Using grass as a biofuel feedstock is not a new concept, unless you live in the US.
Experts from the US Department of Agriculture’s Backland Research Center are currently testing three types of grass as potential gasoline alternatives for use in the US. Jatropha, switchgrass, and sorghum are fueling the idea that if grass can be used for fuel that the price at the pump will put less strain on consumer pockets.
Jatropha and sorghum have been grown as biofuel feedstock throughout Africa. Ghana’s Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology Sherry Ayittey said the country was looking to achieving a breakthrough in biofuels, including using sorghum straw. Grain sorghum produces the same amount of ethanol per bushel as corn while utilizing one-third less water. The journal Nature published an analysis of sorghum’s rapid growth, increasing from 8% to 15% in one season.
Overall the idea of using these types of crops for biofuel is nothing new for other countries. For instance, jatropha is grown in India, throughout Africa, and South America where it is used for biodiesel to power buses and trains. However, the US is trying to get up to speed and has pilot plants being built for the country’s grass to gas research and development.
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