ARS | Publication request: Issues in the production and conversion of lignocellulosic biomass crops to ethanol

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 12, 2007
Publication Date: January 30, 2007
Citation: Jung, H.G., Dien, B.S., Vogel, K.P. 2007. Issues in the production and conversion of lignocellulosic biomass crops to ethanol. In: Midwest Forage Association Symposium and Annual Meeting Proceedings, January 30-31, 2007, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. CD-ROM.

Technical Abstract: Numerous national goals have been articulated for the eventual partial replacement of petroleum-based energy with renewable energy derived from biomass crops. While starch from corn grain is already being used on a large scale to produce ethanol, it has been concluded that cellulose and the other cell wall carbohydrates in lignocellulosic feedstocks (e.g., corn stover and cereal straw, and dedicated biomass energy crops such as hybrid poplar, switchgrass, and alfalfa) will be needed to meet the renewable energy goal of replacing 30% of 2004 gasoline demand with biofuels by 2030. This level of energy replacement will require the production and conversion to ethanol of approximately 1 billion tons of biomass annually. This paper outlines some of the major biomass production and conversion challenges to implementing lignocellulosic-based ethanol systems.