Northern Michigan To Get World's First Industrial Biobutanol Plant

Via Biofuels Digest: Cobalt, American Process to launch first cellulosic biobutanol plant

This could be big.

Why It Matters

Butanol is the alcohol fuel you've never heard of. Biobutanol is butanol that has been produced with the help of microbes.

We've all heard of ethanol. Butanol is like ethanol in that it is an alcohol fuel and can be used in cars and it is commonly used by industry.

It is unlike ethanol in that in can be used as a straight-up replacement for gasoline with no engine modification; it has a higher energy density than ethanol; and can be shipped in existing gasoline pipelines because unlike ethanol it does not absorb water (ethanol has to be shipped by truck).

This is a bit of good news after the roller coaster rides provided by natural gas and biomass.

The explosion of natural gas leases in northern Michigan dried up as quickly as they appeared (TheTicker). Plus, the geological formation holding the gas (Utica Shale) only produces economical recovery rates through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and this process is being found to have all kinds of faults (yes, that is geology humor) like what is currently happening in Pennsylvania (See Reuters: U.S. natgas well blowout raises safety concerns).

As far as biomass is concerned, TCLP was forced to abandon plans for a biomass burning power plant after community concerns (See IPR: TC L&P Abandons Biomass)

What It Could Mean

The Alpena Biorefinery will initially use waste wood from a particle board plant. But if successful it could mean a need for more cellulose sources in the future. The forests of Michigan perhaps, but even better would be planning ahead. If I ran a power company I'd find fallow land, plant native and quick growing woody plants that can be used as feedstock (e.g., willows) in biomass operations, then see what happens.

In 10-15 years if we're using alagae, wind, and solar to meet our energy needs then lease the purchased land to farmers; if biobutanol is a big deal then use the mature plants as the source for alcohol fuels.

Additional Reading
AP: Companies announce plans for Alpena refinery that converts wood waste to industrial chemical

Ecoseed: American Process and Cobalt Technologies to build world’s first biobutanol refinery

Sustainable Planet: World’s First Cellulosic Biobutanol Refinery to Be Built in Alpena, Michigan

Official site: Alpena Biorefinery

Lights, Camera, Action, You're On

Traverse City as an emerging film hub:
Roll 'Em: Film sets up shop in Leelanau
Northern Michigan's film industry from Michael Moore's perspective
Hollywood North?
Action! Film studio planned in Elmwood

Northern Spirits

Grand Traverse Distillery has opened their web site.

Coverage from the Record-Eagle - One man's spirited endeavor

Black Star Farms has a distillery to produce brandy in addition to their award winning wine and cheese.

And there are rumors of another distillery opening in Suttons Bay.

These are great additions to the breweries and wineries in northwest lower Michigan. It is clear Traverse City is now the culinary capital of Michigan. Next, domination of the Midwest.

Detroit Gains One

Via Green Car Congress - Azure Dynamics Packs Up to Head to Detroit

Azure Dynamics, a Canada-based developer of hybrid electric and electric powertrains for commercial vehicles, has closed its head office in Toronto as well as the UK Kenilworth office and service center. The company plans to open a new corporate head office in or near Detroit.

Any move like this is good for Michigan. But MoTown needs to know that it isn't a car town - it is a transportation and technology town (or should be).