International experts discuss alternative fuel development in Missouri
Sean Comstock, posted March 22, 2007
The 4th annual Life Sciences and Society Biofuels Symposium at MU held March 14 and 15 focused on recruiting research development and new technologies for alternative energy in Missouri. Leading researchers gathered in Monsanto Auditorium throughout the symposium to discuss prospects of this rapidly growing industry and Missouri's significance in its development.
Ganesh Kishore, vice president of DuPont Science and Technology and chief biotechnology officer, stressed the need for global cooperation to ensure the energy crisis will be managed efficiently. By 2025, we will need to produce 50 percent more food and have access to 50 percent more energy than we do today Kishore said. He expanded on the need to prevent trade wars and to expand energy production without impacting the food supply.
"Every aspect needs to come together, and we need to be more productive in how we use our energy," said Kishore.
Companies such as DuPont, Broin, Bunge and Treus are composing genetic software to alter glucose molecules in soybean and corn plants to develop highly productive methods of harnessing energy. These methods could raise ethanol production 27 percent per bushel. One example is reducing glycerin within the plants and boosting the fatty acid count to sustain more potential energy.
"Significant potential exists to boost the productivity of biomass and transform biomass for better fuels," said Kishore. "This approach is not only to increase productivity but also improve energy efficiency and sustainability."
Kishore highlighted recent advancements in the field of solar energy through harvesting the sun and leveraging nature as a renewable resource.
Mike Mills, deputy director for the Missouri Department of Economic Development, focused on the fiscal impact of the growing ethanol industry. The sudden boost in the ethanol and biofuels market has left Missouri without an efficient trade system.
"Missouri currently operates like a third world economy," said Mills. "The market for farmers in rural America is something we have never seen." As a lobbyist for the soybean and biodiesel industry in Missouri, Mills recruits businesses to use Missouri as a base of operations for their research and development and understands the potential hazards of a growing economy.
"We have to be very cautious in our approach," said Mills. "We can't simply move from one commodity to another."
Missouri Soybean Association CEO Dale Ludwig highlighted the construction of four new plants such as Paseo Cargill Energy, in Kansas City, which will have the capacity to fuel 10 percent of Missouri's energy needs.
Missouri maintains great significance in the production of these alternative fuels because of its strategic location. Kishore said that 25 percent of the world's food is produced within the 300-mile region of the state, which leaves the state responsible to ensure that biofuels research does not affect the production of food.
"We are going to make Missouri a biofuels hub," said state Rep. Steve Hobbs, 21st District. "We are ensuring our place as an economic engine in the United States."
