MissCanthus’s Recent Comments

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  Cofiring biomass with coal

  Here in the UK, we are progressing well with developing systems with leading power companies for cofiring energy crops like Miscanthus with coal. I therefore agree with much of the comment in this article. Direct production of electricity with biomass could be an attractive and economic 'biofuel' for future transport.
  In the EU auctioning carbon from 2013 will provide a further economic driver OR accelerate closure of coal fired power stations.
  We have never seen Miscanthus and biomass as anything other than a useful contributor rather than a dominant one.
  But for generating small scale LOCAL heat and electricity through distributed generation, Miscanthus biomass definitely has a great future.

  Bical Miscanthus

  On Tom Konrad on cellulosic electricity posted 1 year, 9 months ago 14 Responses

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  The poor will never benefit...

  I suggest you look at Miscanthus. Currently, anyone can plant and multiply planting stock. When land and costs are low (as is the case with poor communities) this crop CAN be established at very low cost. Furthermore, it produces its highest yields in tropical climates, with no need for fertiliser and sprays. The barriers to preventing this?? Politics and big business interests.
  With support from humanitarian organisations and govt, we plan to introduce planting programmes into suitable areas to trial in the third world in the next year or two.

  Bical Miscanthus

  On The most critical assumption on cellulosic biofuels: yields posted 1 year, 9 months ago 14 Responses

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  Biomass Part iii

  Whilst agreeing with much in this article, the genetic improvement possible is currently based, by researchers, on being able to sell SEED. With rhizomatous crops like Miscanthus, this will not compete, and creates issues about longer term infield crop structure. Having to buy new seed and resow regularly (which is want the breeders want, of course) will also reduce energy and carbon balances and increase costs.
  We believe that rhizome production delivers cheaper establishment costs of such crops, and at a superior energy balance. Breeding companies therefore need to focus their strategy on earning their returns from other than easy to manage seed.
  

  Bical Miscanthus

  On The most critical assumption on cellulosic biofuels: yields posted 1 year, 9 months ago 14 Responses

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  Biofuels

  All of the processes currently debated to turn biomass into fuel come at an energy cost. In the UK, 'food miles' now influence consumer choice to support local production, and so, eventually will this happen with energy miles. Biomass can only ever be a minor contributor to total energy need.
  But if we succeed in producing 'local' electricity at competitive cost, (and CHP is made to economically work), then electricity may yet become a 'biofuel'
  In the UK, we ARE progressing well towards competitive electricity cost from biomass. But where land and economic costs are lower, delivering local electricity and heat can be economic, sustainable, and carbon efficient. It will benefit poorer communities without huge investment, and subsidy. Just think what electricity and heat could deliver, when generated locally, and usuable for transport as well!

  Bical Miscanthus

  On Better agronomy for energy crops posted 1 year, 9 months ago 14 Responses

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  Cellulosic Ehanol production

  Perennial Energy crops like Miscanthus, which substantially outyield Switchgrass and others, use no fertiliser/pesticides, once established and are more energy and land efficient, with a competitive cost/Gj. compared to other crop feedstocks (Miscanthus plantations last up to 20yrs, maybe longer, cropped annually at dm yields up to 20t/ac) Such multi use biomass crops, which offer a wider range of uses than just biofuels, will contribute to energy production, whether as cellulosic feedstock, power station fuel,as hydrogen feedstock.
  Reason? Responsibly planned, it offers environmentally benign and low input/cost production on most marginal and productive land. Serious competition with food crops is a fallacy, as such crops will largely be grown on land not currently in food production. Neither will it be at the expense of crucial environments like rain forest etc. Miscanthus delivers economic returns to both conventional farms and third world communities, already. Most importantly, it could deliver sustainable local electricity and heat to impoverished peoples, providing low tech employment and without the usual dependence on big business. Any economic benefit remains LOCAL where it needs to, as does energy production and efficient carbon use.

  Bical Miscanthus

  On Where will biofuels and biomass feedstocks come from? posted 1 year, 9 months ago 16 Responses