(275a) Developing Cellulosic Ethanol Value Chain

The focus of second generation ethanol has been on conversion technologies. DDCE has developed and is deploying a economically viable conversion technology. Now that most technology providers feel the gap is closing in producing biomass to ethanol; attention needs to turn to providing feedstock to plants. Growing and collecting biomass is a regionally based decision. We must understand where biomass can be sourced; both in supply and infrastructure support.

Feedstock availability, quality, and cost are the shaping factors to developing a large-scale, widespread cellulosic biofuels industry. Future cellulosic biorefineries will require a perpetual supply of low cost, high quality feedstock to avoid downtime, minimize operating costs and maximize output and profitability. However, energy crops are not currently grown at large scale and growers won't grow crops without guaranteed off take contracts.

Numerous issues need to be resolved to build and finance the value chain between the field and the biorefinery. Genetics, seed ramp up, and agronomic practices from stand establishment to harvesting need to be established for new energy crops. Innovative grower contracts and aid through government programs need to be developed and implemented to convert land into energy crop production while paying attention to emerging Indirect Land Use issues.

This presentation will discuss the issues in developing the value chain from field to biorefinery:

? Current work and progress by DDCE

? Regional potential for crop residue and energy crops; how will crops be selected?

? Discussion of the value chain from seed through production, agronomic practices along with harvest, transport and storage issues to get biomass to the plant gate

? Overview of the critical issues facing the industry in the implementation and use of biomass as a feedstock