How to pick the best biofuel crop to grow
The latest Renewable Energy Access "Ask The Expert" question answered by biofuels expert Jetta Wong should appeal to our more DIY-inclined readers: What Crop is Best for Manufacturing Biofuel on a Small-Scale?The question comes from Joseph in Arizona, who's keen on growing his own biofeedstock and then making his own biofuel. Wong is obviously right to reply that there are a lot of angles to consider before turning up your field, but here overall message is that farmers should their homework and grow what fits best in their area.
Wong says that DIYers should consider what biomass sources are already available in their area and who is working with them. For farmers who want to sell their crops to biofuel producers, figuring out how the product will be transported to the biofuel production facility is key, as is understanding local laws and policies. You can read the whole thing here.
[Source: REA]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 9:04PM (9/26/2007)
Sounds like the politically correct answer.
The REAL answer is still Switchgrass or trees( poplar? ).
In other words: Not Corn.
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Phil L. 9:29PM (9/26/2007)
I know switch grass has great potential - but is anyone actually producing ethanol from it outside of a lab environment? Growing something no one can process yet isn't going to cut it.
It sounds like the original inquiry was very DIY-oriented. Ethanol is still a pretty complicated process for the garage chemist. Sounds like something in the diesel arena - biodiesel or just vegetable oil - is going to be closer to what they have in mind.
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SV Nagappa 5:39PM (10/09/2007)
Yes switch grass has potential but needs high inputs for high biomass production. People should try alfalfa as it has not only biofuel potential but also all the byproducts such as leaf can be used for protein source for feed, lignin can be used for combustion, roots can be used for carbon sequestration and most farmers know how to grow it.Corn uses more fuel to produce biofuel and it needs more nitrogen to grow it. Alfalfa hardley has any fertilizer input if it is grown without irrigation.
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