Biomass Energy Research and Extension at UF/IFAS

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Bioenergy at UF/IFAS
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Potential Energy Crop in FL Potential Output (Dry Tons/ Acre/Year) Potential Acres for Production Potential Total Dry Tons (millions) Is It Ready for Production? Yes/No Research Projects Underway? Yes/No
Agricultural Crops Agricultural Crops Agricultural Crops Agricultural Crops Agricultural Crops Agricultural Crops
Sugarcane 25 250,000 6.25 Yes Yes
Sweet Sorghum 13 100,000 1.3 Yes Yes
Bunch Grasses (elephantgrass, energycane) 22 100,000 2.2 Yes Yes
Silage Corn 3 100,000 0.3 Yes Yes
Potatoes 3 50,000 0.15 Yes Yes
Sweet Potatoes 2 20,000 0.04 Yes Yes
Hay 2.5 500,000 1.25 Yes Yes
Forest Trees Forest Trees Forest Trees Forest Trees Forest Trees Forest Trees
Pines 8 5,000,000 40 Yes Yes
Eucalyptus 14 1,000,000 14 Yes Yes
Cottonwood 10 1,000,000 10 Yes Yes
Agricultural Forestry Waste Agricultural Forestry Waste Agricultural Forestry Waste Agricultural Forestry Waste Agricultural Forestry Waste Agricultural Forestry Waste
Veg/Fruit Waste 0.8 500,000 0.4 Yes Yes
Urb. Tree Waste 1 5,000,000 5 Yes Yes
For./Mill Residue 1.4 9,000,000 12.6 Yes Yes
Data Compiled and Calculated by Drs. Mary Duryea
George Hochmuth UF/IFAS May 2007
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• Team headed by Dr. Lonnie Ingram
• Over 20 patents for cellulosic ethanol
• e.g. Ethanol production from lignocellulose,
  Ethanol production using engineered E.coli
• 2 spin-off companies
• Verenium (Ethanol)
• BioEnergy (Organic Acids)

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UF/IFAS Cellulosic Ethanol

• New Center of Excellence Biofuel Pilot Plant
• 2.25 million under construction in
  Gainesville
• New Research and Demonstration Cellulosic Ethanol
  Plant
• 20 million from State Legislature
• To be located at FL Crystals near Belle Glade

• Goals
• To accelerate commercial development of
  cellulosic ethanol processes and
• To provide alternative income sources for Florida
  agriculture and forestry.

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UF/IFAS Bioenergy

• Developing Energy Crops
• Increasing yield
• Improving processing efficiency

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1. Developing Energy Crops Energycane, Grasses,
and Sweet Sorghum

• 45 sugarcane hybrids selected for biomass
  production are being evaluated at Everglades REC
• The best performing hybrids will be evaluated for
  cellulosic conversion to ethanol
• hybrids could produce over 2,000 gallons of
  ethanol per acre

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1. Developing Energy Crops Grasses -- High
Biomass Crops

• Other high biomass crops being investigated
  include
• Giant reed
• Erianthus
• Elephantgrass
• Miscanthus

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1. Developing Energy Crops Sweet Sorghum

• Research is being conducted to
• Determine the best varieties for Florida
• Evaluate fertilizer and water requirements
• Results will help investors and growers make
  informed decisions on sweet sorghum as an energy
  crop

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2. Developing Energy Crops Improving Processing
Efficiency
Multidisciplinary Forest Genomics Team
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2. Developing Energy Crops Improving Processing
Efficiency
wood specific gravity
Wood properties are genetically controlled.
early
late
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Target Traits for Bioenergy Production
2. Developing Energy Crops Improving Processing
Efficiency

• Fast Growth - high yield per unit input
• Biological Conversion
• High carbohydrate content
• High easy-to-utilize carbohydrates
• Low lignin, low extractives
• Thermal Conversion
• High energy content
• High wood density, low water
• High lignin, high extractives

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2. Developing Energy Crops Improving Processing
Efficiency

• Discovered a new gene that will help ethanol
  production
• Naturally occurring gene in the tree species
  Populus
• Leads to a reduction in lignin content by almost
  half
• Results in faster growth and
• Has higher cellulose content.
• This combination is highly favorable for
  increased ethanol production.

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With UFs expertise in bioenergy UF/Industry/G
overnment/Private partnerships Floridas
capacity to grow biomass

• We can
• Advance the science of bioenergy.
• Accelerate the commercialization of renewable
  biofuels and chemicals.
• Contribute substantially to global sustainable
  energy supply.