Now Operational Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in the USA
Following a $90 billion fund booster from oil big player BP, Verenium
commenced with the production of ethanol from sources like trash, grass straw, and wood chips in their plant in Jennings, Louisiana. This ethanol producing factory using non-food raw materials is the first of its kind in the United States.
The cellulosic ethanol sector is the second generation of producers after corn ethanol makers exits the stage. The Louisiana plant serves as a demonstration ground that what they have may actually be good for everyone. The plant is set to produce around 1.4 million gallons of ethanol on a yearly basis.
Although the production of ethanol will not yet be on a commercial scale which requires more than 60 MGY, the pioneering effort is a major step in proving that the second gen ethanol sector can deliver what they have been promising.
Venerium is starting to show the world that they can really produce cellulosic ethanol by manipulating the genes of the microbes needed for the process.
They also have developed enzymes that can speed up the process and compares these enzymes to how a spark plug help start things up.
The Renewable Fuels Association discloses that there will be nearly a dozen second generation ethanol plants to rise in the United States between 2009 and 2012.
Another player, Range Fuels, is set to operate the first commercial scale cellulosic ethanol plant in Georgia later this year.
Amid all these developments, cellulosic ethanol is proving that it is not just pure talk and the public can expect another alternative fuel to be ready for consumption in the near future.