Dr. Bill Rooney, Texas AgriLife Research plant scientist, gave an overview of energy sorghum research work. Energy sorghum has a lot of promise in the future, but there are challenges, including the development of an efficient conversion system, he said.
(Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
(Left) Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics and
Dr. Liu Yanhua, vice minister, ministry of science and technology, Peoples' Republic of China, sign a collaborative agreement for biofuels research. The agreement establishes the intent to cooperate in establishing processes and infrastructure for conversion of sweet sorghum and other feedstocks to ethanol. This agreement represents an important step forward in the collaboration of some of the world's top scientists to contribute to alternative energy research through the development of alternative feedstocks.
(Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
David Fleischaker, Oklahoma secretary of energy, was the keynote luncheon speaker Tuesday. Fleischaker discussed the future of biofuels. He began his discussion by talking about the importance of looking ahead, future generations "as we change our habits and look at alternative forms of energy."
- BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
The International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel began Tuesday and continues through this week, bringing together researchers and industry partners.
"Texas provides an ideal location for us to discuss how the agriculture and energy sectors are partnering to produce a new generation of renewable energy for Texas, the nation and the world," said Dr. Mark Hussey, interim vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University and director of Texas AgriLife Research.
"Whether it's for grain, sugar or a high-tonnage source of lignocellulose, most of you in attendance at this conference are committed to making sorghum the preferred dedicated feedstock for production of ethanol and other liquid fuels."
"I think we are on the brink of the one of the greatest challenges in history," said Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, extension and economics told attendees. "It's going to take everybody working together."
Sorghum is a viable solution as work continues to develop a "cleaner, more secure source of energy," Buchanan said.
More than 200 international experts from government, academia, the private sector and the agricultural community are attending the conference at the Omni Houston Hotel. U.S. co-sponsors of the event include Texas A&M University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research, Education and Economics (REE) mission area and the National Sorghum Producers.
Other co-sponsors include Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and Tsinghua University, which is located in the Peoples' Republic of China.
At the workshop, attendees will learn more about key scientific advances, economics and sustainable production and utilization of sorghum as a bioenergy crop. Participants will visit Texas A&M in College Station Thursday, learning more about ongoing research involving bioenergy feedstock and development led by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Site visits also will be available to Jennings, La., on Friday where Verenium Corporation has broken ground for a 1.4-million-gallon-per-year demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, the first of its kind in the United States.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Dr. Mark Hussey, interim vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at Texas A&M University and director of Texas AgriLife Research. (Photo by Blair Fannin, AgriLife Communications)
(Left) Dr. Gale Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture undersecretary for research, education and economics discusses sorghum as a biofuel feedstock with USDA's Merle Pierson. (Photo by Blair Fannin)
(Left) Dr. Mark Hussey and Dr. Bill Dugas, deputy director of Texas AgriLife Research, discuss the morning program. (Photo by Blair Fannin)
Sorghum's potential as a biofuel crop is the focus of the International Workshop on Sorghum for Biofuels at the Omni Houston Hotel starting Tuesday.
Sorghum is drawing more interest as a bioenergy crop due to its drought-tolerant traits and high-yield potential.
"U.S. consumers know that we need to develop new sources of energy to meet our transportation needs," said Dr. Gale A. Buchanan, U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Research, Education and Extension. "Growing sorghum for bioenergy production can give us a source of renewable--and profitable--energy right here at home."
Other co-sponsors include Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, and Tsinghua University, which is located in the Peoples' Republic of China.
At the workshop, attendees will learn more about key scientific advances, economics and sustainable production and utilization of sorghum as a bioenergy crop.
Participants will visit Texas A&M in College Station Thursday, learning more about ongoing research involving bioenergy feedstock and development led by Texas AgriLife Research scientists. Site visits also will be available to Jennings, La., on Friday where Verenium Corporation has broken ground for a 1.4-million-gallon-per-year demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, the first of its kind in the United States.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
Sponsors:
Check back for live updates from the International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel Aug. 19-22 in Houston, Texas.
-BLAIR FANNIN
b-fannin@tamu.edu
International Conference on Sorghum for Biofuel
Omni Houston Hotel, Houston, Texas
August 19-22, 2008
