Target Sector - Green Energy

Martin County has a long history of generating power with its plentiful biomass resources and supporting water supply. And because the State of NC was the first in the Southeast to pass a renewable energy mandate, the County is poised to be a significant supplier for the many projects that have located in NC.

Existing Industries

There are over 50 food industry producers in the region, including the following:

Flagstone Foods

North America’s largest producer of trail mixes (biomass waste available).

Domtar –

Producer of fluff pulp used in absorbent materials worldwide (biomass co-generation on-site).

Weyerhaeuser –

Lumber mill and saw mill.

 

Other companies in the region:

A&B Milling – peanuts (biomass waste)
ABB – dry-type transformers
Air Systems Components – commercial & industrial HVAC
ASMO Greenville – small electric motors
Biomass Marketing Associates – gasification units
Carolina Log Mats
Carolina Power & Performance – marine diesel engines
CNA Cablenetwork – coaxial cable
Cummins-Rocky Mount Engine – diesel engines
Diversified Wood Products
Dustex Carolina – environmental equipment
Eagle Assembly Unlimited – rotor assemblies
Edgecombe Genco – coal-fired cogeneration facility
Edwards Cotton Company – cotton gin (cottonseed waste)
Energy Savers Windows & Siding – storm windows and doors
Engine Systems – power generation equipment
Fawn Electronics – electronic & electromechanical assemblies
Full Circle Solutions – coal ash recycling
Golden Peanut Company – peanuts (biomass waste)
Honeywell – hydromechanical fuel controls
Kalmar Corp – wood chips
Kapstone Paper and Packaging – kraft paper, linerboard (cogeration facility on-site) Keihin Carolina System Technology – electronic automotiveparts
LBA Technologies – electromechanical assemblies
Livermans Metal Recycling – metals recycling
Mackey’s Ferry Sawmill
NC Fibers – fiber recycling
PCB Piezotronics – sensors
Pelican Packaging – recycled plastic
PenCell Plastics – plastic enclosures for electrical and telecommunications wire Roanoke Valley Energy Facility – cogeneration facility
Sag Harbor Industries – electronic components
Seeco-Eastern Fuels – industrial lubricants
Stanadyne – diesel components
Superior Essex – non-ferrous wire and insulating
United Salvage & Auto – metals recycling
Weir USA – valves and controls

NC Mandates Renewable Energy Sources Therefore Creating An Eager Marketplace For Suppliers

NC was one of the first states in the US (and the first in the Southeast) that passed a legislative renewable energy mandate, and it has been in effect since 2007. The NC REPS (Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard) requires that NC utilities must have a percentage of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources, beginning in 2012 and up to 12.5% by 2021. A large percentage of the resource must be located in NC.

Since 2008, approximately 8,000 MW (412 facilities from 166 organizations) of renewable energy supplies have been installed or announced in NC that are compliant to the new NC REPS.

The results of this law give NC companies an eager marketplace for cutting edge energy technology commercialization. More than 1000 companies employing over 14,800 people currently participate in the renewable energy supply chain in NC. Employment in this sector increased by 22% in 2010 and that growth is projected to continue.

Martin County is actively recruiting green energy and its support companies in the following sectors to take advantage of the County, the Region and the State’s assets to support this sector.

  • Wood and other biofuels
  • Ethanol production
  • Solar power
  • Wind power
  • Hydropower
  • Hydrogen and other fuel cell technologies
  • Energy storage and conversion devices
  • Electric vehicles and drive train components

 

Martin County Has The Resources To Fuel These Needs

Wood Resources

(in 19 counties in and around Martin County)

Edit
Dry Tons, Woody Biomass Production (2005)
Pulpwood Logging Residues Other Removal
Softwood 876,744 593,276 402,496
Hardwood 906,781 582,647 411,989
TOTAL 1,783,525 4,175,400 814,484

Source: USFS Timber Production Output Data, 2005

Wood Residue by County, North Carolina (2006)

 

 

Biomass Growing Stock

(2006 Estimates)

Edit
Dry Tons, Woody Biomass Production (2005)
Pulpwood Logging Residues Other Removal
Softwood 876,744 593,276 402,496
Hardwood 906,781 582,647 411,989
TOTAL 1,783,525 4,175,400 814,484

Source: USDA Forest Service, 2006 FIA Data

Other local crops and their residuals that can be used for bio-fuels include:

tobacco stalks, peanut hulls, cotton seed, potatoes, corn, soybeans

Solar

NC has 31 MW installed, 9th in the US. The NC Solar Center at NC State University is a national resource to advance the use of solar and other renewable energy resources.

Wind

NC has the highest off-shore wind resource of any Atlantic coast state!

Hydro

NC has over 1650 MW of hydroelectric generation, plus another 100 MW of potential in Eastern NC.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

18 companies in NC that manufacture fuel cells.

Energy storage and conversion devices

NC is home to a number of battery manufacturers including Celgard, a leader in lithium battery membranes for consumer products, grid systems and electric vehicles.

Electric Vehicles

The NC Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR) is located in Northeastern NC less than one hour from Martin County

 

NC Supports the Green Energy Sector with Significant Educational & Research Resources

NC State University NC Solar Center

Organization within NC State University to advance the use of all renewable energy resources through programs to educate the public, share research and technical expertise, guide industry’s energy decisions, and shape government policy. Maintains the national database of State renewable energy policies and incentives at www.dsireusa.org.

NC Biofuels Center

An organization created by the NC Legislature to support and encourage the development of a biofuels industry in NC. Its goal is that by 2017, 10% of the liquid fuels sold in NC will be locally grown and produced. Strategies include con-necting feedstock growers with producers; accelerating effective science, research and development capabilities; creating and implementing government incentive programs.

NC Sustainable Energy Association

A non-profit organization founded in 1978, to lead public policy and market development by promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Research Triangle Institute

NC based consortium of 2,000 staff worldwide conducting research on a variety of topics including energy effi-ciency, renewable energy, alternative fuels, energy economics, etc.

Advanced Energy

Supports member utilities to assist communities in understanding, planning and implementing electric transportation initiatives, industrial process technologies, motors and drives testing, and applied building science. Their primary project is the Plug-In Hybrid School Bus program.

UNC Chapel Hill Solar Energy Research Center 

A DOE Energy Frontier Research Center – a collaboration with other universities, national labs and industry to focus on solar fuels by photosynthesis and next generation organic and hybrid photo-voltaics.

UNC Charlotte Energy Production & Infrastructure Center

A mission to enhance the available technical and business workforce, advance energy technology, and facilitate strategic industry-university collaboration for the global energy industry while supporting the Carolina’s economic and energy security development.

NC Fuel Cell Alliance

Organized by industry participants in 2005 to bolster the growing sector within the state.

Hydrogen Economy Advancement Team (HEAT)

Based in NC, composed of business leaders from around the world who are devoted to the progress of hydrogen fuel, particularly regarding how it can be used in a railway system.

NC State University , FREEDM Systems Center

Developing technology to transform the electric grid into a smart grid that allows energy storage and flexibility for renewable sources.

NC Green Power 

An independent non-profit organization that accepts financial contributions from citizens and businesses to purchase power for NC utilities from renewable sources or CO2 offsets.

NC Center for Automotive Research 

An independent non-profit center to meet the product development, research and testing demands of the automotive industry. NCCAR includes a test driving course, vehicle dynamics area, advanced chassis dynamics laboratory, two-axle chassis dynamometer with climatic air handling and emissions as well as plenty of garage space. The services of the Center include propulsion technology, vehicle engineering, applied research, durability/accumulation and compliance validation. This facility along with its academic links can provide the perfect support to develop electric vehicles and components.

Southern Research Institute

In NC, operates a testing and demonstration center for technologies and feedstocks to support alternative fuels.

UNC Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment

Multi-disciplinary program that focuses on key areas such as balancing energy production with environmental quality.

Duke University Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

The climate and energy focus area develops and evaluates strategies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating novel energy investment.

Appalachian State University The Energy Center

Research and demonstration projects for energy efficiency, passive solar, fuel cells, landfill gas, and small wind power.

Cape Fear Community College Renewable Energy Lab

Research on PV panels, wind power and fuel cells for utility grade electricity and low emission vehicles.

NC A&T State University Center for Energy Research & Technology

Interdisciplinary research in alternative energy and environmental sustainability. Specific research thrust areas include bio energy, solar power, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells and other sustainability programs.

NC State Laws Supporting Green Energy Market Development

  • Law requiring all state-owned facilities to increase energy efficiency by 30%by 2015.
  • By State law, no local ordinances can prohibit the installation of devices that are based on the use of renewable energy.
  • 2012 Legislature approved a bill to allow natural gas fracturing (“fracking”) and regulations are currently being developed.

NC Renewable Energy Tax Credits & Other Financing Tools– Some of the Best in the US

NC Renewable Energy Tax Credits –

35% state income tax credit on qualifying project capital costs.

Alternative Fuel Fueling Infrastructure Tax Credit –

tax credit for 15% of the cost of the fueling facility infrastructure used exclusively for the alternative fuel.

Renewable Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit –

25% credit divided over 5years, for project capital costs, including component equipment manufacturers.

Natural Capital Investment Fund –

private company that provides debt and equity financing to small and emerging natural resources-based businesses predominately in economically distressed rural communities.

Local property tax exemption for active solar heating and cooling systems

Alternative Fuel Production Tax Credit –

25% income tax credit against eligible capital costs for facilities to produce a variety of alternative fuels, 35% for projects over $400 million.

Biodiesel Production Tax Credit –

a credit on the motor vehicle excise tax for that portion which is biodiesel only – for producers over 100,000 gals/year.

Green Business Fund –

NC Board of Science and Technology grants up to$500,000 to help companies develop cutting edge green and alternative energy technologies for the marketplace.

Local property tax abatements for solar generation systems –

exempts 80% of appraised value.

Energy improvement Loan Program –

Max $500,000 low interest loan from the State Energy Office for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Other State Resources To Support Green Technologies & Renewable Projects

LaCapra Study of renewable energy potential in NC –

a detailed description of the potential MWs that can be generated by various renewable fuel sources (NC Utilities Commission).

NC Renewable Energy Tracking System

The systems that tracks all new renewable energy facilities that have been installed in compliance with the NC REPS since 2008.

NC Energy Office

The State’s lead organization to implement the State Energy Plan. It is the conduit for $75M from US DOE under the ARRA for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

NC Green Economy Resources Directory –

local, regional, state and national organizations that provides support, guidance, funding, incentives and education for NC’s green economy (NC Commerce).

Martin County Economic Development Corporation
415 East Blvd #130, Williamston, NC 27892