21 July 2009

Innovation key for biofuel's future

To make the conversion of biomass to biofuels more cost-effective, innovative new technologies are a key element.

Manufacturers in the U.S. are increasing the use of lignocellulosic biomass, of which corn stover is a substantial source, as part of its portfolio of solutions to address climate change issues and improve energy security, said Dr. Richard Hess from the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls.

As biorefining conversion technologies become commercial, major barriers to the availability of corn stover for biorefining are emerging, including feedstock availability, supply system logistics, and characteristics of the biomass material itself. These barriers challenge the cost-effectiveness of current feedstock logistics systems.

Hess and his team looked at the costs associated with every step of the corn supply system and determine to what extent conventional technologies can make the system more efficient to achieve the feedstock logistics costs target of consuming less than 25% of the production cost of biofuels. The authors also identify opportunities and barriers in order to achieve cost-efficiency.

The authors show by simply improving equipment efficiency, without technological changes, the conventional corn supply system design cannot achieve the cost performance goals. Improved technologies and new supply system designs are necessary to address the challenges posed by the properties of the materials themselves. Changes and improvements in agronomy and crop production are also essential to improve crop residue yields.

“President Obama has highlighted sustainable, alternative fuels as a critical problem to be solved in the U.S. before the end of the decade,” said Dr. Mike Himmel of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. He also edited a series of articles in the August issue of Cellulose, a special 17-paper issue that covers advancements in the critical technologies important for assessing corn stover biomass conversion to fermentable sugars, which can convert to fuel ethanol.

“The new administration has authorized an unprecedented level of investment in research and development for 2010 to find solutions to the transportation fuels challenge,” Himmel said. “In addition to having the potential of contributing to sustainable transportation fuels in the [U.S.], cellulosic ethanol is a globally recognized path to achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.”

For related information, go to www.isa.org/environment.