Increased energy independence, economic development and environmental sustainability are the core goals of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative—designed to make the state of Tennessee the leader in the nation’s efforts toward a reduced dependence on fossil fuels—and the University of Tennessee Office of Bioenergy Programs, which is working actively with partners statewide in government and in business to build a secure and sustainable energy future for the state and the nation.
Through one of the largest pilot biorefineries in the nation, which will demonstrate and refine biofuels production technology and serve as a model of continuous production streams, transportation of feedstock and distribution of products, Tennessee will build an energy industry from the ground up. The final product—cellulosic ethanol, also known in Tennessee as Grassoline™—is made by deriving biofuel from switchgrass and will take its place as a leading source of renewable energy.
Energy research at Cherokee Farm will go beyond the gas tank as well. Materials scientists will apply their work to finding new forms of solar conversion and creating effective ways to store and transport hydrogen.
A Tank of Grassoline™
The Tennessee Biofuels Initiative is a research and business model presented by the University of Tennessee that will position the state as a leader in the nation's efforts toward reduced dependence on petroleum.
[ more ]