Marvelous miscanthus

Like makers of hybrid vehicles and the rash of other increasingly eco-conscious vehicles, biofuel producers are always looking for ways to increase the efficiency of their process. Now, with cellulosic materials replacing edible crops like corn as the favoured biofuel sources, a new source has emerged that’s rivaling switchgass, an often-cited source of “secondary” biofuel source, for its efficiency.

According to a study by the University of Illinois miscanthus may be the most efficient source of future American biofuel. Reporting that current American fuel standards aim for a 20 per cent offset of current gasoline purchases with alternative fuels like ethanol, the report says that the use of miscanthus would be able to cut the amount of necessary arable land by more than 15 per cent — from 25 to 9.3 per cent.

Not only does the gigantic, perennial grass produce leaves six weeks earlier than other biomass, but its efficiency at converting sunlight into usable energy is more than 10 times higher than most current sources. This, combined with its ability to grow in “poor” soil, makes the plant an ideal biofuel source, and one that doesn’t compete with edible crops whose use can drive up food prices.

Without competing for soil with edible crops, and thriving in soil that wouldn’t otherwise be suitable for growing anything of value, miscanthus might just be the next alternative fuel source. Everyone, after all, loves a nice, efficient product.