The workshop’s purpose was to introduce Dr. Robert Brown of Iowa State University to the UNL Energy Center management and UNL faculty engaged in biochar research. Also, to introduce the UNL biochar team to insights from Chuck Hassebrook and Dr. Sandeep Kumar (USDA) on biochar policy development and research opportunities. Biochar has been identified as a helpful soil amendment for agricultural soils and a means of sequestering carbon dioxide in those same soils.
Alan Dostal of Nebraska Public Power District delivered the welcome and introductions to the approximately 40 participants which included representatives from academia, business, government as well as other interested parties. Dr. Brown opened the session with his presentation titled “State of the Art in Thermochemically Based Carbon Removal,” which focused on his work related to biochar at Iowa State University. He also acknowledged his research team was the recipient of a $1.0 million research grant from the XPRIZE organization for his work on carbon removal.
Mr. Chuck Hassebrook followed with his discussion of the key government policy and permitting needs for shaping the future of biochar. Dr. Jiong Hu then provided an overview of six UNL-based biochar projects. He noted that four of the six research projects were funded by the Energy Center. Dr. Sandeep Kumar from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided an overview of research funding opportunities in the USDA’s Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment (BNRE) Programs.
Following lunch, hosted by the Energy Center, Dr. George Gogos moderated a group discussion on the challenges of biochar implementation and identified opportunities for future collaborations on this important topic.
Following the discussions, the workshop concluded with attendees touring laboratories on UNL’s east campus hosted by faculty researchers Dr. Michael Kaiser and Dr. Humberto Blanco. Energy Center management was grateful for the level of interest and enthusiasm of workshop participants associated with this developing research and application topic.