Researchers at UND, NDSU and Mayville State are working on biofuels. And as Prairie Public's Dave Thompson reports, the researchers hope to commercialize their research.
Michael Moore is UND’s Vice-President for intellectual property commercialization and economic development. He says the “Sunrise” project includes more than just biofuels production.
"The economics today are such that, if you are only producing fuels from these types of projects, the economics don't work very well," said Moore. "You need to be able to produce other streams of products. We produce carbon fibers, fatty acids, and fuels with unique properties."
Moore says the fuel produced by the “Sunrise” researchers is a high-value fuel.
"They don't cloud up in cold temperatures," said Moore. "So they are attractive in and of themselves. "
Mooresays the plan is to put the demonstration plant close to UND, in Grand Forks county, and potentially at the former Northwood Mills plant.
"It would be a perfect story: the state funds the project, universities develop the project, state investors invest in the project, and the demonstration plant ends up in Grand Forks County," said Moore. "That's asking a lot, but that's what we're pursuing."