Miscanthus Outperforms Current Biofuel Sources
In a field trial, the largest one conducted to date, the researchers in this latest project have determined that the giant perennial grass Miscanthus x giganteus far outperforms current biofuel sources. And more than that, you can raise more feedstock of this kind on less land than it takes to raise corn or soy for ethanol. Researchers say: “By using Miscanthus as a feedstock for ethanol production you can significantly reduce the acreage dedicated to biofuels and at the same time meet government biofuels goals.”
The current administration, the one that’s in the Whitehouse now, has set a goal for producing enough ethanol fuel to offset 20 percent of current gasoline usage. That sort of thing would take 25 percent of current United States cropland out of food production say researchers. Using Miscanthus to offset the 20 percent of current gasoline usage would only require 9.3 percent of our current agricultural acreage. We hope the upcoming administration will take a long hard look at the use of Miscanthus x giganteus.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have said that the amount of biomass fuel generated each year using Miscanthus would allow this country to produce about 2 ½ times the amount of ethanol fuel we can produce per acre of corn.
Because Miscanthus is a perennial grass, researchers say it also accumulates much more carbon in the coil than an annual crop such as corn or soybeans.
Years of research and field trials in Miscanthus x giganteus studies have shown the following:
1. The large perennial grass named Miscanthus x giganteus has great potential for use in energy production.
2. Land used for Miscanthus is easily reclaimed for corn/soy.
3. Miscanthus is higher yielding than other bioethanol fuel grasses.
4. It is estimated Miscanthus yields 10 to 15 tons per acre.
5. Income may be generated through carbon credits.
Because Miscanthus is a sterile hybrid it is necessary to plant underground rhizomes. We believe potato planters and harvesters could easily be accommodated for this purpose. With European patented farm equipment a farmer can plant about 50 acres of Miscanthus rhizomes a day.