Scientists Study Feasibility of Switchgrass for Bioenergy
- From: "Blue Ridge Clean Fuels" <brcfi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "VA Biofuels Forum list" <biofuels-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:08:19 -0500
March 17, 2006
http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=44374
Lincoln, Nebraska [RenewableEnergyAccess.com]
Results to be issued in May conclude that the economics of growing
switchgrass for bioenergy are promising. The study producing these results
is a cooperative effort between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and
University of Nebraska economist Richard Perrin. The threshold level for
success as established by the ARS and cooperators on 10 northern Plains
farms in Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota found that two switchgrass
plants per square foot the first year ensures a successful bioenergy crop
harvest in subsequent years.
Interest in switchgrass ethanol has intensified recently as the federal
government gains confidence in its potential as a bioenergy crop because of
its wide adaptability and high yields on marginal lands.
Soil scientist Mark Liebig, of the ARS Northern Great Plains Research
Laboratory in Mandan, North Dakota, worked on the study led by Ken Vogel, a
geneticist at the ARS Grain, Forage and Bioenergy Research Unit in Lincoln,
Nebraska. Liebig's contribution to the study was to quantify another
potential switchgrass benefit: soil carbon storage. Vogel is an expert in
breeding and management of new, higher-yielding varieties of switchgrasses
best suited to ethanol conversion.
The northern Plains region was chosen first because the economics seemed
most favorable there. Farmers can expect switchgrass yields to be high
enough there to produce 100 to 400 gallons of ethanol per acre with current
varieties.
Switchgrass can be converted to ethanol just as cornstalks can. It also can
be burned to produce electricity. Growing switchgrass for ethanol could
bring new industries to rural areas. As a perennial plant, switchgrass has
the advantage of not needing annual planting and tillage. Skipping these can
save soil and energy. It can also reduce sediment and other pollutant losses
to waterways.
Switchgrass is a native prairie grass long used for conservation plantings
and cattle feed in the United States.
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
chief scientific research agency.
**************************VIRGINIA BIOFUELS FORUM**************************
Your email address is subscribed to the Virginia Biofuels Forum mailing list.
The list is maintained by Blue Ridge Clean Fuels Inc. (BRCFI). To UNSUBSCRIBE
go to //www.freelists.org/list/biofuels-forum and select that option from
the menu.
PRIVACY POLICY: BRCF does not sell, rent or donate this mailing list to outside
parties.
List Administrator: BRCFI@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Other related posts:
- » Scientists Study Feasibility of Switchgrass for Bioenergy
