ENERGY PRODUCTION FROM BIOMASS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION EPROBIO II Edition June 2011 The genetically modified (GM) crops for energy production Xavier Fonoll Almansa Evginia Georganta Francesca Petruzzella
Biofuel classification First generation: made from the transformation of a specific - normally edible- part of the biomass produced by a plant, i.e. sugars, grains, or seeds, by a simple transformation process. Second generation: bred specifically for energy purposes, have a higher production per unit land area, and more plant material can be converted to biofuel. The problem of the second-generation biofuel the extraction of the sugars located inside the lignin and cellulose structure. To achieve these goals many technologies have been applied, enzymes, team heating etc., in regard to this scope the generation of transgenic plants by transformation and direct gene transfer to cells have been applied with promising results
Scenario of biofuel With almost 108 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe), biofuel consumption in 2008 represented a 3,3 % share of the total consumption of fuels devoted to transport in the European Union (Eurobserv ER, 2009). Paying attention to the consumed biofuels at EU level, it is clear that biodiesel is the predominant biofuel with more than 8 Mtoe consumed, while only 1.75 Mtoe of bioethanol is consumed. Evolution of the EU evolution consumption dedicated to transport (Eurobserv ER, 2009)
The role of the crops Plants are used to provide fuels, energy, biobased materials, and industrial chemical precursors in addition to the traditional uses of agricultural products for food, feed, and fiber.
Modern genetic engineering techniques are increasingly being used to improve the quality of the crops For example, genetically modified (GM) microbes, and enzymes can reduce energy requirements in biomass processing
The role of the Genetically Modified crops for energy production GM energy crops can reduce input costs through increased yield and optimized processing characteristics On the other hand, comparatively few GM crops have attained commercial status despite widespread enthusiasm and recognized potential for using GM techologies in crop improvement ( Jaffe, 2006). no GM crops have yet been commercialized specifically for biofuels production, and the many projections for the contribution of GM plants to the bioeconomy rarely consider the issues involved in their deployment
Feedstock sources (1) A limited number of crops dominate global bio-energy production: sugar cane, sugar beet, maize (called corn in the US), rapeseed, and soybeans. In all, it includes the 12 crops that contribute 80% of total global crop production.
Feedstock sources (2) Corn, a major commodity crop in US, is already grown for ethanol production. Well over 90% of current fuel ethanol production capacity is based on corn grain as feedstock. Corn generally requires high-energy inputs and significant pesticide and fertilizer applications. Genetic improvements to corn to reduce its environmental impact, such as pest resistance, lower nutrient requirements or drought tolerance, would be useful. Switchgrass, a perennial, high-yielding native prairiegrass, is often considered to be the ideal biomass crop due to the environmental and agronomic advantages it offers. Recent studies indicate that using highly diverse mixtures of perennial grassland species may be a better strategy for biomass production than monoculture planting. Such a strategy may provide optimal energy production along with the environmental benefit of minimizing agricultural inputs
GM crop innovation for energy crops (1) Enhanced feedstocks utilization depends largely on the improvement of plants for more efficient processing of plant biomass, primarily for cellulosic ethanol production, but also for biodiesel production from oil crops. Altering the structure of the plant cell wall in feedstock crops could offer enormous advantages in lignocellulosic biomass processing by shortening pretreatment processing, increasing enzymatic efficiency and offering more processing flexibility. Improving woody feedstock processability has shown promise, for example, through transgenic modification of the lignin biosynthesis pathway to alter lignin composition and deposition for increased pulping efficiency in trees.
GM crop innovation for energy crops (2) The composition of oil crops such as soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) and canola [rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)] are being modified to enhance suitability for processing into biodiesel, for example by altering fatty acid profiles. The development of corn expressing transgenic thermostable alphaamylase represents a means to more effectively produce reduced sugars during starch liquefaction in the initial stages of ethanol production.
What is GMO? A genetically modified organism (GMO) is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. These techniques use DNA molecules from different sources, and they mix in a new molecule. This DNA is then transferred into an organism.
Genetically modified crops They are simply crops, whose genetically material has been modified. There are two ways to do it: Acting on the plant and on the seeds Acting on the cells of the plant
Advantages of GMO Creation of super foods due to better knowledge. Super foods are types of food that are cheap to produce, grow fast in large quantities, highly nutritious More economically friendly as pesticides do not go into the air, soil, and water Higher crop yields. Less deforestation needed to feed the worlds growing population. This decreases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which in turn slows global warming. Reduced energy needs to produce GMO crops.
Disadvantages of GMO Major trading countries that obtain most of the benefit from the production and trade of genetically modified crops. This might cause more geopolitical conflicts. Critics say GMOs may cause health problems and allergies. Possible damages to the environment and in the biodiversity. Additional costs of labeling whether products are GMOs or not. This might increase costs of foods.
Techniques: To the plant the treatment with pesticides the symbiosis (bacteria Rhizobium )
Techniques: To the cell DNA recombination
Techniques: To the seed In synthetic seeds, the somatic embryos are encapsulated in a suitable matrix, along with substances like mycorrhizae, insecticides, fungicides and herbicides 1. They can be stored up to a year with out loss of viability 2. Easy to handle and useful as units of delivery 3. Can be directly sown in the soil like natural seeds and do not need acclimatization in green house.
The purposes The reduction of fertilizers With the help of the genetic engineering, is possible for all the crops to fix the Nitrogen of the atmosphere without the help of fertilizers. The improvement of solar energy the corn plant has a photosynthetic gene which is not present in rice plant and they can make more sugar per unit of sunlight The increase of bioethanol production to Increase the cellulose contains and decreasing hemicellulose fraction on maize plants
How did all begin? The first sowings cultivated in 1996 when HT (herbicide tolerance) and IR (insect resistance) traits became available The production started with 1,7-2,8 million hectares in the US in 1996. Ten years later (2005) the percentage of GM crops was 90 million hectares in 21 countries (James, 2005)
Utilisation of conventional and GM crops in 2005
Biofuels: non food green energy commodity For example: corn for bioethanol Higher drought resistance Higher yield and efficiency Lower cost But corn production for ethanol will compete the limited agricultural land needed for food and feed production. So, a potential source for low-cost ethanol production is to utilize lignocellulosic materials such as crop residues, grasses, sawdust, wood chips, and solid animal waste.
Enviromental impact of GM crops There is a controversy between scientists whether the net effect of GM changes will be positive or negative for the environment Use of Bt gene has reduced the insecticede use The herbicide tolerant crops help to soil conservation less contamination of water supplies and less damage to non-target insects New genetically modified crops are being developed that can withstand environmental stresses such as drought, salinity, or the prsence of aluminum in the environment
BUT Greater use of herbicides - even less toxic herbicides - could further erode habitats for farmland birds and other species. Commercialization of these crops would have a range of impacts on weed vegetation, with consequent effects on the herbivores pollinators and other populations that feed on it. The extensive use of herbicides and insect resistant crops could result in the emergence of resistant weeds and insects. Several weed species have developed resistance to specific herbicides which are extensively used in combination with herbicideresistant genetically modified crops.
ECONOMICAL IMPACT OF GM CROPS Global farm level income benefits derived from using GM HT soybeans 1996-2009 (million $) 2009: the global farm level impact from GM HT technology in soybeans was 2,07 billion $. Most of them are produced in Argentina & Paraguay.
GM HT maize : In global terms, the farm level economic impact of using GM HT technology in maize was $392.1 million in 2009 (72% of which was in the US) GM HT canola: In global terms, the farm level impact of using GM HT technology in canola in Canada, the US and Australia was $362.6 million in 2009
SOCIAL IMPACTS OF GM CROPS Three principles general welfare which enjoins governments (and other powerful institutions) to promote and protect the interests of citizens maintenance of people s rights, for example their rights to freedom of choice as consumers. principle of justice, and it requires the burdens and benefits of policies and practices to be fairly shared among those who are affected by them
What about yield? COUNTRY Mexico Romania Philippines Philippines Hawai India Yield increased (%) 9 31 15 24 40 50 Reason HT HT HT Insect resistance Virus resistance Insect resistance Also GM crops improve carbon retention and lower GHG emissions: in 2006, GHG emissions associated with GM crops is estimated to be equal to removing more than half a million cars from the road!!! (PG Economics, 2006)
Conclusions It is generally accepted that bioeconomy is currently gaining wide and unprecedented support from a broad coalition of government industry agriculture and environmental stakeholders. The additional time and cost required for crop developers to address environmental issues should be taken into account when projecting biomass production goals and timelines We also have to take into consideration that a major priority is the sustainability of the land and not only the production of energy. This includes the utilisation of lands which are isolated from the population, for instance top of the hills. There is not only a correct answer in the question : Biofuels from normal or from GM crops? As we said above, both of them have their advantages and disadvantages. Thus, all we have to do is to think sparingly!