Not So Corny: Live From Platts Cellulosic Ethanol Conference 2008, Part I

Daily Tech
Jason Mick (Blog) - October 13, 2008 8:49 AM

The GM-sponsored Platts Cellulosic Ethanol and Biofuels conference in Chicago discussed the imprending commercial scale production of cellulosic ethanol as well as offering a sneak peek at upcoming efforts such as butanol fuel production.

GM showcased its HHR, an E85 Flex-Fuel Vehicle. GM is leading the automakers in FFVs, with over half the current population on the road. It plans to have 18 FFV models by 2009, and 50 percent of its line supporting E85 by 2012.

The third annual Platts Cellulosic Ethanol and Biofuels Conference (formerly just Cellulosic Ethanol Conference) provided an intriguing firsthand look into a developing industry, one which DailyTech was on hand to cover. The conference highlighted how far these technologies have come, and also how far they have yet to go before hoping to supplant the oil industry. The conference also highlighted the sheer diversity of approaches among biofuel startups, something which underscores the creativity and passion that exists in the field.

The conference kicked off last Thursday with John McKenna, Managing Director of Hamilton Clark & Co., taking the stage. Mr. McKenna, whose firm is a biofuel investment group, underscored the promising state of the industry. He said that despite a rough economic atmosphere, cellulosic ethanol company stocks are holding value far better than traditional ethanol companies. Mr. McKenna said that within a year or two ethanol production costs would drop from $2.20/gallon to $1.25/gallon, thanks to cellulosic technology. He discussed the critical next step -- the transition of cellulosic ethanol out of the lab and into demo plants and scaling up to small commercial plants, a reoccurring theme at the conference. He also praised the new biofuel tax credits, part of the "sweetner" which aided the passing of the $700B USD bailout bill. He lauded, "The credit again goes to people in government who are focused on this industry."

Read the full story