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The historical, contemporary and prospective use of plants for the sustainable production of renewable, carbon-neutral energy (ethanol, biodiesel and petrol) is discussed in this fantastic lecture by Dr. Chris Somerville (Director of EBI, UC Berkeley). The technology that is currently being utilized in the development of biofuel is outlined including the crops most suitable for production and the current system of hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation necessary for conversion. Research efforts to optimize the process and expand production in the future are discussed including enhancing the yield of energy crops, identification of appropriate catalysts for the conversion of biomass to sugars, development of biological organisms to ferment the sugars and the production of hydrophobic products suitable for use in our current fuel infrastructure.

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