Biodiesel Research Facility
The Catawba County-Appalachian State University Biodiesel Research, Development and Production Facility was officially opened on Monday, August 15, 2011. The facility is located at the Catawba County EcoComplex near the Blackburn Landfill on Rocky Ford Road.
Partnership
Catawba County has partnered with Appalachian State University (ASU) to create a 7381 square foot center for biodiesel research, development and production.
Reusable products and by-products
A developing system that intends to recover all useable products and by-products from a group of private and public partners located in a defined area. This group of partners works together to use each other’s waste products either as a source of energy or as a raw material for the production of their own product.
Ribbon Cutting
Catawba County Commissioner's, State Officials, Appalachian State, University of North Carolina, and other leaders cut the ribbon to the new Biodiesel Research Facility.
U.S.G.B.C
The Biodiesel Research Facility achieves LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver Certification from U.S. Green Building Council.
Sunflowers
The facility will expand ASU’s current biofuels crop research efforts including: planting and harvesting, collection of data on seed yield and the measurement of oil yields from each of the viable crops.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The Catawba County-Appalachian State University Biodiesel Research, Development and Production Facility was officially opened on Monday, August 15, 2011.
Sunflowers
ASU’s research will include the testing of biodiesel fuel being produced by several companies in the region and from the harvest of crops growing around the landfill to test which ones grow best in the local climate while producing the best oils for biodiesel. Canola and sunflowers are currently being grown and tested.
Facility Expected to Attract More Economic Development Opportunities
The presence of higher education institutions like Appalachian State provides new avenues for growth, research, and investment for the future of Catawba County and its citizens.
Dynamometer
The facility houses a dynamometer for stationary testing of light and medium duty vehicles. This emissions component will further the work of quantifying biofuel carbon footprint.
Existing Components
Impending Components
Developing Components