Large-scale biomass plantings in Minnesota: Scale-up and demonstration projects in perspective Page: 3 of 11
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LARGE-SCALE BIOMASS PLANTINGS IN MINNESOTA:
SCALE-UP AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN
PERSPECTIVE
Thomas Kroll, B.S., Forester
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Forestry
St. Paul, Minnesota
Mark Downing, Ph.D., Agricultural Economist
Biofuels Feedstock Development Program
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6352
Abstract
Scale-up projects are an important step toward demonstration and commercialization of
woody biomass because simply planting extensive acreage of hybrid poplar will not
develop markets. Project objectives are to document the cost to plant and establish, and
effort needed to monitor and maintain woody biomass on agricultural land. Conversion
technologies and alternative end-uses are examined in a larger framework in order to
afford researchers and industrial partners information necessary to develop supply and
demand on a local or regional scale. Likely to be determined are risk factors of crop failure
and differences between establishment of research plots and agricultural scale field work.
Production economics are only one consideration in understanding demonstration and
scale-up. Others are environmental, marketing, industrial, and agricultural in nature.
Markets for energy crops are only beginning to develop. Although information collected
as a result of planting up to 5000 acres of hybrid poplar in central Minnesota will not
necessarily be transferable to other areas of the country, a national perspective will come
from development of regional markets for woody and herbaceous crops. Several
feedstocks, with alternative markets in different regions will eventually comprise the entire
picture of biofuels feedstock market development. Current projects offer opportunities to
learn about the complexity and requirements that will move biomass from research and
development to actual market development. These markets may include energy and other
end-uses such as fiber.
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Kroll, T. & Downing, M. Large-scale biomass plantings in Minnesota: Scale-up and demonstration projects in perspective, article, September 1, 1995; Tennessee. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc622835/m1/3/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.