Bioeconomy Institute 2013: Leading the Bioeconomy by Bioeconomy Institute

BIOECONOMY INSTITUTE 2013:

LEADING THE BIOECONOMY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Letter from the Director 3 News 4 Leading the Bioeconomy 6 Thermochemical Conversion Key to Next Generation BioProducts

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Expanding BEI’s Research Breadth Center Examines Biorenewables Economic Impact

Statewide Effort Builds Energy Research Capacity

Midwest Project Leverages Marginal Lands for Fuels and Water Quality

Center Creates Biorenewable Chemical Platforms

Building a Framework for a Carbon Negative Economy

Educating Tomorrow’s Biorenewable Workforce

FOR MORE INFORMATION Bioeconomy Institute: www.biorenew.iastate.edu twitter.com/bioeconomyinst BEI People: www.biorenew.iastate.edu/people BEI Affiliated Faculty and Staff: www.biorenew.iastate.edu/affliates Biorenewables Research Laboratory: www.engineering.iastate.edu/brl/ BioCentury Research Farm: www.biocenturyresearchfarm.iastate.edu/ Bioeconomy Institute 2013: Leading the Bioeconomy (digital version of this magazine): www.biorenew.iastate.edu/2013digital

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

LEADING THE BIOECONOMY About a year ago, the White House announced the National Bioeconomy Blueprint, which outlines how the federal government will help drive economic activity through research and innovation in the biosciences.

This announcement was welcome news for us here at Iowa State University’s Bioeconomy Institute. It validates our pioneering efforts in this critical area and puts the word “bioeconomy” into the everyday lexicon. Today, our goal, along with Iowa State University, is nothing less than for Iowa to lead the national bioeconomy. As our mission says, the Bioeconomy Institute will advance the use of biorenewable resources for the production of chemicals, fuels, materials, and energy, while moving toward economic, environmental, and social sustainability (see pages 4–5 for a more in-depth look at how we make this happen). We have the people. We have dedicated faculty, scientists, and students studying the entire biorenewables supply chain, from plant to end use. We also have more than 150 faculty affiliates working across all colleges at Iowa State. We have the facilities. We’re housed in the world-class Biorenewables Research Laboratory. Dedicated in 2010, this $30 million-plus facility promotes interdisciplinary, systems level research. What’s more, it’s part of a $110 million Biorenewables Research Complex slated for completion in 2014. We are also partners with the BioCentury Research Farm, a first-in-the-nation research and demonstration facility dedicated to biomass production and processing. We have the resources. We have garnered more than $80 million funding over the past five years, supporting two centers, five major programs and initiatives, and eight-plus signature programs. With its rich agricultural assets, Iowa is in a natural position to lead the bioeconomy. And with the Bioeconomy Institute and Iowa State University, the state has the knowledge and innovation engine to make it all happen.

1140 Biorenewables Research Laboratory Iowa State University Ames, IA 50011 515-294-4459 bei@iastate.edu www.biorenew.iastate.edu/finding 2

Robert C. Brown Director, Bioeconomy Institute

NEWS DUPONT BUILDING CELLULOSIC BIOREFINERY CLOSE TO IOWA STATE

COMPETITION BRINGS ART AND SCIENCE TOGETHER

BROWNS WRITE “THE BOOK” ON BIOFUELS

In late 2012, DuPont broke ground on its cellulosic ethanol facility in Nevada, Iowa. Slated to be completed in mid-2014, this more than $200 million facility will be among the first and largest commercial-scale cellulosic biorefineries in the world. This new facility is expected to generate 30 million gallons annually of cellulosic biofuel produced from corn stover residues, a nonfood feedstock that consists of corn stalks and leaves. Cellulosic ethanol is considered to be a “next generation” biofuel, beyond traditional ethanol made from corn kernels or sugar cane.

Spring 2013 ushered in the Bioeconomy Institute’s 4th annual Biorenewables Art Competition, a unique undertaking bringing art and science together. More than a dozen paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art are entered into the competition each year. Some of the pieces incorporate biorenewable materials from BEI scientists. The artwork is on display in the lobby of the Biorenewables Research Laboratory on the Iowa State University campus.

Biofuels Digest has named Why Are We Producing Biofuels by Robert C. and Tristan R. Brown as the “Book of the Year.“ The honor is part of the 2013 Biofuels Digest Awards. The editors noted that the book is a “thoroughly enjoyable read.” They also called Robert Brown “Iowa State’s Duke of Thermochemical.” Biofuels Digest is a daily newsletter covering producer news, research, policy, and other topics in the industry.

The artwork reflects the Bioeconomy Institute’s mission, which is economic, environmental, and social sustainability to advance development of biorenewable resources for the production of materials, fuels, energy, and chemicals. The competition was the result of collaboration among Jill Euken, deputy director of the Bioeconomy Institute, and Ingrid Lilligren and Barb Walton, both professors in the Integrated Studio Arts program in Iowa State’s College of Design. Chris Martin, an associate professor in the College of Design, has also assisted in the competition. The effort began in 2010.

The book, published in 2012, provides an insider’s understanding of the current research in the field. Robert Brown has written many technical books, but this was his first book aimed at a general audience. The intended audience is educators, policymakers, business leaders, and anyone curious about biofuels.

“By leveraging DuPont Pioneer corn production expertise and designing an integrated technology platform, we’ve built an affordable and sustainable entry point into this new industry. We’re committed to continued productivity gains to drive costs down even further for the coming generations of plants, ones based on corn stover as well as other feedstocks,” says James C. Collins, president, DuPont Industrial Biosciences. “And we didn’t get to this point alone. We’ve built an incredible partnership with the state of Iowa, Iowa State University, entrepreneurial growers, and a whole host of partners around the country who share our vision of making renewable fuels a commercial reality.” Matt Darr, an assistant professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State, has a multiyear collaboration with DuPont to evaluate options for harvesting, storing, and transporting the corn stover for the DuPont cellulosic plant. Other Iowa State faculty are evaluating opportunities to process coproduct streams from the plant into high value biorenewable products. DuPont is expecting to contract for the 2013 stover harvest with 400 growers within a 30-mile radius of the Nevada site to supply stover, which will be used to start up its plant in 2014. If you are interested in learning more, please visit http://biofuels.dupont.com/cellulosic-ethanol/ feedstock/corn-stover/. ABOVE: DuPont is building a cellulosic ethanol facility near Nevada, Iowa. This next generation biofuels plant was located in Nevada in part to be close to experts at Iowa State University, including those in the Bioeconomy Institute.

Jacqueline Shanks, who holds the Manley R. Hoppe Professorship in Chemical Engineering at Iowa State, has research labs on the fourth floor of the BRL. “The art makes the building environment beautiful and inspires. It gives us a lift,” she says. Competition prizes are made possible through the support of Robert C. Brown, BEI director. All submitted artwork is on display for one year. “Best in Show” pieces become part of the BEI’s permanent art collection. The collection is open to public viewing during normal office hours. ABOVE: The “Best in Show” award from the Biorenewables Art Competition went to Naomi Friend for “Old Land, New Purpose,” a piece that incorporates cyanotype, Van Dyke, and watercolor. Her art is now a part of the permanent BEI art collection.

Robert Brown has become a leading authority on biorenewable technologies and has been speaking to general audiences about the topic for a number of years. Indeed, Brown is one of the “Top 100 People in Bioenergy,” according to Biofuels Digest. He is also an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering and the Gary and Donna Hoover Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State. Tristan Brown is a BEI research associate and teaches graduate courses in biorenewable policy and law. Why Are We Producing Biofuels can be purchased at Amazon.com. Read the first chapter of the book as a PDF for free at http://www.brownia.com/content/ whyareweproducingbiofuels_excerpt.pdf. ABOVE: Robert C. Brown (left) and Tristan Brown wrote Why Are We Producing Biofuels to answer questions about the field to a general audience.

BEI TRADING CARDS: COLLECT THEM ALL

BEI offers its unique “trading cards” to help market its many centers, programs, and facilities. Look for these cards throughout this publication. Each article is color-coded to note the areas of the biobased products supply chain studied by that center or program. See www.biorenew.iastate.edu/cards/. PB

LEADING THE BIOECONOMY The Bioeconomy Institute pioneered research in the field, and now BEI and Iowa State University are leading the state of Iowa and the nation in the transition to meeting many of society’s needs through biorenewable resources.

A bioeconomy provides society with fuel, energy, chemicals, and materials from agriculture in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner.

A bioeconomy replaces fossil fuels with sustainable energy, captures local values, and fosters economic development in the state and nation. It also creates new

opportunities for the agricultural industries on which Iowa so heavily depends, leading to high-paying careers and increased prosperity for all citizens. Obtaining our essential sources of energy from biorenewable resources can also lower carbon emissions, reduce pollution, and increase national energy security.

BIOMASS PRODUCTION

Researchers investigate all aspects of agriculture to better grow plants as a source of energy, chemicals, and materials in a sustainable manner. PB

PLANT BREEDING

It all starts with the plant. Iowa State scientists study ways to breed plants more suitable and more economical for use as biomass.

BIOBASED PRODUCTS SUPPLY CHAIN

The Bioeconomy Institute and its partners study the entire biobased products supply chain to find solutions that are both sustainable and economically viable.

ECONOMICS POLICY

Iowa State economists and engineers scrutinize both the economics of bioenergy production as well as world energy markets and government policies.

WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES Backing all of this research are two world-class facilities at Iowa State University. The Biorenewables Research Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, 70,000-sq.-ft. facility that promotes interdisciplinary, systems-level research and collaboration. The BioCentury Research Farm is a first-in-the-nation integrated research and demonstration facility for biomass production and processing.

LOGISTICS

Scientists pursue the most efficient and effective ways to harvest, store, and transport (called “HST”) biomass.

PROCESSING

Researchers develop and analyze various technologies and processes used turn biomass into fuels, chemicals, and materials.

UTILIZATION

Researchers accelerate the application and usage of biorenewable energy, chemicals, and materials. 5

Thermochemical Conversion Key to Next Generation BioProducts P

CSET’s Ryan Smith, deputy director; Lysle Whitmer, program engineer; and Jordan Funkhouser, technical specialist (left to right) discuss plans for the installation of a new type of thermochemical system planned for 2013. CSET is a world leader in researching thermochemical conversion of biomass into biofuels.

“This is where the rubber meets the road,” notes Lysle Whitmer, program engineer at the Center for Sustainable Environmental Technology (CSET). And one day that road may be paved with asphalt made, in part, with biorenewable material, thanks to research conducted at Iowa State University’s BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF). This is just one of many pilot-scale research projects Whitmer manages for CSET at BCRF. Whitmer and his fellow researchers at CSET carry out the center’s mission to promote, develop, and demonstrate thermochemical technologies for the production of fuels, chemicals, and power from biomass and fossil fuels. They work with leading companies in agricultural, fuel, and chemical industries to find and refine uses for these biorenewable products. “It’s problem-solving on the cutting edge,” explains Whitmer.

PYROLYSIS HEATS UP CSET researches all the major types of thermochemical conversion processes used to break down biomass into more usable components. These technologies include fast pyrolysis and gasification. The center has facilities that range from

micro-sized pyrolysis devices all the way up to pilot-scale systems for both pyrolysis and gasification. It also has state-ofthe-art instrumentation for evaluating thermochemical processes and analyzing both raw biomass and the resulting products of thermochemical processing. Fast pyrolysis is one of the most promising technologies. The process heats biomass in the absence of oxygen and turns it into gas, solid, and liquid products. “The feedstock (biomass) for pyrolysis is flexible, but the output is about the same,” explains Whitmer. “As an undergrad research assistant, I even used part of a ground-up house as feedstock.” Now biomass such as corn stover, switchgrass, or sawdust is turned into bio-oil and biochar through pyrolysis.

Sugars from the bio-oil have been successfully separated and could be used as an inexpensive ingredient in biofuels or biorenewable chemicals. In addition to sugars, other components of the bio-oil could be catalytically upgraded to “dropin” fuels such as synthetic gasoline, diesel, or aviation fuel that are compatible with existing fuel infrastructures. Biochar has potential as a soil amendment to help boost crop yields.

WORKING TOWARD COMMERCIALIZATION Because BEI is involved in the entire process, from growing or otherwise obtaining biomass to converting it into useful biorenewable products, a bigpicture perspective is maintained. For example, the logistics of collecting corn stover on a large scale, from harvesting to transporting and storing it, is being addressed. Understanding and managing the entire biorenewable process is key to its commercialization. The thermochemical processes developed by CSET undergo a technoeconomic analysis, which means they’re scaled up virtually to help estimate costs for a commercialsized plant. “Things we do at this level will go a long way toward commercialization,” states Whitmer. “Private industry is very interested in what we are doing.”

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Expanding BEI’s Research Breadth “Most industries already have a strain of microbes that makes what industry needs,” notes Laura Jarboe, who leads the Bioeconomy Institute’s “signature program” in hybrid processing. Generally these microbes ferment pure glucose, which is derived from food sources. “We want to be able to tell them how to modify their existing strain to use pyrolytic substrates that don’t compete with our food sources,” says Jarboe, the Karen and Denny Vaughn Assistant Professor in Chemical And Biological Engineering at Iowa State University. Hybrid processing technology uses both thermochemical (typically pyrolysis, or heating in the absence of oxygen) and biochemical (fermentation) processes to transform biomass into biorenewable fuels and chemicals. Biomass such as corn stover is converted through fast pyrolysis to pyrolytic “substrates” such as syngas, sugars, and acetic acid. Specific microbes then ferment these substrates into biorenewable fuels and chemicals. P

Jarboe and her team are helping evolve better microbes that can tolerate the trace contaminant compounds that are part of the pyrolytic sugars. “When a cell divides, sometimes it makes a mistake in copying its DNA. This may cause the cell to die, it may do better, or there may be no effect. Those that do better grow faster, and once they’ve digested (fermented) a certain percentage of pyrolytic sugars successfully, we’ll have a final strain,” explains Jarboe. “We’ll take that strain and make a map of the mutations so it can be replicated.” “Clean sugars are more expensive,” states Jarboe. Using the pyrolytic sugars helps keep costs down and contributes to the economic viability of the process. “Ultimately, we should be able to use nonfood biomass to produce fuels and chemicals in a way that’s economically competitive with petroleumbased products.”

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

Expanding BEI’s Research Breadth

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Biochar is a product of thermochemical conversion of biomass into biofuels and chemicals. BEI’s Biochar Program is investigating the benefits of using biochar as a soil amendment. The Bioenergy Systems Analysis Program conducts research in the modeling and simulation of bioenergy systems, looking at the “big picture” of how such systems can operate successfully and efficiently. The Algal Production Facility at Iowa State’s BioCentury Research Farm provides a test bed for scaling up laboratory research and producing large amounts of algal biomass for research. FAR RIGHT: BEI’s algae program is looking at many avenues to turn this promising biomass into useful fuels and chemicals.

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Hybrid processing is just one of BEI’s “signature programs.” In addition to hybrid processing, these programs study biochar, bioenergy systems, algae, and climate science, among others. “Signature programs are research areas that we aspire to grow at the Bioeconomy Institute,” says Robert C. Brown, BEI director. “They offer new ways to tackle problems in biorenewables.” The programs are initially financed by BEI’s general funds, laying the groundwork of science and infrastructure by which the program can then seek outside grants. Indeed, BEI is always looking for new opportunities, and signature programs provide the ideal mechanism for launching these efforts. Recently, it has added computational thermoconversion, fundamentals of thermochemical conversion, and energy manufacturing to its signature program efforts. BIOCHAR PROGRAM BP Biochar is produced through

pyrolysis and resembles charcoal. It has some value as a fuel source, P but research in BEI’s Biochar Program is showing that biochar may best be used as a soil amendment. When biochar is added to soil, it increases the soil’s nutrient and water retention, lowers its acidity and density, and increases its microbial activity. Adding biochar to existing cropland may also increase its productivity. L

When biomass is harvested, some of the nutrients are taken with it. When the biomass is pyrolyzed, the biochar captures these nutrients and they can then be returned to the soil. Additionally, the carbon that would have been released into the atmosphere by the natural decomposition of the biomass is captured in the biochar. When the biochar is returned to the soil, the carbon is sequestered, contributing to a carbon negative economy.

The ultimate goal of this program is to engineer and produce biochars that exhibit desirable agronomic properties. The program works closely with BEI’s Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies, which studies pyrolysis, and Iowa State’s agronomy experts, who research the effect of biochar on soils and crops. The Biochar Program is led by David Laird, professor in the Department of Agronomy and environmental science program at Iowa State.

BIOENERGY SYSTEMS ANALYSIS PROGRAM BP Bioenergy technology is a complex

system—a supply chain that runs from feedstock (biomass) P production to end use. While many BEI researchers study individual parts of the system, its Bioenergy Systems Analysis Program researchers focus on this “big picture” view of the field. They study the impact of governmental policy and regulations, technoeconomic and lifecycle assessments, supply chain management, and logistics planning for biorefinery design. The program is led by Guiping Hu, assistant professor in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, along with W. Ross Morrow L

and Mark Wright, both assistant professors of mechanical engineering. BEI researchers are also developing computational models to simulate thermochemical conversion of biomass. These models are based on the research produced from the systems analysis team and will be able to predict the complex physical and chemical processes associated with biomass fast pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion. The longterm goal is to create open-source virtual engineering tools for the design and optimization of bioenergy systems. Converting biomass to bio-oil through fast pyrolysis, gasifying the bio-oil to syngas, and then upgrading the syngas to transportation fuels has proven effective. This study looks at what needs to be done to commercialize the process. One approach being studied is to convert biomass to bio-oil at widely distributed small-scale processing plants, then transport the bio-oil to a centralized location where it will be gasified to syngas and upgraded to transportation fuels. This approach is being investigated through a combination of experimental and analytical studies.

ALGAE RESEARCH PROGRAM BP Algae are a promising biomass

that grow quickly with high yields and minimal impact on freshwater P resources. Algae biomass can be used in many pathways to produce U fuels and chemicals. Current efforts in BEI’s algae research program are wide ranging. They include studies of new algae growth systems, algal cultivation using products of pyrolysis, and air quality improvement in concentrated animal farming using algae. This program is directed by Zhiyou Wen, associate professor of food science and human nutrition at Iowa State. L

Traditional water-based algae growth systems require a costly process to separate the algae from the water. BEI’s algae researchers have developed systems that grow algae attached to a special surface. This approach increases the rate of growth and reduces cost of collection because the algae can easily be scraped off the surface. BEI has contributed to the construction of a unique greenhouse facility located at Iowa State’s BioCentury Research Farm (BCRF) to produce large amounts of algal biomass for research using these systems.

Researchers from the program and the Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (CSET) are also helping microalgae biorefineries move one step closer to economic and environmental feasibility with recent findings. They have shown that catalytic pyrolysis of microalgae produces valuable petrochemicals and ammonia, the latter of which can be recycled as a fertilizer for microalgae cultivation.

CLIMATE SCIENCE PROGRAM Climate, of course, has a huge impact on the production of biomass and bioenergy. It’s also a topic of interest to those in agriculture and the public at large. BEI’s Climate Science Program takes advantage of Iowa State’s broad range of expertise and BEI’s ongoing research to develop a substantial base of externally funded scientific, authoritative research regarding climate change. This information is used to influence decision making consistent with long-term resilience to climate change and climate variability. This effort is led by Gene Takle, professor of both agronomy and geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State.

Center Examines Biorenewables Economic Impact “We provide economic insight into public policies that influence biobased markets,” explains Bruce Babcock, director of the Biobased Industry Center (BIC) at the Bioeconomy Institute. “For example, we look at what a change in policy might have on the value of biomass to farming.” By leveraging interdisciplinary research and education programs, BIC addresses business, infrastructure, supply chain, environmental, and policy issues facing a biobased economy. EP

GRAPHIC: Industry members of the Biobased Industry Center cover the bioeconomy supply chain, from feedstock production to end user. BELOW: Bruce Babcock (standing), leads the Biobased Industry Center, an organization formed to address critical business, infrastructure, supply chain, and policy issues faced by the growing bioeconomy.

The centerpiece of BIC is its advisory board composed of representatives from industry and nongovernment organizations. It identifies and prioritizes research areas as well as provides advice and guidance regarding issues, challenges, and opportunities. The partnership between companies in the biobased industry and BIC is unique in that research is funded by these companies. “We take a lot of steps to shield the research from bias,” notes Babcock, who is the Cargill Endowed Chair of Energy Economics at Iowa State University. “BIC’s focus is on big picture things that drive industry rather than on solving individual companies’ issues. By funding BIC, these companies hope to further the goals of the entire industry.”

Feedstock Production

Ceres DuPont Pioneer Iowa Corn Growers Monsanto

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IMPACTS POLICY Current research includes economic modeling to understand, for instance, how growth in Brazilian sugar cane ethanol as a biofuel feedstock could affect U.S. and world biofuel markets. BIC models measure the costs of producing sugar cane ethanol and compare them to models of the costs of producing corn ethanol. The prices of each are also factored into the models. At present, corn ethanol is proving to be more economically efficient as a biofuel feedstock. Research results such as this are written into briefing papers for policymakers as well as the general public. Economic models are also being used to evaluate the impact of employing different

Conversion ADM REG Sundrop Fuels Virent

Storage and Blending Phillips 66 Company

feedstocks for cellulosic biofuels on the price of renewable fuels. Different volumes of different feedstocks—such as corn, sugar cane, and soybean oil—are modeled and the results are reported to the Environmental Protection Agency. The information is then used to help set regulations for policies such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

POLICIES GROUNDED ON SOUND SCIENCE “Policymakers want to make policies based on sound science,” notes Babcock. At BIC, knowledge is built through research, which informs analysts such as Babcock who then provide science-based advice to policymakers. “The knowledge we gain through research has a pretty immediate impact on policies.”

Retail

Phillips 66 Company

End User

Boeing General Motors Toyota

Statewide Effort Builds Energy Research Capacity Ted Heindel has been studying energy science since his days as an engineering student. Now, the Iowa State University mechanical engineering professor is making an extensive impact in the field as the project director of Iowa NSF EPSCoR. EPSCoR means “Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.” It’s a National Science Foundation (NSF) program to improve the research capacity of states to make them competitive for future research grants. There are 31 EPSCoR jurisdictions in the United States and its territories. The goal of the $20 million Iowa NSF EPSCoR program is nothing less than to make Iowa a worldwide leader in the transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources and practices. Its focus is on building the research infrastructure to set the groundwork to achieve this objective. “I work with all stakeholders across the state to improve Iowa’s infrastructure for energy-related research and impact,” says Heindel, who is also the Bergles Professor of Thermal Science at Iowa State University.

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCH The core of the research is being conducted at Iowa State, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa. The project is truly a statewide effort, however, and includes partnerships with the state’s community colleges, private colleges, schools, government agencies, and industry.

In bioenergy, research in perennial grasses, field crops, and algae as well as energy infrastructure improvement has fostered collaborative investigations into best practices for growing biomass crops appropriate for energy use and converting the biomass to fuels and other biobased products. Iowa NSF EPSCoR wind energy researchers are applying advanced engineering principles in fluid dynamics, machine design, and control theory to improve the reliability of wind turbines. Energy utilization researchers are implementing intervention strategies in Iowa communities and are monitoring energy efficiency upgrades in Iowa public buildings. The Iowa NSF EPSCoR program is also helping to build collaborations among economists, engineers, industry, and policymakers to better understand the complex relationship between biorenewable energy development and energy policy.

BROADER IMPACTS MEAN BROADER BENEFITS Beyond basic research, however, the Iowa NSF EPSCoR program has a substantial “broader impacts” component. This effort helps ensure that the program’s research has the widest possible benefit to the state and nation. The Iowa NSF EPSCoR’s effort in this area includes diversity programs to provide opportunities to women, underrepresented minorities, and firstgeneration college students in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, or “STEM.” The program also works with faculty to help them become more successful researchers and educators.

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LEFT: Middle school teachers learn about biorenewable energy in a summer academy sponsored by Iowa NSF EPSCoR. The program is a statewide effort to make Iowa a world leader in the transition to renewable and sustainable energy sources and practices. BELOW: Ted Heindel, a professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State University, is leading the statewide, $22 million project, which includes $2 million from the Iowa Power Fund.

The award has fueled innovative collaborations between engineers, life scientists, economists, and sociologists in the four major areas under study: bioenergy, wind energy, energy utilization, and energy policy. Already, new faculty has been hired to launch further research in these areas.

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Ken Moore leads a team of researchers from eight institutions working on the CenUSA Bioenergy project.

Midwest Project Leverages Marginal Lands for Fuels and Water Quality “There is value in assessing how to use marginal land in economically productive ways,” explains Ken Moore, principal investigator of the CenUSA Bioenergy project. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, CenUSA’s vision is to create a midwestern regional system for producing advanced transportation fuels derived from perennial grasses grown on land that is either unsuitable or marginal for row crop production. In addition to producing advanced biofuels, the proposed system will improve the sustainability of existing cropping systems by reducing agricultural runoff of nutrients and soil and increasing carbon sequestration. “Our project is the only one with potential to improve the environment of the cropping system,” says Moore, who is the Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Life Sciences at Iowa State University. CenUSA brings together a diverse network of individuals from seven midwestern universities and the USDA Agricultural Research Service. “We have the very best people on this project—the ‘dream team’ from across the spectrum,” Moore states. “Each brings a unique perspective and different tools to the project, yet they’re all quite complementary.”

SPANNING THE SUPPLY CHAIN The five-year project focuses on nine objectives, which span the entire supply chain for biofuel produced through pyrolysis. Pyrolysis is a thermochemical process that turns biomass such as perennial grasses into gas, liquid, and solid products by heating it in the absence of oxygen. Additionally, the project includes objectives for education and outreach to all those involved in the bioenergy system. “We’ve already accomplished a lot,” notes Moore. “An improved perennial grass cultivar has been released, we had 14 test plots across the Midwest with few failures despite the drought, and we’ve done quite a bit of work on how to make field harvesting more efficient.”

Extensive modeling is being done to assess the life cycle of the biofuel production process. This will help determine its environmental and economic impact. Potential health and safety issues are being studied, and materials to educate those involved in the production process are being created to address any that arise. An internship program and research seminar series have been established to help educate those studying the emerging bioeconomy. Several videos and other materials are already available to agricultural and rural economy stakeholders. These materials cover a variety of topics in the biofuel production process.

DISTRIBUTED PYROLYSIS The CenUSA project is looking at the feasibility of a network of pyrolyzers distributed in rural areas across the Midwest. Here the grasses and other biomass could be converted to bio-oil (and other products) and transported to another location for refining into biofuels. The biochar products from the process could be returned directly to amend the soil. The pyrolyzers could provide their rural communities with well-paying jobs, and other businesses would then follow. Moore observes, “This could be very beneficial in returning opportunities to rural Iowa.”

Center Creates Biorenewable Chemical Platforms “The center is working at the interface between biology and chemistry,” is how Peter Keeling describes the National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) at Iowa State University. Keeling is the center’s innovation director, working to create a network of collaborations with industry and help move the center’s research into the market. “We create new technological platforms where the starting material is biobased and not petrobased,” he adds. As Keeling explains it, the NSF-funded Engineering Research Center (ERC) develops novel forms of microorganisms such as yeast and E. coli that can be used in the fermentation process to make intermediate molecules from sugars obtained from renewable resources. Then, chemical catalysis is applied to convert these intermediate molecules into a petrochemical replacement molecule. “The idea is that this biobased chemical would then drop into the existing downstream value chain,” Keeling says. The CBiRC director is Brent Shanks, the Mike and Jean Steffenson Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University. He leads 27 faculty, more than 100 graduate students, and many undergrads. “About one-half of CBiRC efforts are based at Iowa State,

with the other half residing at eight collaborating universities,” Keeling notes. Faculty at the other universities contribute a specific expertise to the center. Since its founding in 2008, CBiRC has received more than $30 million in funding as an ERC with an expectation of continued NSF funding over ten years. It has also garnered more than $17 million in other support. The center also offers extensive opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. CBiRC provides professional development programs for teachers and students, focusing mainly on biorenewable products. The center is a partner with the Des Moines Public School District and places graduate STEM students and retired engineers and scientists into middle and high school classrooms on a regular

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weekly basis throughout the academic year, where they serve as resident STEM experts and role models for the students.

INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM As an NSF ERC, the center has a mandate to develop an “innovation ecosystem.” Keeling is director of that effort, fostering relationships among faculty, students, industry, and start-ups. “I recruit, nurture, and retain industrial members,” Keeling says. In almost four years of leading this effort, Keeling has already built a portfolio of more than 30 members. Half of these companies are large multinational corporations. CBiRC’s industry members come from all key sectors across the value chain focused on moving biorenewable chemical technology toward commercialization. Keeling puts them into five general categories: front-end companies, such as ethanol producers; technology development companies; vertically integrated corporations; traditional chemical and petrochemical companies; and end-user companies (those that make the products). Keeling also works to inspire the center’s 100-plus graduate students into becoming involved in entrepreneurship. Keeling even teaches a course on the subject, reaching students beyond those involved directly in CBiRC. So far, four start-ups have evolved out of CBiRC at Iowa State and two at other universities.

ABOVE: At the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, Peter Keeling is building an “innovation ecosystem” consisting of researchers and various types of industrial companies. More than 30 companies have joined the effort to transition the industrial chemical industry to renewable resources. LEFT: CBiRC creates fermentation and catalysis technologies that turn biobased feedstocks into biobased chemicals.

Building a Framework for a Carbon Negative Economy BP L P U EP

GRAPHIC: The Initiative for a Carbon Negative Economy is studying technologies that capture, use, and sequester carbon while enhancing food production, ecosystems, economic development, and national security. BELOW: David Laird explains how his research team is investigating the effects of biochar on corn yields.

“We’re a team with representatives from universities, industry, and government agencies building the intellectual framework around a carbon negative economy,” says David Laird, professor in the Department of Agronomy at Iowa State University, as he explains the Initiative for a Carbon Negative Economy (ICNE). Its vision is to go beyond current efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by adopting a strategy of actively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. “We’re developing proposals and building teams to move this concept forward.” “Our motivation is the reality of climate change and how to deal with that,” continues Laird. “The biggest challenge regarding climate change is our dependence on fossil fuels.” Our current petroleum economy contributes to carbon emissions. Even if alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power could supply much of our energy, there will still be a need for high-density liquid fuels to power transportation. The ICNE team has looked at a number of carbon-neutral or carbon-negative energy technologies that could replace a significant fraction of those petroleum-

based fuels. The initiative is supported by Iowa State University’s College of Engineering.

carbon in the soil and makes the process carbon negative.

PYROLYSIS HAS POTENTIAL A thermochemical process called fast pyrolysis is proving to have the greatest potential for contributing to a carbon negative economy. This process turns biomass into gas, liquid, and solid products by heating it in the absence of oxygen. The gas and liquid can be processed into feedstocks for liquid transportation fuels. The solid, known as biochar, can be used as a soil amendment to make agricultural land more productive. This process sequesters the captured

“The challenge is making it economical,” notes Laird. ICNE is working with economists and others to put together a vertically integrated package of models to show optimum integration of the entire process, from production of the biomass through processing to generate biofuels and the return of biochar to the soil. “Our goal is to enhance energy security, help mitigate global climate change, and improve global food security—all at the same time,” states Laird. “We think we have a platform that can literally do those things.”

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Biochar

Educating Tomorrow’s Biorenewable Workforce In a way, John McWilliams has been working in biorenewables since he was a child. “One of my first chores was to get corn cobs as fuel for the wood stove,” he says. Today, he’s a senior resource planning engineer for Dairyland Power Cooperative in Wisconsin, ultimately serving the electric needs of more than 600,000 people. The cooperative gets about 12 percent of its energy from renewable resources and is working to increase that percentage.

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McWilliams was the first person to earn a Biorenewable Resources and Technology (BRT) graduate certificate from Iowa State University. He credits it with helping him understand new energy sources. “The next era of electric generation projects will involve more biorenewables,” he states. “Understanding the harvesting, processing, and storage requirements of biorenewables and the complexity of turning biorenewables into electricity was the driving need for further education in biorenewables.”

DEGREES IN BIORENEWABLES The certificate McWilliams earned is just one of the education programs offered by the BRT program at the Bioeconomy Institute. Iowa State was the first in the nation to offer a graduate program in biorenewable resources (in 2002) in the United States, granting master of engineering (ME) and PhD degrees as well as a minor. The program offers students from a variety of science and engineering backgrounds advanced study in the use of plant- and crop-based resources for the production of biobased products, including fuels, chemicals, materials, and energy. Jacqulyn Baughman is the BRT director of graduate education, overseeing both the certificate and degree programs. “Our interdisciplinary coursework provides students with the opportunity to understand the four barriers to bioeconomic development identified by the U.S. Department of Energy, including plant science, production, processing, and utilization,” she explains, noting that the program is continually evolving to keep up with the fast-paced field of biorenewables.

CERTIFICATE AVAILABLE ONLINE The certificate program consists of 12 credits, and most students in the program take three years to complete it. Many students complete an engineering online program and complement it with the BRT certificate. The certificate can be earned online, a critical aspect for McWilliams. “That is important to a working professional,” he says. “It meant not having to take time away from work.” McWilliams also has a BS and MS in engineering as well as an MBA. Equally important, however, is the credibility of Iowa State, a world leader in biorenewable technology and education. “Dairyland Power Cooperative recognizes the certificate as valid because it was Iowa State and because of the program quality,” McWilliams says. He adds that one of the highlights of the certificate was learning about biorenewables from Robert C. Brown, BEI director. “Dr. Brown wrote the book on the subject and is considered one of the top biorenewables experts in the United States,” McWilliams says.

John McWilliams, a senior resource planning engineer for Dairyland Power Cooperative, was the first person to earn a Biorenewable Resources and Technologies (BRT) graduate certificate from Iowa State University.

1140 Biorenewables Research Laboratory Ames, IA 50011

ABOUT THE BIOECONOMY INSTITUTE The Bioeconomy Institute (BEI) at Iowa State University advances the use of biorenewable resources for the production of fuels, chemicals, and materials. There is a revolution underway in which society obtains its essential sources of energy and carbon from renewable resources instead of fossil sources. The bioeconomy uses biomass (including lignocellulose, starches, oils and proteins) as a renewable resource to sustain economic growth and prosperity. Agriculture will supply renewable energy and carbon to the bioeconomy, while engineering will transform these resources into transportation fuels, commodity chemicals, and electric power. BEI studies the entire biobased products supply chain, from the plants to the end user, seeking solutions that meet our present needs without compromising those of future generations.

PRINTING: AS GREEN AS THE TREES At the Bioeconomy Institute, sustainability is our mantra. So you may be wondering, why are we publishing a paper magazine? Our main reason, of course, is to communicate our mission and vision to a wide audience, and even with today’s smartphones and tablets, this publication will help us reach critical constituents. We’ll also be handing it out to visitors and at events, something that’s still problematic to do electronically. We do hope each issue gets passed around and read more than once (direct recycling!). What’s more, many feel the printed word is still more effective for reading and contemplating, away from the hustle and bustle of the electronic world. Just as important, paper is a renewable resource, and printing is a sustainable enterprise. All of the paper used by Iowa State’s Printing Services, who printed this publication, comes from responsibly managed forests. For more on this topic, see http://www.print.iastate.edu/pdf/Printing-is-Green.pdf. Of course, sustainability of any product is ultimately in the hands of the end user. Pass this publication to a colleague or friend. Put it in the lobby for visitors to read. And a year from now when it’s finally outdated, please recycle it. Finally, we limited the print run on this publication in hopes that many will read it online: www.biorenew.iastate.edu/2013digital.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3350 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.