Switchgrass Makes Better Ethanol Than Corn

statemachine writes to mention that the USDA and farmers took part in a 5-year study of switchgrass, a grass native to North America. The study found that switchgrass ethanol can deliver around 540 percent of the energy used to produce it, as opposed to corn ethanol which can only yield around 24 percent. "But even a native prairie grass needs a helping hand from scientists and farmers to deliver the yields necessary to help ethanol become a viable alternative to petroleum-derived gasoline, Vogel argues. 'To really maximize their yield potential, you need to provide nitrogen fertilization,' he says, as well as improved breeding techniques and genetic strains. 'Low input systems are just not going to be able to get the energy per acre needed to provide feed, fuel and fiber.'"

Wrong study.

[Tackhead]

> The study found that switchgrass ethanol can deliver around 540 percent of the energy used to produce it, as opposed to corn ethanol which can only yield around 24 percent

"The polling firm found that switchgrass ethanol can deliver only 0.54% of the voter cast in the states capable of producing it, as opposed to corn ethanol which can yield around 24% of the votes cast in the states that produce it."

It's not about EROEI (Energy Return On Energy Investment), it's about PEOPI (Politicians Elected On Pork Invested).

Switchfoot Makes Better Music Than Korn

[kernspaltung]

Switchfoot makes better music than Korn, too, but such opinion is no more revolutionary than the one in the article. Ethanol IS NOT the cure for our energy disease.

Re:That's almost as cool

[ChaoticLimbs]

Do you mean to assert that you have no niggers, or do you insist that our society as a whole contains zero? I would be inclined to agree that such a word would hardly be a fair epithet to be hurled indiscriminately at members of our society. I would as well share your pride at owning no other human beings save yourself, for such a practice is both antiquated and horrible.

Re:You can grow all three you know.

[Anonymous Coward]

Hash brownies?

Re:You can grow all three you know.

[Copperhead]

like this [medgadget.com]?

Re:Switchfoot Makes Better Music Than Korn

[tepples]

Switchfoot makes better music than Korn, too, but such opinion is no more revolutionary than the one in the article.

Of course it's not more revolutionary. Neither band has performed a song that has been used in a Dance Dance Revolution game or any game for the Wii (nee Revolution) game console, as far as I can tell.

Re:President George W. Bush Was Right?

[Anonymous Coward]

I know.

I'm scared too.

You are ignoring . . .

[StefanJ]

. . . the giant glowing thing in the sky.

Remember...

[Billy the Mountain]

Ethanol is for drinking, not for driving.

Re:President George W. Bush Was Right?

[dubbayu_d_40]

No I heard him, he said swishgrass, not switchgrass.

Re:Switchgrass is a one trick pony.

[Defector!!!]

Growing hemp gets you fuel, food, and fiber.

And munchies.

Re:You can grow all three you know.

[Penguinisto]

Hemp oil is also highly nutritious and can be used as other vegetable oils are.

...and for some odd reason, an hour after dinner you get this uncontrollable urge to eat a LOT of Twinkies.

(I know, I know... but I couldn't pass up the chance to say that).

/P

Re:Switchgrass is a one trick pony.

[jwiegley]

I know the accurate scheduling and execution of many of my Linux system processes has benefited greatly from the strong United States cron lobby!

This message brought to you by the United States cron lobby. Lobbying today for a better tomorrow.

Re:Switchgrass is a one trick pony.

[Cecil]

This message brought to you by the United States cron lobby. Lobbying today for a better tomorrow.

Lobbying today and tomorrow, but not Sunday, and then for the next six days, but always excluding the first of February.

Re:Switchgrass is a one trick pony.

[_ivy_ivy_]

Now, if I remember right, one can plant legumes and they will perform nitrogen fixation to resupply the soil. ...and legumes certainly create natural gas.