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Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA

Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA. Agro-ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Biofuels Production via the Pyrolysis-Biochar Platform (USDA-NIFA AFRI CAP). Oil Prices. Source: EIA for history, NYMEX for future. Population.

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Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA

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  1. Sustainable Production and Distribution of Bioenergy for the Central USA Agro-ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Biofuels Production via the Pyrolysis-Biochar Platform (USDA-NIFA AFRI CAP)

  2. Oil Prices Source: EIA for history, NYMEX for future

  3. Population Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, International Data Base

  4. Liquid Fuel Usage Source: Energy Information Administration

  5. Renewable Fuels Standard

  6. Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable BioenergyThis AFRI Challenge Area focuses on the priority to secure America's energy future. It supports the development of regional systems for the sustainable production of bioenergy and biobased products that contribute significantly to reducing dependence on foreign oil, have net positive social, environmental, and rural economic impacts, and are compatible with existing agricultural systems. The long-term outcome for this program is to implement regional systems that materially deliver liquid transportation biofuels to help meet the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 goal of 36 billion gallons/year of biofuels by 2022 and reduce the National dependence on foreign oil. USDA’s Initiative

  7. The Grand Vision

  8. Target: Land Least Suitable for Corn/Soybean Production Sources: NRCS , Purdue University , and Iowa State University

  9. Pyrolysis Processing Rapid thermal decomposition of organic compounds in the absence of oxygen to predominately produce liquid product known as bio-oil. Biochar Co-product biochar is produced at yields of 12-20 wt% biomass. Fast pyrolysis can be built at small scales suitable for distributed processing. Bio-oil is refined like petroleum into synthetic gasoline and biodiesel.

  10. CenUSA Team Led by ISU Agronomy professor Ken Moore Researchers from Iowa State University, Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Nebraska, University of Wisconsin, University of Vermont, Idaho National Laboratory and USDA Agricultural Research Service offices in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Iowa

  11. Feedstock Development Progress • Perennial grass yield trials planted at 13 locations: Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin Switchgrass Big bluestem Indiangrass

  12. Feedstock Development Progress • Yield trials cover: 22 switchgrasses (7 cultivars and 15 experimental strains), 12 big bluestems (6 cultivars and 6 experimental strains), and 12 indiangrasses (6 cultivars and 6 experimental strains) Switchgrass Big bluestem Indiangrass

  13. Sustainable Production Systems • Seed plots established in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, and Nebraska • Plots are far enough along to explore nutrient, pest, and disease pressures

  14. Feedstock Logistics Preliminary work on bale accumulation shows potential for reduced fuel expenditures

  15. System Performance • Preliminary testing has begun with the Environmental Policy Impact Climate (EPIC) model to explore soil and nutrient movement

  16. Feedstock Conversion • Samples have been harvested to create baseline for energy analysis

  17. Markets and Distribution • Work has started to gather switchgrass trial data from previous and ongoing trials • Establishment and production costs data is being gathered to develop decision tools and economic models

  18. Health and Safety • Major health and safety risks in working with biochar have been identified

  19. Education • 11 undergraduate students have worked at CenUSA institutions over the past summer on various aspects of the project CenUSA Intern Kirsten Paff

  20. Extension/Outreach • Over 3,700 people participated in CenUSA programs over the past year (thanks for joining them this year) • Nearly 2,500 Master Gardener volunteers explored the impact of biochar in gardens

  21. A Few Year 2 Targets • Continue to build perennial grass breeding program • Study biomass handling and drying • Adapt economic/environmental models to field trial data • Quantify biochar impact on soil quality • Continue to assess health and safety issues with biochar deployment

  22. Thank you for your time and attention.Any questions?For more information, seewww.cenusa.iastate.edu This project is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant No. 2011-68005-30411 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. . . . and justice for all The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADA clients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

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