Oklahoma's Opportunities with Bio Fuels

"Tomorrow's Promise for Oklahoma's New Frontier"

Cars were never intended to run on petroleum-based fuels. Nikolas Otto, the inventor of the combustion engine envisioned his masterpiece to run on ethanol fuel produced from corn. Another German, Rudolf Diesel inventor of the engine that dawns his name, designed his motor to run on peanut oil. But the most well-known inventor of the automobile, Henry Ford, produced his first Model T in 1903, when he announced this world-changing invention would run completely on bio fuel created from hemp. However, after a large supply of inexpensive and easily refined crude oil was found in North America those early bio fuel pioneers' ideas went up in smoke.

Fast forward to 2008 and the need for bio fuel is as great as anytime in our history. With Diesel fuel prices approaching $4.00 and gas prices over $3.00 Oklahomans need to find alternative sources to power our state. Just as Oklahoma is one of the leaders in the exploration of oil and gas, we too can be ahead of the curve in bio fuel innovation and production.

Oklahoma State University is already bolstering the state's ethanol production in their Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Division (DASNR). Cowboy scientists are looking for new ways to convert crop residues and grasses to ethanol, rather than the traditional method of using corn that has been around since the days of moonshine. The OSU team is examining all types of perennial grasses and even straw. Ray Huhnke is the director of DASNR and sees a great future in the research. "I like to tell people that if you see a round bale in a field, consider that single bale to be a barrel of liquid fuel," he said. It is estimated that grasses will provide more than sixty gallons of ethanol per dry ton of material.

One of the concerns facing Oklahoma in regards to bio fuel production is to use material that doesn't affect America's food supply. With more and more corn being converted to fuel there is less to be used in production of human food and feed for livestock. This creates a supply and demand dilemma and that raises the cost of corn per bushel.

The State of Oklahoma has realized the need to press forward with the research and production of bio fuels. Governor Brad Henry in conjunction with the State Department of Commerce and Secretary of Energy sponsored the annual Grow Conference dedicated to the development of bio fuels. This conference provides a forum for the researchers, growers and policy makers to come together and forge a direction for our state in the flourishing bio fuel industry.

Oklahoma's Oil & Gas companies are world leaders in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. However, even the oil and gas industry has realized the need to supplement our nation's fossil fuel consumption with alternative sources. Sixty percent of our nation's oil comes from foreign countries, some of which are hostile towards the United States. Bio fuels can help our state and country with less dependence on foreign oil and boost our economy with Oklahoma produced fuel energy.

One Sooner State company is looking beyond crop based fuels and utilizing another abundant resource to power fleet vehicles. Oklahoma based HydroDyno has developed a hybrid hydrogen system that converts water into energy and works with gas and diesel vehicles to increase fuel economy in some cases up to fifty percent. Hydrogen filling stations are far and few between, so HydroDyno's system produces hydrogen onboard, mixing with the current fuel to make the vehicle more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. HydroDyno primarily works with operations that utilize fleet vehicles. Companies can save thousands of dollars per year on fuel costs and cut down the number of barrels of oil our state consumes daily.

The production of hydrogen as a source of energy is one of the most promising technologies of this generation. It is accomplished by using a process known as electrolysis, or electrically charging water to separate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules creating energy. During this production of hydrogen, there are virtually no pollution or toxic byproducts, and the feed sources are fully renewable, so the importance of electrolysis is increasing as human population and pollution increase.

Oklahoma has a tremendous opportunity to be at the forefront of energy innovation in the field of bio fuels. Policy makers must recognize the need for our participation in this growing field. Providing funding and the opportunity for research will be what separates Oklahoma from all the states who only rely on petroleum based fuels. It is obvious that in our lifetime we will never completely abandon this concept, but the more we can supplement their use the less dependent we will be on foreign lands for our energy needs.

Oklahoma is a leader in traditional energies and we can be a leader in the next energies too. Our citizen's innovativeness and industry will help us lead this State, and hence this Nation, to energy independence for the sake of our future generations. These are exciting times.