Improved Light Utilization in Camelina
Technology Description:
The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center will optimize light utilization in Camelina, a drought-resistant, cold-tolerant oilseed crop. The team is modifying how Camelina collects sunlight, engineering its topmost leaves to be lighter in color so sunlight can more easily reflect onto lower parts of the plant. A more uniform distribution of light would improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. Combined with other strategies to produce more oil in the seed, Camelina would yield more oil per plant. The team is also working to allow Camelina to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) more efficiently, providing more carbon input for oil production. The goal is to improve light utilization and oil production to the point where Camelina produces enough fuel precursors per acre to compete with other fuels.
Potential Impact:
If successful, The Danforth Center's project will enable large-scale production of oil from Camelina on land not typically suited for food production, serving as an environmentally friendly alternative for 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 CO2 as they grow, 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:
Dr. Jan Jaworski
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
tmkutchan@danforthcenter.org
Partners
New Mexico Consortium
University of Nebraska, Lincoln
University of Missouri
Montana State
USDA - Agriculture Research Service
Michigan State University
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Release Date:
04/20/2011