PNNL, WSU to advance biomass research in new facility

Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory partner to address dependence on imported oil and advance higher education

RICHLAND, Wash. – Washington State University and the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory today dedicated a new building for the advancement of biomass research.

At the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory, WSU & PNNL will work together to develop new solutions to some of the nation’s largest energy problems, strengthen opportunities to move technology into industry and provide students with a hands-on educational experience. The new $24.8 million facility is located on the WSU Tri-Cities campus.

At BSEL, researchers will create a portfolio of biobased products and fuels that will help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign petroleum and carbon footprint of energy use. Researchers will focus on biofuels that are more efficient to produce and more compatible with the existing fuels infrastructure than today’s biofuels. The research will advance conversion technologies that can be used with a variety of feedstocks, including non-edible cellulosic biomass and crops specifically grown for fuel.

“Cellulosic ethanol is a critical component of the President's comprehensive strategy to diversify our nation's energy sources in a sustainable manner, enhance energy security and address the serious challenge of global climate change," said Andy Karsner, DOE assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "BSEL's work to develop and deploy clean and affordable renewable fuels will prove pivotal as the Bush Administration works aggressively to mitigate climate change and meet the rapidly growing demand for energy.”

A key objective of BSEL is to facilitate the transition of new technologies from the laboratory to commercial deployment. BSEL features a high-bay facility that will enable researchers to test new concepts close to industrial scale, increasing commercialization potential.