Bioenergy Crops: the Good, the Bad & the Ugly

Bioenergy Crops: the Good, the Bad & the UglyAlternative Agricultural Enterprises for the Treasure CoastOctober 19, 2011

Tim Gaver , Extension Agent CitrusIFAS/St. Lucie Extension

Why Grow Bioenergy Crops?Biomass: A renewable biological energy source used to produce heat, ethanol or biodiesel South Florida would seem to be ideal for biomass production because of available acreage, long growing season and rainfallU.S. is dependent upon imported petroleum for over 60% of its transportation fuelsDemand for BioFuelsU.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (May, 2009)

Mandates use in US of 36 billion gallons of renewable transportation fuel by 2022- 16 billion gallons cellulosic biofuels- 15 billion gallons corn-based ethanol- 1 billion gallons biodiesel- 4 billion gallons advanced biodiesel- Mandates by the U.S. Navy and Air Force to significantly reduce their dependence on petroleum jet fuel Ethanol ProductionCorn or sugar ethanol - 200+ plants in US producing >14 billion gallonsCost of production about $1.40 per gallon using Midwest cornCost estimated at $2.00 per gallon using Florida grown cornSugarcane generates more $ from sugar than from ethanolUS will export 900 million gallons in 2011Food vs Fuel controversy

Cellulosic ethanolUS production this year estimated at 6.6 million gallonsOnly about 33% as efficient as corn ethanol

Cellulosic Ethanol Estimated 94 million tons of biomass annually could be produced in FloridaPotential for 8 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanolBP/Verenium is building a new plant in Highlands County ($250 million+)

Potential feedstocks:- Energy cane- Sweet sorghum- Giant reedgrass- Elephantgrass- Switchgrass- Miscanthus- Yard waste

Energy caneSugarcane varieties that have high stalk contents of sugar and fiberScientists working on varieties with increased cold toleranceGrown the same as conventional sugarcane1200 gallons ethanol per acre?

Sweet SorghumSilage types for ethanol2 crops from one planting in early springMust be grown as a rotational cropNeeds less water & fertilizer than sugarcaneYields of 15+ dry tons160 400 gallons ethanol per acreNew variety research for higher yields and pest resistance continues

Giant ReedgrassArundo donaxConsidered invasive in some statesGrown from rhizome or stem piecesCan grow in wet soils20+ tons per acreRequires 60 lbs N per year on mineral soilsHarvest every 7-12 months (once /yr optimum)More research needed

ElephantgrassPennisetum purpureumMany varietiesEstablished with stem pieces20 tons per acreNeeds 150-300 lbs N per yearDo not plant list in South Florida

Miscanthus & SwitchgrassMiscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus (Sterile hybrid)Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)Research showed both of these plants grow too slowly in Florida

Kenaf6 month cropGrows 15+ feet highDried and pelletized for burning in electrical power plantsHigh cellulose content6-10 tons/acre

Biodiesel and *Advanced Biofuel CropsSeeds or nuts are crushed to remove the oil CanolaCamelinaSunflowerJatrophaSoybeanPeanut*Algae

CanolaBrassica napusNormally grown in the upper MidwestUSDA trials in Ft. Pierce showed problems with downy mildew & aphids

CamelinaCamelina sativaOilseed crop normally grown in the Midwest85-100 day crop38-40% oil Stops growth at 85Up to 2000 lbs/acre2000 x $0.12 = $240Cost of production $400+- Land Preparation- Seed- Fertilizer

Sunflower70 day crop from seedSusceptible to excess rainfall, insects, nematodes, fungus disease and a plant virusLow inputs, accept fertilizerResearch needed for varieties adapted to Florida

JatrophaJatropha Curcas L.Normally grown in tropical areasHigh oil content (45%)Production increases with inputsMust be harvested 3X per yearNot cold tolerant!

Land PreparationNecessary for successful production in South FloridaShallow beds provide drainage following heavy rainfallDrilling preferable to broadcast seedingHarvest efficiency increased in level fields

A Short SummaryNo sustainable bioenergy crop opportunities for small farmers at this timeBiofuel crops need variety research and a local crushing facility As cellulosic ethanol technology improves, funding for new plants will become availableOpportunities for production of biomass will increase as a result

Thanks!Questions?

Thanks to: Dr. Dan Chellemi, USDA, ARS, Ft. Pierce Dr. John Alleyne, IFAS/Sarasota Extension Dr. David Wright, IFAS/NFREC