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.