You really don't know WHAT my area of expertise is. So don't insult me by making assumptions.
In January, USDA researchers completed a five-year evaluation of another biofuel feedstock with the potential to make a serious dent in US petroleum usage. In the largest study to date, switchgrass has been shown to produce 540% more energy than was used to grow, harvest, and process it into cellulosic ethanol, while reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 94% when compared to gasoline.
Researchers don’t expect switchgrass to replace corn fields, but see crop development occurring on marginal, highly-erodible lands. Hence, it won't cut into our food production.
Biomass left over after converting switchgrass into cellulosic ethanol could be used to provide energy for the distilling and biorefinery processes, further adding to the fuel’s net energy balance. It has also been proved that this leftover can be used as feed for ruminant populations.
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Re: They could build it... IF THEY WANTED TO.
Date: 2008-05-16 11:08 pm (UTC)In January, USDA researchers completed a five-year evaluation of another biofuel feedstock with the potential to make a serious dent in US petroleum usage. In the largest study to date, switchgrass has been shown to produce 540% more energy than was used to grow, harvest, and process it into cellulosic ethanol, while reducing greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions by 94% when compared to gasoline.
Researchers don’t expect switchgrass to replace corn fields, but see crop development occurring on marginal, highly-erodible lands. Hence, it won't cut into our food production.
Biomass left over after converting switchgrass into cellulosic ethanol could be used to provide energy for the distilling and biorefinery processes, further adding to the fuel’s net energy balance. It has also been proved that this leftover can be used as feed for ruminant populations.