Bioenergy refers to the energy of materials such as wood, corn, and animal waste.  The carbon stored within these energy sources is originally derived, via photosynthesis, from the carbon dioxide of the atmosphere.  Therefore, bioenergy is often valued for its carbon dioxide sequestering ability.

Materials such as wood, corn, and animal waste can be burned directly, or made into fuels or other value added products.  For instance, the same corn crop can be made into ethanol and also yield distiller's grain for animal feed.  The general term for using biomass materials as the feedstock for fuels, chemicals, or other valuable bioproducts is biorefining.

• Mass Culture of Algae from Waste Water for Biofuels Production, Roger Ruan, Ph.D., Professor and Director, Center for Biorefining and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (2009)
• U.S. Energy Independence, A Cost Effective, Practical, Sustainable, Near-Term Path Forward, Norm Olson P.E., Program Director, BECON Facility (2009)
• Biomass Fuel as a Fossil Fuel Replacement, Bill Johnson, Manager, Bio Fuels Development, Alliant Energy (2009)
• The Ethanol Boom: Development of a Farmer-Owned Ethanol Cooperative; Paul Harrison and LaVergne Ausman,Western Wisconsin Energy LLC and the Western Renewable Energy Cooperative. (2007)
• Western Wisconsin Renewable Energy Cooperative: Organizing Farmer Ownership or How Did We Get to Where We Are..., Jim Faust, UW- Extension Ag Agent (2007)
• Electric and Gas Loads for Ethanol Plants, John Kayser, PE-Team Leader, Delivery System Planning, Alliant Energy (2007)
• Introduction to RETScreen Energy and Economic Analysis of Combined Heat and Power and Biomass Combustions, Doug Reinemann, UW- Madison (2007)
• From Biomass to Hydrogen to Electrons: MG&E Pilot Project, Randy Cortright, Virent Energy Systems (2006)
• Modernizing Your Dairy: Cutting Edge Electrical and Informations Technologies, The Dairy Farm as Electrical Energy Generator, Douglas Reinemann, Milking Research and Instruction Leboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005)
• Midwest Bio-Products and Bio-Energy Initiatives, Robert Brown, PhD., Iowa State University (2005)
• The Apollo Alliance, Joel Rogers, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005)
• From Agro Forestry to Electric Power, Ken Ragland, PhD., University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Energy Performance SYstems, Inc. (2005)
• Wisconsin Biorefining/Bio-Energy Roadmap, Jenny Hermans, Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005)
• Chemicals and Power via Gasification and Pyrolysis, Robert Brown, PhD., ISU (2005)
• BioEnergy Research at the University of Minnesota, Vance Morey, University of Minnesota (2005)
• Iowa State University-- Research Update, Jay Harmon, ISU (2004)
• Chemicals and Fuels from Boimass in the Midwest, Norm Olson (2003)
• BECON (Biomass Energy Conversion Facility), Keith Kutz (2000)
• Fuel Cells, Mark Daugherty (2000)

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Biochemical Sources & Production

• Chemicals and Power Via Gasification Pyrolysis, A 2005 MREC conference presentation by Dr. Robert C. Brown, Bergles Professor in Thermal Science, Director of the Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (CSET) at Iowa State University.
• Biomass Energy Conversion Center (BECON). Created by the Iowa Energy Center, BECON is a facility focused on “developing value-added products from Iowa’s abundant biomass resources. It provides credible, firsthand information on biomass technologies to create fuels and chemicals, as well as demonstrations of pilot-scale biomass conversion systems.”
• Genencor. “Genencor serves customers who process agricultural raw materials such as barley, corn, wheat and soybeans to produce animal feeds, food and food ingredients, and renewable fuels. Genencor believes that the introduction of innovative products with new function will offer significant benefits to our customers in the agriculture and food industries.”
• Center for Biorefining. University of Minnesota’s biorefining page. This website links to current research related to biorefining.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Biorefining Website. Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s website provides information on bio-feedstocks, engineering these feedstocks, and tools used to calculate bioproduction. This website also provides links to pertinent USDA & DOE links.

Biopower Sources & Production

Links:

• POWER: DATCP Newsletter on Biofuels and  Biopower
• 2006 Forest Products and Forestry Websites
• 2005 Estimate of Sustainable Energy Resources in Wisconsin's Forests
• Renewable Energy Research, Vance Morey, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Minnesota.
• 25x'25 eNEWS Renewable Energy Initiative, Reports on new energy initiatives and relevant renewable energy events around the United States.
• Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center
  • Alternative Fuel Station Locator, Alternative Fuel Data Center
  • The MTBE crisis and the future of biofuels: hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, United States Senate, Subcommittee on Research, Nutrition and Gneral Legislation, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session on MTBE crisis and the future of biofuelds: April 18, 2000.
  • 2002 Farm Bill Initia. A thorough guide to the 2002 Farm Bill Section 9006, which covers federal funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

Non-web Publications:

General

• EI - The Energy Independent, February 2001, Volume 7, Issue 2, 16 pages, EI- The Energy Independent, 402 University Avenue, Suite 1, Grand Forks, ND 58203.

Forestry

• From Agro forestry to Electric Power, Ken Ragland , Energy Performance Systems, Inc. (2005 MREC Annual Conference presentation).
• Prototype high density hybrid popular biofuel plantations 1998 report prepared by Glen R. Stanosz (University Wisconsin-Madison) under contract with Department of Administration, Wisconsin Energy Bureau.

Biogas

Microturbines for Combined Heat and Power from Biogas, Jan Scott, Unison Solutions (2005 MREC Annual Conference presentation).

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Corn Ethanol

Links:

• Ethanol and Bio-Fuel sources of information. by Greg Andrews, Associate
  Professor, UW-Extension-Agriculture, Natural Resource Extension - Team
  Grains - Ethanol Workgroup
• Integrating Bio-Fuel Production with Wisconsin Dairy Feed Requirements, Written for presentation at the 2006 ASABE Annual Internation Meeting, "This paper considers the use of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal, coproducts of corn ethanol and soy biodiesel production, respectivels, in dairy rations across the state, and howthis consumption could influence Wisconsin's biofuel production."
• The Distillery and Fuel-Ethanol Network- Organizations and Resources
• Clean Air Act: environmental benefits and impacts of ethanol: hearing before the Subcommittee on Clean Wetlands, Private Property, and Nuclear Safety of the Committee on Environment and public Works, United Senate, One Hundred Sixth Congress, second session June 14, 2000.
• Petroleum and ethanol fuels: tax incentives and related GAO work/United Sates General Accounting Office, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division. Author: United States. General Accounting Office. RCED.

Non-web Publications:

• Ethanol Study Tour (2001) PowerPoint presentation, 33 pages, by Greg Andrews, Pierce County Agriculture Agent, 715-273-3531, ext. 663.
• Questions and Answers About Ethanol, booklet, 28 pages, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Ethanol Commission, 90 West Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107, Phone: (651) 297-2223, Fax: (651) 296-6890 or Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Corn Research and Promotion Council, 14198 Commerce Avenue, NE, Suite 600, Prior Lake, MN 55372, Phone: (612) 233-0333, Fax: (612) 233-0420.
• Questions and Answers About Ethanol, booklet, 21 pages, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Minnesota Ethanol Commission, 90 West Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107, Phone: (651) 297-2223, Fax: (651) 296-6890.
• The Voice of the Ethanol Industry, (RFA – Legislation) 5 pages, Renewable Fuels Association, One Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: (202) 289-3835, Fax: (202) 289-7519, Email: info@ethanolrfa.org.
• Ethanol and Engine Performance, (RFA – Ethanol and Engine Performance), 3 pages, Renewable Fuels Association, One Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: (202) 289-3835, Fax: (202) 289-7519, Email: info@ethanolrfa.org.
• The Voice of the Ethanol Industry, (RFA – Publications), 2 pages, Renewable Fuels Association, One Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: (202) 289-3835, Fax: (202) 289-7519, Email: info@ethanolrfa.org.
• UW-Extension Ethanol Study Tour – June 18-19, 2001, 40 referenced educational material packet, by Greg Andrews, Pierce County Agriculture Agent, UW-Extension, 412 West Kinne Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011, Phone: 273-3531, Ext. 663.
• Ethanol Programs Bring Benefits, but Carry Notable Costs and Risks, 2 pages, Legislative Auditor, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155, Phone: (612) 296-4708.
• Minnesota Ethanol Production and It’s Transportation Requirements, by Jerry Fruin, Konstantinos Rotsios, D. Walter Halbach, Staff Paper Series, April 1996, 4 pages.
• The Future Fuel Is Now (E 82 – 85% Ethanol - brochure, National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition, 3702 West Truman Blvd., Suite 100, Jefferson City, MO 65109, phone 573-636-8590 or 1-800-E85-8895, Fax: 573-635-5466, Email: nevc@sockets.net.
• Breathe Easy – Boats Run Great On Ethanol brochure, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, 14198 Commerce Avenue, N.E., Suite 600, Prior Lake, MN 55372, Phone: (612) 338-5696.
• Breathe Easy – Snowmobiles Run Great On Ethanol brochure, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 90 West Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107, Phone: (612) 297-4653.
• Breathe Easy – Small Engines Run Great On Ethanol, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 90 West Plato Boulevard, St. Paul, MN 55107, Phone: (612) 297-4653.
• Two page report from Al-Corn Clean Fuel, P O Box 6, Claremont, MN 55924, phone (507) 528-2494 or fax (507) 528-2612.
• Minnesota Ethanol Production and It’s Transportation Requirements, by Jerry Fruin, Konstantinos Rotsios, D. Walter Halbach, Staff Paper Series, April 1996, 4 pages.
• Ethanol Plant Feasibility Study for Southwestern Illinois, Stanley Consultants, Inc., Executive Summary, (Excerpts from published Ethanol Feasibility Study done by Stanley Consultants, Inc.), 6 pages, Contact: Ed Weilbacher, Coordinator, Southwestern Illinois RC&D, Inc., 406 East Main, Mascoutah, IL 62258, Phone: (618) 566-4451, Fax: (618) 566-4452.
• A low-energy continuous reactor-separator for ethanol starch, whey permeate, permeate mother liquor molasses or cullulosics, M. C. Dale author, 25 pages.
• California Energy Commission Votes 4-0 to Adopt Report of Benefits of Establishing In-State Ethanol Industry , press release, 1 page, Renewable Fuels Association, One Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 820, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: (202) 289-3835, Fax: (202) 289-7519, Email: info@ethanolrfa.org.
• “Ethanol industry at crossroads”, “Plants seeking green light”, President praises ethanol; mum on waiver request” - newspaper articles, Agri News newspaper, Thursday, May 24, 2001.
• Ethanol Programs Bring Benefits, but Carry Notable Costs and Risks, 2 pages, Legislative Auditor, 658 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55155, Phone: (612) 296-4708.
• Minnesota Ethanol Production and It’s Transportation Requirements, by Jerry Fruin, Konstantinos Rotsios, D. Walter Halbach, Staff Paper Series, April 1996, 4 pages.
• Will Hughes packet – some overheads, Lorenz and Morris article on How much energy it takes to make a gallon of ethanol, Badger State Ethanol economic impact analysis, Jeffery Knight, WI Bureau of transportation article “Ethanol as an Energy Solution” (608) 224-5142.

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Organizations that Support Bio-Development Initiatives:

• NDSU Bio Energy and Production Innovation Center: The center's purpose is to serve as a single site at North Dakota State University to develop, coordinate and promote the developmnet of bio-related activities at NDSU and within North Dakota.
• 2002 Farm Bill Initiative: A thorough guide to the 2002 Farm Bill Section 9006, which covers federal funding for renewable energy an denergy efficiency initiatives.
• ISU Bioeconomy, a 2005 MREC presentation by Dr. Robert C. Brown, Bergles Professor in Thermal Science, Director of the Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies (CSET) at Iowa State University.
• CSET, a member of The Institute for Physical Research and Technology through Iowa State University, is a research and educational outreach group dedicated to promoting and developing biorefining technologies.
• BIOWA Development Association. Association Goals: “Develop at least ten regional biorefineries in Iowa by 2020; Build at least five new biobusinesses, or major expansions of existing biobusinesses each year beginning in 2005; In addition to employment, provide investment opportunities for Iowans in biorefineries and biobased businesses.”
• BECON: "Biomass Energy Conversiton Center (BECON)is a faciliy focused on developing values-added products from Iowa's abundant biomass resources.Created by the Iowa Energy Center, BECON provides credible, firsthand information on biomass technologies to create fuels and chemicals, as well as demonstrations of pilot-scale biomass conversion systems."
• Great Plains Institute link and the Upper Midwest Hydrogen Initiative link were provided during Ralph Nordstrom's 2005 MREC conference presentations titled "Powering the Plains." Powering the Plains brings together government officials, the utility industry, agricultural producers, farm organizations and renewable energy advocated on the Dakotas, Iowa, Minnesota, Manitoba and Wisconsin to develop strategies, policies, initiatives and projects in energy and agriculture that add values to the region's economy while reducing the risk of climate change and other environmental concerns.
• Genencor: "Serves customers who process agricultural raw materials such as barley, corn, wheat and soybeans to produce animal feels, food and food ingredients, and renewable fuels. Genecor believes that the introduction of innovative products with new function will offer significant benefits to our customers in the agricultural and food industries."
• Center on Wisconsin Strategy (COWS): "From its home base as the University of Wisconsin-Madison, COWS works in three main areas: 1)Research on job quality and income, budget and tax issues, economic development and workforce developments. 2)Field projects that demonstrate how employers, unions, community-based organizations, and the public sector can work together to create strong local and regional economies and high-quality jobs. 3)Outreach to keep the public infromed about COWS activities, and to weigh in on important public policy debates."
• Center for Bio-Refining, University of Minnesota: The Center for Bio-refining coordinates with the University of Minnesota to promote research and provide education in bio-refining and bio-energy, as well as coordinate collaboration between researches in the public and private sector.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Biorefining): information on bio-feedstocks, engineering these feedstocks, and tools used to calculate bio-production. This website also provides links to pertinent USDA & DOE links.
• Whole Tree Energy Power Plant : From an MREC presentation (2005) by Ken Ragland, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Energy Performance Systems, Inc.
• Corn Plus link, from Tom Leneghan's (Alliant Energy) 2005 MREC conference presentation: "Corn Plus Biomass for Natural Gas Process Heat Replacement in Ethanol Plants." 

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