VP's Perspective
Florida ready to lead the nation in biomass energy production
Published April 1, 2006 in the St. Petersburg Times
In his 2006 State of the Union address, President Bush said the United States is “addicted to oil.”
Now, more than ever, rising energy costs drive home the need for alternative energy sources to replace oil and other fossil fuels. Building a renewable and sustainable energy supply is one of the most important scientific challenges of the 21st century, and our success is crucial to the nation’s future economic growth.
One of the most promising alternative energy sources is biomass, which includes agricultural crops, woody materials and organic residues. These can be used to generate ethanol and methane gas, which can be used for automobiles and serve as clean-burning fuels for electricity.
In fact, ethanol generated from biomass could replace half of our imported petroleum.
More than one billion tons of biomass can be produced in the United States each year, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Fortunately, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) already has considerable experience converting biomass to energy, and the time is right for the state to become a national leader in the commercialization of this technology. This can only be accomplished by investing in research to make production methods more practical and affordable.
Florida could lead the nation in biomass energy production because we have the resources and the demand for it. Thanks to strong agriculture and forest industries, Florida is the nation’s No. 1 biomass producer. The state also ranks third in total energy consumption, and fifth in per-capita energy consumption. It is also critical to our economy that we meet the energy needs of more than 40 million visitors each year.
Another reason why Florida should make this investment is that we have the technology to bring biomass energy to the marketplace. The University of Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels was formed five years ago to provide research and education in the production of chemicals and fuels from biomass. The center is directed by Distinguished Professor Lonnie Ingram, who holds a dozen patents on ethanol production. More than 60 other IFAS scientists and extension faculty have submitted proposals for biomass research in agronomy, engineering, entomology, forestry, microbiology, plant pathology, soil science and other disciplines. Support for these research efforts will provide the knowledge to make biomass energy successful.
We must move forward with a strong commitment to innovation and efficiency. For example, we propose to establish an ethanol research and demonstration facility that tests all phases of producing ethanol from woody materials (yard waste, crushed sugar cane stalks and peanut hulls) as well as grasses and forest trees. At the same time, we will be developing new and improved production methods for high-yielding grasses, trees and even potatoes with high starch content.
Methane, which can also be produced from biomass, is a versatile form of energy and can be used for all applications designed for natural gas. To produce methane, we can use agricultural byproducts, such as animal manure and culled fruits and vegetables. Florida’s farmers can provide a reliable supply of these materials and earn extra income doing so. IFAS is already a leader in waste-to-biogas energy systems, with a patent for the production facility design at our Dairy Research Unit in Gainesville where usable fuel is produced from manure.
The university is planning to build a biodiesel plant on campus. Biodiesel is another alternative fuel made from crops or waste vegetable oil to power diesel engines.
Our extension faculty will play a crucial role in educating the public about biomass. They will help producers grow energy crops, assist business owners with conversion to biomass fuels, and show consumers how to use these new forms of energy efficiently.
This effort will require cooperation from a host of partners, including Florida’s agricultural industries; state and federal government agencies; builders and utilities; waste management officials – and Florida residents.
Our state and our nation deserve nothing less than an all-out effort to ensure reliable energy supplies for the future. UF/IFAS is in a unique position to provide that national leadership in biomass fuels.
Dr. Jimmy Cheek is University of Florida senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources.
