DELEGATION LEARNS ABOUT DENMARK TECHNOLOGIES, APPLICATIONS FOR NORTH DAKOTA
BISMARCK – A North Dakota delegation has returned from a trip to Denmark where they
learned more about Denmark’s experience in using biomass for energy.
“The tours, farm visits and presentations helped us to better understand Denmark’s various
energy technologies and to identify and clarify areas of opportunity here in North Dakota,”
Agriculture Commissioner Goehring said.
The group visited the world’s most advanced second generation ethanol plant, where wheat
straw is turned into cellulosic ethanol, C5 molasses, and lignin boiler fuel. The demonstration
plant fully operational and has a production capacity of 1.4 million gallons per year.
Goehring said that as part of the trip, Great River Energy (GRE) provided a briefing on the how
the Danish technology and practices might be applied in a successful US business model.
“We’re optimistic about the prospects for a biorefinery in North Dakota. GRE’s Dakota Spirit
AgEnergy project has evolved to a hybrid concept that include both first and second generation
technologies,” Goehring said, noting that studies performed by NDSU and other parties have
been valuable in understanding the economics of such a project.
Goehring said that it was particularly valuable to gain a better understanding of the differences
between US and Danish cropping systems, soil conditions and climate.
“While Denmark’s crop production is largely limited to cereal grains, North Dakota’s diversified
crop sector may provide additional opportunities for a wider range of potential feedstocks,”
Goehring said.
Delegation participants also toured a farming operation that collects and markets biomass, a
biogas production facility and the world’s most efficient power plant.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, state legislators, producers and local economic
development officials also participated in the trip.
