| Submit your comments on this article |
| Science & Technology |
| Bio-Fuel Switchgrass Yields Are Greatly Underestimated |
| 2009-06-04 |
| Energy crop company Ceres has announced that switchgrass can produce substantially more biomass than previously reported and that average yields often used by academics and policymakers to forecast bioenergy economics and environmental benefits may, in fact, be far too conservative. The company reported that yield results from its nation-wide network of field trials showed that average biomass yields among switchgrass seed varieties tested last season were as much as 50% more than the government's projected yields for 2022. The highest yield was reported in California, where a Ceres experimental variety produced 19 tons per acre. Predicted that "through trait development, better genetics and improved crop management practices, we can continue to increase average yields for many years to come." |
| Posted by:3dc |
| #5 Thank goodness there are real petroleum engineering types here who can appreciate your comment properly, Anonymoose. But I was impressed, too. ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2009-06-04 23:55 |
| #4 Microorganisms still make a better deal for biodiesel. And diesel is just plain better than ethanol. Some of these algae strains are 50% vegetable oil, by weight. Squeeze out that oil, add some ethanol and some lye, strain the result, and you have your basic biodiesel. Then add 1% petroleum diesel as preservative, and you are good to do with little modification in the gazillion existing diesel engines. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2009-06-04 11:39 |
| #3 The highest yield was reported in California, where a Ceres experimental variety produced 19 tons per acre. However, Californista environmental rules mean that to protect some strangely colored variation of a common insect, the stuff will not be permitted for farming on any sizable scale in the state and, of course you silly rabbit, you'll never get the permit to erect an operational conversion plant. Mother Gaia first, damn the unemployed! /sarc off |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2009-06-04 08:06 |
| #2 The real WoT. |
| Posted by: g(r)omgoru 2009-06-04 05:09 |
| #1 Just like W said. |
| Posted by: gorb 2009-06-04 00:46 |