Switchgrass continues to be the focus of many groups heading into the new year, and that much was evident at the 2006 Prairie Grains Conference held in mid-December in Grand Forks, N.D. Dr. Thomas Robb, coproducts manager for Abengoa Bioenergy's research and development arm, spoke about his experience with switchgrass at the event and answered questions for an extra 30 minutes from an eager audience, many of whom were local farmers who passed on a catered lunch to learn more about the crop.
 
 There has been a lot of research done on switchgrass because its natural attributes make it a desirable feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production, Robb said. For one, it is a perennial crop that returns each year after it's planted. It can also produce large amounts of dry material—close to three times as much as typical crops—with a little bit of help from genetic alterations, Robb said. Thirdly, once switchgrass matures and puts on seed heads, the nutrients translocate back down into the plant's root system. When it is harvested, there are few nutrients stripped from the soil, making maintenance of the field cost-effective.
 
 Switchgrass is also attractive to companies like Abengoa Bioenergy because it isn't a particularly good crop for anything outside of energy production, making it a "captive energy source," Robb said. Ethanol producers prefer a feedstock supply that is relatively assured, and a captive energy source offers that steady, consistent supply, Robb said. Abengoa Bioenergy has submitted a grant proposal to the U.S. DOE for the construction of a cellulosic ethanol facility. It expects to hear back before the end of March. Although a grant could contribute up to 40 percent of the construction costs, the company plans to move forward with or without the federal funding, Robb said.
 
 It's not just the ethanol producers and farmers that have shown interest in switchgrass, however. Higher education institutions continue to devote research dollars and hours to exploring the possibilities of the feedstock, as well. The University of Rhode Island's Albert Kausch is a plant geneticist working to advance the genetic complexion of switchgrass, making it even more efficient as an energy crop. Kausch is working on modifications including the production of sterile plants that don't flower, thus saving energy to produce flowers, and plants that don't produce seeds so they don't affect wild switchgrass. He is also hoping to make his switchgrass resistant to cold, herbicides, drought and salt. Kausch expects to have two test plots planted on campus within two years, with switchgrass in commercial production by 2011. With these modifications, Kausch predicts the cost of producing ethanol would drop from $2.70 per gallon to approximately $1 per gallon.

Interest in switchgrass continues to grow heading into 2007

Upcoming Events

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo

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Upcoming Events

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo

Biodiesel Summit: Sustainable Aviation Fuel & Renewable Diesel

Carbon Capture & Storage Summit

North American SAF Conference & Expo

2025 International Biomass Conference & Expo

Interest in switchgrass continues to grow heading into 2007