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11.08
Central
Indiana IEEE Biofuels Conference
By Earl
Hill, Chair Power & Energy Society, CIS-IEEE
On 20 August 2008, the Central
Indiana Section (CIS-IEEE) was proud to sponsor
the 1st Annual Regional Technical Discourse:
“Biofuels in Indiana: Technology, Public Policy
and Future Direction.” The full-day conference
was held at Duke Energy’s headquarters, in
Plainfield, Indiana, and was attended by more
than 40 IEEE members and other professionals.
Jim Stanley, President of Duke
Energy Indiana introduced the conference, and
spoke on Duke’s efforts to promote renewable
energy. In particular, he discussed the “fifth
fuel” — efficiency. He also introduced the
keynote speaker, State Senator Beverly Gard,
chair of the Indiana Senate Energy and
Environment Committee.
In her address, Senator Gard
summarized where Indiana stands in a number of
biofuels-related areas. Three years ago, the
state, despite its agricultural abundance, was
far behind in biofuels. Today, Indiana is one of
the national leaders in ethanol and soy diesel
production. Indiana is also moving forward in
putting the infrastructure in place to make
biofuels more accessible to the public.
The conference agenda addressed
many of the current hot topics in biofuels.
However, even a full day is not enough time to
cover all aspects of the biofuels issue. One of
the goals of the conference was to educate
members of the Section and the public.
Therefore, when planning the day, the Section
wanted to ensure that even and balanced
perspectives of the issue would be presented. To
achieve that goal, the Section organized a
diverse selection of speakers and presenters, of
which are summarized hereunder.
Don Villwock, President,
Indiana Farm Bureau
Is a 25x25 World Possible?
The 25x25 Alliance is dedicated
to the idea that by 2025, 25 percent of
America’s energy will come from its farms,
forests, and ranches. The energy will come from
biomass, but also from wind, solar and hydro
power. This represents a six-fold increase in
renewable energy use. Villwock explained how the
United States can achieve this goal.
Dr. Mark Goebl, Professor,
Indiana University School Medicine (IUPUI)
The Lugar Alternate Energy
Center
In 2008, Senator Richard Lugar
dedicated his namesake Center at IUPUI. The
Center will be involved in all aspects of
renewable and alternate energy, from fuels to
advanced energy crops to policy implications.
Dr. Goebl discussed the various projects at the
Center, and his own research into improved
ethanol production. The improvements involve use
of modified yeast to better convert cellulosic
material into ethanol.
Dr. Peter Grossman, Professor
of Economics, Butler University
If Ethanol is the Answer,
What is the Question?
Dr. Grossman provided a
contrasting view to the other speakers. He
discussed how meeting goals set by politicians
in the energy area is difficult, and how similar
past policies have also failed to achieve energy
independence or even cheaper energy. The current
drive to produce ethanol is based on high oil
prices, high subsidies and low corn prices, none
of which is sustainable in the long term.
Business Roundtable, Hosted
by Gerry Dick, Inside Indiana Business
Panelists:
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Vince Griffin, Vice
President, Indiana Chamber of Commerce
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Belinda Puetz, Brand
Manager, CountryMark
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John Whittington, Vice
President, Integrity Biofuels
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Ray Moistner, Executive
Director, Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s
Association
Gerry Dick, a well known
Indianapolis business commentator, hosted this
session, where each of the participants
discussed how their industry was moving forward
with biofuels. Belinda Puetz represented a
company that drills its own oil in America, and
blends with soy diesel. John Whittington
represented a firm that produces soy diesel,
while Ray Moistner represented the hardwood
industry, which makes a significant contribution
to biofuels through wood production. Lastly,
Vince Griffin presented the overall impact of
biofuels on the business community.
Mark Walters, Director,
Biofuels Programs, Indiana Soybean Alliance and
Indiana Corn Marketing Council
Ethanol: the Road Ahead
Walters discussed how ethanol is
necessary to improve the world’s energy supply.
The high cost of oil has had a significantly
greater impact on world food supply than has
ethanol production. Furthermore, continuing
advances in corn production techniques are
likely to result in both more corn for ethanol
and for food. Like many others, Walters sees
corn as a “bridge” crop to better energy crops
in the future. Lastly, he pointed out that the
United States can achieve energy independence by
discussing how Brazil was able to do so.
Ken Klemme, Acting Director
Indiana Department of Agriculture
State of Indiana’s
Perspective on Biofuels
The state of Indiana has a
number of initiatives under way to promote the
production and use of biofuels. In 1998, Indiana
had few biofuels facilities, but currently has
the third largest production base among the
states. Indiana has sponsored “Biotown,” an
agricultural community that plans to use 100
percent renewable or alternate energy. Klemme
discussed the many state initiatives in this
area.
Dr. Thomas Mason, Professor
of Economics, Rose-Hulman Institute
Biofuels and Energy Outlook:
A Global Assessment
The speakers concluded with Dr.
Mason, who presented an economic perspective on
biofuels. Mason pointed out that while oil
prices have skyrocketed, high prices are driving
reductions in oil demand. The United States has
an opportunity to reduce oil use through the use
of ethanol from crops, but also from fat,
cooking oil, and waste products. Mason explained
that the costs of transporting ethanol are going
up (ethanol cannot be transported using the
current gasoline and jet fuel infrastructure),
and therefore is likely to be produced and used
locally. He also pointed out that ethanol
production is based on high oil prices, which
could decline, as the oil market is very
volatile.
Earl Hill, chair of the Central
Indiana Section's Power & Energy/ Industrial
Applications Society (CIS-IEEE), summarized some
of the conference's key points, including:
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corn “kernel” based ethanol
is not the answer, but could be a bridge to
future energy crops
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biofuels probably won’t
eliminate the need for oil (or even for oil
imports), but might reduce demand and,
consequently, prices
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alternates to oil use do
exist
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biofuels are likely to
continue to contribute to the U.S. energy
supply, but a decrease in oil prices may
have a significant impact on profitability
The CIS-IEEE wishes to thank all
the speakers for participating, and Duke Energy
for hosting the meeting.
Earl Hill is chair of the
IEEE Central Indiana Section Power &
Energy/Industrial Applications Society.
Comments may
be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.
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