Cellulosic ethanol project partnership planned for Kentucky
A partnership between General Atomics and Eastern Kentucky University could provide the basis for a new and sustainable fuel production industry in Kentucky.
With the establishment of the Eastern Kentucky University Center for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies (CRAFT), researchers will examine the potential for a cellulose-derived biodiesel industry in the state.
By using algae techniques to process cellulosic materials that are locally available, the project offers both a technological underpinning for sustainable fuel production and a technology that could benefit agriculture in Kentucky.
The study will focus on determining appropriate cellulosic feedstocks and defining a strategic plan for starting up an industry that will convert those feedstocks to biodiesel products, and describe the technologies required along with their developmental costs, risks and schedules.
General Atomics will provide input on the biofuel conversion costs and issues of various cellulosic feedstocks to be studied. The result will be a technical report covering biofuel crop feedstocks in Kentucky and an economic impact model for this crop and biofuel industry.
Much of the initial funding for this project was contained in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, allocating $4 million (€3 million).
General Atomics specialises in diversified research, development and manufacturing in defense, energy and other advanced technologies.
With the establishment of the Eastern Kentucky University Center for Renewable and Alternative Fuel Technologies (CRAFT), researchers will examine the potential for a cellulose-derived biodiesel industry in the state.
By using algae techniques to process cellulosic materials that are locally available, the project offers both a technological underpinning for sustainable fuel production and a technology that could benefit agriculture in Kentucky.
The study will focus on determining appropriate cellulosic feedstocks and defining a strategic plan for starting up an industry that will convert those feedstocks to biodiesel products, and describe the technologies required along with their developmental costs, risks and schedules.
General Atomics will provide input on the biofuel conversion costs and issues of various cellulosic feedstocks to be studied. The result will be a technical report covering biofuel crop feedstocks in Kentucky and an economic impact model for this crop and biofuel industry.
Much of the initial funding for this project was contained in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act of 2009, allocating $4 million (€3 million).
General Atomics specialises in diversified research, development and manufacturing in defense, energy and other advanced technologies.
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