Ethanol more energy efficient than previously thought

EP Overviews Bioenergy and Biofuels, a bioenergy newsletter, is reporting that a University of Nebraska-Lincoln study found that ethanol production is more energy efficient than expected.

Here's the story from EP Overviews:

Ethanol more energy efficient than previously thought - Research (R&D)

A University of Nebraska - Lincoln study found that ethanol production is more energy efficient than previously thought. The Nebraska Corn Board reports that earlier studies examining ethanol's energy balance were based on backward-looking data and older production methods. Ken Cassman, director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, maintains that today's data shows that the energy balance of corn-based ethanol is two to three times higher than previous estimates. According to Cassman, ethanol has a substantial net positive direct energy balance - 1.5 to 1.6 more units of energy are derived from ethanol than are used to produce it. (Source: The Grand Island Independent, September 29, 2008)

Contact: Kenneth G. Cassman, Director, Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences, University of Nebraska, (402) 472-5554, kcassman1@unl.edu, www.unl.edu. Nebraska Corn Board, (800) 632-6761, ncb.info@nebraska.gov

Corn and sorghum produce the same amount of ethanol per bushel. Read the original story here. The report is yet to be released.

Biofuels Conference Wraps Up

The International Conference on Sorghum for biofuels concluded today after a week of exciting events in Houston, Texas. The Conference provided an opportunity for scientists, industry, members, consultants, producers, and others to collaborate on the development of biofuels from all types of sorghum.

Plenary sessions on Tuesday highlighted the newest research and technology in the use of sorghum for biofuels. Wednesday allowed conference participants to break into small groups to discuss industry issues. Recommendations from their sessions were presented late on Wednesday.

Thursday, conference attendees toured Texas A&M University’s research plots and facilities in College Station, Texas as well as a tour of a pilot scale cellulosic conversion plant that turns sorghum and other cellulosic materials to a gasoline-like product. Among others, conference attendees heard from Dr. John Mullet, Director of the Norman Borlaug Center for Crop Improvement, from Dr. Steve Searcy who is using modified cotton baling equipment to compact cellulosic sorghum for transport. Between intermittent rain showers, attendees from all over the world saw exciting new research with their own eyes.

Friday highlighted the Verenium cellulosic conversion plant in Jennings, Louisiana. Verenium is conducting cutting-edge research on cellulosic conversion technologies and just broke ground on a 1.4 million gallon per year cellulosic ethanol facility.

Over the next few weeks, watch for video footage of the conference as well as for links to power point presentations given during the plenary sessions.

Chinese Ministry and USDA

Gale Buchanan, USDA Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics, and Liu Yanhua, Vice Minister of MOST from the People's Republic of China sign an agreement to cooperate on sweet sorghum and other biofuels research.

The Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology signed an agreement about 10:00 AM CT to collaborate on biofuels research initiatives including sweet sorghum and cellulosic sorghum research.

I caught up with the Conference organizer for some background on the agreement:

“We have an existing cooperation between USDA and the Chinese Ministry for Science and Technology,” said Eileen Herrera, Acting Deputy Director for the Office of International Research Programs at USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS). “We cooperate on several initiatives. Signing this protocol represents formal cooperation in the area of biofuels research.”

This conference and the corresponding agreement is a major step forward for the sorghum industry which is getting long-overdue domestic and international attention. Sorghum is a really viable option for ethanol production because it can be grown on so much of the world's lands (80%!) and because it is a very low water usage crop.