Biofuels
Discover more about biofuels and biodiesel as alternative energy resources with Penn State Extension. Find educational information and advice on generating biofuel energy from sorghum, canola or rapeseed, switchgrass, giant miscanthus, willow, and wood. Tips on fuel pellets production, anaerobic digesters, biomass energy, and biodiesel safety are available.
Biofuels
Biofuels are liquid fuels derived from biological materials such as animal wastes, forest residues, and perennial crops. They can reduce greenhouse emissions and increase energy security by providing an alternative to conventional fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum.
Among the most common types of biofuels in use is biodiesel. Biodiesel is a renewable substitute for petroleum-based diesel fuel that can be made from animal or plant oil. About 90% of the biodiesel produced in the US comes from soybean oil. A number of other alternative field crops – including switchgrass and miscanthus – can also help meet the increasing demand for both food and fuel.
Switchgrass grows well on a variety of soil types, is drought tolerant, and can be used as a biomass energy crop. Miscanthus tolerates drought as well, although it does better under wetter conditions. Miscanthus plants are ideal for soils that are too wet for growing crops like soybean or corn. Learn more with Penn State Extension’s resources on new, alternative biofuel sources, including canola, camelina, sorghum, industrial hemp, and sugarbeets.
In this section, access detailed information on a variety of topics, including utilizing woody biomass resources for wood-based ethanol and using waste grain as a fuel source for drying ovens.
Biomass Energy Production
Biomass energy is generated by natural materials and can be used to create heat or electricity.
Wood pellets are an increasingly popular source of heat. Numerous biomass materials can be utilized to make heating pellets. Perennial grasses, such as switchgrass, can be grown and made into biomass pellets on the farm. What’s more, as pellet-making equipment comes in a variety of sizes and scales, both smaller-scale and commercial plants can effectively manufacture fuel pellets.
Anaerobic digestion is another common method of turning biomass into energy. In this process, organic material is broken down by bacteria to create methane-rich biogas. In Pennsylvania, on-farm anaerobic digesters with power production are a solution for many farmers looking to make their operations more energy-efficient and productive.
Join the Converting Organic Waste to Energy online course to uncover how biogas is produced, as well as learn what equipment is needed and how to estimate yield. In addition, discover Penn State’s biodiesel program and find tips on cleaning and storing oilseeds intended for edible oil or fuel.
Biodiesel Safety and Best Management Practices
As more agricultural producers begin to adopt and/or produce fossil fuel substitutes, it’s important to note that there are several biofuel energy issues that should be considered beforehand. A particularly important consideration is the impact of biodiesel on engine reliability, performance, and maintenance.
Additionally, before learning how to make biodiesel, procedure and safety precautions should be established to avoid poisoning, fire, and soil and water contamination. As every facility is different and faces different challenges, staying up to date on process improvements and governmental regulations is crucial.
Penn State Extension offers valuable resources on assessing biomass processing fire hazards and learning biodiesel best management practices to protect the health and safety of the producer and the environment.
- Webinars
Free
Grants, Loans and Funding Available for Digesters
When Watch NowLength 1 hourRecorded Aug 21, 2024Event Format On-Demand | RecordedAre you wondering how to fund an anaerobic digester project for your farming, energy or conservation practice? Our instructive webinar has your answers! - Articles
NEWBio Switchgrass Budget for Biomass Production
This article provides an enterprise budget for growing switchgrass as a dedicated energy crop to help growers to understand the inputs, costs, and potential revenues. - Articles
Miscanthus Budget for Biomass Production
Giant miscanthus is a sterile hybrid perennial warm-season grass that grows relatively fast on less-than-ideal soils, making it a preferred energy crop. - Articles
Shrub Willow Budget for Biomass Production
Shrub willow is a fast-growing woody plant with excellent potential as a feedstock for bioenergy production. - Articles
Wood Heat for Your Home: Does It Pay Off?
This article takes a look at what kind of savings you can expect if you switch to wood heat. - Articles
Using Your Wood Stove Efficiently and Effectively
Wood Stove Efficiency: Using a high-efficiency stove, using dry wood, keeping the fire hot, and not starving the fire. - Articles
Using Biodiesel Fuel in Your Engine
Pros and cons of using biodiesel fuel in your diesel engines, covering engine performance, fuel quality, and potential problems. - Articles
What's So Different about Biodiesel Fuel?
This article compares biodiesel with traditional petroleum diesel fuel, discussing properties, quality, blends, and enhancement additives. - Articles
Renewable and Alternative Energy Fact Sheet: Wood Energy Kids' Page
This article provides activities and a story about the forest for kids. - Articles
On-Farm Production of Biomass Grass Pellets: A Case Study
This article describes an operation where switchgrass is grown and pelletized, covering all aspects of the operation, from crop establishment to marketing the crop, and an analysis of costs. - Articles
Is Biomass Heat Right for You?
Information to help homeowners, schools and institutions, and industries determine whether biomass heat would be effective and cost-efficient for them. - Articles
Fuel Ethanol: Hero or Villain?
This article provides the advantages and disadvantages of using fuel ethanol to help give engine owners a balanced view and make the most of their fuel. - Articles
Commercial-Scale Biomass Combustion Equipment
Overview of the equipment common to most commercial-scale biomass combustors and discusses some of the considerations in selecting a biomass combustor. - Articles
Co-firing Biomass with Coal
One of the more promising options for PA farmers and foresters interested in growing biomass, is to sell your biomass for co-firing with other fuels, especially coal. - Articles
Characteristics of Biomass as a Heating Fuel
Biomass is a promising option for providing locally produced, renewable energy in Pennsylvania. - Articles
An Introduction to Biomass Heating
Combustion process, fuel choices, equipment, obtaining biomass fuels, and emissions and pollution. - Articles
Alternate Markets for Dedicated Grass Energy Crops
Growing renewable biomass feedstocks like perennial grasses that can be converted into energy (electricity, liquid transportation fuels, or heat). - Articles
A Primer on Woody Biomass Energy for Forest Landowners
This article gives an overview of the scope and issues involved when considering whether managing a forest for energy production is a good option. - News
Wood to Gasoline on the Horizon?
Date Posted 7/8/2024Group seeking to innovate in Pennsylvania’s North Woods - Articles
New Directions for Biorenewables
Overview of energy and materials opportunities discussed at the 2024 Bio Renewables symposium. - News
Anaerobic Digestion and Extension
Date Posted 12/5/2023Iowa conference explores needs and opportunities for biogas on the farm - News
C-CHANGE Grass2Gas Webinar Series
Date Posted 10/10/2023C-CHANGE's Grass2Gas webinar series explores how we can make production of renewable natural gas (RNG) on farms a widespread solution to some of the economic and environmental challenges facing agriculture. - Webinars
$10.00
Renewable Energy Academy: Renewable Liquid Biofuel Technologies
When 09/22/2023Event Format On-Demand | RecordedThis on-demand webinar will teach you the significant varieties of biofuel that can be created, describe the process of making biofuel from biomass, and describe the performance of typical vehicle engines when fueled with biofuel. - Articles
Waste Biogas Production From Stackable Long Stem Materials
The ideal materials for these systems are those that can be handled with a front end loader and stored in piles, wet bales or bunker type storages. - Articles
Using Waste Grain as a Fuel for a Forage Sample Drying System
Learn how unmarketable grain was tested as a potential fuel source for drying ovens.