The scientists at LS9 Laboratories in California are taking a new approach in the search for sustainable fuels. Current sources of biofuels involve the growing of crops such as corn, canola or soybeans, which challenges us to choose between food and fuel. Rising demand for biofuels have caused some staple food prices to soar as land is turned over to fuel crop production and more land is cleared to increase supply. So while we are reducing our carbon footprint by increasing the use and availability of these products, we are forced to make compromises in other areas, meaning that these current alternatives are not truly sustainable options.

Using genetic modification the researchers at LS9 have altered the common Escherichia coli (E.coli) bacterium and encouraged it to eat wood chips, straw and other biomass waste. The result of this fermentation type process is that the bacterium secretes an oil product that burns just like diesel fuel. There are two significant benefits to this new approach. The first is that these altered E.coli will be eating waste products not food stocks that were destined to feed the human population. By using the biomass waste, wood chips and straw, they are eliminating products that would normally go into the waste stream.

And as all geographic regions have some sort of biomass by-product, whether it’s from logging or farming, no resources will have to be shipped large distances to produce the new diesel. This will not only save a tremendous amount of money but will reduce hundreds of thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide from the vehicles which currently transport canola, corn or soybeans to biofuel processing plants.

The second benefit is that the E.coli diesel-producing bacteria create a product that is practically pump-ready. The ethanol biofuels that are currently being produced require a significant amount of processing and distillation, while the process for making E.coli fuel requires 65% less energy. Between the ploughing, fertilizing, harvesting and processing, activities which use fossil fuels to complete, many scientists doubt that traditional biofuel production results in a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Consumers stand to benefit as well, since the majority of the cost of traditional fossil fuels is attributed to transportation and processing, both of which have been significantly reduced as a result of this new technology.

The new production method developed by LS9 would put us one step closer to developing a truly sustainable fuel source. The next challenge for the lab is to be able to develop enough fuel to supply our growing needs. More than 7.6 billion litres of biofuels were consumed in 2009, which doesn’t really put a dent in the astronomical amount of fossil fuels used each year.

In addition to the creation of a new fuel source, scientists have found that with just a few genetic manipulations, the bacteria can produce other chemicals including those that can make detergents, cosmetic additives, scents and flavouring compounds. Truly innovative science is taking our way of life in new directions we never thought possible and leading us down the path toward a more sustainable future.

Having grown up with a dad who works in the agriculture industry, I have spent countless hours listening to (and sometimes trying to block out... sorry Dad!) the agricultural science-themed conversations that were often held around the dinner table. Since childhood I have had a particular interest in all things environmental and find myself fortunate enough to be working in that field today. My father and I would occasionally have heated discussions about what we saw as two different worlds, the traditional agricultural way of food production and my worldview on the environment.

Recently I have been spending a lot of time surfing the Internet, in search of information and new ideas for future Ecollo articles. Many of the articles I find myself attracted to these days blend agriculture with the environment and I am growing increasingly interested in how the work of scientists, producers and growers is supporting the work that is benefitting our environment. This type of partnership is certainly a change from two groups that were traditionally opposed to one another. What’s also exciting is that the people in these two camps are also changing. My dad and I now have discussions about what farmers are doing to increase sustainable practices in their operations and how environmental NGO’s are developing programs that support farmers in making these great changes. A terrific example of this is the partnership between winter wheat growers and Duck’s Unlimited. Farmers are encouraged to grow winter wheat, which helps to reduce soil erosion, requires less weed control and has larger yields, but also provides critical spring nesting habitat for waterfowl.

It is innovative science such as the creation of biofuels from biomass waste using E.coli bacteria and partnerships between the different industries that bring about a truly sustainable future. 

» LS9 Labratories

In recent years there has been much conversation and effort put into reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. Research has resulted in the development of biofuels and ethanol blends that reduce the amount of oil needed, while shrinking the amount of carbon emitted per litre of fuel we use. Currently, the biotechnology industry has focused its efforts on corn, sugar cane, soybeans and canola as the main sources for these fuel blends. This has sparked a huge debate. While we certainly need to change our current energy practices, farmers are also challenged with providing food for the growing human population. So, the question is: Food or Fuel? How do we choose?

Luckily, there is a group of researchers, farmers and agronomists who may have the solution we are looking for. Enter camelina. This ancient crop is a member of the mustard family and a distant relative of canola. Growing from one to three feet tall, it is heavily branched and produces pods that contain tiny, oily seeds. It’s a tough crop that can grow in drought conditions and takes less fertilizer than many other products. A quick growing plant, it is seeded in the fall and harvested in early summer. This life cycle not only distributes the annual workload for farmers but, like winter wheat, can also provide a safe and attractive habitat for waterfowl who are looking to nest in the spring.  In addition, camelina helps condition the soil for the other crops that can follow it in rotation, such as wheat. According to some growers in Saskatchewan, this hardy little plant has a natural resistance to moths, grasshoppers, and worms and even deer lack interest in the crop.

There are many advantages to using this crop as a substitute for other crops in the biofuel industry. Camelina, long considered a weed by modern famers, has a high oil composition;  40% oil compared to soybeans 20%. Beyond producing a high percentage of oil, the seeds are also high in Omega-3 fatty acids and once the oil has been extracted, the remaining meal can be turned into a high protein food for cattle and swine. It also contains a significant amount of Vitamin E, which helps prevent rancidity. Other uses that have been identified by Terramax include replacing petroleum in cosmetics and pesticides and as an industrial lubricant.

The opportunities for camelina biodiesel are being explored by the Sustainable Oils organization. Their camelina field testing program has been successfully growing the crop in a variety of environments including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Pacific Northwest, the High Plains and the Southern United States. Sustainable Oils was recently rewarded a contract from the U.S. Government that should solidify camelina as a major player in the burgeoning biofuels industry.

The U.S. Air Force recently tested the product in their A10-C Thunderbird II. An historic 90 minute flight took place on March 25th, 2010 using a 50-50 mix of camelina biodiesel and traditional jet fuel. While the use of biofuels is not only extremely beneficial for our environment in the most obvious way – a reduction in carbon emissions from the vehicles or planes that use it – but because it is domestically grown it creates jobs and reduces dependence on foreign fuel sources. Camelina was actually selected by the military for initial testing because it does not compete with food crops and has been proven to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80%. Camelina has also been successfully used in a commercial test flight.

I think the potential for camelina as a fossil fuel substitute represents a tremendous opportunity to change what we burn for fuel and our ability to reduce the impact our travel has on this planet. It’s also an example of how we can combine the natural world and scientific research in a way that brings incredible benefit to the economy, individuals and our environment in pretty significant ways. The work that is being done with camelina will hopefully inspire more interest in the flora of our beautiful planet and the untapped potential in the positive discoveries that can be found on our plains, rainforests and mountain hillsides.

» Camelina Company

I’ve always thought of Algae as an annoying green scum around a swimming hole or fish tank. Recently however, algae has become the latest crop being targeted for biofuel production. While doubling it’s weight several times a day it could produce up to 10,000 gallons of biofuel per year while corn would only yield 60 gallons per acre annually. 

Algae biofuel could become the ultimate in green fuel, both figuratively and literally. The idea is to use recycled carbon dioxide from other industries to feed the Algae. As it grows the oil is harvested for fuel while the other green mass by-product can be used in fish and oyster farms. So, not only are we using up CO2 but there is very little waste.

While the process of growing, harvesting and converting algae into fuel is still being perfected things look promising. The aviation industry is very interested in reducing it’s fossil fuel consumption and is hoping to see it’s first plane flown entirely on biofuel in 2010.

A startup in Seattle called Blue Marble Energy isn’t growing algae in farms but instead plans to cleanup algae from existing sewage plants and waterways and process it into fuel.

As this whole biofuel situation plays out it will be interesting to see what crops become the winners. It would be nice to see the edible crops like corn used to feed our bellies versus our engines.

» Blue Marble Energy