Concerns about global warming, combined with rising fuel costs, are spurring the search for alternative energy sources.  Auburn University (web|news)  is demonstrating one, renewable way the state can meet its energy needs.  Auburn is working with Alabama power to convert biomass into electrical power.  Biomass can be wood, charcoal, peat, even cotton stalks - anything that can be turned into a gas for power or electricity generation.

To make that conversion, though, a biomass gasification unit is needed, and Auburn University has one.  Thursday, the University's Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts is displaying the unit near the Alabama Power headquarters in downtown Birmingham.  Researchers hope that demonstrating how the technology works will help increase support for their work.

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