Five-year study on switchgrass finds a 500 percent return on energy inputs; US cellulosic ethanol prospects receive a huge boost

In the first comprehensive report on the biofuel potential of switchgrass, a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science says that switchgrass has a yield of more than five times the energy inputs needed to grow and process it into ethanol.

The 10-farm, five year study was conducted across the Midwest and potentially is key to unlocking the potential of cellulosic ethanol in the US.

Switchgrass has also received the green light on the nitrogen front, A report has been published comparing the impact of additional biofuel production on nitrogen levels in  Chesapeake Bay. The report found that corn production increased nitrogen in the Bay by 16 pounds per acre under production, versus 8 additional pounds per acre of soybeans. The report found that switchgrass production would reduce nitrogen levels by 27 pounds per acre under production.

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