Biofuels in PerspectiveBiofuels in Perspective

William H. Klausmeier, Ph.D.William H. Klausmeier, Ph.D.

U.S. consumes 25% of world’s U.S. consumes 25% of world’s oil!oil!

Biofuels technologiesBiofuels technologies

Ethanol – Industry is experiencing Ethanol – Industry is experiencing growing pains, high expectations for growing pains, high expectations for new technologynew technology

Biodiesel – Steady growth in demand, Biodiesel – Steady growth in demand, new projects using waste oil under new projects using waste oil under developmentdevelopment

Biogas – Promising but development Biogas – Promising but development still sluggish. Much more needs to still sluggish. Much more needs to be donebe done

Principles of biofuels Principles of biofuels developmentdevelopment

Systems thinkingSystems thinking – Take all project – Take all project considerations into account.considerations into account.

Conservation of ecosystem servicesConservation of ecosystem services – – Retain natural ecosystems to fullest extent Retain natural ecosystems to fullest extent possible to realize their intrinsic benefits.possible to realize their intrinsic benefits.

Scale alignmentScale alignment – Develop technology for – Develop technology for sustainability at appropriate scales. sustainability at appropriate scales.

Adopted by the Ecological Society of AmericaAdopted by the Ecological Society of America

Ethanol’s role in corn markets Ethanol’s role in corn markets continues to increasecontinues to increase

Only cellulosic ethanol makes Only cellulosic ethanol makes sense from an energy sense from an energy

standpoint standpoint

Cellulosic ethanol has its place Cellulosic ethanol has its place but in well-conceived nichesbut in well-conceived niches

Fermentation of grass straw is an Fermentation of grass straw is an attractive alternative to field burningattractive alternative to field burning

Mash after distillation plus other wastes (ie Mash after distillation plus other wastes (ie food processing wastes) can be digested food processing wastes) can be digested to produce biogas to run plant.to produce biogas to run plant.

Treated municipal wastewater can be used Treated municipal wastewater can be used for process water.for process water.

Fermenter carbon dioxide might be used Fermenter carbon dioxide might be used to grow algae for biodiesel or boost to grow algae for biodiesel or boost greenhouse yields.greenhouse yields.

Douglas Fir utilization for Douglas Fir utilization for ethanol presents unique ethanol presents unique

challengeschallenges Douglas Fir is highly resistant to Douglas Fir is highly resistant to

biological conversion – Processes are biological conversion – Processes are very complexvery complex

Gasification is more promising but is Gasification is more promising but is just now being commercialized.just now being commercialized.

Need clean technologies that are Need clean technologies that are viable at small scales.viable at small scales.

Pyrolysis is a promising means for Pyrolysis is a promising means for taking the technology to the supply.taking the technology to the supply.

Pyrolysis is an intriguing Pyrolysis is an intriguing possibilitypossibility

Local biodiesel utilization is Local biodiesel utilization is growinggrowing

Sequential Biofuels is now producing Sequential Biofuels is now producing biodiesel from Eastern Oregon canolabiodiesel from Eastern Oregon canola

There are still no local biodiesel seed There are still no local biodiesel seed crops. Biodiesel from microalgae is a crops. Biodiesel from microalgae is a promising possibilitypromising possibility

Expanded utilization of spent cooking Expanded utilization of spent cooking oil is apparent – several projects are oil is apparent – several projects are under considerationunder consideration

Biogas has great potential for Biogas has great potential for small scale energy productionsmall scale energy production

Technology is simpleTechnology is simple Production is right sized for many Production is right sized for many

needsneeds Systems are inexpensive and easy to Systems are inexpensive and easy to

operateoperate Technology grossly underdeveloped Technology grossly underdeveloped

locally relative to its potentiallocally relative to its potential

ConclusionsConclusions

Biofuels do have a significant role in Biofuels do have a significant role in our energy futureour energy future

Megaprojects are ill-advised and Megaprojects are ill-advised and unlikelyunlikely

Appropriate technology will be a Appropriate technology will be a blend of old-fashioned knowhow and blend of old-fashioned knowhow and recent innovationsrecent innovations