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Title: Tall grasses set to power Europe
Source:
BBC News
URL Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4220790.stm
Published: Sep 6, 2005
Author: Jonathan Amos, BBC News science reporte
Post Date: 2005-09-06 21:20:53 by robin
Keywords: grasses, Europe, power
Views: 137
Comments: 14
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.
(2 images)
BBC News science reporter, Dublin 
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. 
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#1. To: robin (#0)
But even this lower production provides an energy content equivalent to about 36 barrels of crude oil. That tells me one long ton (2,200 lbs) of the dried grass has the energy equivalent of 6 barrels of oil. 1 Barrel of Oil = 5800000 BTUs. Source: Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Then according to the BTUs per barrel above, the lower yield would contain 34.8 million BTUs per long ton. Divide this by 2.47 (number of acres per hectare) and we get approximately 14.08 million BTUs per acre. Not too shabby when you think about it.
"But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of." Lord Byron
OR,what could be done is to take the grass,mulch it,and add just a little bit of sugar. And then after the grass ferments for a few days,distill the alcohol outen the grass. (use dry grass to fuel the still,and save a few nickels. A lot of the time,life is like building a bench gun or a drag engine-every little bit helps.) Then take the left overs from the distilling process and use THAT to burn in a boiler,and get some steam for the turbine. After it dries out,it should burn just as well as the non-fermented stuff,and maybe a little better. Or it might be suitable for use as fodder for livestock,crop mulch,and other uses of that sort. And who knows? Maybe some squareheads can figure out a way to make a drinkable beer out of this stuff.
Bring back Hemp production. It will kick ass on whatever this crop produces.
I wonder why Hemp wasn't mentioned.
"The final measure of any civilization is how it treats its weakest members."
I think Kentucky Bluegrass will grow that high if you let it, but you need some special license in most areas to keep the neighbors from torching it once the racoons take up residence.
"Most of the trouble in this world has been caused by folks who can't mind their own business, because they have no business of their own to mind, any more than a smallpox virus has." - William S. Burroughs
Because Pierre Dupont with his then cronies in congress banned the growing of Hemp, because he'd invented Nylon, which obviously sucks compared to Hemp, and was at that time a lot harder to do anything with. Now that the technology exists, we can do all kinds of nifty stuff with Hemp, but fuck... Why would we want to put the Dupont Fortune at risk right???
a typical yield is some 12 tonnes per hectare.
#2. To: robin (#0)
#3. To: robin (#0)
#4. To: lodwick, Dakmar (#3)
#5. To: robin (#4)
#6. To: robin (#4)
 | So many morons, so few bullets. |
#7. To: Dakmar (#5)
Would an asbestos coon be carcinogenic?
I think Kentucky Bluegrass will grow that high if you let it, but you need some special license in most areas to keep the neighbors from torching it once the racoons take up residence.
#8. To: TommyTheMadArtist, Dakmar (#6)
"The final measure of any civilization is how it treats its weakest members."
#9. To: all (#8)
I recently started researching biodiesel. Very easy to make and very affordable. In fact, my best friend bought a kit for producing it. These types of measures might be the oil of the future.
Suicide Hotline! Please hold . . .
#10. To: BTP Holdings (#1)
I'll take your word for it BTP. It does sound feasible, although lodwick thinks hemp is a better choice.
"The final measure of any civilization is how it treats its weakest members."
#11. To: right2bear (#9)
If you have not seen this article, it is also on the cutting edge and outperforms ethanol easily. The special interests and corporations have us over a barrel so to speak. http://btpholdings.blogspot.com/2005/02/butanol-advances-in- biofuels.html
"But what is Hope? Nothing but the paint on the face of Existence; the least touch of truth rubs it off, and then we see what a hollow-cheeked harlot we have got hold of." Lord Byron
#12. To: lodwick (#3)
Now you're talking ...Hemp has a multitude of uses .
Bring back Hemp production.
#13. To: BTP Holdings (#11)
excellent article--very informative. I will let the forum know of our findings and how easy this biodiesel is to make. According to the owner of the system it is as easy as baking cookies. However, transportation and obtaining used vegetable oil could be a problem. We have been out combing the fast food and restaurant chains all week. One restaurant vowed to give us 55 gallons a month. Tis a start!
Suicide Hotline! Please hold . . .
#14. To: robin (#0)
we could grow crops that get converted to gasoline and other types of energy. I don't believe it is not affordable. And this hemp could be a great crop too. The reason these industries are not exploited is the government is against us. that is why.
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