Hello Doug >Presumably they could be used for celulose to alcohol processes.
More like biomass energy I think, and Fischer-Tropsch fuel: http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/msg09335.html Re: [biofuel] VW presents new synthetic fuel strategy >I wonder about the invasiveness of miscanthus. You might find something at these databases, though I think invasiveness is often a synonym for bad management: NewCrop SearchEngine at the Center for New Crops & Plant Products at Purdue University -- Search for "oil". Results: "The following pages containing 'oil' were found -- hits 1-20 of 200". Results are hyperlinked to detailed factsheets. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/SearchEngine.html Plants For A Future -- Database Search -- See "Search by Use - Select any of the following uses. Or select none and use the plant criteria below." Select "Other Use" - oil. Results: "Other Use: Oil (460)". Results are hyperlinked to detailed factsheets. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/D_search.html >Thanks to Lawrence F. London on the permaculture list. His website: http://www.ibiblio.org/london/ EcoLandTech Best Keith >Doug Woodard >St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada > >---------- Forwarded message ---------- > ><http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4220790.stm> > >Last Updated: Wednesday, 7 September 2005, 00:49 GMT 01:49 UK >Tall grasses set to power Europe >By Jonathan Amos >BBC News science reporter, Dublin > >Miscanthus, University of Illinois >Miscanthus: High output for small input >The fields of Europe could soon take on a shimmering silver colour as >farmers grow giant grasses to try to mitigate the effects of global warming. > >The latest studies suggest one form of elephant grass would make a >productive "energy crop" to be burnt in power stations to generate >electricity. > >Scientists told a Dublin conference the 4m-high Miscanthus needs little >fertiliser to produce very high yields. > >A breeding programme would improve its economics still further, they said. > >"There's no reason why in 10 years' time this shouldn't be widely >exploited," commented Professor Mike Jones, an Irish expert on plants >and climate. > >"If we grew Miscanthus on 10% of suitable land in [the 15-member] >Europe, then we could generate 9% of the gross electricity production," >he told the British Association's Festival of Science. > >Hectares and barrels > >Burning biomass is broadly neutral in terms of its emissions of carbon >dioxide, the major gas thought responsible for warming the planet. > >"As the plant grows it is drawing carbon dioxide out of the air," >explained Professor Steve Long, from the University of Illinois. "When >you burn it, you put that carbon dioxide back, so the net effect on >atmospheric CO2 is zero. > >"Whereas, if you take coal out of the ground and burn it, you are adding >a net gain of carbon to the atmosphere." > >Professor Long has been cultivating a hybrid of two Miscanthus species >on plots in his home state. The project has managed to achieve yields of >60 tonnes of dry material per hectare. > >This is a considerable improvement on the trials that have been >conducted in Europe, where a typical yield is some 12 tonnes per hectare. > >But even this lower production provides an energy content equivalent to >about 36 barrels of crude oil. And with a barrel currently priced around >$60, such a yield would have a potential value of about $2,160 per hectare. > >Growing interest > >"Biomass crops have always been viewed as something that can only make a >tiny contribution to mitigating rising carbon dioxide," said Professor Long. > >"The point we want to make is that it could actually make a major >contribution and it doesn't require big technological breakthroughs to >do that." > >Farmers are increasingly being drawn to the idea. One of its attractions >is that harvesting takes place at times of the year when machinery in >not being used on food crops. > >Added Professor Jones: "This is definitely being taken seriously in the >UK, where the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is now >funding a major breeding programme." > >One farmers' cooperative also plans to cultivate 10,000 hectares for >burning over the next three years. > >LINKS TO MORE SCIENCE/NATURE STORIES > >SEE ALSO: >Climate food crisis 'to deepen' >05 Sep 05 | Science/Nature >Asian peat fires add to warming >03 Sep 05 | Science/Nature >UK 'lagging on biomass potential' >11 May 04 | Science/Nature > >RELATED INTERNET LINKS: >BA Festival of Science >BA Festival of Science Webcasts >Trinity College Dublin >Science for a Successful Ireland >The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
