DOE Grant is hot topic online

This week's announcement of a $6.85 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) generated quite a lot of discussion online. Almost all of it was very positive.

Writing about the grant for Green Car Adviser, John O'Dell said ...ethanol from the corncobs that usually are plowed back into the ground may provide a way for corn-for-fuel farmers, and corn-ethanol producers, to stand tall again.

The headline for Richard Kessler's article on Recharge News read: POET nabs another $6.9m for corn-cob ethanol plant.

WNAX-AM Ag News posted portions of a radio interview with POET's Biomass Program Director, Mike Roth.

The news was also picked up by Green Car Congress, Biofuels Digest, Renewable Energy World, DTN and many more.

Not everyone rejoiced at the news, however. As only they can, The Truth About Cars (but not ethanol) got many facts wrong in voicing their opposition. As I pointed out in the comments to that post (and readers of this blog will know) we have an operating pilot plant producing ethanol from corn cobs today, there are numerous studies saying that removing cobs will not adversely impact soil quality and the ethanol industry is doing pretty good these days. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to be satisfied with a 99 percent positive reaction.

To read more coverage of the announcement, be sure to check out the news page on this site. Then, feel free to leave your reaction in the comments below.

More support for cellulosic biomass harvesting

Project LIBERTY landed an additional $6.85 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of a feedstock collection infrastructure. The award will assist POET and its many partners as they design a system to harvest, store and transport the 400,000 acres of corn cobs needed annually to supply the first-of-its-kind commercial cellulosic ethanol production facility.

I think government support for this effort is critical for two reasons. First, no one has ever done this before on this scale, but lots of people will benefit. Second, while lots of people are working on the science of cellulosic ethanol, it's hard to find many that are focused on the logistics of the biomass feedstock.

If you're looking for more information, see the press release or the AP story. You can also watch this video from harvest two years ago. The equipment has made big strides since then, but you can still get a good idea of what's involved:

Biomass Equipment: Another Essential Piece

Once again, the U.S. Government signaled its strong commitment to commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol as a key component of the U.S. renewable energy future. You cannot make cellulosic ethanol without cellulose (biomass) and the Government acknowledged that with support for agriculture equipment manufacturers. The support is designed to accelerate the production of equipment for increasing our nation's biomass supply.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the selection of several manufacturers to receive grants "to define, design, fabricate, and demonstrate a comprehensive, industrial-scale biomass logistics handling system capable of supplying...feedstocks to support the production of cellulosic biofuels."

One of the grant recipients was AGCO, and POET Project LIBERTY is one of the project partners. The project purpose is to develop a range of technologies that will constitute a commercial-scale system capable of supplying high-tonnage biomass feedstocks in a densified, large square bale format. The use of such bales by forage producers has grown tremendously in recent years primarily due to increased handling and transportation efficiencies. Integrating these innovative bale technologies, designed to efficiently harvest and package lignocellulosic feedstocks, promises to translate to reduced biomass supply costs and directly promote growth in U.S. biofuels production

There will be many equipment solutions to the challenges of biomass supply, just as there are many different kinds and sizes of farm operations. AGCO's baling approach will be one solution, and POET Project LIBERTY is proud to be on the team. Equipment companies, biomass producers, the biofuels industry, and others all must work together to make available increased volumes of sustainably produced cellulosic feedstocks in a way that is profitable for all.

Meet the Biomass Program Director

The Biomass Program Director for POET Project LIBERTY is Mike Roth.In this position, Mike has started contributing to this blog. You can read his posts on harvesting cobs in Texas or working with Agricultural Equipment Manufacturers to develop harvest equipment.

If you want to get to know Mike a little better, take a look at the latest issue of the Sioux Falls Business Journal for an in-depth profile. Here's what Mike had to say when asked what he enjoyed most about his work:

No. 1, the fact that we are making a real difference in the United States and the world by developing alternative sources of energy that reduce the amount of oil required to maintain the way we live today. And No. 2, the boost to the economies of rural America – the new outlet for agricultural products and additional direct and indirect jobs created through operating biorefineries are helping to keep small-town USA alive. We have gone through the ups and downs of the commodities market and the political winds, but, at the end of the day, the energy we are producing will be in demand for a very long time. Getting out of bed in the morning is a pretty easy thing to do.

As the Biomass Program Director, Mike is working on developing the entire system of harvesting, storing and transporting biomass for Project LIBERTY. It's a big task, but I think he's up to the job.

Planes, combines and automobiles...

I have been spending a great deal of time the last four weeks traveling to equipment manufacturers across the country. This has involved at least one, if not two, airplane trips and lots of windshield time. We have equipment manufacturers large and small on board and finalizing preparations for the fall corn cob harvest in Iowa and South Dakota; our work preparing for this fall has really paid off.

Equipment has started to show up at our plant in Emmetsburg for staging and training for the farmers who will be using it fall in their commercial corn and corn cob harvest. Combines, carts, dump wagons and tractors are rolling off trucks and tires are being put on all in the efforts to revolutiontionize farmer and create a greener and cleaner world. At least one piece of equipment is already for sale.

Stay tuned to this blog to hear more about the harvest as the fall approaches.