Biotech Updates

Camelina-based Biofuels Have Higher GHG Savings Relative to Fossil Fuels

June 26, 2009
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/04/camelina-lca-20090428.html
http://www.admin.mtu.edu/urel/news/media_relations/884/
http://www.ecosilly.com/2009/04/28/life-cycle-analysis-of-camelina-based-renewable-jet-and-diesel-fuels-shows-84-89-ghg-savings-compared-to-petroleum-fuels/

Camelina, a crop historically grown in many parts of Europe for its seed oil, is resurging as a crop for cultivation as biofuel feedstock (biodiesel or jet fuel). A recent study by Dr. David Shonnard and Kenneth Koers of the Michigan Technological University (United States), measured the carbon dioxide emissions of camelina-based jet fuel over the course of its life cycle, from planting of the crop to tailpipe. The results showed that "Camelina jet fuel exhibits one of the largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions of any agricultural feedstock-derived biofuel". About 84% savings in GHG emissions were obtained with camelina jet fuel, compared with petroleum jet fuel. According to Shonnard, "This is the result of the unique attributes of the crop - its low fertilizer requirements, high oil yield, and the availability of its coproducts, such as meal and biomass, for other uses".

Related information on Camelina: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1993/v2-314.html, http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/em/em8953-e.pdf