2. Project LIBERTY
• Build and operate one of the world’s
first commercial-scale cellulosic
ethanol biorefineries
• Integrate cellulosic ethanol
technologies with corn-based
ethanol technologies
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4. Key Project Deliverables
• 25 million gallons of ethanol
annually
• A sustainable biomass collection,
storage, and delivery system
• Reduced fossil fuel usage
• Viable and replicable model for
multiple biorefineries
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5. Corn Cobs
LIBERTY Design
Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
Hydrolysis &
Fermentation
Cob MHS Distillation Cellulosic
Pre-treat
Ethanol
Lignin
Separator
Alternative Solids Liquids Alternative
Energy Biogas Energy
System System
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7. Feedstock - Why Cobs?
• Abundant supply
• Low soil nutrient levels
• More carbohydrate
• Higher density
• Collectible & sustainable
• Greater ethanol yield
U.S. corn cobs represent over
5 billion gallons of ethanol
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8. Feedstock
• Requirement:
o 770 bone dry ton (BDT) per day
o 400,000 to 500,000 acres (~ third of corn acres in 35 mi. radius)
• Ethanol process can accept non-cob
corn crop residue
• Up to 25% corn stover removal is
environmentally sustainable
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9. Environmental
• Completed second year of field
study with ISU
• Very sustainable at rate of <25%
of residue removal
• Take aways:
– Minimal nutrition loss
– Know your soil
– Know what you are taking off
13. Options for 2010 Collection
1. Clean Cobs
2. Clean Bales
3. Second-Pass Bales
100 Farmers in 2010 16
14. Incentives
• DOE Feedstock Incentives
Ø Farmer variable cost incentives
Ø Equipment manufacturer incentives
• USDA Biomass Crop Assistance Program
Ø Matching payments up to $45/BDT
Ø Final rules in review
• Equipment procurement discounts offered
by manufacturers
15. Technology – Pilot Plant
• Over 14 months of operation
• 20,000 gallons per year capacity
• Making cellulosic ethanol
• Testing alternative energy
systems
• Focus is on reducing costs
ü 40% reduction since 2008
Pilot-Scale Cellulosic Ethanol Plant
POET Research Center, Scotland, SD
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16. Federal Environmental Requirement
National Environmental Protection Act
Key Milestone:
A Positive NEPA
Determination
Approved Sept. 2008
1616
17. LIBERTY Site
Existing Corn-Based
Biorefinery
POET Biomass
Facilities
LIBERTY
LIBERTY Biomass Biorefinery
Handling & Storage
18. Technology
Technology package complete
• Cob receiving
• Cellulose-to-ethanol process
• Alternative energy
Scheduled series of design
reviews (DOE):
• March 11-12
• May 10
• October 11
Target: Construction start in
late 2010
1818
19. Financing
• DOE Loan Guarantee is required
• Preliminary application accepted by DOE
in November 2008
• Submit final application in April 2010
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20. Major Partners
$14.75M from the Iowa Power Fund
$5.25M from the Iowa Department of
Economic Development
$80 million DOE grant to design,
construct, build and operate
$20 million DOE increase for
feedstock incentives
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21. LIBERTY Creates Jobs
• POET Biomass – LIBERTY
Ø 15-25 full-time jobs
• Cellulosic plant
Ø 35-45 full-time jobs
• Regional biomass supply logistics
Ø 60-70 full-time jobs
• Seasonal farm laborers
• Agriculture equipment dealers and
manufacturers
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22. Rolling it Out: National Impacts
U.S. has 1 Billion tons of
available biomass
– That’s 85 - 90 billion gallons annually
– Equal to 60% of U.S. transportation fuel supply
– And…America imports 60% of its petroleum!
Cellulosic ethanol represents thousands of
good, green jobs at home
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23. Project LIBERTY Benefits
• Reduces greenhouse gas
emissions
• Supports goal of 36 billion
gallons of renewable fuels
by 2022
• Builds upon the corn-to-
ethanol industry
Reduces
nation’s • Creates opportunities in
dependency rural America
on foreign oil
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