Auburn University was chosen last week to receive part of a $15 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to research advanced methods of producing biofuels.
Biofuels are fuels created by the process of biological carbon fixation. They can be created from substances such as alcohol, plants or fats and oils.
"With projections that more than 10 billion gallons of fuel produced in the Southeast will be required to meet the renewable fuels standard, it is important to the country that we make progress," said Tim Rials, director for the Center for Renewable Carbon Tim Rials at the University of Tennessee.
The grant was awarded to the new Southeast partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems, including the University of Tennessee, the lead institution, as well as the University of Georgia, North Carolina State, Tuskegee, Alabama A&M and Fort Valley State universities.
Auburn's Center for Bioenergy and Bioproducts will use its $4.5 million share to develop methods of converting biomass, including switchgrass, pine and eucalyptus into gasoline and diesel, according to the USDA.
The schools of forestry and wildlife science and industrial and systems engineering will also examine the safety and ergonomic issues of harvesting these forest elements.
President Jay Gogue emphasized the importance of Auburn being on the forefront of this new method of creating fuel.
"Auburn is building a national reputation for expertise in converting abundant, renewable biomass into fuel and clean energy," Gogue said. "It's critical to maintaining a reliable, affordable and secure energy supply that stimulates economic growth and provides job opportunities in our state and region."
Steven E. Taylor, professor and head of the Biosystems Engineering Department, said Auburn was selected for collaborative reasons.
"The entire group was chosen in part due to our concepts for developing a sustainable biomass supply system for the Southeast U.S., ... and our millions of dollars of research that is currently underway on various aspects of bioenergy production," Taylor said,
A major goal of the IBSS is to secure a safe method for developing genetically modified crops to be used in the making of biofuels, Taylor said.
Also noted in the USDA goals is the development of the cleaner and more efficient Fischer-Tropsch diesel.
A document issued by the Department of Transportation on F-T research said, " F-T fuel can directly replace conventional diesel fuel without modification to engines or significant changes in performance."
The document also explained that F-T diesel has a higher rate of degradability and can be used in fuel cell systems.
The IBSS region currently has limited biomass fuel production, and with the collaboration of the enlisted universities, will help develop biomass that is necessary for future biorefineries to operate as well as resources to utilize current biomass fuel production, according to the USDA.
"My hope is that the IBSS, working closely with industry and USDA, can develop and distribute the information needed to accelerate deployment of an advanced biofuels industry in the region," said Tim Rials, University of Tennessee director for the Center for Renewable Carbon.
Rials is the IBSS lead researcher and believes that collaboration will accelerate the production of advanced biofuels.
The long term effect for the environment is also a concern for the collaborating parties.
"The South has the potential to provide half of the biofuels produced in the nation," Taylor said. "This new industry can revitalize our rural economies."
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