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Who we are
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DOE Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs)
GLBRC is one of three Bioenergy Research Centers funded by the Department of Energy to conduct transformational biofuels research
Multi-institutional Interdisciplinary Collaborative
Why we’re needed
www.glbrc.org
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U.S. Energy Sources: Historical
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “Figure 14-1: U.S. Energy Consumption by Sector, 1994–2004” (2005);http://www.bts.gov/publications/transportation_statistics_annual_report/2005/html/chapter_02/figure_14_01.html
Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas
Global Warming
Sustainability: a Triad of Factors
Environmental Economic
Social
New York Times- Sept 20, 19251933 photo shows a Lincoln, Nebraska gas station of the Earl Coryell Co. selling "Corn Alcohol Gasoline"
Biofuels are not a new idea!
Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “Figure 14-1: U.S. Energy Consumption by Sector, 1994–2004” (2005);http://www.bts.gov/publications/transportation_statistics_annual_report/2005/html/chapter_02/figure_14_01.html
Critical:Conservation & diversity of energy sources
Biofuels 101
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The Biofuels Ideal
The Carbon CycleThe Carbon Cycle
Making Ethanol
Microbe: Yeast“Feedstock” Choices:
Sucrose (“sugar”), Corn Meal, Corn StoverWarm Water
Standard Fermentation
2 ethanol 2 carbon dioxide glucose
yeast
ethanol
CO2
Starch
GlucoseGlucose
Ethanol
Heat or enzymes
FermentationFermentation
Sugar cane
Corn
How Ethanol is Made Today
Concerns about Ethanol from Corn Grain
Annual cropDependent on chemical inputsSoil erosionLittle below ground carbon storage
Food versus fuel
Impacts on biodiversity
Fossil Fuel Energy In Verses Biofuel Energy Out
What is Cellulose?
Cellulosic Biofuels:Second Generation Ethanol
Cellulose is the most abundant biological material on Earth
Found in cell walls
Lack efficient way to break down plant material and convert it into fuel
Cell wall composition varies
Conversion of cellulosic plant biomass to fuels
Mixed sugar stream: (Glucose, Arabinose, Xylose,
Phenolics, etc.)
Ethanol, (next generation fuel)
Cellulosic Biomass
Pretreatment“soften cellulose”
?Chemicals/heat
Digest softened polymers
?Enzymes
?Grind (reduce size)
Tomorrow’s technology(Great Lakes Bioenergy)
?Fermentation/ Catalysts
Lignocellulosic material
Fermentation
Heat or enzymes
Fermentation
Glucose
Sugar Cane
Corn (kernels)
Starch
Glucose
Today’s technology
Ethanol
Goal of pretreatment is to open up cell wall and expose cellulose.
Hydrolysis
glucose
cellulose
enzyme
glucose glucose glucose
What we’re doing
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Great Lakes Bioenergy Strategic PlanTechnology to convert cellulosic (non-edible) plant
biomass into ethanol & next generation fuels
TODAY
THE FUTURE
(CBP)
Can we engineer microbes that do it all?
Break down biomassProduce cellulasesFerment simple sugarsWithstand industrial conditions
Bioprospecting
Where would you find cellulases in the environment?Why do you find more in some circumstances than others?Symbiotic relationships
Bioprospecting:Leaf Cutter Ants In Costa Rica
EconomicProfitable
EnvironmentalCarbon negative (climate stabilizing)Nutrient, water conservativeBiodiversity benefits
SocialFood, energy securityRural community health
Fostering Sustainable Bioenergy Practices
Measuring Carbon Cycling in Biofuel Plots
Above and below-ground primary productivity, respiration levels of soil in different plotsDesired understandings: Carbon is cycled between soil, plants,
and the atmosphere. Land management practices affect the
cycling of carbon within these systems. Plants have the capacity to sequester
different amount of carbon over different time scales.
GLBRC - Kellogg Biological Station, 2009Monitoring Greenhouse Monitoring Greenhouse GasesGases
•Educational Materials Development and Dissemination
•Education Research
•Public Presentations
•Research Experience for Teachers
•Research Experience for Undergraduates
GLBRC Education and Outreach