Tennessee Breaks Ground on Cellulosic Ethanol Pilot Plant

AgWeb.com
10/15/2008
Charles Johnson, Farm Journal National Editor

With a crowd of dignitaries, farmers, media and university representatives on hand, Tennessee broke ground on its long-awaited pilot cellulosic ethanol plant Oct. 14.

Located in an industrial park at Vonore, Tenn., 35 miles south of Knoxville, the plant begins with $40.7 million in state money for its construction. The project, using switchgrass as a feedstock, will produce just 250,000 gallons of ethanol a year beginning in fall 2009 but will be the key research facility in the state’s efforts to birth its biofuels industry.

Called Genera Energy, the project is a partnership between the University of Tennessee and DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, a joint venture formed this year by DuPont and Genencor to commercialize cellulosic ethanol.

Read the full story