Ethanol Production
Anyone who has been following the news knows that the development of biofuels as a complement to traditional fossil fuels is the wave of the future, and the first tides are already coming in. However, one point of confusion raised in the press is that a move towards ethanol as a major fuel source is driving prices up at the supermarket. This belief stems from the notion that with corn in high demand as a source for ethanol and biodiesel plants, everything that consumes corn may become more costly for consumers, i.e. beef, chicken, eggs, milk etc.
While the ‘grain to ethanol’ process may be a minor factor in rising food costs (note that Americans pay less of their annual income on food than any other nation), the ‘cellulose to ethanol’ process will have even less of an affect on supermarket prices. Currently, two sources of cellulosic feedstock are being considered. One is using the leftover plant residues from harvested crops (or biomass). Another is the production of a dedicated cellulosic crop, such as energy cane, as feedstock for ethanol refining facilities. In fact, some companies are already moving in this direction.
One such company is Verenium Corporation of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Verenium was formed in June of 2007 through the merger of Diversa Corporation, a global company specializing in industrial enzyme discovery and development, and Celunol Corporation, a company whose focus is the development of cellulosic ethanol. This combination has produced a company with the capabilities needed to make cellulosic ethanol a commercial reality. They are in the planning stage for a cellulosic ethanol facility in Southeast Texas, between Winnie and Nome, which, if successful, will bring jobs to this rural area, as well as opportunities for farmers to diversify their operations.
Mike Doguet, of Doguet’s Rice Mill in Beaumont, is gearing up to capitalize on this opportunity. In 2007, he provided 87 acres near Nome to grow ‘seed stock’ for the upcoming years. The energycane variety is a Louisiana release that promises high yields. It was supplied by Kleentek, one of the largest producers of certified cane in the U.S. According to Ben Legendre, the LSU sugarcane Extension Specialist, and Director of the Audubon Sugarcane Institute, 90% of the sugarcane (energycane) planted in Louisiana is certified by Kleentek, and is produced using meristem culture.
For Doguet's operation, Verenium covered the initial cost of the cane, and provided the specialized equipment needed to produce the crop. They also supplied much needed expertise, since this is a new concept in crop production for Doguet.
The heavy clay soil was worked well, and beds were pulled with standard sugar cane row spacing. The beds were then opened up and fertilized. For this initial crop, the cane was planted by hand, no doubt a daunting task for 2 crews of 6 men each, but they finished in less than 10 days. After the cane was in place, an insecticide was applied to prevent damage from pests. Finally, the beds were closed and an herbicide was applied.
Doguet said that in the future, on larger fields, the cane will be planted mechanically, and the insecticide and row-closing operation would be accomplished in one pass. Bill Dishman, Jr. has been working closely with Doguet on the project, and plans to put in several hundred acres on his farm next fall.
Verenium is providing an exciting opportunity for farmers in Southeast Texas to diversify their operations, and bring land into production that has been sitting idle or used for pasture. Also, annual energy crops could possibly be planted in rotation with rice, giving our area a much-needed alternative crop. If it is proven that the required biomass material can be produced at a cost that’s economically feasible, the Beaumont area could become the home to one of the first commercial-scale cellulose to ethanol facilities in the U.S. For more information about opportunities for farmers contact Mike Doguet at 409-866-2297.
