Kurt Thelen, MSU professor of crop and soil sciences, is leading the
investigation to examine the possibility that some oilseed crops like
soybeans, sunflower and canola, and other crops such as corn and
switchgrass, can be grown on abandoned industrial sites, or brownfields,
for use in ethanol or biodiesel fuel production. Another partner is
NextEnergy, a nonprofit organization that supports energy technology
development.
The results of the work conducted here might sprout similar sites across
the state and nation in areas that aren't desirable for commercial or
residential uses. The results also will contribute crops for biofuel
production and may help clean up contaminated soils.
"Right now, brownfields don't grow anything," Thelen said. "This may seem
like a drop in the bucket, but we're looking at the possibilities of
taking land that isn't productive and using it to both learn and produce."
The project now is a two-acre parcel that is part of a former industrial
dump site in Oakland County's Rose Township. Thelen's group is looking to
determine if crops grown on brownfield sites can produce adequate yields
to make them viable for use in biofuel production. The crops also need to
produce adequate quantities of seed oil.
A secondary objective is to examine whether the growing plants actually
contribute to bioremediation, meaning they take up contaminants from the
soils, without affecting their quality for use in biofuels. This might
make them especially useful to grow on contaminated brownfields.
As interest increases in the use of biofuels to offset dependence on
fossil fuels, there are challenges on many fronts. Crop researchers are
looking at which crops and crop varieties possess the best qualities for
this use, and farmers are contemplating new marketing options.
At the same time, engineers are exploring more efficient and effective
biofuel production systems. There currently is no national standardized
specification for what constitutes B20, a blend of 20 percent biofuel and
80 percent petroleum diesel that is commonly used in diesel engines.
Engineers and the government are working to set a standard. When it's
established, Thelen hopes to have recommendations ready on the best crop
varieties that meet the standards.
"As the chemical engineers work on developing a national spec for B20,
we'll grow the crops in the marginal areas and see if they can meet it,"
Thelen said. "We're replicating our study on campus on good agricultural
land to compare yields and the quality of biofuel produced from an
agricultural land base versus a marginal brownfield land base and see if
there's a difference in yield and quality of biofuel."
The three-year study is supported by DaimlerChrysler, NextEnergy and
Project GREEEN (Generating Research and Extension to meet Economic and
Environmental Needs), the state's plant industry initiative at MSU. The
study also is supported by the MSU Michigan Agricultural Experiment
Station.
DaimlerChrysler has been selling the Jeep Liberty SUV with a diesel
engine, and beginning in early 2007 it will offer a diesel-powered Jeep
Grand Cherokee SUV. In both cases, the vehicles are fueled with B5 (5
percent biodiesel fuel) at the factory. This fall, the company will
approve use of B20 in the Dodge Ram diesel pickup for fleet customers who
use fuel that meets the current military fuel quality specification.
"Biofuel production is going to require a significant land base to meet
future production expectations," Thelen said. "Use of marginal lands or
sites not preferable for food crops is a good idea. We'll be looking at
whether it is something that might offer multiple benefits."
