| Articles & Reports |
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| How Could Small Scale Distributed Energy Benefit Wisconsin Agricultural and Rural Communites |
April 22, 2009 article published by the University of Wisconsin's Program on Agricultural Technology Studies. The authors welcome comments from those working in biogas and related industries.
Gary Radloff (608-224-5020) is DATCP's Director of Policy and Communications
Alan Turnquist ( 608-265-3463) is an Outreach Specialist at UW P.A.T.S.
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| Survey shows high interest in biofuels |
Researchers at the Department of Life Sciences Communication at UW-Madison administered this nationwide survey. Abstract: "The national survey showed that 67 percent of respondents were interested in learning more about renewable biofuels. 'These findings indicate people are really interested in this issue,' says Hernando Rojas, co-investigator for the study and assistant professor of life sciences communication at UW-Madison. 'Biofuels have received substantial media coverage over the past year, and the public is paying attention.' |
Resetting global expectations from agricultural biofuels
and
Nations that sow food crops for biofuels may reap less than previously thought |
An article from the January 2009 publication of Environmental Research Letters, abstract: "Aggressive renewable energy policies have helped the biofuels industry grow at a rate few could have predicted. However, while discourse on the energy balance and environmental impacts of agricultural biofuel feedstocks are common, the potential they hold for additional production has received considerably less attention. Here we present a new biofuel yield analysis based on the best available global agricultural census data." |
| AgMRC: bio-energy project development |
Resources made available by Andrew Dane,
Community Development Agent of Barron & Chippewa Counties, that includes case studies of Wisconsin-based companies, a report on regional demand for green power, and a manual created to help organize, develop and complete successful bio-energy survey projects. |
| From 1st- to 2nd-Generation Biofuel Technologies - Extended Executive Summary |
2008 report by the International Energy Agency. Some of the key messages arising from the study are as follows:
- Technical barriers remain for 2nd-generation biofuel production
- Production costs are uncertain and vary with the feedstock available, but are currently thought to be around USD 0.80 – 1.00/litre of gasoline equivalent (3.8 l/gal so costs are $3 - $3.8/US gal.)
- There is no clear candidate for “best technology pathway” between the competing biochemical and thermo-chemical routes. The development and monitoring of several large-scale demonstration projects is essential to provide accurate comparative data
- Considerably more investment in research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) is needed to ensure that future production of the various biomass feedstocks can be undertaken sustainably and that the preferred conversion technologies, including those more advanced but only at the R&D stage, are identified and proven to be viable
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| Industrial Biotechnology: Development and Adoption by the U.S. Chemical and Biofuel Industries (182 page .pdf) |
This report was prepared in response to a request from the Committee on Finance of the United States Senate regarding the competitive conditions affecting certain industries that are developing and adopting new biotechnology processes and products. The development and adoption of industrial biotechnology (IB) in the United States by the chemical and liquid fuel industries expanded substantially during the 2004–07 period. These industries increasingly use enzymes, micro-organisms, and renewable resources in the production of fuels and chemicals. IB has the potential to lower production costs, create sustainable production processes, and reduce the environmental impact of producing and using fuels and chemicals. |
| The Fifth Fuel |
A July 2008 Special Report from Forbes Magazine. Subtitle: Beyond coal, petroleum, nuclear and alternative energy, there's another, untapped resources: efficiency. Summary: A multimedia package about efficiency with topics in economics, policy, science, investments, politics, and engineering. |
| College Students' View Of Biotechnology Products and Practices in Sustainable Agriculture Systems |
What do students in sustainable agriculture classes think?
From the 2008 Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, a report of how college students responded to a survey before and after taking the class. Students' exposure to the ideas of sustainability, as well as biotechnology-related topics, provided them with a chance to state their views as they completed homework and exams and participated in discussions. |
| The new bioeconomy not without ethical quandaries |
2008 report by Paul Thompson at Michigan State University's Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics. Abstract: " Thompson conducted an extensive scientific literature search and several workshops to garner input on the ethical implications of biofuel production. Thompson contends that though there are no easy answers, inclusive, deliberative dialogue is critical to the success of biobased technologies and practices. 'It’s not something that, as a philosopher, I can sit in my office and sort out,' Thompson said. ' Philosophers can help frame the issue, but that’s the limit of what we can do.'" |
The State of the Renewable Economy
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2007 report from the American Solar Energy Society. Much broader than just solar, it covers the renewable energy & energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries and provides: a rigorous definition of the RE&EE industries, an estimate of the size and composition of the RE&EE industries,
including technology, sales, tax revenue, jobs, occupations,
and skills, and a forecast of the growth of these industries to 2030 under three
scenarios. |
| Energy Science, Education, and Extension Strategic Plan |
From the USDA's Reseach, Education and Extension (REE) program. Excerpt about the draft: "This plan is intended to facilitate interagency, university and private sector coordination and cooperation as we pursue reliable and sustainable sources of agriculture-based energy and biobased products, promote the health of rural communities and provide responsible stewardship for our natural resources for generations to come." |
| The Future of Biofuels: A Global Perspective |
A November 2007 report from the USDA's Economic Research Service. "
Biofuels will likely be part of a portfolio of solutions to high energy prices, including conservation, more efficient energy use, and use of other alternative fuels." Includes discussion of food v. fuel, government policy, and trend predictions. |
Wisconsin's Bio-Based Industry:
Opportunities and Advantages Study |
A study completed in June 2006 as part of the Governor's Consortium on Biobased Industry |
| The Carbohydrate Economy |
A perspective on the bio-economy from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. |
| A Diagram of Bio-Industry Issues |
(UW resource) This 1-page diagram from the Ag Innovation Center is an attempt to organize and illustrate the complex array of issues that are integral to any bio-refinery project. |
| Assessing the Bioeconomy |
The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy has been conducting an online survey to gauge people's "hopes and concerns" about the bioeconomy. |
| The ecological and social tragedy of crop-based biofuel production in the Americas |
A critical analysis from Food First /Institute for Food and Development Policy, undated web article. |
