Statewide Business Plan Competiton

Okay,


I know everyone is just dying to know why we didn't have a meeting last Wednesday. You're probably also wondering, "If Patty were a blogger, how well would she blog?" Well I'll answer the first question below, the latter I'll just put it this way: I had no idea my grammer was this bad, and I've mispelled Business every time it was used even in the title. NO JOURNALISM FOR ME.


I'm just trying to get out of real work and I decided to post the pictures of the WVU Biodiesel Project's trip to Charleston to compete in the State Business Plan Competition. The BPC is a chance for college students in WV to take their ideas to the next level by awarding well thought out ideas with $10,000. The competition has 3 rounds: the executive summary, the elevator pitch, and the actual business plan. The Project made it through round one, and competed in round two on November 12. Adam, Kayla, Morgan, and Patty represented the WVU Biodiesel Project. Kayla was our designated speaker for the elevator pitch, and she did a terrific job despite coping with a sore throat (kudos Kayla!). Following the pitch, our team met and interviewed with 13 judges, all of which were impressed with the well put together marketing package they each received brought to you by Adam. Each judge grilled our team about what it was we planed to do, how we'd enact it, and *arrrr* how we planed to make money and we all did a great job of sharing each of our POVs and giving our personal input. If you'd like to find out more on the annual BPC: http://www.be.wvu.edu/bpc/updates/index.htm. We were told that we'll know the results of round two before break. After the competition, David Statler (a WVU Biodiesel Project alumnus) invited us to eat dinner and chill out at his house. I deemed it necessary to show exactly how cool his basement (see bottom). Thanks David
~Patty

Morgan quickly reading through speaking points

The judging room

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below Adam, Patty, Morgan, and Kayla *sigh of relief* "It's over!"

David's awesome basement I told you that it wouldn't be disappointing

Back in Session with Enthusiasm!

Meetings:

The WVU Biodiesel Project is currently having meetings every Wednesday @ 5pm in the Engineering Science Building (ESB), Room 425 (also known as the Wen Library).

Current Happenings:

• Calendars have been printed and will be distributed to WVU officials by early October.
• The Project is currently redesigning our skid (layout) for our processor due to hardware additions from Mattew Shaffer.
• The official WVU Biodiesel Project Website should be up and running by October 22nd, if not earlier. More info later.
• Coordinating with Clement Solomon, WVU's sustainability coordinator, to propose our project to higher-up WVU officials and get a space and processor.
• Visit our New Google Group to find Meeting Minutes, current discussions, and up-to-date info on what we are doing.
• The Project will enter our business plan to the WVU Business Plan competition to try for $10,000
• More to come. Stay tuned right here for more...

-Adam Johnson
WVU Biodiesel Project Publicist

Vote for Biodiesel!

Please vote in our poll on the right hand side of the page. We want to know how the student population feels about biodiesel implementation at WVU.

OUR MISSION:
The WVU Biodiesel project is committed to the education and implementation of biodiesel here at West Virginia University. We plan to use the Wast Vegetable Oil (WVO) produced at campus dining facilities and safely turn it into biodiesel to put into WVU’s diesel running busses and motor vehicles. In addition, the Project plans to educate the student population about biodiesel.

BIODIESEL INFO:
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be used in any diesel engine, resulting in improved emission characteristics, overall reduction in green-house gas emissions, and reduced dependence on petroleum based diesel.

Note: If the poll is closed, feel free to add your vote in the "Comments" section of this post.

-Adam Johnson
WVU Biodiesel Project Publicist
wvubiodieselproject@gmail.com

Biodiesel: The What, How, and Why

A Jar of Biodiesel

WHAT?

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can replace or be mixed with diesel in any proportion and can be used in any diesel engine with little or no modifications. Biodiesel can be made from any fat or oil such as olive oil, canola oil, or beef tallow.

HOW?

In America biodiesel is made primarily from soybean oil. Biodiesel is reacted by mixing the oil with a catalyst and adding heat. The catalyst most commonly used is methoxide. This catalyst is made by mixing lye (a chemical found in drain cleaner or soap) and methanol (a chemical commonly used as an engine cleaner).

WHY?

Biodiesel has better emission characteristics, less toxicity and produces the same amount of power as regular diesel. Biodiesel produces about the same amount of carbon dioxide as diesel yet most of the carbon dioxide produced was adsorbed from the atmosphere by the plant from which the vegetable oil came from, therefore there is a less of a net accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere.

Overall, Biodiesel is a well rounded alternative fuel source with a viable future--especially at West Virginia University!

Questions or comments may be sent to wvubiodieselproject@gmail.com . Or, if you or anyone you know would like to get involved, we have meetings on Wednesday @ 5pm in the Engineering Sciences Building, Room 425 on the Evansdale campus. Everyone is welcome!

Until next time...

Meetings: The Down-low

I know what you are saying, "I know yall exist, but where do you come together and how can I get involved?" Alex Stanton presents on biodiesel.

This post is here to answer that question. We meet WEEKLY in the Engineering Science Building on the fourth floor in room 425.


Where is the Engineering Science Building?
This is the Engineering Science Building on the Evansdale campus at WVU

Enter this building and proceed up to the fourth floor. Then, look for room 425, which is also known as the Wen Library.

Alex Stanton, our organizations Technical Media Manager, prepares for the meeting.

But when do you all meet?

We meet every Wednesday during the Spring and Fall semesters at 5pm.

Patty Sefton, Project Manager, and Avram Siegel, Chair of the Project, are captivated by Alex's biodiesel presentation.