DOE Offers New Funding for Feedstock Research, Good for Birds and Biofuels

On October 22, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a funding opportunity of up to $14 million for the development of environmentally and socio-economically sound landscape designs for the growth of cellulosic feedstocks. Eligible projects will use advanced logistics, technology and production methods to grow cellulosic feedstocks in areas that already support agricultural operations or forests.  These projects could range from growing cellulosic feedstock on marginal land, with improved water quality outcomes, or using agricultural residue to increase an operation’s profitability and soil quality.

DOE defines cellulosic feedstock as dedicated crops for energy use, perennial or annual plants, agricultural or forestry residue, or a combination of plants and residue, which would all qualify. The use of cellulosic feedstocks presents the opportunity to move biofuels beyond the ‘corn belt’, producing regionally appropriate feedstocks in all parts of the United States. DOE’s funding opportunity announcement (FOA) says in this case, DOE is looking to support high impact feedstocks, defined as being domestically available with the potential to produce a minimum of 50 million dry metric tons of lignocellulosic biomass annually in a sustainable fashion, equivalent to one billion gallons of biofuel each year. DOE will likely make from one to three awards, each worth $3 million to $14 million, which require the projects to share 20 percent of the total cost.

A recent study published October 9 in PLOS ONE by the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) found that grassland fields which can be used to cellulosic biofuel support three times as many bird species as cornfields of a comparable size. In southern Wisconsin, where the study was conducted, these species included 10 endangered species which only make their homes in grasslands. “Plant diversity is good for wildlife diversity. Our study suggests diverse bioenergy crop fields could benefit birds more so than less diverse fields,” explained study lead author Peter Blank, a postdoctoral researcher at UW-Madison.

To arrive at this conclusion, the researchers spent two years studying 30 grassland sites, including three already in use for bioenergy production, and 11 cornfields in southern Wisconsin. They measured the biomass yields possible in each location, took note of the vegetation, and counted the quantity and diversity of birds making their home in each field. “As bioenergy production demand increases, we should pay attention to the ecological consequences,” commented Monica Turner, a professor of zoology at UW-Madison who worked on the study. The study noted that while some previous analyses have indicated corn is more profitable than grasses as a biofuel feedstock, the improved habitat for birds in grasslands may offset that difference. In addition, the perennial nature of grasslands means no replanting is necessary, leading to better soil health and reliable bird habitat – presenting not only clean renewable fuels, but improving soil health and water quality. “We really can produce bioenergy and provide habitat for rare birds in the state,” Blank said.

Author: Laura Small

Sources:

DOE opens funding opportunity for feedstock research, Ethanol Producer Magazine 

Balancing birds and biofuels: Grasslands support more species than cornfields, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Landscape Design for Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, DOE