The ROGUE project is generating renewable energy in energycane and Miscanthus to produce oil that is converted into biodiesel and biojet fuel. Our computer models suggest that we can achieve 20 percent oil production in the plant—a dramatic increase from natural levels of less than a tenth of 1 percent. Our team has already achieved 8 percent oil and are now working to further increase production and target accumulation in plant stems, where the oil can be easily accessed through traditional crushing techniques and our patented extraction technologies. Currently, producing cellulosic ethanol requires a multi-million dollar processing plant; however, ROGUE can produce biodiesel from bio-oil at existing sugarcane mills.
ROGUE is sponsored by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the Office of Science in the U.S. Department of Energy.