides technical assistance and information on tax credits and other incentives to more than 3,000 North Carolina consumers and businesses for energy improvements each year. In addition, the center provides education for school and community college groups, technical assistance for homeowners, grants for clean transportation infrastructure, as well as policy analysis and technical assistance to state officials and other agencies.
www.ncsc.ncsu.edu/