Energy Department Announces $9 Million to Improve Sustainability of Cellulosic Bioenergy Systems

The Energy Department today announced up to $9 million for the design of sustainable bioenergy systems that maintain or enhance the environmental and socio-economic sustainability of cellulosic bioenergy through the improvement of feedstock production, logistics systems, and technology development. This funding supports the Department's efforts to promote the commercialization of environmentally sustainable advanced bioenergy that reduces carbon emissions and enhances national security. 

The project will involve landowners and multi-disciplinary stakeholders in the landscape design process, establish field research to quantify and improve sustainability metrics, and assess logistics systems needed to provide high quality cellulosic feedstocks to conversion facilities for bioenergy.

• Antares Group, Inc. (Lanham, Maryland)—The Antares Group, Inc. will receive up to $9 million to enable more stable and diverse future feedstock supplies (corn stover, switchgrass, and other warm season grasses) for three cellulosic biorefineries in Iowa and Kansas, while increasing both profitability and ecological benefits in those areas. The project will incorporate a broad range of conservation practices, develop and validate advanced landscape management tools, and collect data on key sustainability indicators and feedstock logistics performance.

The Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) accelerates the development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Learn more about how EERE's Bioenergy Technologies Office supports the development of a sustainable, domestic bioenergy industry.