University of Tennessee poised to give go-ahead to cellulosic ethanol project, with Oak Ridge, Mascoma as partners

The University of Tennessee is ready to vote on construction of a pilot cellulosic ethanol plant in Vonore. The plant would produce ethanol from switchgrass, and the project is being developed in conjunction with Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Two groups have received a combined $190 million in grants for cellulosic ethanol research. The proposed project would produce 5 Mgy of cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

According to a report from Metropulse, the group reached a partnership agreement with Mascoma for operation of the plant and collaboration on research aimed at making the cost of switchgrass ethanol commercially competitive.

The state government has, in addition, pledged $18 million in incentives for switchgrass growers, and $10 million for genetic engineering of switchgrass to double the yield to 12 tons per acre, and employ new enzymes to increase ethanol production to 100 gallons per ton, from the current figure of 80.

Net output: 1200 gallons per ton, or nearly triple the yield of 430 gallons per ton realized from corn.

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