1240458 (Hernandez). Considerable research is being conducted worldwide on biofuels and renewable energy. Successful implementation of specific processes will require different clusters of expertise and key components. The proposed event will be configured as panels of experts highlighting the configuration of networks necessary to produce renewable feedstocks, biofuels, and bioproducts. Five panels of experts will be configured to discuss (1) Biodiesel from Algae at a Power Facility (Kemper County, Mississippi), (2) Biofuels from Wastewater Produced by Pulp and Paper Operations, (3) Prolysis Oils and Biofuels from Mississippi Pine, (4) Bioproducts from Biomass, and (5) Solar Power Applications. Each panel of experts will be composed to 5-7 integrated presentations. The conference will inform biofuels stakeholders from industry, academia, and agriculture of advances in biofuels research, define the challenges facing the biofuels industry, and provide networking opportunities for people interested in collaborative research and/or employment in the ?green energy? arena. The organizing committee of the conference has selected specific renewable energy applications and will configure panels of experts to discuss specific technological and economic aspects in an integrated and sequential manner. The conference will aid in the dissemination of the latest biofuels research in the areas of catalysis, feedstock preparation, and resource utilization. The conference will also foster collaborations among researchers in industry and academia, resulting in the further advancement of biofuel technology. The conference will have a positive impact on all types of attendees: scientists and engineers will learn about the latest methodologies in biofuels development; students will have the opportunity to present research and network with potential employers and/or graduate advisors; attendees from the general public will become more aware of the science behind biofuels and become more interested in how they can participate in ?green energy? advancement. By providing key information regarding biofuels on both academic and industrial levels and facilitating the networking of biofuels stakeholders, the 2012 Southeast Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference will aid in the development of fuel technologies that are both ?green? and sustainable.
The 2012 Southeast Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference was held at the Marriot Hotel in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 8-9. Conference organizers built on the successes of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 MSU Biofuels Conferences, all sponsored by the National Science Foundation. Activities for the conference were actually initiated on July 18 and 19 with a Biofuels Camp for elementary school students. Another camp for high school students was provided on July 23-24. The majority of the camp attendees were students from under represented minorities. Both camps were educational, engaging, and fun. Participants were introduced to production of biodiesel and ethanol from soybean oil and corn, respectively. Students were informed about the problems associated with producing biofuels using food related feedstocks. They were shown other alternatives to producing biofuels, such as the integration of biomass, wastewater treatment facilities, and microorganisms. Information was also provided on the different engineering careers involved in the production and use of biofuels. The committee for the 2012 Southeast Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference preselected specific renewable energy applications and configured a panel of experts to discuss specific technological and economic aspects in an integrated and sequential manner. This unique approach focuses on specific aspects of the science and integration of different unit operations for a successful supply chain. The conference explained the benefit and challenges of specific renewable energy applications. The list of topics for the 2012 Southeast Biofuels and Renewable Energy Conference included: Biodiesel from Algae at a Power Facility – Engineers and Scientists from General Atomics, University of Kentucky, Mississippi State University, and the MS Department of Environmental Quality were invited to explain the potential to integrate processes involved in the production of oils from the carbon dioxide emitted by a power generation facility. This was a unique opportunity for academics and industry representatives to view the integration of expertise related to CO2 concentration and feeding processes, algae growth and harvesting, oil extraction, biodiesel production, and utilization of biodiesel. Biodiesel from Wastewaters Generated by Pulp and Paper Operations – Agricultural or industrial operations, such as pulp and paper producers, generate billions of gallons of wastewater per year that are conventionally pre-treated on-site via physical and/or biological processes prior to discharge into the environment (i.e., rivers). Presentations described evaluation of these waters as the main raw material for generating a biodiesel feedstock via lipid producing microorganisms at the International Paper Facility in Redwood, MS. Since the generation of large volumes of biofuel feedstocks from microbial sources requires an abundant supply of water, carbon, and inorganic nutrients, the availability of large volumes of water onsite with the infrastructure to move and process this water is very attractive. Speakers from International Paper, Mississippi State University, Bioenergy LLC, and University of Connecticut presented the integration of technologies necessary for the production of biodiesel from wastewaters, which would be used as a fuel for the transportation of pulp and paper products. Pyrolysis Oils and Biofuels from Mississippi Pine – There is an abundant of biomass in Mississippi. Faculty members from Mississippi State University, Enerkem, and Georgia Institute of Technology provided integrated presentations describing the process of biomass harvesting, and conversion of biomass into ethanol, hydrocarbons, and specialty chemicals using thermochemical platforms. Bioproducts from Biomass - There is also an opportunity to displace petroleum by developing processes to produce chemicals from biomass. Dr. Joseph Bozell, an internationally recognized expert on the development of chemical pathways to transform biomass into value added chemicals commercially produced from petroleum, presented fundamental research in this area. Dr. Bozell’s presentation was associated with Mrs. Susan Hager on the efforts of Myriant Technologies to produce succinic acid, which can be used for the manufacture of a whole range of high-volume, high-value chemical products including 1,4-butanediol, tetrahydrofuran, and as a substitute for adipic acid. Kengro Corporation and Reprieve provided presentations on the use of Kenaf and Giant Mischantus as adsorbents or energy crops, respectively. Solar Power Applications – Representatives from several solar power companies provide presentations on their products and specific applications. Additionally, users of solar power technologies described their experiences with the technologies and economics. Robert F. Dye Lecture Series – Mr. William Flowers established an endowment to fund the Robert F. Dye Lecture series in the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. The School has contributed these funds to cover traveling expenses of the conference’s keynote speaker for the last three years. The invited keynote speaker was Mike McAdams, President of the Advanced Biofuels Association. Mr. McAdams provided a dynamic presentation, highlighting the importance of the renewable fuel standard for the growth of biofuels industry and further highlight the importance of integrated networks for the success of biofuels and renewable energy.
