Northern Plains Bioeconomy Conference Set for Sept. 22

North Dakota State University is hosting a daylong conference in Fargo on Sept. 22 to explore how the northern Great Plains fits into the national energy vision.

The conference, “2009 Northern Plains Bioeconomy: What Makes Sense? ” will be held at the Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center, 1635 42nd St. S.

Congress has set a goal of producing 36 billion gallons of ethanol annually by 2022, with as much as 21 billion gallons produced from cellulosic feedstock.

“Those attending will hear discussions about the production of fuels and materials from cellulosic biomass and the potential impact on North Dakota and the surrounding region, the technology and economics of various aspects of biofuels and bioproducts, and hear about projects currently underway in the region,” says Nancy Hodur, NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics research scientist and one of the conference organizers. “Participants will explore how the northern Plains fits into this national vision and how it can benefit.”

Topics that will be covered during the conference include:

• Biomass projects today and tomorrow
• The indirect land use debate
• NDSU/MBI Biomaterials Initiative research and development efforts in the commercialization of biobased nanofibers and biocomposites
• Preliminary engineering and design of a cellulose-to-ethanol pilot plant
• Pretreatment of biomass by ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX)
• Next steps to developing a biomaterials industry in North Dakota
• A discussion on whether the market or the supply comes first
• A review of regional bioenergy research
• POET Project Liberty update

The conference will start at 8:15 a.m. with a welcome address by NDSU Vice President for Agriculture and University Extension, D.C. Coston. The conference will conclude at 5 p.m.

Some of the speakers include:

Shane Goettle, North Dakota Department of Commerce commissioner; Bruce Dale, Michigan State University distinguished professor; Bernie Steele, MBI International director of operations; Larry Drzal, Michigan State University distinguished professor; Don Senechal, The Windmill Group founding principal; Arlen Leholm, North Central Association of Agricultural Experiment Stations executive director; Sandra Broekema, Great River Energy business development manager and Doug Berven, POET director of cororate affairs.

Participants also will have the opportunity to view exhibits at a poster session highlighting NDSU’s research, education and development efforts related to energy and bioproducts and sponsor displays prior to lunch.

The cost of the conference is $100. The registration fee includes conference materials, lunch and refreshments during breaks.

For more information, contact Hodur at (701) 231-7357 or nancy.hodur@ndsu.edu. Additional information and online registration are available at http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/bioopportunities/conference/index.html.

NDSU Agriculture Communication