Potential Ethanol Production
in Texas
The recent resurgence of interest in ethanol production prompted various
stakeholders in the State to call for an unbiased analysis of the potential in Texas. This project was designed to assess the feasibility of ethanol production in Texas.
While not intended to determine the feasibility of an individual site or region of the state,
the feasibility of constructing a plant in several regions of the State was assessed. An
attempt was made to focus on both the positives and negatives for various regions of the
state in terms of the economics of locating an ethanol plant in the area and on the
feasibility of the plant.
The report was completed in 2003 by Texas A & M
University’s Department of Agricultural Economics.
SECO commissioned the report to provide a broad overview
of ethanol production and to evaluate its potential
as an economic development strategy for Rural Texas.
Final Report: 2003
Abbreviated Version
Methane Generation: Dairy
Waste to Energy
This project included the feasibility of and points
out the economic implications of anaerobic digesters
on Texas dairy farms. The study provides the information
needed to allow state facilities and other entities
that utilize and generate revenue from agricultural
land use (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) to
evaluate renewable energy production as a viable economic
tool. The report provides an economic multiplier, which
will allow both large and small producers the ability
to evaluate their resource and account for electric
utility pricing. The
biogas digester capital budget sheet is available upon
request.
Final Report: June 2005
North
Texas Biomass: Mesquite to Ethanol Study (DOE
Special Project)
SECO contracted with Texas A & M University
for work on a project designed to develop a viable mesquite
biomass industry in North Texas and to determine the
technical, economic, and ecological feasibility of harvesting
mesquite for use as a renewable biomass in this region.
The project allows refinement of existing technology
for harvesting, baling, and lifting and loading mesquite
biomass. Texas A & M's expertise in rangeland management
will help determine the estimated regrowth to evaluate
the potential of mesquite wood for conversion to ethanol
using Pearson Technology.
Final Report: January 2007
Project PowerPoint Presentation
Aquatic
Biomass Production
Designed to study aquatic biomass production in Texas,
this project also focused on the treatment of wastewater,
water reuse, natural wastewater treatment systems, and
by-product development from waste products. Texas Tech
University collected biomass production levels of
aquatic plants. Cattails, water hyacinths, and duckweed
are grown on simulated recycled wastewater under various
levels of loading over an annual cycle so that an estimate
can be ascertained as to the possible aquatic biomass
production levels based on the recycling of various
sources of wastewater.
In
Fiscal Year 2007, SECO funded the
development of an economic model and the cost feasibility
structure for an interdependent system combining feed
manufacturing, aquaculture and feedlot production systems
with the conversion of biomass into energy while effectively
treating a waste stream. The modeling incorporated
marketing, transportation and manufacturing aspects
of the system. Utilizing biomass to create a source
of income would be a positive strategy for ginners and
livestock producers, and recycling water for the production
of biomass that can be used to produce sustainable energy
will help to preserve resources for future generations.
Final report: September 2007
Combined Heat and Power Potential Using Texas Agricultural Wastes
Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) is taking a deeper look at specific areas of potentially economic and resourceful uses of CHP, including CHP potential using Texas agricultural wastes. HARC characterized the emission reduction benefits of CHP systems in non-attainment regions of Texas and also collaborated with Safe Fuels, Inc. to measure and evaluate emissions of reciprocating engines using renewable biodiesel fuel.
Final Report: Biodiesel Emissions - November 2007
Final Report: CHP with Agricultural Wastes - January 2008
Final Report: NOx Emissions Impacts from Widespread Deployment of CHP in Houston - February 2008
In FY 2007,
SECO worked with Baylor University and Texas A &
M University to study production methods of renewable
fuels using more abundant and sustainable biomass inputs
such as unused agricultural and forestry residues, municipal
wastes and high-yielding, sustainable energy crops.
This project 1) expanded the analytical expertise
in advanced measurement techniques for the process streams
in ethanol, biodiesel and digester processing plants;
2) developed process models applicable to small-scale
ethanol, biogas, and biodiesel producers in the state;
and 3) developed the technical, economic, and environmental
benefit study comparing the use of digesters to produce
standard fuel sources.
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