The US Department of Energy (DOE) is providing up to USD 36 million in funding to develop agricultural technologies that lower the greenhouse gas emissions from making ethanol.
In particular, the programme announced in July seeks to reduce nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from the cultivation of corn and sorghum used for ethanol production in the US by 50%. It will focus on plant and microbial bio-design strategies that lead to lower application of synthetic N fertiliser on corn and sorghum fields, while preserving crop yields.
“Given the importance of agriculture to the energy sector and our economy, technologies that reduce fertiliser-related energy emissions associated with ethanol, while shrinking operational costs and maintaining crop yields for the American farmer, are essential,” said Evelyn N. Wang, director of the department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E).
Agriculture accounts for 11.2% of the US’ total annual greenhouse gas emissions, with N2O being a major part. About 80% of agricultural emissions of N2O come from agricultural soil management, mainly due to the use of synthetic N fertilisers.
