NEWBio Commercial Collaborators: Building a Sustainable Energy Future in the Northeast United States

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The Northeast region of the United States (from the Ohio River to the New England coast) has the natural, social, and technological resources needed to help create a sustainable, rural renaissance by using biomass to create biofuels, biopower, and advanced bioproducts. The Northeast Woody/Warm-Season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio) believes that the path to this vision is through collaboration with commercial innovators along various points of the bioeconomy supply chain. NEWBio’s commercial collaborators, biomass-based …

Research Summary: What Would it Take to Convince Farmers to Grow Switchgrass for Biomass?

Researchers delve into the economic incentives that would induce farmers to grow switchgrass for cellulosic biofuel.

 

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Table of Contents

Abstract

A survey of crop farmers in the North-Central region of the United States finds that they would ask for an average of $230 per acre, or about $82 per dry ton, to …

CenUSA Models Predict Large Water Quality Improvements from Perennials

CenUSA’s System Performance team research shows water quality benefits when biofuels are produced from perennial grasses; provides guidance for policymakers, farmers, and the bioenergy industry.

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The Team and Objectives

Despite more than 40 years of largely voluntary efforts by federal, state and local government, …

CenUSA Feedstock Development Creates Improved Switchgrass Varieties

 

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CenUSA Feedstock Development Team identifies gene pools and genetic diversity for improved switchgrass varieties and increased yields.

Table of Contents

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Team Objectives

The objective of the CenUSA Feedstock Development team is to develop new and improved perennial grass varieties and hybrids that can be used …

Research Summary: Overview of Comparative Injury Risk Between Annual Corn and Perennial Switchgrass Production

A probabilistic risk assessment model has been created to compare estimated worker injury risk of corn vs switchgrass production.

 

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Introduction

Switchgrass is a perennial crop alternative for biofuel production on marginal land in the U.S. Cornbelt.  Estimating change in worker injury risk moving from corn to switchgrass production would be …

CenUSA Feedstock Conversion, Refining and Co-Products

Thermochemical processes convert biomass to liquid bio-fuel and produce biochar, a valuable co-product for soil quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

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Team Objectives

The work of CenUSA’s Feedstock Conversion and Refining Team begins after the perennial-grass feedstock leaves the farmgate. What to do with the raw …

CenUSA Feedstock Logistics: Innovative Systems for Harvest, Transportation, and Storage of Perennial Grass Biomass

New strategies, equipment, and processes make for improved efficiency and sustainability in the production of perennial grasses.

 

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Table of Contents

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Team Objectives

The CenUSA’s Feedstock Logistics team’s …

FAQs about Perennial Grass (Switchgrass) Production for Biofuels


Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

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Switchgrass a source of biomass energy
Switchgrass. Photo: Dennis Pennington, Bioenergy Educator, Michigan State University.

Research Summary: Switchgrass Hay Utillization as Roughage in Beef Diets

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Switchgrass Hay Could Be a Useful Roughage in Beef Diets While Offering a Market Alternative to Biofuels.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Feedlots could use hay from perennial grasses such as switchgrass as an additional source of roughage in beef rations, at the same time providing a needed alternative market for producers who …

Soil Health For Sustainable Agriculture

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This Soil Health For Sustainable Agriculture module is part of the Biomass Energy Training Curriculum, 13 modules developed through a Southern SARE grant and collaboration between Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, eXtension.org, and USDA-Rural Development. While it is written as a training guide for TN producers, much of the information is applicable throughout the Southeastern US region.

This curriculum is designed to increase the knowledge base of extension agents and local officials on biomass energy; so that