The Bailout has also bought with it incentives for renewable energy production and is expected to have a positive impact on use of biomass and waste to energy conversion.The bill provides authorization of US$2 billion for CREBs (Clean Renewable Energy Bonds) for facilities producing electricity form resources such as biomass , landfill gas and trash combustion.It also extends the biodiesel production tax credit for three years expanding the filed to include non-vegetable oil diesel producers and also provides a 50% write-off for cellulosic ethanol facilities in operation by 2013.
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Bailout to Aid Greentech
Srikant Rajan -
Genomics For Efficient Biofuel Production
Srikant RajanCellulosic biofuels , involve tapping into plant material components such as cellulose,lignin and harness the energy tapped in by sun. Essentially any organic material ( biomass ) , contains energy which may be released and harnessed for various purposes. Thus to maximize energy output,the entire cycle of biomass production needs to be analyzed. This may allow for identification and subsequent enhancement of certain processes that may ultimately increase energy harvested. Genomics may be the key to achieve the same.Microorganisms,plant material are a combination of different chemicals such as glucose which are broken down for energy extraction. Careful analysis may allow “ tweaking ” of these chemicals that allow for maximum breakdown of sugar(glucose).
Recently , yeast Pichia stipitis that ferments plant sugars , was sequenced which , in turn may provide valuable insights for efficient biomass to energy conversion. Researchers add “ Using this prospecting technique, we can survey the vast microbial biodiversity to gain a better picture of the metabolic potential of genes and how they can be enlisted for the enzymatic deconstruction of biomass and subsequent conversion to high energy value fuels “