The beginning of a new year is always an exciting time with new beginnings, resolutions, and new agenda items being kicked off in grand fashion. For the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA) 2016 is no different. Specifically, there are a few goals laid out that have NORA members and the biofuel world buzzing.
New Oilheat Research & Training Center
This year NORA will be opening a brand new research and training center focused specifically on the biofuel industry. Located in Plainview, NY, this new liquid fuel research facility will open in January of 2016 and will have a number of featured components surrounding education, training, and research. Specifically, the center features the following:
- Fully equipped and serviced educational components and facilities that include classrooms, a conference room, and specialized equipment for training and student work.
- A state-of-the-art research lab operated by Dr. Thomas Butcher of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Integrating a lab and educational facility in the same building will allow researchers to focus their work on real-world and practical issues and problems.
- A unique approach to education in that some components allow for companies to perform private training sessions with their employees. It also provides a venue for part-time and casual education and training rather than a strictly traditional fully scheduled school day.
- This unique approach to training and education will include classes for real estate agents, technicians, and include subjects such as home inspector training.
- Classrooms with working oil-fired equipment will facilitate manufacturers and trainers and be promoted as a primary venue that’s fully equipped and ready to go.
A Focus on Biofuel Research
Bioheat and biodiesel research will be major agenda items for NORA and the facility throughout 2016. The aim is to be proactive and responsive to industry manufacturers when it comes to front-line equipment and providing information to assist them in developing the next generation of equipment.
One specific objective is to collect information surrounding the aging and blending percentages of biofuels. Sources of information will be collected from surveying manufacturers, storage facilities, homeowner storage tanks, and many other related storage facilities. The hope with this research is to uncover information related to how the storage of biofuels affects its efficiency, usage, and a number of other factors, as well as how higher percentage blends are performing.
Exciting Future for Oilheat
Overall, 2016 will be a landmark year with the opening of the new research and training facility. Princeton Fuel Oil is proud to be the area’s only BIOFUEL heating oil dealer. For more information about biofuels and biofuel research contact Princeton Fuel Oil in Mercer County today: 1-800-253-9001.