CSU Supercluster Expo examines clean energy

Coloradoan
DAVID YOUNG
http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090506/BUSINESS/905060318/1046/rss03


Biofuel production was a hot topic Tuesday morning at the Cenergy CSU Spring 2009 Clean Energy Supercluster Expo.
The full-day event drew more than 15 leading clean-energy technology companies developed at Colorado State University.
The expo provided students and CSU staff an in-depth look at the latest developments in clean-energy technologies at the university. A primary focus of the morning session was the production of biofuels in Colorado through crops and algae.

Patrick Byrne, associate professor of plant breeding and genetics for the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, addressed the development of oilseed crops for biofuels production in Colorado.
Byrne's research has led him to three species of crops related to canola in hopes of finding the best type of brassica oilseeds for biodiesels.

Using such a crop for fuel purposes is practical because the technology already exists for extraction and conversion; it is better than corn ethanol and can produce other products such as straight vegetable oil and animal feed, Byrne said.
Byrne is learning that the oil type and growing conditions can play a part in the emissions and engine condition when it comes to burning the fuel. As a result, he hopes that one day oilseed crops will be a viable means of biofuel in Colorado.

"Nobody has done this work before; this is really novel research," Byrne said during the detailed presentation.
Another aspect of biofuels addressed at the expo was algae.

Anthony Marchese, associate professor of mechanical engineering, spoke to an audience of about 100 professors and students about algae-based biofuels for the transportation sector.
While Marchese pre-faced his speech saying there are some obstacles to overcome when it comes to biofuels - they are energy intensive to produce, produce a poor yield for fuel per acre and compete with food supply - he said biofuels will be integral to the auto and aviation industry in the future.

"Less than 1 percent of oil is coming from biological sources," said Marchese, who is testing algae biofuels on an engine designed for biofuels.