Switchgrass is a perennial grass native to much of the prairie. Finally, the resale price to the public would be around $5 to $7 per KJ, unlike the other natural gasses at over $17/KJ. Switchgrass is one of the perennial grasses with scientific name Panicum virgatum. When we focus on a biofuel, such as switchgrass, we would be focusing on a huge change. Plus, since Canada already has abundance supplies of switchgrass, we could export this, which would improve our economy further. Web. McIsaac said that Miscanthus's impact on water supply may be small if it is planted on only a few acres in a watershed. Right now, we have various biofuel enterprises such as Canadian Biofuels which focuses of manufacturing biomass pellets. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy, it may be able to yield 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans or other terrestrial oil-producing crops. Some groups envision switchgrass spreading over the country like a weed and charge that energy crops will compete with food crops. Switchgrass is an attractive biofuel feedstock because it can grow on bordering lands of small cultivated value. Home. Good thing I have that covered! GALE Cengage Learning, 25 June 2011. “For every unit of nonrenewable energy required to grow switchgrass, we got 6.4 units of energy back,” says Schmer. A few decades ago, the idea of turning a blade of grass into fuel and energy would probably have been considered insane, but today, it is becoming an actuality. We use fossil fuels to heat our houses in the winter and to cool them down in the summer. ______________________________________________________________________, https://bioenergy.ornl.gov/papers/misc/switchgrass-profile.html>, http://www.caes.uga.edu/commodities/fieldcrops/switchgrass/Description.html>, http://www.vt.edu/spotlight/innovation/2010-12-13-biofuel/biofuels.html>, http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2008/05/16/f-science-switchgrass.html>, http://switchgrass.okstate.edu/what-is-switchgrass>, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/science-matters/2008/02/fill-er-up-with-switchgrass/>, http://www.agmrc.org/commodities__products/biomass/switchgrass>, http://www.ehow.com/video_4872790_grow-switch-grass.html>. With our advancement in technology, we are able to delve deeper into the topic of biofuels. John Davis of Blount County, Tennessee said “There is no way, shape, fashion or form that I could produce any legal crop that could make me that much money” (Taken from Bizjournals) As we can see, switchgrass is an extremely profitable grass to grow as a biofuel in the agriculture and farming sector as it is easy to maintain, and it will not take away from any food production. History. “Cost and Benefit of Renewable Energy in the European Union.” Academic OneFile. Firstly, we have Linda Marcus who will be speaking on behalf of agricultural companies and farmers. Switchgrass is also an extremely effective biofuel as the whole entire blade can be used in the ethanol production. Cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass: USA: 76: 93–98 [26] Cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass, poplar, forest residue: USA: 70–80: 10–102 [27] Cellulosic ethanol: USA: 93: 86 [28] Cellulosic ethanol from wheat straw: UK: 78–102: 88–98 [45] Cellulosic ethanol from poplar and Fischer–Tropsch diesel from residual wood: Europe: N.A. 28 Oct. 2012. Switchgrass is an exceptional candidate for biofuel creation; it is a flexible plant that can grow on millions of acres in United States lands that cannot support crop or food making. In fact, growing switchgrass along the stream banks can remove soil particles, pesticides, and fertilizer residues from the surface of the water before it reaches streams. This glycoprotein was discovered in 1996 by Sara F. Wright. Hopefully, there will be more technology available to minimize the disadvantages and increase the advantages of using biofuels. We use fossil fuels to heat our houses in the winter and to cool them down in the summer. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Biofuels and Sustainability Reports VH Dale et al. If the biofuel sector is successful, there is a strong chance that other countries will invest in Canada’s Energy. “Commodities: Field Crops: Switchgrass.” Switchgrass Description. However, growing and processing switchgrass is … The substancial amount of benefits come with a few acres in a watershed roots, a that! Industry energy balance is also an extremely intelligent biofuel choice as its pros outweigh cons... Beneficial as it barely needs any care and it does not have major... Mans that it can only be grown in that same year Kristine Nichols a microbiologist found that stored... Very tolerant to floods, draughts or hight winds as plant based material minimize the disadvantages of switchgrass... Alcohols, esters, ethers and also other forms of biofuels used for ethanol have had successful. 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