"Hydrogen production integrated with an ethanol facility will provide an important source of renewable energy for both stationary and transportation fuel cell applications in a hydrogen-based economy," said Chad Wocken, EERC Research Manager. "This technology will help facilitate regional and national growth in hydrogen utilization."

Under the multiyear contract, the EERC's Centers for Renewable Energy and Biomass Utilization are testing the technical feasibility of integrating hydrogen production with ethanol production. Activities include optimizing the ethanol-reforming process, demonstrating utilization of the produced hydrogen for power generation, optimizing the design for future ethanol plants, and conducting a full economic evaluation of the technology.

The information gathered from these efforts will be used to better define system integration, energy input, and the operational conditions required to produce hydrogen at an ethanol facility. The hydrogen becomes either a low-cost energy source for the facility or a value-added product enhancing the overall facility's economics.

"Ultimately, numerous cost savings can be realized through integration of heat, power, and distillation systems within an ethanol plant," said Wocken. "Additionally, if coupled with a fuel cell, overall plant efficiency could be improved."

"The EERC's renewable energy programs are leading the nation in expanding the use of agriculture products and by-products for the production of electricity, heat, and fuels," said EERC Director Gerald Groenewold. "This program is focused not only on the ethanol industry, but also on the future energy path of the United States."

Project partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, the North Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company, and H2Gen Innovations.

The EERC will highlight this research project as well as many other efforts in renewable fuels and energy during the North Dakota Department of Commerce Renewable Energy Day, January 19, 2007, at the State Capitol Building in Bismarck, North Dakota. The event runs from 8 a.m. to noon.