PA Environment Digest Video Blog

Biomass Opportunities in PA. Large-scale production of bioenergy will require development of new crops and appropriate production and harvest, and storage strategies. Penn State has active research programs in woody biomass crops, feedstock management technologies, basic plant biotechnology, and biomass characterization. Sources of biomass energy include forests, agricultural products like corn, soybeans, switch grass and agricultural wastes like manure. The focus of the Biomass Energy Center is to coordinate and facilitate research and outreach across the university, building teams to address the complete value chain of biomass energy systems. This value chain can be classified into four categories: 1. Improved production of biomass feedstocks; 2. Integration of biomass production into sustainable agrosystems; 3. Conversion of biomass into energy; and 4. Technology transfer to companies, state agencies, NGOs, and citizens throughout the Commonwealth and beyond. Dr. Greg Roth, a Grain Crops Specialist from the Penn State Extension Service talks about the Center, its activities and the potential for biomass in Pennsylvania. The Center was part of an extensive exhibit at the 2007 Farm Show educating farmers and the public on the potential of renewable sources of energy that could be developed from agricultural and forestry producers. For more information, visit the Penn State Biomass Energy Center online.