p

g 

process efficiencies. This research is being conductedprimarily by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service(ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education,and Extension Services (CSREES). Additional researchinto ethanol economics and policy is being conductedby USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses(OEPNU), and the Economic Research Services (ERS).

The DOE-USDA collaboration has resulted in a twophase project to evaluate ethanol economics and process

design. Phase 1 focused on developing a cost analysis forproducing ethanol from both cornstarch and lignocellulosic feedstocks. This part of the project resulted in thepublication of the report “Determining the Cost of ProducingEthanol from Corn Starch and Lignocellulosic Feedstocks” inOctober 2000 (www.nrel.gov/docs/fy01osti/28893.pdf). 

Phase 2 of the project, which is expected to result 

in a report later this year, focuses on the feasibility ofcombining the starch-to-ethanol and lignocellulose-toethanol processes by co-locating processing plants. Sofar, the DOE-USDA collaboration has worked extremelywell and researchers at DOE are looking forward tofuture joint efforts with USDA.

Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX09926

Combine the USDA’s expertise in creating ethanol

from cornstarch with DOE’s experience in making ethanolfrom lignocellulosic feedstock, such as corn stover, andwhat do you get? Synergy! When DOE Biofuels Programresearchers went looking for information to help themmodel the emerging lignocellulose-to-ethanol industry,they knew that the more mature corn-to-ethanol industrywould be a good place to start. Recognizing that thiswas an opportunity to develop a stronger partnershipwith USDA, Biofuels Program researchers approachedresearchers at the USDA about a joint project that would take advantage of the expertise and experience of each agency.

DOE’s Biofuels Program actively promotes the development of technologies to allow the production of

ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as cornstover. Important elements of this work include thedevelopment of better ethanol-fermenting organisms,conducting engineering studies of potential processes,and building lignocellulose-to-ethanol demonstrationfacilities. This research is being carried out by variousnational laboratories, including the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory (NREL) and Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory (ORNL), universities, and private industry.

At the same time, USDA has been actively seeking 

One of the most exciting developments in biobased products isthe result of a DOE/Cargill Dow LLC industry partnership,through which Cargill Dow has built the technology to createpolylactide polymers (PLP) from biomass feedstocks. ThesePLPs can be used to create a variety of biodegradable plasticproducts, including packaging and textiles.

From power to plastic, federal agencies areworking together to create new and excitingbiobased products. Research to create biofuelscan also be applied to other industries such aschemicals and plastics. The Biofuels Program,as part of DOE’s Office of Fuels Development,actively collaborates with other governmentorganizations such as the U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA) and DOE’s Office ofIndustrial Technologies. 

Biofu

DOE National Biofuels ProgrNational Renewable Energy 1617 Cole Blvd., MS-3511Golden, CO 80401

DOE/GO-102001-1285 PaDon’t forget to register yo

Produced for the 1000 Independenc

Collaboration -the Path to Success

s Conference of the Americas

-21, 2001, Orlando, FL

w.nrel.gov/bioam/

MING CALENDAR EVENTS SEE:

-bin/comingevents/events.cgi?biofuel

CE OF FUELS DEVELOPMENT

UBLICATIONS:

oethanol – Your New Cash Crop?

c.doe.gov/pdfs/5199.pdf

Development Program Status Report

v/reports/misc/bfpd_status_2000.html

velopment Program Overview for 2001

v/papers/misc/bfdpoverview2001.html

Moving into the Marketplace

c.doe.gov/pdfs/4836.pdf

Bioethanol Pilot Plant 

for Commercialization

ov/docs/fy00osti/28397.pdf

ADDRE
ep to true integration through things

n research areas.“

What do you see happening in

nd bioenergy research over the

see, personally, energy efficiency and

part of the solution to our energy 

a major resource that is available in

that, in many ways, has not been

 you look at what the President says

gy policy, you'll see that he mentions

 alternative energy sources, energy

ronment, and bioenergy can help 

 technologies for biopower, biofuels,

s are there, but there are policy issues

ddressed for longer-term progress.

ments will lower costs, which is impor

ne for biopower is that it’s more 

dly than the burning of fossil fuels.

that you’re still burning something

t’s true. There isn’t a totally clean 

wer, but when you compare bio to

e that bio is a large step in the right

y way? No. We’re doing great work

ls cells, but biopower is a strong step

What is your long-term vision for

enerally and biofuels in particular?

y long-term vision is the biorefinery,

ee once the feedstock and technology

f course, we want to keep fields fertile

ct wildlife so those issues will need to

ong term, having bio-refineries as part 

resources makes sense. I see the 

ing that would help not only the 

ty but the entire rural community. 

to give farmers another cash crop 

onsumer waste.

page 3

share a commitment to developing technologies thatadvance the use ofbiobased products.While OTT focuseson ways to create transportation fuel from biomass,OIT has become increasingly involved in using biomass to make a variety of chemicals and polymers. 

Both offices are actively working within DOE’s

Bioenergy CoordinationOffice to findinnovative ways to utilizebiomass resources,address environmental issues,and spur demand

for U.S. agricultural products. The DOE BioenergyInitiative vision involves integrating the biofuels,bioproducts, and biopower industries to be anessential component of creating a viable bioindustry (www.eren.doe.gov/bioenergy_initiative/page10.html).Through partnerships with national laboratories suchas Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL),NREL, and ORNL, and collaboration with industryand universities, the technologies necessary to createproducts such as biobased plastics, chemicals, andfuels are advancing rapidly. 

Energy security is another big problem that bioenergy 

can help with. I have two young children and worry aboutwhat their lifestyle will be like in the future. So I think it’simportant to use as many domestic resources as we can. It’simportant to remember that the possibilities of bio aren’tlimited to duplicating petroleum products—though that'smainly what we’re doing now. What I’ll get really excitedabout will be products that are unique to bio and that willrequire bio for production.”BIOFUELS NEWS: How will the initiative work withprivate industry to build the biofuels market?DOUG KAEMPF: “We started working with hundreds ofcompanies and with industry associations to develop a bio-vision and bio-roadmap and we take their input veryseriously. We’ve had input from industry and federal agencies and we will use it as our guide for where we aregoing to go from here. Industry is really leading the wayhere. They developed the roadmap that the advisory committee will use to build the research portfolio. We’ll havecompetitive solicitations on research areas they identified as important and use existing programs at USDA and elsewhere to move products into commercial use.

I do believe that there are so many enthusiastic companies

out there that they will make this happen. The federal rolewill be to reduce risk and allow them to try new things.” BIOFUELS NEWS: How will biobased products andbioenergy fit into the goals of the new administration?DOUG KAEMPF: “The President raised six points in hisenergy policy, including protecting the environment, building energy security, and decreasing dependency on foreignenergy sources. Bioenergy has what it takes to be a strongpart of his plan.

Secretary Abraham has made it clear that he wants to

increase the use of renewable energy. Bio is a good fit butisn't the whole solution. The president has made it clear that he will continue to look for new sources of energy inAmerica and we are a strong part of that.”

Warren Gretz, 

NYSERDA /PIX 07706

ITEM OF I NTEREST

Share your opinion on the ethanolfuel tax subsidy by participating in Tech Central’s Enviropoll at:

www.techcentralstation.com/environment.asp.
ep to true integration through things

n research areas.“

What do you see happening in

nd bioenergy research over the

see, personally, energy efficiency and

part of the solution to our energy 

a major resource that is available in

that, in many ways, has not been

 you look at what the President says

gy policy, you'll see that he mentions

 alternative energy sources, energy

ronment, and bioenergy can help 

 technologies for biopower, biofuels,

s are there, but there are policy issues

ddressed for longer-term progress.

ments will lower costs, which is impor

ne for biopower is that it’s more 

dly than the burning of fossil fuels.

that you’re still burning something

t’s true. There isn’t a totally clean 

wer, but when you compare bio to

e that bio is a large step in the right

y way? No. We’re doing great work

ls cells, but biopower is a strong step

What is your long-term vision for

enerally and biofuels in particular?

y long-term vision is the biorefinery,

ee once the feedstock and technology

f course, we want to keep fields fertile

ct wildlife so those issues will need to

ong term, having bio-refineries as part 

resources makes sense. I see the 

ing that would help not only the 

ty but the entire rural community. 

to give farmers another cash crop 

onsumer waste.

page 3

share a commitment to developing technologies thatadvance the use ofbiobased products.While OTT focuseson ways to create transportation fuel from biomass,OIT has become increasingly involved in using biomass to make a variety of chemicals and polymers. 

Both offices are actively working within DOE’s

Bioenergy CoordinationOffice to findinnovative ways to utilizebiomass resources,address environmental issues,and spur demand

for U.S. agricultural products. The DOE BioenergyInitiative vision involves integrating the biofuels,bioproducts, and biopower industries to be anessential component of creating a viable bioindustry (www.eren.doe.gov/bioenergy_initiative/page10.html).Through partnerships with national laboratories suchas Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL),NREL, and ORNL, and collaboration with industryand universities, the technologies necessary to createproducts such as biobased plastics, chemicals, andfuels are advancing rapidly. 

Energy security is another big problem that bioenergy 

can help with. I have two young children and worry aboutwhat their lifestyle will be like in the future. So I think it’simportant to use as many domestic resources as we can. It’simportant to remember that the possibilities of bio aren’tlimited to duplicating petroleum products—though that'smainly what we’re doing now. What I’ll get really excitedabout will be products that are unique to bio and that willrequire bio for production.”BIOFUELS NEWS: How will the initiative work withprivate industry to build the biofuels market?DOUG KAEMPF: “We started working with hundreds ofcompanies and with industry associations to develop a bio-vision and bio-roadmap and we take their input veryseriously. We’ve had input from industry and federal agencies and we will use it as our guide for where we aregoing to go from here. Industry is really leading the wayhere. They developed the roadmap that the advisory committee will use to build the research portfolio. We’ll havecompetitive solicitations on research areas they identified as important and use existing programs at USDA and elsewhere to move products into commercial use.

I do believe that there are so many enthusiastic companies

out there that they will make this happen. The federal rolewill be to reduce risk and allow them to try new things.” BIOFUELS NEWS: How will biobased products andbioenergy fit into the goals of the new administration?DOUG KAEMPF: “The President raised six points in hisenergy policy, including protecting the environment, building energy security, and decreasing dependency on foreignenergy sources. Bioenergy has what it takes to be a strongpart of his plan.

Secretary Abraham has made it clear that he wants to

increase the use of renewable energy. Bio is a good fit butisn't the whole solution. The president has made it clear that he will continue to look for new sources of energy inAmerica and we are a strong part of that.”

Warren Gretz, 

NYSERDA /PIX 07706

ITEM OF I NTEREST

Share your opinion on the ethanolfuel tax subsidy by participating in Tech Central’s Enviropoll at:

www.techcentralstation.com/environment.asp.
p

g 

process efficiencies. This research is being conductedprimarily by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service(ARS) and the Cooperative State Research, Education,and Extension Services (CSREES). Additional researchinto ethanol economics and policy is being conductedby USDA’s Office of Energy Policy and New Uses(OEPNU), and the Economic Research Services (ERS).

The DOE-USDA collaboration has resulted in a twophase project to evaluate ethanol economics and process

design. Phase 1 focused on developing a cost analysis forproducing ethanol from both cornstarch and lignocellulosic feedstocks. This part of the project resulted in thepublication of the report “Determining the Cost of ProducingEthanol from Corn Starch and Lignocellulosic Feedstocks” inOctober 2000 (www.nrel.gov/docs/fy01osti/28893.pdf). 

Phase 2 of the project, which is expected to result 

in a report later this year, focuses on the feasibility ofcombining the starch-to-ethanol and lignocellulose-toethanol processes by co-locating processing plants. Sofar, the DOE-USDA collaboration has worked extremelywell and researchers at DOE are looking forward tofuture joint efforts with USDA.

Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX09926

Combine the USDA’s expertise in creating ethanol

from cornstarch with DOE’s experience in making ethanolfrom lignocellulosic feedstock, such as corn stover, andwhat do you get? Synergy! When DOE Biofuels Programresearchers went looking for information to help themmodel the emerging lignocellulose-to-ethanol industry,they knew that the more mature corn-to-ethanol industrywould be a good place to start. Recognizing that thiswas an opportunity to develop a stronger partnershipwith USDA, Biofuels Program researchers approachedresearchers at the USDA about a joint project that would take advantage of the expertise and experience of each agency.

DOE’s Biofuels Program actively promotes the development of technologies to allow the production of

ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstocks such as cornstover. Important elements of this work include thedevelopment of better ethanol-fermenting organisms,conducting engineering studies of potential processes,and building lignocellulose-to-ethanol demonstrationfacilities. This research is being carried out by variousnational laboratories, including the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory (NREL) and Oak Ridge NationalLaboratory (ORNL), universities, and private industry.

At the same time, USDA has been actively seeking 

One of the most exciting developments in biobased products isthe result of a DOE/Cargill Dow LLC industry partnership,through which Cargill Dow has built the technology to createpolylactide polymers (PLP) from biomass feedstocks. ThesePLPs can be used to create a variety of biodegradable plasticproducts, including packaging and textiles.

From power to plastic, federal agencies areworking together to create new and excitingbiobased products. Research to create biofuelscan also be applied to other industries such aschemicals and plastics. The Biofuels Program,as part of DOE’s Office of Fuels Development,actively collaborates with other governmentorganizations such as the U.S. Department ofAgriculture (USDA) and DOE’s Office ofIndustrial Technologies. 

Biofu

DOE National Biofuels ProgrNational Renewable Energy 1617 Cole Blvd., MS-3511Golden, CO 80401

DOE/GO-102001-1285 PaDon’t forget to register yo

Produced for the 1000 Independenc

Collaboration -the Path to Success

s Conference of the Americas

-21, 2001, Orlando, FL

w.nrel.gov/bioam/

MING CALENDAR EVENTS SEE:

-bin/comingevents/events.cgi?biofuel

CE OF FUELS DEVELOPMENT

UBLICATIONS:

oethanol – Your New Cash Crop?

c.doe.gov/pdfs/5199.pdf

Development Program Status Report

v/reports/misc/bfpd_status_2000.html

velopment Program Overview for 2001

v/papers/misc/bfdpoverview2001.html

Moving into the Marketplace

c.doe.gov/pdfs/4836.pdf

Bioethanol Pilot Plant 

for Commercialization

ov/docs/fy00osti/28397.pdf

ADDRE