MSU research: global scope, local impact

Bruce Dale, professor of engineering

Phone: (517) 353-6777
E-mail: bdale@egr.msu.edu
Profile: www.chems.msu.edu/php/faculty.php?user=bdale
Member: Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory

Presentation: "Energy from Agricultural Biomass: Sustainability Considerations"

Abstract: “All Biomass is Local: Some Sustainability Issues for Biofuels”
A variety of political, social, environmental and economic factors are driving the increased use of renewable fuels, specifically ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol from corn is slated to rise to about 10 billion gallons per year in the next few years, with an eventual ceiling of approximately 15 billion gallons per year or so. Further expansion of fuel ethanol capacity will depend on the conversion of cellulosic materials to ethanol. As we enter a new era of increased biofuels use, sustainability issues related to these fuels are receiving increasing attention. Some of these issues, including effects on soil organic matter and greenhouse gas emissions are relevant and important. Other issues such as the so-called “net energy” debate are irrelevant at best and misleading at worst. This presentation deals with some of our key findings using life cycle analysis to better understand key environmental issues surrounding biofuel production. We find that the environmental characteristics of the agricultural ecosystem are complex, highly variable and that they dominate the overall system performance to a far greater degree than has perhaps been previously appreciated. For example, in all corn ethanol production systems studied by us (38 counties in 8 different Corn Belt states) by far the dominant greenhouse gas is nitrous oxide generated at the farm level. Fortunately, it should be possible to minimize nitrous oxide production (and simultaneously increase soil organic matter levels) by relatively straightforward agricultural system modifications such as the use of winter cover crops. Tradeoffs must also be considered. For example, removal of corn stover for cellulosic ethanol production will reduce soil organic matter but will improve greenhouse gas emission profiles and also minimize acidification and eutrophication potential. Biofuels can indeed provide large environmental improvements versus the status quo. However, fully realizing their potential will require careful planning and thought. Easy generalizations and sloppy thinking will not achieve the economic and environmental benefits we desire.