Vision

North Dakota is a leader in the development of
renewable energy and biobased products.

Mission
The North Dakota State University Bio Energy and Product Innovation Center (NDSU BioEPIC) will offer its stakeholders a single site within NDSU for reliable, high-quality, targeted research, extension, education and technology transfer related to biomass production, harvesting, transportation, and development of technologies, products and processes utilizing biomass and other biological feedstocks. NDSU BioEPIC will help communities become sustainable through the production of renewable energy and biobased products. The center will assist individuals and industry to adopt energy-efficient strategies by the use of economic, marketing and feasibility studies. NDSU has the demonstrated capacity to provide integrated biological, physical and social solutions in the biomass/bioenergy/bioproducts arena.

Goal
The center will provide North Dakota and the surrounding region with comprehensive, coordinated and collaborative resources in research, technology, extension and education, leading to the economic viability of biomass and bioproducts to ensure a sustainable, healthy environment.

Objectives
The center’s objectives are to develop emerging technologies, coordinate research strategies and activities, utilize all biomass resource streams to reduce waste and increase efficiency, energize business and industry investment in biomass and bioproducts, stimulate student interest and learning in the biobased economy, and help revitalize communities. 

One initial area of work, as identified by the North Dakota Biomass Energy Task Force and incorporated in Senate Bill 2288, will include:
1. Completing agronomic research to determine the most efficient perennial grasses or other plants for cellulose production
2. Conducting research to determine the optimal method of harvesting various biomass feedstocks
3. Determining the benefits of biomass densification or preprocessing
4. Completing an economic evaluation of all steps in the utilization of biomass for energy.

Background

Brochure