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Related Experiment Videos

High-value renewable energy from prairie grasses.

S B McLaughlin1, D G de la Torre Ugarte, C T Garten

  • 1Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee 37831, USA. mclaughlinsb@ornl.gov

Environmental Science & Technology
|June 1, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Growing switchgrass for renewable energy offers significant economic advantages. This native prairie grass can increase farm profits, reduce government subsidies, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting the U.S. economy.

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Area of Science:

  • Agricultural economics
  • Renewable energy science
  • Environmental science

Background:

  • Renewable energy production from biomass is crucial for economic and environmental sustainability.
  • Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a promising native prairie grass for bioenergy feedstock.
  • Current economic models may not fully capture the value of nonmarket benefits associated with bioenergy crops.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To project the economic benefits of cultivating switchgrass for renewable energy.
  • To evaluate switchgrass profitability compared to conventional crops.
  • To quantify the potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an agricultural sector model to simulate economic outcomes.
  • Assessed switchgrass cultivation on 16.9 million hectares.

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  • Calculated net farm returns, government subsidy reductions, and greenhouse gas displacement.

    • Main Results:

    • Switchgrass is projected to be more profitable than conventional crops at a farm gate price of $44.00/dry Mg.
    • Annual benefits include a $6 billion increase in net farm returns and a $1.86 billion reduction in government subsidies.
    • Switchgrass cultivation could displace 44-159 Tg/year of greenhouse gas emissions.

    Conclusions:

    • Incorporating nonmarket values into switchgrass bioenergy pricing can accelerate commercialization.
    • Switchgrass cultivation presents a significant net benefit to the U.S. economy.
    • Renewable energy derived from switchgrass offers a viable and profitable agricultural alternative.