Turning grass into gas

Large-scale production of advanced biofuels is possible by 2030, according to a study by Sandia National Laboratories and General Motors Corp.

The 90-Billion Gallon Biofuel Deployment Study investigated the challenges and feasibility of increasing biofuel production targets to 90 billion gallons. “Accelerated development” of biofuel and agricultural technology is required to meet challenges, the report noted. Sandia projects that 90 billion gallons of biofuel would be about one-third of all fuel used by 2030.

Using agri products — corn, soybeans, etc. — to produce fuel has been criticized for increasing the cost of food and for the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides that often end up in waterways and drinking water sources.

But officials at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) say the Sandia study proves that efficient biofuels production is possible. BIO represents more than 1,200 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations.

“This new study shows clearly that building U.S. production of cellulosic biofuels is a sound way to significantly reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum in the transportation sector,” Brent Erickson, executive vice president of BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section, said in a statement. “The study uses relatively conservative assumptions about the development of cellulosic biorefineries as well as the availability and possible yields of biomass to show that large-scale production of cellulosic biofuels can be done.”

The U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard sets a target of producing 21 billion gallons of advanced biofuels by 2022. The Sandia study shows that 45 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels by 2030 can be achieved by “maintaining the same pace of technology development and using available crop and forest residues as well as dedicated energy crops and trees,” according to BIO. New technologies could push the production to 90 billion gallons annually, according to Sandia.

Key findings of the Sandia report include:
• Producing 90 billion gallons of biofuels could reduce direct U.S. greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 87 coal-fired electricity plants.

• Large volumes of cellulosic biofuels can be produced from already identified biomass and resources without displacing crop production.

• Cellulosic biofuels could compete without incentives with oil priced between $70 and $90 per barrel in 2030, with accelerated development of technology and feedstocks.

• The investment in cellulosic biorefineries would be comparable to that required to expand domestic oil exploration and production to equivalent levels.

• Building the necessary transportation and distribution infrastructure is a challenge but not an insurmountable obstacle.

“Non-food, dedicated energy crops are available today and will play a key role in simultaneously advancing the scale and sustainability of the cellulosic biofuels industry,” Richard Hamilton, chief executive of Ceres Inc., said in the BIO statement. “This study used very conservative yield projections but still demonstrates we are pursuing the right technologies and public policy choices. Biofuels from non-food dedicated energy crops can make a very large dent in petroleum dependence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Link here for a map of U.S. cellulosic biofuel facilities.