BBI Biofuels Conference Nashville, TN October 31, 2006

1. Dr. Kelly Tiller University of Tennessee Agricultural Policy Analysis Center ktiller@utk.edu BBI Biofuels Conference Nashville, TN October 31, 2006

2. A concept to solve America's energy needs andrevitalize rural communities with Land Grant University Research, Education, and Extension programs on renewable energy and biobased, non-food industries

3. Land Grant University Network

4. Research Centers & Extension • Network of field research and education centers spanning states • Each offers scientists and students opportunities to test their ideas and hypotheses under real-life conditions • Extension service network for transferring research • Brings research-based information from universities to people and communities, where they live and work • Funded by federal, state and local governments

5. Sun Grant Regions & Centers Northcentral:South Dakota State University Northeastern:Cornell Western:Oregon State University Southeastern:University of Tennessee Southcentral:Oklahoma State University

6. Sun Grant Association • National • Integrates activities of 5 regions • Non-profit association • Board of Directors • 2 members appointed from each of the 5 regional centers • 1 senior administrator • 1 senior program specialist • Terms • SGI, Centers, Regions, Association

7. Authorization:2002 Farm Bill, Title IX • Sec. 9001. Definitions • Sec. 9002. Federal procurement of biobased products • Sec. 9003. Biorefinery development grants • Sec. 9004. Biodiesel fuel education program • Sec. 9005. Energy audit & renewable energy development • Sec. 9006. Renewable energy systems & energy efficiency • Sec. 9007. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies • Sec. 9008. Biomass research and development • Sec. 9009. Cooperative research and extension projects • Sec. 9010. Continuation of bioenergy program • Sec. 9011: Sun Grant Initiative

8. Sun Grant Purposes • Advance biobased energy and product technologies to enhance: • National energy security • Ag sector diversification and environmental sustainability • Rural economic diversification • R&D coordination and collaboration among USDA, DOE, Land Grant Universities

9. SGI Funding • Currently about $40 million • ~ $10 million / year for 4 years • From USDA, DOE, DOT • Authorized up to $25 million / Center / year • USDA special grant • Annual, planning and development • < $1 million / year • DOE special grant • FY05, SDSU and UT • About $1.5 million total • DOT Trust Fund • Appropriated in ’05 SAFE-TEA • < $10 million / year

10. Regional Sun Grant Programs • Competitive grants program within region • Centers 25%, Region 75% • At least 30% each for technology development and technology implementation • Funding delays have slowed down competitive grant progress • Expect RFP by January 2007 • Integrate federal, regional, local priorities • Grants available to land grant universities • Strongly encourages regional partnerships • Strongly encourages industry partnerships

11. SE Regional Circumstance Feedstock Potential in Tennessee Perlack, R.D., et al. 2005. Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry…. Logging & Residues Ugarte, et al. 2006 (forthcoming). Economic Implications to the Agricultural Sector…. Switchgrass

12. SE Regional Center Programs • Developing the Sun Grant BioWeb • Pilot research fellowships with national labs • Biomass curriculum development and testing • Capacity building research programs

13. Sun Grant BioWeb • … an online resource for bioenergy and bioproducts • Comprehensive and consistent content • Tailored to various audiences • Using best available technology to develop, deliver, and maintain • Easy to use and navigate • On target to launch March 2007

14. www.bioweb.sungrant.org

15. Research Fellowships • To promote collaborative research and partnerships with DOE National Labs • Supports travel and research costs for 2-4 week research experiences at national labs

16. Biomass Curriculum • Developing and testing distance-learning curriculum that will be in the public domain • Joint project with NC State and NC A&T • 6 M.S. classes, 2 B.S. classes, plus individual special topic lectures • Biomaterials scienceand characterization • Thermal and biologicalconversion processes • Solid state composites • Environmental andpolicy studies

17. Scope of Biomass Program … to fuels,power, products … … farm to feedstock … … to consumers

18. Research Core • Economic analysis &policy • Feedstock pretreatment& separation • Biotechnology & plantgenomics • Biobased materials • Biomass conversiontechnologies

19. Integrated Research Example: Switchgrass Project • How to get farmers to growswitchgrass • The economics of producingswitchgrass • Improving varieties and yields • Optimizing production practices • Equipment, fertilizer, harvesting, treatmentof weeds, diseases, pests • Transportation, storage, logistics • How to utilize in co-firing, other uses

20. Closing Remarks • Sun Grant serves as an umbrella for biobased energy and products research, education, and extension in Land Grant universities • Regional nature of Sun Grant allows focused, region-specific approaches and solutions • Sun Grant competitive research grants program encourages industry partnerships • Leverages Land Grant universities’ outreach networks and ties to local communities and industries • Develops regionally strong foundations in feedstock production, pre-processing, conversion, and economics