Research Scientist

Ph.D., Plant Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota
B.S., Plant Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota
B.S., Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Minnesota

My research efforts focus on using the most up-to-date science with new technologies or in new applications to solve energy and environmental challenges facing rural communities. Employed at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, I have taken active roles in research on renewable energy production, biomass supply chains, and life cycle assessment of energy and farming systems. The ultimate goal of my research is to strengthen rural communities by promoting employment opportunities, community development, and environmental sustainability. I work with a wide variety of audiences (students, policy makers, the business community, scientists, and citizens) to provide the best available data about new opportunities for sustainable energy systems that fit in the rural landscape. A summary of current and past projects from the WCROC renewable energy team is on our project page.

Recent Writings, Presentations, and Outreach Information

• Tallaksen J. and Simo-Kush T. (2014) A Case Study in Planning a Renewable Energy Supply Chain: Part II Using Life Cycle Environmental Metrics to Select A Biomass Feedstock. 2014 American Society for Engineering Management Annual Conference, Virginia Beach, VA
• Tallaksen J. and Simo-Kush T. (In Press) A Case Study in Planning a Renewable Energy Supply Chain: Part II Using Life Cycle Environmental Metrics to Select A Biomass Feedstock. (abstract only, appears in Proceedings ASEM annual Conference)
  
• Tallaksen, J., Bauer, F., Hulteberg, C., Reese, M., and Ahlgren, S., (Submitted) GHG and energy balance of community-scale wind powered ammonia production.
  
• Tallaksen, J., Bauer, F., Hulteberg, C., Reese, M., and Ahlgren, S., (2014) Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas and Energy Balanc of Community-Scale Wind Powered Ammonia Production. 2014 NH3 Fuels Conference Sept 2014, Des Moines, IA
  
• Tallaksen, J (2014) What is Life Cycle Assessment and How Does It Impact Farmers?, Sun Tribune Article in Farm edition (March 2014)
  
• Tallaksen J.and Reese M. 2013. Ammonia Production Using Wind Energy : An Early Calculation of Life Cycle Carbon Emissions and Fossil Energy Consumption. 2013 NH3 Fuel Conference. September 23-25th 2013, Sacramento, CA.
  
• Tallaksen, J. 2013 Producer Interest in Supplying Corn Stover Biomass (Presentation). AURI-Minnesota Renewable Energy Roundtable. April 30th Waseca, MN
• Tallaksen, J. 2013. Implications of Corn Producter participation in Stover Biomass Markets and Availablity, Final Report to the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute and Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council.
  
• Tallaksen J., 2012, Corn Cobs for Ethanol Process Energy: An Energy Balance Perspective , 2012 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop, Minneapolis, MN
  
• Tallaksen J. and M. Reese. 2011. Quantifying Factors Influencing Agricultural Biomass Supplies (Poster). E3 Conference, Minneapolis, MN, November 2011
  

Restoration/Mycorrhizae

 

• Tallaksen, J. (2002). Nutrient and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Amendments in Prairie Restoration. J. Tallaksen Ph.D. Thesis, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
  
  
• White, J.A., J. Tallaksen, and I. Charvat. (2008).The effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation at a roadside prairie restoration site.Mycologia, 100(1), 2008, pp. 6-11.

• Tallaksen, J. 2000. Commercial mycorrhizal inoculation in urban soils.  Invited speaker at Ecology of Urban Soils, An American Phytopathological Society sponsored conference.  St. Paul, MN
• Tallaksen, J., and I. Charvat. 2000. Revegetation of a Constructed Roadside Water control Pond with Native Prairie Plant Species.  MinnesotaWater 2000.  Minneapolis, MN

Biomass and Life Cycle Energy

Press Articles

• Tallaksen, J. 2007. Creating a Market for Corn Stover and Other Biomass. Morris SunTribune. Morris, Minnesota

• Tallaksen, J. 2008. Corn Cobs as a Source of Energy. Morris SunTribune. Morris, Minnesota

• Tallaksen, J. (2008) Looking Toward The Next Generation of Agricultural Energy Crops. Morris SunTribue, Morris, MN.

Newsletter Articles For the West Central Research and Outreach Center

9/30/09	Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) Introduced This Fall
3/31/10	Biomass Gasification Course
10/27/10	Stakeholders Participate in USDA Biomass Community Forum
2/2/11	The Morris Biomass Gasification Project– 4 Years & Still Gaining Steam
5/11/11	Continuing Opportunities for Learning About Biomass Energy
8/17/11	Life Cycle Analysis & Agriculture
11/23/11	Factors Influencing Minnesota Agricultural Biomass Supplies
3/14/12	Regional professionals interested in biomass energy converge on WCROC
6/20/12	New Technologies Continuing To Transform The Ethanol Industry
9/12/12	Farmer Participation Key To Creating Agricultural Biomass Markets
1/9/13	Modeling Minnesota Corn Stover Biomass
4/17/13	Examining Ag Fertilizers and Energy Solutions Around the World
7/24/13	New Energy Technologies Being Deployed in West Central Minnesota
10/31/13	Can a Fertilizer Be a Transportation Fuel?
1/08/14	Putting the Price of Electricity in Minnesota in Perspective
4/16/14	Using LCA data to optimize ethanol production

Technical Reports

• Tallaksen, J. (2007) Biomass Harvesting of Native Grasslands in West Central Minnesota: A production scale pilot study.
• Tallaksen, J (2013) Implications of corn Producer Partcipation in Stover Biomass Markets and Availability.