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Tuesday, April 21, 2009
7:00 am Morning Coffee
Session Chairperson
Stephen R. Hughes, Ph.D., Bio-Energy Research Program
Director, USDA Agricultural Research Service, NCAUR, BBC
8:05 Opening Address Genomics for Advanced Biofuels
Aristides A.N. Patrinos, Ph.D., President, Synthetic Genomics,
Inc.
Recent advances in the field of synthetic genomics create
potentially revolutionary applications that could have a dramatic impact on the
production of advanced biofuels. We will examine how Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
is developing novel genomic-driven strategies to create advances in biofuels
and applying both natural and synthetic biological approaches to unlock the
potential of plants and microbial resources for the development and
commercialization of advanced biofuels.
8:35 The “Q Microbe” and Transformation of the
Cellulosic Ethanol Processing
Jef Sharp, Executive Vice President, QTeros (formerly SunEthanol)
This presentation will discuss applications of the
revolutionary “Q-Microbe” to the development of multi-feedstock cellulosic
ethanol processing, eliminating an entire step in the production of ethanol. We
will also discuss the commercialization of the Q-Microbe through the series of
QTeros’ alliances that Qteros is developing across value chain.
9:10 Coskata’s Three-step Synthesis-gas
to Ethanol Platform
Wes Bolsen, Chief Marketing Office, Coskata
We will examine the advantages of the syngas-to-ethanol
platform, and the paths that Coskata is taking towards commercialization. The
three steps of the syngas-to-ethanol process will be explained, and the session
will provide details on the applications of this flexible feedstock technology
and how Coskata has been partnering to commercialize its technology.
9:45 Large-Scale Production of Renewable Oil Using
Microbial Fermentation
Jonathan Wolfson, Chief Executive Officer, Solazyme, Inc.
Scale and compatibility are critical requirements in
achieving rapid adoption of next-generation biofuels. Solazyme’s unique
approach to producing renewable oil, through industrial fermentation, provides
the mechanism to manufacture renewable oil at the scale necessary in the
transportation industry. In addition, this oil can be utilized in the existing
refining and distribution infrastructure. Using this approach, Solazyme has
produced 100% microbially derived green fuels, which have met the standards for
diesel (ASTM D975), Biodiesel (ASTM D6751 and EN 14214), and successfully
operated unmodified cars and trucks using these fuels. Solazyme’s production
process has been demonstrated at commercial scale, and is progressing rapidly
towards the commercial economics necessary to be successful in the
transportation industry.
10:20 Networking Coffee Break with Poster
and Exhibit Viewing
10:50 Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment: A Key to its
Successful Bioconversion to Fuel Ethanol
Badal Saha, Ph.D., Lead Scientist, Fermentation Biotechnology
Research Unit, USDA-ARS-NCAUR
Native lignocellulosic biomass is very resistant to
degradation by enzymes. Prior pretreatment is essential for efficient
saccharification of lignocellulosic feedstock to ethanol. In this presentation,
various pretreatment options such as dilute acid, alkali, alkaline peroxide,
wet oxidation, steam explosion and liquid hot water along with their merits and
demerits will highlighted.
11:25 Automated High-Throughput Production of GMAX
strains of Saccharomyces cereviciae for Profitable Sustainable
Cellulosic Ethanol Production from Industrial Hydrolysates
Stephen R. Hughes, Ph.D., Research Molecular Biologist, USDA,
Agricultural Research Service, NCAUR, BBC
Ken Tasaki, Ph.D., Director of Technology Research, MC
Research & Innovation, Mitsubishi Chemical, US
Second generation cellulosic ethanol production is beginning
in a variety of formats and using various ethanologenic microbes. The best
possibility would be to produce cellulosic ethanol using a Saccharomyces
cereviciae that has been engineered to produce ethanol from pentose as well
as hexose sugars. A glucose, mannose, arabinoase, xylose (GMAX) utilizing
cellulosic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain is under development to use
xylose and glucose to produce ethanol from cellulosic hydrolysate and then
production of valuable coproducts such as sweeteners, insecticidal peptides,
antimicrobial peptides, veterinary biologicals and more from the same
biorefinery. This strain produces 10-15% more ethanol than a
glucose-utilization strain. S. cerevisiae engineered to use xylose and
glucose can produce more ethanol than the next best fungal or bacterial
ethanologens. Additional work will be performed on this new S. cerevisiae
cellulosic ethanologen to express genes that will allow seamless arabinose
utilization too. Profitability is a major problem with the initial cellulosic
refineries since they require expensive and complex assortments of enzymes,
both cellulases and hemicellulases, to break down the lignocellulose. For
these second generation crossover biorefineries to be sustainable profitable
operations they need to overcome the problem of high-cost enzymes to break down
lignocellulosic feedstocks. Expressing these enzymes in the GMAX cellulosic S.
cerevivsiae could dramatically reduce the cost of enzymes required and be
used for all ethanol production settings with the benefit of having a secondary
valuable biofuel produced.
12:00 pm Algae 2020: Advanced Biofuels Markets and Commercialization Outlook
Will Thurmond, Author, “Biodiesel 2020”, Managing Principal, Emerging Markets Online
This presentation will examine emerging technologies, processes and trends in the market for algae derived biodiesel, including findings of a new study entitled Algae 2020 and report on recent R&D work from a survey of site visits with algae producers, research labs, universities, and public-private partnerships working on algae projects.
12:35 Sugar/Energy Canes as Feedstocks for the
Biofuels Industry
Edward P. Richard, Jr., Ph.D., Research Leader/Location
Coordinator
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Sugarcane Research
Laboratory
Sugar cane is a very efficient C4 grass in converting
sunlight and other inputs into biomass – biomass that includes a high
percentage of sugar that can be easily converted to ethanol as demonstrated by
the successes in Brazil. Three sugar cane varieties (L 79-1002, HoCP 91-552,
and Ho 00-961), dropped from the sugar cane varietal development program
because of excessive fiber levels, were released in 2007 by the
USDA-Agricultural Research Service, the Louisiana State University Agricultural
Center, and the American Sugar Cane League of the U.S.A. as “bench-marking
energy cane varieties” to meet the possible needs of biorefineries where the
production of ethanol from all of the above-ground components of the crop is
the desired objective. The three varieties, produced soluble sugar yields of
10.5 to 14.8 t/ha and dry fiber (bagasse) yields of 13.0 to 20.8 t/ha with an
estimated total ethanol yield of 11,400 to 13,400 L/ha when averaged over four
yearly fall harvests of the same planting. New varieties of dedicated “energy
canes” with higher levels of cold tolerance and higher total biomass yields are
also being developed by introgressing genes from sugar cane’s wild relative,
Saccharum spontaneum, and from its near relatives Miscanthus and Erianthus in
an attempt to move the geographic range of adaption further northward. Other
types of sugar-containing grasses are also being evaluated as complimentary
crops to lengthen the season for feedstock deliveries and reduce storage costs
at the biorefinery. We will review these developments and the current and
potential yields and impacts on the biofuels industry.
1:10 Luncheon Presentation (Opportunities Available)
or Lunch on your own
2:30 Next Generation Feedstocks for Cellulosic Ethanol
Michael Blaylock, Ph.D., Vice President, Systems Development,
Edenspace Systems Corporation
The development of dedicated Energy Crops specifically suited
for improved conversion to liquid biofuels is emerging as an opportunity to
dramatically change downstream processing requirements. Recent research has
demonstrated significant savings in enzyme loading rates and pretreatment
inputs through the use of crops engineered to produce enzymes in their tissues.
This presentation will highlight the advantages of “endoplant” enzymes targeted
to corn stover and other biomass Energy Crops and the synergies with existing
enzyme and pretreatment technologies.
3:05 Small Commercial Sweet Sorghum Biorefinery
Giuliano Grassi, Ph.D., Secretary General, Commission,
European Biomass Industry Association
David Eid, Chief Executive Officer, Encore BioEnergy, LLC
This co-presentation will present an overview of the current
developments in dedicated multi-feedstock energy crops that are based around
small scale, commercial facilities. We discuss the example of the development
of a 2500 acre sweet sorghum to ethanol project in Portugal that is designed to
produce ethanol, renewable electric generation, and pellets for livestock feed.
This is the first plant of its kind in the world to feature agro pellet
production in a closed loop facility.
3:40 Networking Coffee Break with Poster and Exhibit
Viewing
4:10 Jatropha Curacas: Myths and Facts
Dilip Gokhale, M.B.A., Global Head, Biofuels Development,
Business Development, Syngenta International AG, Switzerland
There has been a great deal of indiscriminate planting of jatropha
in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A lot of breeding work is required to be
done for the crop to become commercially viable. This presentation will discuss
the case study of a 17 year old jatropha planatation near Nashik in India from
1986 to 2003, which covered an area of 20,000 acres at its peak. The jatropha
trees finally had to be uprooted because the plantation did not give the
desired yields. It is necessary to share the experience of old plantations and
identify best practices and challenges for the new plantations. The
presentation also proposes a future global strategy for jatropha.
4:45 International Development and Commercialization of
Advanced Biofuels – A Panel Discussion
Moderator: To be Announced
Panelists:
Dilip Gokhale, M.B.A., Global Head, Biofuels Development,
Business Development, Syngenta International AG, Switzerland
Giuliano Grassi, Ph.D., Secretary General, Commission,
European Biomass Industry Association
Ken Tasaki, Ph.D., Director of Technology Research, MC
Research & Innovation, Mitsubishi Chemical, US
Uwe Fritsche, Ph.D., Head, Energy and Climate Division,
Oeko-Institut
5:30 Close of Conference
For questions about the Advanced
Biofuels Development Summit, please contact:
Bill Lundberg
Alliance Director and Senior Conference Producer
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: 781-972-1346
E-mail: blundberg@healthtech.com
For sponsorship or exhibiting
information, please contact:
Arnold Wolfson
Business Development
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: 781-972-5431
E-mail: awolfson@healthtech.com
For information about the
Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) and
its Clean Tech and Green Energy Council, please click below:
www.strategic-alliances.org/membership/memberresources/councils/clean-tech-council/index_html
Or contact:
Pam Goodell
Marketing Director
Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals, Inc. (ASAP)
Phone: 781-972-1343
E-mail: pgoodell@strategic-alliances.org
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