This Environmental Effects of Bioenergy Feedstocks module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.
This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass energy; so that they may, in turn, provide this information to their stakeholders.
Link to the full Biomass Energy Training Curriculum
This module covers: Life cycle assessment, CO2 release in different feedstock production scenarios, algae production for bioenergy, water requirements for different feedstocks, and the future focus for bioenergy feedstocks.
Learning objectives: Participants will be able to explain the environmental effects of bioenergy feedstocks and describe how a life cycle analysis works..
Curriculum Materials – Environmental Effects of Bioenergy Feedstocks:
- Presentation slides
- Participant handout
- Lesson guide – provides informative notes, test questions, and an evaluation form
- Activity: Track carbon throughout the lifecycle of growing switchgrass for cellulosic ethanol
More Information from other specialists:
- References and Additional Resources for Biomass Training Curriculum
- Renewable Energy Resources – Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Learning Center
- Training Course: Water Resource Issues & Opportunities in Bioenergy Generation – eXtension.org
- Factsheets from bioenergy sustainability specialists across the U.S.– eXtension.org
- Life Cycle Analysis for Biofuels – eXtension.org
Module Author Jason de Koff is an Associate Professor of Agronomy and Soil Science for Tennessee State University’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. His research focuses on bioenergy crop production, with specific interests in switchgrass and winter canola production. His extension training programs and educational resources provide current bioenergy production information to producers. Find his latest on Twitter: @TSUBioenergy
These training resources are freely available for educational purposes under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Please provide attribution: The Biomass Energy Training Curriculum by Jason de Koff, Tennessee State University; funded by Southern SARE.
If you wish to adapt these curriculum materials for your own educational purposes, please contact the Curriculum Author for permission and files:
Specialists from Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development developed this Biomass Energy Curriculum, with funding from Southern SARE.
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program’s mission is to advance—to the whole of American agriculture—innovations that improve profitability, stewardship and quality of life by investing in groundbreaking research and education. SARE is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), USDA. www.sare.org.