The University of Tennessee Biofuels Initiative (UTBI) is a farm-to-fuel business plan developed by State of Tennessee, UT Institute of Agriculture, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers.  Tennessee has made an unparalleled commitment to lead the transition to an advanced biofuels economy with a commitment to support the development of a dedicated bioenergy crop supply chain and the construction of a 250,000 gallon per year demonstration cellulosic ethanol facility, which is now operational with partners at Genera Energy LLC and Dupont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol.
Working with private industrial partners UT is establishing a dedicated energy crop (switchgrass) supply chain, demonstrate and improve the technologies used to create cellulosic ethanol, reduce the costs of production, and ultimately commercialize the technology across the state. The UTBI works with local farmers to develop switchgrass production and provides one-on-one technical assistance through UT Extension and wide-ranging research related to all aspects of the feedstock supply chain. Currently, 2,600 acres have been planted under the Initiative’s incentive program. The UTBI has one of the largest plantings of switchgrass on private farms in the United States and is expanding that acreage to more than 7,000 acres 2010.
The development of the cellulosic biofuels supply chain, from biomass to fuels and products, will have a significant impact on the energy future of the state and nation. These new systems, technologies, and products will provide increased economic opportunities for rural economies, increased energy security for the nation, and improved environmental impacts of energy production/utilization.