The Daily Mining Gazette - Published: Monday, November 26, 2007 Print Article | Close Window Tech partners with MSU on biofuels By DAN SCHNEIDER, DMG Writer HOUGHTON — Michigan Technological University and Michigan State University are cooperating to work on biofuels research they hope will bring more industry to Michigan. “Both Michigan Tech and Michigan State are trying to be supportive of economic development in the state and the biofuel industry in the state,” Tech Vice President for Research David Reed said. “Particularly what is called cellulosic ethanol, which is ethanol made from wood ... is an area where Michigan has a chance to be a real player in the industry. “This agreement is one of the steps that we’re taking to do that.” The partnership will allow the universities to combine expertise on research and technology development. “Working together we can do a lot more and be more effective than either of the universities can be by themselves,” Reed said. While Michigan Tech specializes in cellulosic ethanol, Reed said “MSU is much more focused on agricultural sources of biomass, agricultural waste and especially agricultural products such as what they call sawgrass.” He said the two combined broaden Michigan’s appeal as a place to do business in the biofuels industry. “You’ve got us that can support companies that are interested in wood sources and you’ve got Michigan State that can support companies that are interested in ag sources,” Reed said. “And what Michigan can do is say look, there is no other state that can offer you this full spectrum of resources.” Representatives from both universities and Gov. Jennifer Granholm traveled to Sweden in August to meet with Chemrec AB company that specializes in gasification of paper mill byproducts. During the visit, Chemrec signed a memorandum of understanding with NewPage Corporation to explore the development of a plant to produce biofuels at NewPage’s paper mill in Escanaba. Reed, School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Dean Margaret Gale, Associate Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Professor Mechanics Jeffrey Naber, Chemical Engineering Professor David Shonnard, and Social Sciences Professor David Shonnard are Tech’s representatives on the Renewable Fuels Working Group, which will oversee the cooperative work between the two universities. Most of the members of the Tech contingent also have a role in Tech’s Wood to Wheels project, an interdepartmental effort at the university that is researching cellulosic ethanol production and improvements in engine technology that will allow cars to run optimally on ethanol. Associate Forestry Professor Kyung-Hwan Han, Forestry Department Chairperson Daniel Keathley, Research Forester and Upper Peninsula Forest Properties Manager Ray Miller and Assistant Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering comprise MSU’s representation on the Renewable Fuels Working Group. Granholm has envisioned Michigan as a growing player in the biofuels industry. “Finding alternative sources of energy and fuel is going to be critical for our nation and can mean thousands of jobs for Michigan citizens,” she said in a press release related to the Tech-MSU partnership. “Our state has the assets to be a leader in this sector, and we are looking to our universities to provide the knowledge to get us there.” Dan Schneider can be reached at dschneider@mininggazette.com