“Switchgrass is a very native perennial warm season grass with the ability to produce moderate to high biomass yields on marginal lands. These characters have resulted in the use of switchgrass in several Bioenergy conversion processes, including cellulosic ethanol production, biogas, and direct combustion for thermal energy applications.” (Carter, Jimmy 1) Switchgrass produces cellulose, when cellulose is broken down and ferment it, then becomes cellulosic ethanol which can be used to fuel automobiles. In this research paper I will be discussing switchgrass ethanol and why this interesting plant should be used as an alternative fuel source to using nonrenewable fossil fuels. Through the three chosen points I plan to argue the grass’s
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The fuel produced from the grass can increase trade with other countries. “What’s more, Switchgrass proponents say that fuel produced from the plant would make the United States more secure and independent, since it could be grown in America rather than imported from other nations.”(Clark, Josh “Grassoline” 4) The production of the fuel can create more jobs with the development of the biofuel industry. “If more people start shifting towards biofuels, a country can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. More jobs will be created by a growing biofuel industry, which will keep our economy secure.” (Advantages and Disadvantages” 1) Thus, due to these facts, it is clear to see that switchgrass has the ability to sustain and therefore, improve the …show more content…
Producing the fuel is proving to be costly. “Presently the process of extracting cellulose from the plant is proving difficult and expensive.” (Clark,Josh “Grassoline” 6) The cost in order to produce the needed enzymes for the fermentation process will further raise the cost. However, even with the additional cost cellulosic ethanol at the end of the day would still be cheaper than gasoline. “The cost per gallon of cellulosic ethanol would be $2.70. That’s still cheaper than gasoline, but Kausch believes it could be brought down to around $1 per gallon.”(Clark, Josh “Grassoline” 6-7) Unfortunately, transportation is another problem that cellulose ethanol is dealing with. “Ethanol is highly corrosive and can’t be shipped via pipelines as oil and petroleum can. This means that it must be transported by trucks, which adds to the cost of production and lowers the energy ratio, since big tanker trucks require more fossil fuels to transport the ethanol for distribution.” (Clark, Josh “Gassoline” 7) On the other hand, the solution has two positives when it comes to this problems. Not only, would transporting by tanker truck create job opportunities and thus, help further sustain the economy, but I could also be transported by trains. Which would also help create job opportunities. “Argonne National Laboratory’s Michael Wang tells How Stuff Works that the
The fuel produced from the grass can increase trade with other countries. “What’s more, Switchgrass proponents say that fuel produced from the plant would make the United States more secure and independent, since it could be grown in America rather than imported from other nations.”(Clark, Josh “Grassoline” 4) The production of the fuel can create more jobs with the development of the biofuel industry. “If more people start shifting towards biofuels, a country can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. More jobs will be created by a growing biofuel industry, which will keep our economy secure.” (Advantages and Disadvantages” 1) Thus, due to these facts, it is clear to see that switchgrass has the ability to sustain and therefore, improve the …show more content…
Producing the fuel is proving to be costly. “Presently the process of extracting cellulose from the plant is proving difficult and expensive.” (Clark,Josh “Grassoline” 6) The cost in order to produce the needed enzymes for the fermentation process will further raise the cost. However, even with the additional cost cellulosic ethanol at the end of the day would still be cheaper than gasoline. “The cost per gallon of cellulosic ethanol would be $2.70. That’s still cheaper than gasoline, but Kausch believes it could be brought down to around $1 per gallon.”(Clark, Josh “Grassoline” 6-7) Unfortunately, transportation is another problem that cellulose ethanol is dealing with. “Ethanol is highly corrosive and can’t be shipped via pipelines as oil and petroleum can. This means that it must be transported by trucks, which adds to the cost of production and lowers the energy ratio, since big tanker trucks require more fossil fuels to transport the ethanol for distribution.” (Clark, Josh “Gassoline” 7) On the other hand, the solution has two positives when it comes to this problems. Not only, would transporting by tanker truck create job opportunities and thus, help further sustain the economy, but I could also be transported by trains. Which would also help create job opportunities. “Argonne National Laboratory’s Michael Wang tells How Stuff Works that the