Newswise — The University of Idaho has received a five-year, national USDA grant totaling $950,000 to create and distribute nationwide public education about biodiesel fuels made from oil crops, such as canola or mustard seed and reused vegetable oils.
Having established premier programs in biodiesel development and transportation, UI now will use this grant to move biofuels research from the laboratory into classrooms and boardrooms across the nation. UI partnered with Iowa State University and its Center for Alternative Energy in the development of the grant. Iowa State will take the lead in developing biodiesel teaching materials for K-12 and community college courses.
The research team includes principal investigator Charles Peterson, interim head of UI Biological and Agricultural Engineering; co-project directors from UI Bingjun Brian He, BAE, Douglas Haines, business and marketing; and Jon Van Gerpen, Iowa State U combustions/emissions expert and mechanical engineering professor.
The effort will identify barriers to commercializing biodiesel and address them through publications, displays, educational materials, websites and workshops across the nation.
"The significant issue is to help the public and industry better understand the advantages, ease of using and eventual benefits of biodiesel fuels," said Peterson. "Our main job is to identify market barriers to using biodiesel and to provide technical information to allow potential users to make intelligent decisions. Biodiesel is renewable, burns cleaner and is an agriculturally derived product."
However, explained Peterson, biofuels made from rapeseed, mustard seed, soybean and any other crop high in oil content, most likely cannot be produced in sufficient quantity to replace the diesel fuel currently used for transportation.
"We want to assist in increasing consumption to match our potential production and to use it in places where it can have the most significant effects," said Peterson. "Acceptance of biofuels can open new markets, add value for agricultural commodities and improve farmers' economic situation nationwide," he added.
UI's biological and agricultural engineering program has won recognition for its visible research outcomes, producing biofuels (Vand-Oils) from agricultural products; and fueling the Vandal Trolley, the Volkswagen BioBug, pickup trucks and a fleet of service vehicles at Yellowstone National Park. Such projects demonstrate the viability of biodiesel as an alternative fuel for everyday transportation.
U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, recently visited the UI program and commended it as a national model.
"Our national energy portfolio must expand to make better use of these agricultural fuels, and the work being done in Idaho is right on target as we develop a comprehensive national Energy Bill in the U.S. Senate," Crapo said. Governments are examining the potential of tax breaks for biodiesel fuel use as well.
Interim UI President Gary Michael, himself a former business executive with Albertson's, Inc., recognizes the economic spin-offs that can result from the biodiesel educational project.
"The USDA five-year funding not only will help us focus on the technical barriers to biodiesel, but also will stimulate use of national biomass materials, provide new markets for U.S. producers, and reduce consumers' dependence on imported petroleum. What a win-win for everyone," he said.
The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the USDA provides the funds that allow UI to subcontract with Iowa State University. According to Van Gerpen, "The Iowa Energy Center has sponsored 10 workshops on biodiesel technology for the industry in the last year. This project allows us to inform and fuel consumers as well as to develop a cadre of trained instructors for a nationwide audience."
Other links about biodiesel activity of the region:SIRTI's Ag/Bio-Tech Showcase Nov. 19: http://www.sirti.org/Sen. Mike Crapo Oct. 1 release: http://crapo.senate.gov/media/2003/October/pr10012003a.htmBiofuel tax breaks -- http://www.theolympian.com/home/news/20030312/business/18863.shtml
RSS