Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The SERA-38 Biobased Energy Research and Information Exchange Committee met in Knoxville, TN on November 16 in conjunction with the Farm Foundation/USDA Renewable Energy Field Days. Participants discussed current research activities and prospective projects with the group. Tim Rials opened the meeting, and gave a brief overview of the mission of the Center for Renewable Carbon. The Center for Renewable Carbon will seek to coordinate multi-disciplinary R&D related to lignocellulosic materials, carbon fiber, chemical coproducts, and pretreatment of biomass. Ray Huhnke spoke of the progress at Oklahoma State which included: possible use of CRP lands for biomass production, research related to switchgrass storage and feedstock development, thermochemical conversion technologies, and movement towards a more holistic approach with regards to production of ethanol and other alcohols. Burt English shared information on progress at the University of Tennessee including: the Bio-Based Energy Analysis Groups continued work with the 25x25 Alliance, informational materials on Flex-Fuel Vehicles to be distributed to local automobile dealerships, and development of educational materials for grades 5-8 related to biomass (Clark Garland). Kelly Zering shared that the first ethanol plant is online in North Carolina. Research at North Carolina State is currently focused on plant breeding, genetically modified trees for higher yields, models converting existing pulp mills to biomass neutroceuticals. Ben Legendre spoke of the potential for sugar cane bagasse for ethanol or pelletizing for European markets. Feedstock development (high-fiber energy cane, sweet sorghum, and miscanthus) is also a priority. James Wooten shared that Mississippi State is also involved in feedstock development (switchgrass, miscanthus, sweet sorghum, energy cane, and giant miscanthus producing upwards of 25 tons/acre). Research is also under way related to catalysts to produce high quality gasoline and diesel, pyrolysis of biomass to produce liquid hydrocarbons, extraction of sugars from cellulose, pelletizing of giant miscanthus and switchgrass, and conversion of waste treatment plant bacteria to produce oil. Mark Hall spoke about the increasing role of extension in biomass and suggested a framework to facilitate collaboration among problem-solvers in various disciplines. Carmela Bailey let the group know that NIFA has undergone internal reorganization from disciplines/programs-based departments to issues-based departments. As two central programs supporting biomass development, the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) and the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) were discussed. Sam Jackson, discussed biomass sustainability standards created by the Council on Sustainable Biomass Production (CBSP). The mission of this group is to establish a tiered certification program for biomass so that producers are recognized in the biomass market for their efforts. The meeting continued with an open discussion on sustainability issues. In closing, Mark Hall was elected as the 2011 SERA-38 President, and James Wooten was elected as the 2011 secretary.

A spreadsheet was created of bio-based energy resource contacts by institution, and information was shared relating to bio-based energy by institution/state over the past year. Presentation material was shared on bio-based energy and sustainability which could be used by SERA-38 members. The group agreed that a SERA-38 website would facilitate communication and information exchange.