The Kellogg Biological Station (KBS) houses the main field site for the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center’s (GLBRC) sustainability research, which is also conducted in Wisconsin and other parts of Michigan.

As part of our long-term research program, we investigate the economic viability and environmental sustainability of crops that have potential to be grown for cellulosic biofuels, such as ethanol. We seek to answer questions such as:

• At what market price would farmers start to grow crops for cellulosic biofuels?
• How will cellulosic biofuel crops affect habitat for wildlife and beneficial insects, water conservation, and soil quality?
• How much cellulosic ethanol can be produced from various crops?

Frequently asked questions about our research include:

• What is cellulosic ethanol?
• Which crops can be grown for cellulosic ethanol production?
• Why are we interested in making ethanol from cellulose?
• Does the gasoline I buy now have cellulosic ethanol in it?
• Are there other biofuels besides ethanol that cellulosic crops can be used for?
• How can I learn more about GLBRC research at KBS?

What is cellulosic ethanol?

All biofuels are made from plant material. Cellulosic ethanol is made from the leaves, stems, and other fibrous parts of a plant which have large amounts of cellulose and hemicellulose. Cellulosic ethanol can be made from nonfood plants (such as grass) and has much greater "energy bounce" than gasoline or corn ethanol, which means it generates far more energy than it takes to produce. Crops grown for cellulosic ethanol production are also referred to as cellulosic biofuel crops or dedicated energy crops.

Which crops can be grown for cellulosic ethanol production?

Both annual and perennial plants can be used to produce cellulosic ethanol. Annual crops, such as corn, complete their life cycle in one year and therefore need to be replanted every year. Perennial crops, for example poplar trees, can persist after the initial planting for several years or even decades. The primary crops in the Midwestern United States being considered for cellulosic biofuels are:

• Corn cobs and corn stover, the leaves and stalk that remain after grain harvest
• Switchgrass, a perennial grass that was native to the tallgrass prairie
• Miscanthus, a perennial grass native to Asia
• Fast growing hybrid poplar trees

At KBS we are investigating these crops as well as oilseed crops for biodiesel—such as soybeans and canola— and native tallgrass prairie species, such as big bluestem and black-eyed susan.

Why are we interested in making ethanol from cellulose?

Currently the main biofuel on the U.S. market is corn ethanol, made by using the starch in corn grain. Both grain-based and cellulosic biofuels can help lessen our use of fossil fuels and can help offset carbon dioxide emissions. However, plants grown for cellulosic ethanol may have greater environmental benefits. Cellulose is the most abundant biological material on earth, and using it to produce biofuels can have social and environmental benefits including:

• Reduced competition for land. Only using grain to produce biofuels can lead to a tug of war between food and fuel sources. Cellulosic fuel crops can grow on lands that are not necessarily suitable for food crops and thereby reduce or avoid food vs. fuel competition.
• Enhanced ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are the benefits we humans receive from ecosystems, including food, fuel, fiber, clean water and air, carbon sequestration, and open spaces. Perennial crops grown for cellulosic ethanol can increase services such as: 
  • Soil erosion and better nitrogen retention because their roots are good at holding soil to prevent erosion and capture dissolved nitrogen before it can contaminate ground and surface water.
  • Carbon sequestration belowground in roots and soil organic matter because there is no further tillage after crop establishment.
  • Lower fuel and carbon dioxide costs associated with field crop operations such as planting, tillage, and weed control because most crops that would be grown for cellulosic ethanol require much less intensive management than grain crops.
  • Diversified agricultural landscapes by allowing farmers to grow a greater variety of crops with more complex mixtures of plant species. A mixture of native grass and tree crops can keep wildlife habitat intact and support vital ecosystem services, including those that help other crops in the landscape.

It is important to remember that the environmental benefits of cellulosic biofuel crops are not guaranteed. The environmental success will depend on factors such as which crops are grown, the practices used to manage biofuel crops, and where the crops are grown.

Does the gasoline I buy now have cellulosic ethanol in it?

No, currently the ethanol that is blended into gasoline in the United States is made from corn grain. While scientists know how to convert cellulose to ethanol, they are still working on how to do this on a large, commercial scale.

Are there other biofuels besides ethanol that cellulosic crops can be used for?

Cellulosic crops can be directly converted to various energy sources including heat and power, ethanol, syngas and bio-oil. These products can be further processed into transportation fuels, heating oil, bio-polymers, adhesives, high value chemicals and electricity.  Basically, cellulosic crops can be used to create an alternative to any petroleum based product. Much of the developing world continues to use cellulosic crops (firewood) directly as fuel.

How can I learn more about GLBRC research at KBS?

The KBS LTER Program Website has detailed information on the experiment, including sampling procedures, maps, access to the data catalog, publications, and more. For more information, contact GLBRC Sustainability Research Coordinator Poonam Jasrotia at poonam31@msu.edu.

See the LTER Outreach Page for information on upcoming events and links to available handouts. The GLBRC field research site is available for guided tours for classes, professional groups, and others wishing to know more about GLBBRC research and how it is conducted. For tours please contact Dennis Pennington, Bioenergy Educator at GLBRC-Tours@kbs.msu.edu.

For more information see the GLBRC website or the MSU Extension Bioenergy website. Much of the information on this page is from an Ecological Society of America handout .