Biofuels: Alaska's new power plants?
Growing research may offer alternatives to fossil fuels in Alaska.
By Todd Paris
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Biomass may be the only alternative to petroleum
Meanwhile, at UAF's Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station in Palmer, research Assistant Professor Andy Soria is breaking new ground with his work in biofuels. Soria came to UAF's Department of Forest Sciences after working in the alternative energy field in several corners of the world.
Soria's research in Palmer involves breaking down the chemical components of various species of Alaska wood to create not only energy but other resources as well. Petroleum is't just what makes your car run -- it's also in the car's steering wheel, seat cushion and floor mat. Energy can be derived from wind. sun and water, but products likes plastic can't, so Soria is investigating the possibilities of replacing hydrocarbons -- the petroleum-based building blocks of products ranging from plastics to ingredients for lipstick -- with plant-based materials.
"Nobody's really looking at a tree or a plant from that particular perspective," Soria said. "Once we understand what its makeup is, we can truly zoom in and figure out what products we can get out of it."
Even though biomass has potential as both a sustainable energy source and hydrocarbon replacement, Soria said convincing decision makers is one of his biggest challenges.
"We're so intertwined with a petroleum-based economy it's really difficult," he said. "We're dealing with a complete multitrillion dollar infrastructure and we're suddenly starting to develop something completely from scratch."
For some, the switch to plants, trees and grasses for a range of uses is inevitable. The question for Alaskans is just how homegrown the new economy will be.
"The only source of energy that competes in real terms -- based on the potential products -- is biomass. It's the only long-term solution for everything we use petroleum for -- that's it, plain and simple. There's no other alternative."
Todd Paris, '83, is a freelance writer, professional photographer and photo manager at UAF Marketing and Communications. He recently installed a pellet wood stove in his home.
Read about Pellets - little, lumpy and hot
Glossary of Terms
Alternative fuels
Fuel sources that appeal to unconventional or nontraditional interests, such as nuclear energy, biofuels, etc. (as opposed to fossil fuels, the traditional source of most fuel).
Biofuel
Any fuel derived from renewable biological sources, as plants or animal waste; esp., a liquid fuel for automotive engines made from corn or soybean oil.
Biomass
1. the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat) 2. plant materials and animal waste used especially as a source of fuel.
Renewable energy
Energy that can be replenished naturally, as solar, wind or water power.
Sustainable
Designating, of, or characterized by a practice that sustains a given condition, as economic growth or a human population, without destroying or depleting natural resources, polluting the environment, etc.
-- per Webster's New World College Dictionary and Merriam-Webster Online.