may 15, 20071 a vision for energy sciences at unl breakout group reports

May 15, 2007 1

A Vision for Energy Sciences at UNL

Breakout Group Reports

May 15, 2007 2



Group 1: Catalysis and

Metabolic Engineering

Leader(s): Patrick Dussault, Don Weeks

Coordinator: Sara Trickie

May 15, 2007 3

Group 1: Biocatalysis/metabolic engineering

Metabolic EngineeringBetter understanding of plant or

microbe metabolic pathways and pathway manipulation

Use Nebraska commodities (soybeans, corn, wheat) for high value/high energy products – “translational genomics”

May 15, 2007 4


Metabolic EngineeringUse of algae as high oil organism that

has great potential for genetic manipulation

Find a person that can interact productively with existing researchers at UNL to develop practical applications

May 15, 2007 5


Metabolic EngineeringPerhaps bring in a biochemist/

metabolic engineer to work on corn, given the major boost in corn production and corn by-products that will result from ethanol production

May 15, 2007 6


Metabolic EngineeringSummary: Focus on better

understanding carbon flow in plants and, ultimately, apply this for practical purposes.

May 15, 2007 7


CatalysisLikely inorganic catalysis, but opportunities

also in enzyme-based catalysisOpportunities :

Conversions of emerging feedstocksCatalytic upgrading of ethanolLiquid phase chemistry equivalent to classic

gas-phase catalysis (for example, cracking)

May 15, 2007 8


CatalysisTheme:

High-volume biofuel production should optimally be accompanied by high-value co-product chemistry.

Needed FacilitiesHigh through-put screeningMetabolomicsCombichem - ?

May 15, 2007 9



Group 2: Integrated Biorefinery Systems

Leader(s): Milford Hanna, David Jackson

Coordinator: John Hay

May 15, 2007 10




Leader(s): Milford Hanna, David Jackson

Coordinator: John Hay

May 15, 2007 11

Group 2: Integrated Biorefinery SystemsProposed Focus Areas: Primary emphasis on corn

based ethanol and integrated technologies including Fractionation Gasification Biodiesel production

Co-products of biofuel production Expand range of uses

Biorefinery Course Undergraduate/Graduate

Understanding the Nutrient Flow through the corn ethanol production system including Feedstocks Co-product fractions

May 15, 2007 12


Funding sources?First, we need to develop a compelling

vision Faculty positions and expertise

needed?Other needed resources and

infrastructure?Compile existing capabilities

May 15, 2007 13


Group will meet again to discuss a vision of integrated biorefinery research at UNL

May 15, 2007 14



Group 3: Carbon Sequestration, Climate Change & Sustainability of Biofuel Systems

Leader(s): Shashi Verma

Coordinator: Tisha Mullen

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 1515

Carbon Sequestration, Climate Carbon Sequestration, Climate ChangeChange

&&Sustainability of Biofuel SystemsSustainability of Biofuel Systems

Energy Science Retreat_May 15, 2007

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 1616

Atmospheric CO2 Concentration at Mauna Loa Observatory

Potential Effects:Potential Effects: Global Climate PatternsGlobal Climate Patterns Functioning of Terrestrial Functioning of Terrestrial

EcosystemsEcosystems

Mitigation Options:Mitigation Options: Reduce Carbon Dioxide EmissionsReduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Remove Carbon Dioxide from the

Atmosphere – Increase Carbon Stored in the Atmosphere – Increase Carbon Stored in the Soil (“Carbon Sequestration”)Soil (“Carbon Sequestration”)

Use of BiofuelsUse of Biofuels

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 1717

CARBON SEQUESTRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF BIOFUEL SYSTEMS

Discussion TopicsOverall Goal: Create environmentally friendly, sustainable, and economically

viable biofuels systems that support our needs for food, feed, and fuel.

Objectives:Objectives:

Develop fundamental quantitative understanding of carbon, Develop fundamental quantitative understanding of carbon, energy, nutrient, and water cycles in major biofuel systems to energy, nutrient, and water cycles in major biofuel systems to achieve long-term environmental and economic sustainability.achieve long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

Use a combination of small-scale plots and production-scale Use a combination of small-scale plots and production-scale facilities in an integrated, holistic approach to obtain relevant facilities in an integrated, holistic approach to obtain relevant data on how biofuel cropping systems, livestock feeding data on how biofuel cropping systems, livestock feeding operations, and bio-processing facilities influence food and operations, and bio-processing facilities influence food and feedstock supply and environmental impact.feedstock supply and environmental impact.

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 1818

CARBON SEQUESTRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF BIOFUEL SYSTEMSSUSTAINABILITY OF BIOFUEL SYSTEMS

Discussion TopicsDiscussion TopicsOverall Goal:Overall Goal: Create environmentally friendly, sustainable, and Create environmentally friendly, sustainable, and

economically viable biofuels systems that support our needs for food, economically viable biofuels systems that support our needs for food, feed, and fuel.feed, and fuel.

Objectives (cont.):Objectives (cont.):

Accurately quantify the amounts of net carbon sequestered and Accurately quantify the amounts of net carbon sequestered and trading value in a variety of major biofuel cropping systems. trading value in a variety of major biofuel cropping systems. Conduct full carbon cost accounting (including all greenhouse gas Conduct full carbon cost accounting (including all greenhouse gas emissions) and determine the net global warming potential.emissions) and determine the net global warming potential.

Management and use of co-products in a cost-effective manner Management and use of co-products in a cost-effective manner that protects soil, air, and water quality. Reduce environmental that protects soil, air, and water quality. Reduce environmental challenges related to biofuels co-products use by grazing and challenges related to biofuels co-products use by grazing and confined livestock. Compare water and energy use with and confined livestock. Compare water and energy use with and without co-products as well as mitigate N, P, and other nutrient without co-products as well as mitigate N, P, and other nutrient challenges.challenges.

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 1919

Carbon Sequestration Research Facilityat the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center, Mead

Site 1 Irrigated

Continuous Maize

Site 2 IrrigatedMaize – Soybean

Site 3 RainfedMaize – Soybean

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2020

Co-Principal Investigators

Shashi B. Verma. . . . . . . . . . . . . . School of Natural Resources Kenneth G. Cassman. . . . . . . . . . . Agronomy and Horticulture

Co-Investigators

Timothy J. Arkebauer. . . . . . . . . . . Agronomy and HorticultureAchim Dobermann. . . . . . . . . . . . . Agronomy and Horticulture Anatoly A. Gitelson . . . . . . . . . . . School of Natural ResourcesKenneth G. Hubbard . . . . . . . . . . School of Natural ResourcesJohannes M. Knops. . . . . . . . . . . School or Biological SciencesGary D. Lynne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agricultural EconomicsDerrel L. Martin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Biological Systems EngineeringDonald C. Rundquist. . . . . . . . . . . School of Natural ResourcesMadhavan Soundararajan. . . . . . . BiochemistryAndrew E. Suyker . . . . . . . . . . . . . School of Natural ResourcesElizabeth A. Walter-Shea . . . . . . . School of Natural ResourcesDaniel T. Walters . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agronomy and HorticultureHaishun Yang. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Agronomy and Horticulture

Carbon Sequestration Program

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2121

Carbon Cycle and Biofuel Energy Carbon Cycle and Biofuel Energy Research Activities: Research Activities:

Agronomy and HorticultureAgronomy and Horticulture

Soil carbon sequestration:Soil carbon sequestration: Cassman, Dobermann, Yang, Arkebauer and Walters Cassman, Dobermann, Yang, Arkebauer and Walters

Ecology of perennial grassland systems: Ecology of perennial grassland systems: Schacht and ArkebauerSchacht and Arkebauer

Perennial crop management and carbon budgets - cellulosic biomass:Perennial crop management and carbon budgets - cellulosic biomass: Schacht Schacht

Soil organic matter dynamics and modeling:Soil organic matter dynamics and modeling: Yang, Cassman, Walters, Drijber and Yang, Cassman, Walters, Drijber and WortmannWortmann

Greenhouse trace gas emissions from agricultural systems:Greenhouse trace gas emissions from agricultural systems: Dobermann, Drijber Dobermann, Drijber and Arkebauerand Arkebauer

Full C cost accounting of biofuel systems:Full C cost accounting of biofuel systems: Walters, Yang, Liska and Cassman Walters, Yang, Liska and Cassman

Biofuel energy systems simulation:Biofuel energy systems simulation: Liska, Cassman, Yang and Walters Liska, Cassman, Yang and Walters

Transformation and breeding of oil, starch and sugar energy crops:Transformation and breeding of oil, starch and sugar energy crops: Clemente and Clemente and Dweikat Dweikat

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2222

Carbon Cycle and Biofuel Energy Carbon Cycle and Biofuel Energy Research Activities: USDA – ARS, Research Activities: USDA – ARS,

Lincoln, NELincoln, NE

Soil carbon sequestration:Soil carbon sequestration: Varvel and Wienhold Varvel and Wienhold

REAP (Renewable Energy Assessment Project) -REAP (Renewable Energy Assessment Project) - Development of Development of sustainable residue removal management practices: sustainable residue removal management practices: Wilhelm, Wilhelm, Varvel and VogelVarvel and Vogel

Cellulosic biomass harvest technologies: Cellulosic biomass harvest technologies: Wilhelm and VarvelWilhelm and Varvel

Soil organic matter dynamics and soil quality under cellulosic Soil organic matter dynamics and soil quality under cellulosic biomass removal: biomass removal: Wienhold, Wilhelm and VarvelWienhold, Wilhelm and Varvel

Energy balance and net energy yield using switchgrass as a Energy balance and net energy yield using switchgrass as a cellulosic feedstock for ethanol production: cellulosic feedstock for ethanol production: Vogel, Wilhelm and Vogel, Wilhelm and VarvelVarvel

Switchgrass breeding for enhanced conversion efficiency and Switchgrass breeding for enhanced conversion efficiency and climate adaptation: climate adaptation: Vogel, Pedersen and SarathVogel, Pedersen and Sarath

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2323

Biofuels Feed Byproducts Biofuels Feed Byproducts Research Activities Research Activities

Animal Science DepartmentAnimal Science DepartmentBeef CattleBeef Cattle Evaluation of different byproduct types.Evaluation of different byproduct types. Evaluation of ratio of distillers grains to distillers solubles for growing Evaluation of ratio of distillers grains to distillers solubles for growing

and finishing cattle.and finishing cattle. Methods to feed greater amounts (greater than 50%).Methods to feed greater amounts (greater than 50%). Impact of feeding byproducts on environmental challenges.Impact of feeding byproducts on environmental challenges. Use of byproducts in forage situations.Use of byproducts in forage situations. Optimizing other dietary ingredients (grain type, forages, etc.) in Optimizing other dietary ingredients (grain type, forages, etc.) in

combination with byproducts.combination with byproducts. Methods of storage of wet byproducts for smaller producers and Methods of storage of wet byproducts for smaller producers and

ranchers.ranchers. Economic impacts of utilizing byproducts.Economic impacts of utilizing byproducts.

Dairy CattleDairy Cattle Evaluation of different byproduct types.Evaluation of different byproduct types. Optimizing other dietary ingredients in dairy rations containing Optimizing other dietary ingredients in dairy rations containing

byproducts.byproducts. Evaluation of methods to increase inclusion and impact on milk Evaluation of methods to increase inclusion and impact on milk

quality.quality.

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2424

Carbon Cycle Research ActivitiesSchool of Natural Resources

Tower eddy covariance fluxes of CO2, water vapor and energy: Verma and Suyker

Monitoring soil water: Hubbard

Remote sensing of CO2 fluxes, leaf area index and green leaf biomass: Gitelson and Walter-Shea

Sandhills biocomplexity project – aboveground plant productivity, root biomass and soil C stores: Wedin

Carbon sequestration in agroforestry: Brandle

May 15, 2007May 15, 2007 2525

Carbon Cycle Research ActivitiesSchool of Biological Sciences

Litter decomposition in maize-based cropping systems: Knops

Prairie succession - quantify vegetation change, productivity and soil C and N accumulation: Knops

Elevated CO2, increased N deposition and plant diversity in prairies - quantify the impact of global change on the productivity, decomposition and soil C and N: Knops

Department of Biochemistry

Using carbon isotope ratio mass spectrometry to separate the heterotrophic and autotrophic components of soil respiration: Soundararajan

May 15, 2007 26



Group 4: 21st Century Power

Generating SystemsLeader(s): Jerry Hudgins

Coordinator: Nathan Meier

May 15, 2007 27



Group 4: 21st Century Power

Generating SystemsLeader(s): Jerry Hudgins

Coordinator: Nathan Meier

May 15, 2007 28

Group 4: 21st Century Power Generating Systems

Electric power production and transportation power are the top demands for future energy.

Focus: efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide stable and secure grid & meet demand distributed supply demand

Storage issues

May 15, 2007 29


Our power generating systems are impeded by policy.

Many technologies are sufficiently developed that could improve generation systems if policy (e.g., federal, state) shifted.

May 15, 2007 30


We expect distributed systems to come to fruition.

These distributed system architectures could be grid connected (e.g., local area networks) or stand alone.

May 15, 2007 31


A number of technical hurdles impede improvements to power generation capabilities. These include:StorageCombustion

May 15, 2007 32


StorageHydrogen

Bonding (attachment and detachment)

Nano materials Hydrogen storageBatteries

May 15, 2007 33


CombustionKinetics of ethanol and other

hydrocarbons

May 15, 2007 34


Reformers (fuel cells) utilizing fuels such as ethanol and methanol

Microbial fuel cells

May 15, 2007 35


Co-generation plants to improve efficiencyHeat for associated chemical and

biological plant operation

Informal science (public) education programs

May 15, 2007 36


Gaps in current expertise:Nuclear chemistryElectrochemistry

Cooperation between university and industry to affect appropriate policy changes.

May 15, 2007 37



Group 5: Energy Efficient Architecture &

Environmental Control Systems

Leader(s): Wayne Drummond, Bing Chen

Coordinator: Marla Rohrke

May 15, 2007 38



Group 5: Energy Efficient Architecture &

Environmental Control Systems

Leader(s): Wayne Drummond, Bing Chen

Coordinator: Marla Rohrke

May 15, 2007 39

Group 5: Architecture & Control Systems

Conservation as “new energy”Bring together faculty expertise in

appropriate disciplines – Such as Architecture, Engineering, Computer Science, Social Studies, Physics

Create a coordinated and nationally recognized program

May 15, 2007 40


Universal Building Energy ObservatoryConservation

Beyond Green. Don’t repeat mistakes of the 70s and 80s. Prius – “cool”

Link energy efficiency and profitabilityImprove efficiency and change behaviorStrong education and student

involvement components (University Academy)

May 15, 2007 41


Bring group togetherEmail communicationInitial list of topics for discussionFirst step project – Universal

House DemonstrationSite-specific and mobile related to

educationMaterial and sensory technologies

May 15, 2007 42


Funding – DOE, USDA, EPA, ASHRAE,NSF, DOD, DOC, CA Energy Commission, FIPSE, NEO, NE Home Builders Association

Congressional delegation, legislaturePartnerships with industries, NIFA,

AIA, NPPD,OPPDOther needed resources and

infrastructure to be identified

May 15, 2007 43



Group 6: Energy Sciences Minor

Leader: Ron Yoder

Coordinator: Liz Banset

May 15, 2007 44


• Intended for students in all disciplines, including arts and humanities

• Get students excited enough to encourage them to take the requisite science courses

• Provide minor for students whose interest is piqued by need to develop alternative energy sources or by need to manage energy resources

• Learn about role & function of energy in society; environmental challenges

• Attract students majoring in non-science, science and engineering disciplines through all Colleges that choose to participate.

May 15, 2007 45


Requires 18 hours : Introductory core courses (9 hours)

Higher-level, discipline-oriented

electives (9 hours) “Enrichment” courses (up to 3

hours)

May 15, 2007 46

Energy in Society (3)

Introduction to

Energy Systems (3)

Economics,Policy, and

Human Dimensions*

Natural Resources*

Plant and Animal

Bioenergy Systems*

Engineering*

Energy Economics

and theEnvironment (3)

Nebraska Energy Tour (1), optionalEnergy Seminar (1), requiredIndependent Energy Study (1), optional

*Student chooses three courses (all are 3 credit-hour) from one, or more, of these listsCredit hours shown in parentheses

Core Curriculum (9)

Electives (9)

Three 1-unit “enrichment” courses

Energy Science Minor

May 15, 2007 47


Funding sources?NSF, Dept of Energy, Dept of Ed

Faculty positions and expertise needed?No new positions; create three basic courses;

identify existing courses and develop some new ones to include as electives

Other needed resources and infrastructure?Marketing strategyPossible scholarships

May 15, 2007 48


Timetable: First course offered Fall 2008

Workshop to be held in August 2007

May 15, 2007 49


University-wide minor Learn about role & function of energy in

society; environmental challengesAttract students majoring in non-science,

science and engineering disciplines through all Colleges that choose to participate.

May 15, 2007 50



Group 7: Opportunities in Other Areas

Leader: Sandra Scofield

Coordinator: Ann Selzer

May 15, 2007 51



Group 7: Opportunities in Other Areas

Leader: Sandra Scofield

Coordinator: Ann Selzer

May 15, 2007 52

Group 7: Opportunities In Other Areas

Focus AREA: Develop analysis, tools and strategies to encourage and foster a sustainable energy future for use by Nebraska citizens and decision makers.

May 15, 2007 53


JUSTIFICATION:• Need a comprehensive approach to maximize energy

resources for economic benefits while avoiding unintended consequences

• Current lack of models and tools to make informed decisions

• Numerous implications of a growing renewable sector in Nebraska. (workforce, community impacts, natural resources impacts, economic development opportunities; and health, well-being and quality of life issues

May 15, 2007 54


• Need inventory of Nebraska energy assets

• Need to compile inventories of other Nebraska assets and information relevant to future planning; translate all into useful tools for decision-making

• We still have time to do it right!

May 15, 2007 55


• FUNDING SOURCES: USDA, DOE, NSF• FACULTY EXPERTISE NEEDED: Economists, Architects, Community & Regional

Planners, Sociologists, Psychologists; Law; Political Science, Communication Studies; Leadership Studies; engineering; scientists in water, energy and soils and crop production.

• OTHER EXPERTISE NEEDED: State and federal agencies, NPPD and other

utilities, community and state stakeholders and decision makers.

May 15, 2007 56


Closing Remarks

may 15, 20071 a vision for energy sciences at unl breakout group reports

Documents

unl slide

ethanol production slide

cracking slide

metabolic engineering

corn production

john hay slide

energy sciences

sara trickie slide