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Tennessee hoping to turn switchgrass into gas gold

By TESA NAUMAN
Tennessee Correspondent

VONORE, Tenn. — Tennessee is betting that switchgrass – a self-seeding hardy, perennial grass that can grow on marginal lands and requires little or no fertilizer to thrive – can become the nation’s biofuel alternative to gasoline and, at the same time, usher in a new industry for the state.

Last week, ground was broken for the first cellulosic ethanol plant using switchgrass – according to Kelly Tiller, president and CEO of Genera Energy, LLC, a company owned and set up by the University of Tennessee specifically for the project. The DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol pilot-scale plant and process development unit (PDU) will convert corn stover and switchgrass into a transportation fuel.

The refinery is a joint effort of DuPont Danisco and Genera Energy, LLC, a company founded by the UT Research Foundation. Last year, the state of Tennessee gave its blessing to the project in the form of a $70.5 million commitment, including $40.7 million for construction of the biorefinery.

“This is a pilot plant. We’re trying to help the technology here, which we can both use in Tennessee and, I hope, export to other states and other countries,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen who, along with officials from DuPont Danisco, Genera Energy, UT and state government, attended the Oct. 14 groundbreaking.

“This is where the future is, in ethanol, and I’m very proud of Tennessee. I think we’ve really stepped forward on this one and will be making some waves around the country.”

The facility, located in the Niles Ferry Industrial Park in Vonore, has the capability of producing 250,000 gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually. It’s expected to start producing by the end of 2009, according to officials.

Allan Watson, mayor of Monroe County, said, “Monroe County should be proud of what’s happening here; that we’re taking part in something that could become great in our history, to get away from dependence on foreign oil. And it’s happening right here.
“We thank all the farmers and their families in this community, who are needing help. We appreciate that they can diversify and can grow switchgrass.”

Sixteen East Tennessee farmers participated in the first round of sponsored switchgrass production. The farmers worked a combined 723 acres in 2008 as part of the university’s research into supply chain logistics for cellulosic biorefineries.

Responding to critics who wonder if the state’s investment in the project is worth the risk, Bredesen said if nothing is ventured, nothing is gained.

“There’s always the question of if it won’t work, but it’s like anything in this country,” he said. “You take a little bit of a risk sometimes and get a really big reward if it all works. I think this is a really good (risk) in that the technology is there.

“We just need to figure out how to turn it out of the lab and into the kind of production it takes to fuel cars across our state. This is a big step in that process.”

Officials involved with the production of biofuel are very optimistic that cellulosic ethanol will prove to be a viable, competitive alternative. If switchgrass doesn’t make the grade, however, are the people of Monroe County stuck with a non-operating refinery? Not so, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.).

“My understanding is that there have been flexibilities built into it,” he said. “Refineries like this usually can be used for other types of products. I know there are other people in the state who are thinking about other types of products that can utilize this same type of refinery.”

Officials said there are several advantages to growing switchgrass. It doesn’t require much fertilizer; it’s a perennial; it’s tolerant to drought; and it can be grown in land that doesn’t normally grow other types of crops, meaning it doesn’t take up valuable land that farmers use to grow other crops.

“I’m thrilled that even more of our land that many farmers in our state own and are not able to put to highest use will be able to do that with this product if we’re successful – and I believe we’re going to be,” Corker said.

Tiller foresees testing on cellulosic ethanol continuing at the refinery even after it becomes available commercially, plus other research being done at the facility, as well.

“The beauty of it is that we can (release the new biofuel) now, but there’s lots of room to improve on this and to optimize the systems,” she said.

“So we intend for this to be operated as a research and demonstration facility for many years to come.

“I think we have a very long pipeline of new technologies and other co-product opportunities and things that can move into this facility.”

10/22/2008