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Two Recent Biomass Conferences: Current Research and Development
Melissa Harris, BCS, Inc.
President Bush’s 2007 State of the Union Address declared the Administration’s intent to reduce gasoline consumption by 20 percent in 10 years. This will be met by a combination of renewable and alternative fuels and energy efficiency improvements by the year 2017. Spurred by the aggressive goals of the administration over the past two years, interest in renewable fuels has undergone rapid growth.
A wide variety of research is occurring in the biomass field in an attempt to make current processes more efficient, and discover new methods of biomass production. Concurrently, there is debate over the economic implications of increasing the share of domestic energy from biomass. Two recent conferences have addressed different sides of the effort to develop biofuels.
The 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals was hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Denver, Colorado, from April 29, to May 2, 2007. This year’s conference had the highest number of attendees in the history of the Symposium, up more than 30 percent from previous years. Seventy oral presentations and three hundred posters, representative of the most recent research in the field, were given.[i] The focus of the vast majority of research involved creating, producing, or improving upon the enzymes and chemicals that break down biomass as it is converted into fuel.
Every feedstock is characteristically different in its ability to be processed into a fuel, and therefore science and industry are canvassing all available biomass for the most energy efficient substances. Each feedstock must be broken down using somewhat different processes. Research into those methods will help determine the more valuable feedstocks. Among the posters and presentations given at the Symposium, and as illustrated in Exhibit 1, the wide variety of feedstocks being researched is apparent.
Exhibit 1
*A note on terminology: 'Corn' refers to any part of the plant, including kernels, husk, stover, and stalk. Woody feedstocks include trimmings, chips, shrubs, tobacco stalks, reeds, and slash. 'Grasses' includes switchgrass, bagasse, among others. Oats feedstocks include primarily barley and wheat. Created from the project descriptions listed in the abstracts, published at http://www.simhq.org/meetings/29symp/29fuelsdraft_WEB.pdf.
Findings reported in oral presentations at the Symposium indicate progress is being made toward refining the processes necessary to create biofuels efficiently. An advantage of biofuel is that biomass is widely available, the details of which are being investigated. One presentation reported that, “based on more than fifteen years of bioenergy research, switchgrass is an economically viable and sustainable dedicated energy crop for the central [United States] east of 100o W. longitude.”[ii]
Several developments in enzyme technology were reported at the conference, and improvements, “…in the dilute acid biomass pretreatment process have also resulting in lower enzyme requirements and higher ethanol yields," for one group of scientists.[iii] In addition to feedstock identification and enzyme research, the Symposium also saw computer-generated simulations that may help farm and industry predict methods of efficiency and optimal levels of production.[iv]
Jim McMillan, the Conference Chair of the Symposium, highlighted a few presentations by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the DOE Office of Science (OS) which were, “discussing [the] DOE’s strategy and achievements in stimulating fundamental and applied [research and development], and accelerating biofuels commercialization.” He also mentioned DuPont and Celunol’s advances toward first-generation cellulosic ethanol technologies.[v]
In the midst of ongoing scientific innovation and discussions regarding market penetration and commercialization, politicians and economists are engaged in debates regarding the feasibility and viability of various types of renewable energy outside of the laboratory. The need to predict unanticipated consequences of a shift toward renewable biofuels prompted the April 2007 BioFuels, Food, and Feed Tradeoffs conference, sponsored by the Farm Foundation, USDA Rural Development, and USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses. With over two hundred participants, the conference facilitated discussion of economic questions and challenges within the biofuels market. The food versus fuel issue, referring to the trade-off between using land to grow feed crops or energy crops, has raised the concern that the cost of food and animal feed may rise if the demand for feedstocks pulls crops away from the food and feed market and into the energy sector. The utilization of various feedstocks is going to be necessary to avoid a price increase on existing commodities, such as corn and sugar, or goods affected in a secondary manner, such as chicken or cereal.[vi] The complicated interactions between actors and the multitude of overlapping economic interests in the biomass arena give rise to many questions that the BioFuels, Food and Feed Tradeoffs conference was created to address.
Highlights of the BioFuels conference included presentations that discussed the potential of increasing crop yields with advances in marker-assisted breeding and advances in biotechnology that have led to increasingly effective methods of breaking down cellulose into fuel. Presentations of scientific developments in the production of ethanol and cellulosic biofuels were supplemented by new research in the area of biobutanol, which is easier to transport than ethanol because it does not contain water. Some of the challenges addressed dealt with infrastructure issues such as the transportation and handling issues, and economic issues of cost-competitiveness.
A large number of presentations were focused on the economic impacts of the increased development of the biofuels industry. It is understood that an increase in demand for energy feedstocks will cause an increase in the price of those feedstocks. What is not known is how strongly prices will be impacted. The interconnectedness of the various energy markets and secondary products makes a simple cost-benefit analysis impossible. A stochastic model that utilized empirical data, historical trends, and the known dependence of certain markets on each other, was presented at the conference, and provided some insights into the projected futures of the biofuels market.[vii] In the long run, all inputs are variable, and thus the cost of procuring and processing corn will stabilize as the marginal utility declines and stabilizes. In the short run, the costs associated with ethanol production and the benefits of its usage were predicted to be volatile because “uncertainty is introduced through petroleum prices, domestic demand, trade and yields.”[viii]
The general conclusion of the BioFuels conference was that diversification of our energy production portfolio is a worthwhile task, but there are many aspects of fuels and the economics of energy that must be explored. Everything that we do know about the production and proliferation of biofuels is matched with outstanding questions that will be answered in time with further investigation. For example, we know that “there are early signs of considerable supply response capability in the United States in reaction to higher corn prices.” What we are not yet able to predict is “the supply response in the rest of the world… except perhaps for sugarcane in Brazil.”[ix] Another important factor to consider is the energy intensity of food production. In particular, the impact of the use of fossil fuels to distribute food from agricultural regions of the U.S. around the country.When looking toward the future of biofuels, Dr. Wallace Tyner’s summary report of the BioFuels conference cautioned those in the field against becoming too confident in their knowledge; he asserts that we must admit what we don’t know so that we can find out through a continuation of dialogue and a sharing of idea
[i] Jim McMillan, personal communication, June 11, 2007.
[ii] R.B. Mitchell, K.P. Vogel, M.R. Schmer and G. Sarath. Agronomics of switchgrass as a dedicated energy crop.
Oral Presentation 5A-0, 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2007.
[iii] G. Luli, B. Wood, M. Mullinnix and P. Christopher. Progress in commercialization of biomass ethanol. Oral Presentation 4-03, 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2007.
[iv] T.L. Richard, E. Van Ouwerkerk2 and R. Anex. I-FARM - A Decision Tool for Biomass Production.
Oral Presentation 5A-0, 29th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2007.
[v] Jim McMillan, personal communication, June 11, 2007.
[vi] John Beghin. Global Dimensions in the Tradeoffs Between Biofuels, Food & Feed. Bio-Fuels, Food and Feed Tradeoffs Conference. 2007.
Wallace Tyner, What We Know and What We Need to Know. Bio-Fuels, Food and Feed Tradeoffs Conference. 2007.
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State Spotlight: Colorado
In 2004, Colorado became the first state to adopt a voter-approved renewable portfolio standard.[i] Since 2004, twenty-two additional states have adpoted similar standards.[ii] Colorado Governor Bill Ritter facilitated several amendments to the original renewable standard earlier this year, making the portfolio even more ambitious. The standard currently states that, by the year 2020, all electric co-operatives and municipal utilities must distribute electricity of which 10 percent has been generated by alternative and renewable fuels, and investor-owned utilities must meet a 20 percent standard.[iii]
To help ensure renewable energy standards are met, there are a wide variety of incentives for energy conservation. At the local level, there are many options for obtaining loans, grants, and rebates for various alternative energy usages. At the state and federal level, tax exemptions and tax refunds are available, as well as utility loans and rebates.[iv]
As of March of 2007, there were 54 pieces of legislation that dealt with various aspects of state-wide energy policy.[v]
Currently, ten commercial projects are underway as a part of Colorado’s biomass initiative program, including the ‘Hog Waste Micro Turbine.’[vi] By capturing and processing methane produced on hog farms on a larger scale, an estimated 4 million megawatts of electricity could be generated per year.[vii] To illustrate the contribution that methane could make toward Colorado’s energy goals, “each megawatt of rated capacity generates the equivalent amount of electricity consumed by 350 homes in the Northeast, and 180 homes in the South.”[viii] Colorado Renewable Energy Society has estimated that, “5.2 billion kWh of electricity could be generated using renewable biomass fuels in Colorado” across the various programs that are being investigated and developed.[ix]
Colorado has been ranked one of the states with the most organic cropland, affording agricultural opportunities that some states are not in a position to enjoy[x]. The Renewable Energy Atlas of the West states that, “with significant agricultural operations, Colorado is a good candidate for increased use of biomass fuels, especially those that do not require large amounts of water to produce.”[xi] There are three operational ethanol biorefinery plants in Colorado, and one under construction.[xii]
In addition to the various programs already under way and its agricultural potential, Colorado is also developing its research and development capacity. The state is home to the new collaboration known as the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels. Also known as C2B2, the organization is a partnership between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, four large research institutions, and a myriad of businesses.[xiii] The goals of C2B2 include research and development in the areas of transportation fuels, agricultural fertilizers, synthetic fibers, plastics, and chemicals, all of which are currently produced from petroleum.
[xi] Land and Water Fund of the Rockies, Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Decelopment, and the Greeninfo Network. “Renewable Energy Atlas of the West: A guide to the Region’s Resource Potential.” Accessed May 29, 2007, from http://www.energyatlas.org.
[xii] The Renewable Fuels Association. (2007, June 1) “Ethanol Biorefinery Locations: U.S. Fuel Ethanol Industry Biorefineries and Production Capaticy.” Available online at http://www.ethanolrfa.org/industry/locations/
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| Bill # |
Sponsor |
Description |
Last Action |
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| H.R.2154 |
Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] |
Rural Energy for America Act of 2007. To enhance and improve the energy security of the United States, expand economic development, increase agricultural income, and improve environmental quality by reauthorizing and improving the renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements program of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. |
5/3/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. |
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H.R.2215 |
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] |
To provide a reduction in the aggregate greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy consumed by vehicles and aircraft, and for other purposes. |
5/8/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. |
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H.R.2218 |
Rep Kaptur, Marcy [OH-9] |
Biofuels Energy Independence Act of 2007. To provide for a Biofuels Feedstocks Energy Reserve, and to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and guarantee loans for the production, distribution, development, and storage of biofuels. |
5/8/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. |
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H.R.2337 |
Rep Rahall, Nick J., II [WV-3] |
Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007. To promote energy policy reforms and public accountability, alternative energy and efficiency, and carbon capture and climate change mitigation, and for other purposes. |
5/23/2007: House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee Hearings Held. |
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H.R.2354 |
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] |
American Fuels Act of 2007. To promote the national security and stability of the economy of the United States by reducing the dependence of the United States on oil through the use of alternative fuels and new technology, and for other purposes. |
5/16/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
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H.R.2428 |
Rep Edwards, Chet [TX-17] |
Biofuels Research Initiative Act of 2007.To enhance the efficiency of bioenergy and biomass research and development programs through improved coordination and collaboration between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Energy, and land-grant colleges and universities, and for other purposes. |
5/22/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. |
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S.1297 |
Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] |
Advanced Clean Fuels Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Clean Air Act to promote the use of advanced clean fuels that help reduce air and water pollution and protect the environment. |
5/3/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. |
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S.1419 |
Sen Reid, Harry [NV] |
A bill to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes. |
5/17/2007: Introduced in the Senate. Read twice. Ordered Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 156. |
| S.1443 |
Sen Thomas, Craig [WY] |
Clean, Affordable, and Domestic Fuels for Energy Security Act of 2007. A bill to provide standards for renewable fuels and coal-derived fuels. |
5/21/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. |
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S.1531 |
Sen Reid, Harry [NV] |
Clean Renewable Energy and Economic Development Incentives Act of 2007. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives and extend existing incentives for the production and use of renewable energy. |
5/25/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. | | |
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WU to Build Center for $55 Million
Date: 06/05
Washington University said it is spending more than $55 million on a biofuels and sustainable energy research center. It will be known as the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability, or I-CARES. Its creation marks one of the most significant financial contributions Washington University has made in a dozen years. Many of these partners came together a year ago, when Washington University led a bid for a $125 million federal biofuels research center. Two or three such sites will be selected this fall by DOE but the local group didn't want to wait. "We'd like to get real on-the-ground collaborations that start now, rather than waiting for the future to roll around. … It's time to pull this together and make a statement," said Roger Beachy, president of the Plant Science Center.
Link: http://www.stltoday.com
All Aboard Branson's Bio Train
Date: 06/07
Richard Branson's commitment to combat global warming got on track as Europe's first scheduled passenger train fueled by vegetable oil left London for North Wales. Virgin Trains is running one of its trains on a 20% biodiesel blend for a six-month trial, and the whole fleet might eventually be converted to run on biofuels. The biofuel for locomotives would come mainly from the UK via domestically produced rapeseed oil blended with U.S. soybean oil and palm oil from the Far East.
Link: http://money.cnn.com
New York Plans to Heat Buildings with Biofuels
Date: 06/12
Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city will incorporate biofuel made from corn and soybeans into oil used to heat city buildings. Starting in July 2008, one-third of the heating oil bought by the city must contain 5% biofuel, the mayor said. The proportion will rise in stages to 20% biofuel in 2012. Using financial year 2007 figures, 30% of the city's heating oil purchases would equal about 13 million gallons -- the equivalent of over 600,000 gallons of pure biofuel.
Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070612/us_nm/newyork_biofuel_dc_1
Air Board Requires California Refineries to Add 10% Ethanol to Gasoline
Date: 06/15
Gasoline sold in the California will include up to 10% ethanol a move the renewable fuels industry says will shift the burgeoning ethanol market into high gear. California refineries making gas sold in the state will have to blend 10% ethanol into their gas to meet new fuel standards set by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger starting Dec. 31, 2009, under the resolution adopted by the California Air Resources Board. Industry groups said the ruling will almost double demand for the biofuel in California, which last year used about 1 billion gallons of ethanol, or nearly one-fifth of the total consumed nationwide.
Link: http://www.journalstar.com
American Biofuels Council Founded to Encourage Increased Use of Biofuels
Date: 06/19
In the first major initiative to build a grassroots communications network for the advancement of biofuels adoption, a new national association called The American Biofuels Council (ABC) (http://www.americanbiofuelscouncil.com) has been formed. ABC's mission is to advance the uses of alternative fuels and other products derived from biomass derivatives, by promoting research, development and education on the use of biofuels. It will bring information to consumers, enterprises and local governments, and, in turn, represent the grassroots at the national level.
Link: http://news.yahoo.com
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| Marketplace provides data relevant to the production of biofuels from biomass as well as the state of the petroleum markets in which biofuels are used. Cost fluctuations in the price of a bushel of soybeans, the main biodiesel feedstock, and corn, affect the finished products i.e., biofuels. Key indicators in the petroleum industry provide a snapshot of the supply of finished products stocks and production, and how they relate to demand and the price of finished product (i.e. gasoline and diesel). The tables show actual grain prices, indicators which may affect gasoline prices, and the production of ethanol. |
| Grain Prices Received by Farmers |
May 2007 |
May 2006 |
% Change |
24 Months |
| Corn ($/bushel) |
3.48 |
2.17 |
60% |
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| Soybean ($/bushel) |
7.15 |
5.68 |
26% |
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| Spot Prices W. Tex. Int Cush & Henry Hub |
March 2007 |
March 2006 |
% Change |
24 Months |
| W. Tex. Int Cush ($/Bbl) |
63.56 |
70.77 |
-10% |
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| Henry Hub ($ per MMbtu) |
7.816 |
6.373 |
23% |
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| Fuel Supply |
May 2007 |
May 2006 |
% Change |
24 Months |
| Percent Refinery Utilization |
89.30 |
89.38 |
0% |
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| Production by Product - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) |
8,913 |
8,852 |
1% |
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| Stocks - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl) |
106,420 |
116,605 |
-9% |
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| Imports - Total Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) |
1,281 |
1,399 |
-8% |
 | |
| Oxygenate Production |
March 2006 |
March 2005 |
% Change |
24 Months |
Ethanol Production
(1,000 bbl) |
11,892 |
9,338 |
27% |
 |
MTBE Production
(1,000 bbl) |
2,277 |
3,050 |
-25% |
 |
Data Sources:
U.S. DOE-Energy Information Administration, "Weekly Petroleum Status Report" and "Monthly Oxygenate Report"; USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service, "Agricultural Prices,""Grain Stocks"; Wall Street Journal, Markets Data, Spot Prices, Oil Prices | |
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There were no R&D Awards this month. |
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Title: |
Biodegradable, Compostable & Sustainable Materials for Use in Non-wovens |
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Description: |
NineSigma, representing a Fortune 500 Company, invites proposals describing substrate materials that are produced from biodegradable/compostable materials produced in a sustainable way for use in non-woven applications.
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Government Agency: |
Non- government. Nine Sigma |
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Schedule: |
July 12, 2007 |
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URL: |
http://www.ninesigma.com/mx/50492-1 |
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Title: |
Demonstration of integrated Biorefinery Operations for Producing Biofuels and Chemical/Materials Products |
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Description: |
This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is one of two announcements supporting Section 932 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The FOA, DE-PS36-06GO96016, was announced for applications to design, construct, build and operate, at the commercial scale, an integrated biorefinery employing lignocellulosic feedstocks. Its thrust was commercial demonstration rather than research and development for all products listed in Section 932. |
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Government Agency: |
Golden Field Office |
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Schedule: |
Aug 14, 2007 |
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URL: |
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=13741&mode=VIEW |
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Title: |
The RFF will fund research projects that directly focus on the economic and public policy implications of domestic production and consumption. |
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Description: |
While sound research should be the basis for all grant applications, the RFF will only support projects that directly enhance domestic production of ethanol and the efficient use of co-products. Grants will be awarded for up to $75,000 annually, with viable projects qualifying for continued funding. |
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Government Agency: |
Renewable Fuels Foundation |
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Schedule: |
Continuous |
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URL: |
http://renewablefuelsfoundation.org/grants/ |
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August 7 - 10, 2007
St. Paul, MN |
Ethanol Conference & Trade Show
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August 21 - 24, 2007
Oahu, HI |
EnergyOcean 2007
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September 3 - 10, 2007
Jyväskylä, Finland |
Bioenergy 2007
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September 15 - 20, 2007
Broomfield, CO |
International Symposium on Air Quality and Waste management for Agriculture |
September 24 - 27, 2007
Arlington, VA |
International Conference on Air Quality VI |
September 27 - 30, 2007
Austin, TX |
Texas Biodiesel Conference and Expo |
October 29 - November 1, 2007
Beijing, China |
Biomass Asia 2007 |
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Click here for additional bio-related events. | |
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U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail-Code EE-1, Washington DC 20585
Office: 202-586-4541 | Fax: 202-586-1640 | BRDI@bcs-hq.com | | | |
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