Biomass R&D Committee Tours General Motors and Test Drives their FFVs at Quarterly Meeting

by Mike Manella, BCS, Incorporated

 

On September 10-11, 2007, the Biomass R&D Technical Advisory Committee (Committee) met in Detroit, Michigan for its quarterly meeting. The Committee provides technical advice on biomass research and development to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy and is comprised of approximately 30 experts in biomass technology from both academia and industry located throughout the United States. The Committee meets quarterly to discuss various biomass technologies, hear from regional experts, and develop their annual recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy.

 

The Committee discussed finalizing its Roadmap for Bioenergy and Biobased Products in the United States, heard presentations from regional experts in biomass R&D technologies, and finalized its recommendations to the Secretaries of Energy and Agriculture. In addition, this meeting was highlighted by a tour of the General Motors Milford Proving Grounds – a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to emissions and road testing. The Committee heard presentations from GM’s executive staff and learned more about GM’s efforts in biofuels. The Committee members also enjoyed an hour-long test-drive of over two dozen of GM’s flex-fuel/hybrid vehicles on the driving course. 

 

The GM Milford Proving Grounds first opened in 1924 and is the oldest test track of its kind in the United States. The area covers 4,000 acres (16 km²), equivalent of 132 miles of two-lane highway. Currently, more than 4,000 employees work at the site, where vehicle development, testing and validation is conducted as a critical milestone in GM’s vehicle development process.

 

In 2006, Chrysler, Ford and GM committed 50 percent of their automobile production to be flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) by 2012. Starting in 2009, a variety of new E85 vehicles will start to appear as a result of this commitment. GM has 12 flex-fuel models in North America for the 2008 model year, while 95 percent of its product portfolio is flex-power in Latin America. GM also has a BioPower program in Europe in early stages of deployment, in partnership with the Saab BioPower. 

 

Emissions testing and compliance is an important aspect of deploying FFVs into the marketplace, thereby encouraging greater use of biofuels. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts emissions testing on randomly procured in-use vehicles at the National Vehicle and Fuels Emission Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. This laboratory which regulates the automotive industry is conveniently located near GM’s Milford proving grounds. Vehicle manufacturers are required to design and build their vehicles to meet emission standards for the useful life of the vehicle specified by law. Under Section 207 of the Clean Air Act, if EPA determines that a substantial number of vehicles in a class or category do not meet emission standards in actual use even though they are properly maintained and used, EPA can require the manufacturer to recall and fix the affected vehicles.

 

The vehicles are screened for proper use and maintenance, and then tested for emissions compliance in the laboratory. If problems are found, discussions begin with the manufacturer on possible remedies, which may include a recall of the affected vehicles.

 

The Committee will utilize the experience and information gained from the General Motors tour in submitting its annual recommendations to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy at its upcoming meeting in November. The Committee will continue to participate in similar activities next year in order to gain a better understanding of current efforts in biomass R&D technologies and its infrastructure development in the United States.

 

Note: Pictures of vehicles included in this article display alternative fuel vehicles produced by General Motors.

 

 

South Dakota

South Dakota ranks 48^th in energy consumption in the United States, consuming 263.6 trillion Btu per year.[i] Despite the relatively low energy usage, a bi-partisan coalition of energy-conscious State representatives and senators sponsored Resolution Number 8, which establishes, “South Dakota's commitment to the development of the bioeconomy.” It declares that the State, “will seek to have demonstrations of key biomass technologies by 2015,” by creating incentives to invest in “gasification, biodiesel, ethanol, heat and power” technologies.[ii] The current incentive is a property tax exemption for the use of biomass.[iii]

 

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is involved in several aspects of biomass development.  In 2007, SDSU received a grant to research biomass technologies.  Their line of research could eventually identify additional biomass opportunities based on a genetic predisposition of a material to be an efficient feedstock with high energy output.[iv]  SDSU is also one of the five national regional centers awarded under the Sun Grant Initiative to help “build a biobased economy.” Under the Sun Grant program, SDSU has been “charged with making significant advances in biobased industries for the benefit of America's independent farmers, rural communities, and public at large.”[v]  SDSU has developed working partnerships through the Sun Grant, one of which is with Iowa State University.  Their current collaborative project is titled, “Single Pass Harvest Technologies for Corn Stover and Corn Cobs,” and is working to develop more efficient ways of harvesting corn stover as a feedstock.[vi] 

 

Non-university research and development efforts are also underway.  The Black Hills biomass utilization research project is engaged in a feasibility study, as well as working to increase interest in woody biomass operations; currently there are seventeen various organizations interested in collaborating on projects in the near future.[vii]  Another organization with similar goals is Dakota Rural Action (DRA), whose mission is to, “remove the barriers and promote the development of clean renewable energy sources like wind power, and biofuels.”[viii]  DRA works to educate and politically mobilize citizens from its six local chapters across the state.  There are currently and 32 E85 gas stations in South Dakota, partially supplied by 17 biofuel refineries around the state, which produce at least 2,929 million gallons per year.[ix][x]  South Dakota also has one biodiesel production facility with an annual production capacity of 7 million gallons.[xi]

 

The state is ranked as one of the top producers of corn/soybeans, which are key ingredients in biofuel. In addition, the state also has a large amount of forest and agriculture residue that could be harvested as feedstocks.  Two thousand tons of logging residue is left on the ground in the Black Hills region alone, every year.[xii]  South Dakota’s total forest resources are estimated to be 30.3 million dry tons, a figure which is scheduled to be reevaluated again in 2010.[xiii]  South Dakota has the potential to harvest 64.3 million tons of biomass from warm-season grasses.[xiv]

 

 

Bill # Sponsor Description Last Action H.R.2881 Rep Oberstar, James L. [MN-8] (introduced 6/27/2007) FAA Reauthorization Act of 2007. To amend title 49, United States Code, to authorize appropriations for the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal years 2008 through 2011, to improve aviation safety and capacity, to provide stable funding for the national aviation system, and for other purposes. 9/24/2007: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 383. H.R.3221 Rep Pelosi, Nancy [CA-8] (introduced 7/30/2007) New Direction for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act. Moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, and modernizing our energy infrastructure, and to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation. 9/5/2007: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 340. H.R.3236 Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] (introduced 7/31/2007) Energy Efficiency Improvement Act of 2007. To promote greater energy efficiency. 8/3/2007: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 191. H.R.3238 Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] (introduced 7/31/2007) United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act.To promote the development of renewable fuels infrastructure, and for other purposes. 8/24/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. H.R.3435 Rep Pickering, Charles W. "Chip" [MS-3] (introduced 8/3/2007) SAFE Energy Act of 2007. To improve energy security of the United States through a reduction in the oil intensity of the economy of the United States and expansion of secure oil supplies, to be achieved by increasing the availability of alternative fuel sources, fostering responsible oil exploration and production, and improving international arrangements to secure the global oil supply, and for other purposes. 9/25/2007: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.

 

Abengoa Opens Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant

Date: 10/13/07

Ethanol’s future may be in the hands of chemical engineers and microbiologists working in a nondescript, two-story building at a York ethanol plant. The building is home to Abengoa Bioenergy’s new state-of-the-art biomass pilot plant. The focus is on technologies to turn cellulose — plant fibers such as cornstalks, wheat straw, switchgrass and wood — into ethanol.

Link:http://www.kearneyhub.com

 

Maryland Eyeing Way to Convert Chicken Waste into Power

Date: 10/16/07

Marylanders could find their energy coming from an unusual source: chicken waste. “We have a site. We have a plan” to build a plant to convert chicken waste into power, Attorney General Doug Gansler said at a Maryland Business for Responsive Government breakfast Monday at the Center Club.

Link: http://www.examiner.com

 

Johnson Controls and Nexterra Energy Corp. Form Strategic Alliance to Offer Biomass Gasification

Date: 10/12/07

Johnson Controls, Inc., a global leader in facility management and controls, has formed a strategic alliance with Nexterra Energy Corp. to offer biomass gasification solutions to Johnson Controls customers, including higher education, health care, government facilities and industrial operations.

Link: http://www.grainnet.com

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 September 2007 September 2006 % Change 24 Months Corn ($/bushel) 3.19 2.20 45% Soybean ($/bushel) 8.34 5.24 59%

Spot Prices W. Tex. Int Cush & Henry Hub September 2007 September  2006 % Change 24 Months W. Tex. Int Cush ($/Bbl) 79.91 63.80 25% Henry Hub ($/MMBtu) 6.096 5.219 17%

Fuel Supply September 2007   September 2006 % Change 24 Months Percent Refinery Utilization 90.03 92.86 -3% Production by Product - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) 8,995 9,166 -2% Stocks - Finished Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl) 104,405 115,824 -10% Imports - Total Motor Gasoline (1,000 bbl/d) 1,076 1,123 -4%

Oxygenate Production July 2007 July 2006 % Change 24 Months Ethanol Production (1,000 bbl) 13,051 9,791 33% MTBE Production (1,000 bbl)  2,088 3,103 -33%   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

Title:	Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint ResearchSolicitation; USDA, DOE
Description:	The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), National Research Initiative (NRI) Competitive Grants Program hereby announce their interest in receiving applications for genomics-based research that will lead to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Specifically, applications are sought for fundamental research on plants that will improve biomass characteristics, biomass yield, or sustainability. Systems biology approaches to identify genetic indicators enabling plants to be efficiently bred or manipulated, or research that yields fundamental knowledge of the structure, function and organization of plant genomes leading to improved feedstock characterization and sustainability are also encouraged.
Government Agency:	U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Schedule:	January 23, 2008
URL:	http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15647&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

 

Title:	Woody Biomass Utilization Grant Program
Description:	The USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Technology Marketing Unit, located at the Forest Products Laboratory, requests proposals for forest product projects that increase the use of woody biomass from National Forest System lands. The woody biomass utilization grant program is intended to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valued trees removed from forest restoration activities, such as reducing hazardous fuels, handling insect and diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impacted by catastrophic weather events. These funds are targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration activities into marketable forest products and/or energy products.
Government Agency:	U.S. Department of Agriculture
Schedule:	November 2, 2007
URL:	http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=15356&flag2006=true&mode=VIEW

 

October 22 - 25, 2007 Beijing, China BioEnergy Asia: Asia International Biomass Energy Conference & Exhibition October 22 - 23, 2007 College Park, MD Climate Information: Responding to User Needs October 29 - November 1, 2007 Beijing, China Biomass Asia 2007 November 5 - 7, 2007 Iowa State University, Ames, USA 2007 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference "Growing the Bioeconomy" November 9 - 16, 2007 Rome, Italy World Energy Congress & Exhibition November 26 - 28, 2007 Queensland, Austrailia Bioenergy Austrailia 2007 November 27 - 29, 2007 Sacramento, USA 2007 AgSTAR National Conference February 19 - 22, 2008 Las Vegas, USA POWER-GEN Renewable Energy & Fuels 2008

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