North Carolina State researchers develop sweet potato with higher ethanol yield than corn; continuing Tarheel State efforts to assume biofuels leadership

In North Carolina, North Carolina State University researchers announced that they have developed a sweet potato with a higher starch content by weight than corn. However, high production costs will prevent the new potato from enjoying large-scale cultivation for the time being.

North Carolina continues to position itself for US biofuels leadership through research into advanced feedstocks. In September, the General Assembly appropriated $5 million for a state biofuels center in Oxford. The center will research cellulosic ethanol. North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership called for $25 million in biofuels research funding as well as an annual appropriation of $500,000 to fund biofuels workforce development and public education programs.

Among Tarheel State biofuel research and education initiatives, the Central Carolina Community College will offer a two-year, biofuels associate degree program. The Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels program and related certificates will commence in fall 2008. Courses will include biofuels analytics, biofuels waste management, renewable energy technology, chemistry, electrical control systems, welding, bioprocessing practices, and small business development.

Local producers and officials say they are confident of reaching the 10% state biofuel mandate for 2017 without experiencing the distribution problems encountered in the Midwest. The state’s focus on biodiesel production, which can be shipped using existing fuel pipelines, was a positive factor cited in meeting the state’s production and consumption goals.

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