The great energy harvest
Renewable energy crops could provide clean fuel sources and industrial chemicals, while reviving rural areas. The Department of Energy is encouraging energy crop and energy conversion systems tailored to the resources and needs of specific US regions. Crops to be tested include elephant grass, eucal...
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Published in | The Futurist Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 34 - 40 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Magazine Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Washington
World Future Society
01.05.1993
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Renewable energy crops could provide clean fuel sources and industrial chemicals, while reviving rural areas. The Department of Energy is encouraging energy crop and energy conversion systems tailored to the resources and needs of specific US regions. Crops to be tested include elephant grass, eucalyptus, bagasse, black locust, poplars, switchgrass, sorghum, sugar cane, and sycamores. Commercially developed biofuel programs underway include deriving electricity from biomass, methanol from gasifier technology, ethanol from corn, and biocrude oil from cellulose-rich wastes. Within about 40 years, the world's farmers could grow all the food we need with capacity left to meet up to 30% of the world's energy requirements. As they get into the business of providing energy, fuels, and chemicals, farmers will find their operations are more lucrative and sustainable. |
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Bibliography: | content type line 24 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Magazines-1 |
ISSN: | 0016-3317 |