Genetically Enhanced Sorghum and Sugarcane

Genetically Enhanced Sorghum and Sugarcane


Program:
PETRO
Award:
$7,135,117
Location:
Champaign, Illinois
Status:
ALUMNI
Project Term:
02/15/2012 - 03/31/2017

Technology Description:

The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is working to convert sugarcane and sorghum—already 2 of the most productive crops in the world—into dedicated bio-oil crop systems. Three components will be engineered to produce new crops that have a 50% higher yield, produce easily extractable oils, and have a wider growing range across the U.S. This will be achieved by modifying the crop canopy to better distribute sunlight and increase its cold tolerance. By directly producing oil in the shoots of these plants, these biofuels could be easily extracted with the conventional crushing techniques used today to extract sugar.

Potential Impact:

If successful, UIUC's project will enable some of the most productive crops to be grown for biofuels in new climates and on land unsuited to food crops. This could lead to more large-scale production of renewable biofuels to replace petroleum-based fuels.

Security:

The transportation sector accounts for nearly all of our petroleum imports. Providing an advanced biofuels alternative to petroleum will allow the U.S. to reduce these imports, improving our energy independence.

Environment:

More than 25% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. come from the transportation sector. Because plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, the level of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels is less than half that of petroleum fuels.

Economy:

The U.S. imports nearly $1 billion in petroleum each day, accounting for the single largest factor in our trade balance with the rest of the world. Biofuels can be produced domestically, allowing us to keep more dollars at home.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Joe Cornelius
Project Contact:
Prof. Stephen Long
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
slong@illinois.edu

Partners

University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Brookhaven National Laboratory
University of Florida

Related Projects


Release Date:
04/20/2011