Renewable Energy

Renewable fuel – or, ethanol – is the “next big thing,” and an exciting, emerging new market for Austin AECOM. Ethanol production is booming in the United States. Recent legislation has mandated that the manufacture of ethanol nearly double to 7.5 billion gallons per year, by 2010. Prepared to meet the ethanol explosion head on, the world’s leading auto makers have all approved the use of E-10 unleaded (10% ethanol/90% unleaded gasoline) in their vehicles.  

A renewable energy source, ethanol is produced largely through the fermentation of sugars – enzymes convert starches to sugars, which, in turn, ferment into ethanol. Corn is the principal feedstock used to produce ethanol, and, one acre of corn can generate enough ethanol to power a typical car for 72,000 miles. 

Austin AECOM has entered this modern frontier of alternative energy and quickly become a major player in ethanol facilities design and construction. Already, nine ethanol plant projects are set to go in 2007. Several clients have hired Austin AECOM to complete project feasibility studies and develop project pricing and supporting engineering for 100 million gallon-a-year ethanol plants, utilizing Delta-T technology.

Planning, engineering, estimating, and scheduling are also part of the complete slate of services Austin AECOM offers to ethanol industry clients, as well as handling site surveys, topographic map creation, obtaining air permits, conducting water analysis, and geo-technical support.

Always at the forefront of market trends, Austin AECOM is also exploring opportunities related to the production of biodiesel – a clean-burning fuel for automobiles that is also manufactured from renewable resources, such as fat or soybean oil – and wind energy.

Contact us to discuss your firm’s alternative energy needs and ideas.