Cellulosic Ethanol Demo Plant Opens in Tennessee

Leaders from DuPont Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol LLC, the University of Tennessee, Genera Energy and Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen cut the ribbon on a cellulosic ethanol demonstration plant near Vonore, TN during the weekend, according to Biomass Magazine.

 

The 74,000-square-foot plant started producing ethanol using agricultural residue and bioenergy crops, including corncobs and switchgrass.

 

Kelly Tiller, CEO of Genera Energy and director of external operations for the UT Office of Bioenergy Programs, said Tennessee farmers plan to place an additional 4,000 acres of switchgrass into production this spring, bringing the total to nearly 7,000 acres.

 

Source: Biomass Magazine, Jan. 29, 2010 (http://www.biomassmagazine.com/…)

 

Facts About Switch Grass

Switchgrass is a perennial crop. It does not need to be reseeded each spring (as do corn and soybean). The grass is a warm-season species that fi xes carbon through photosynthesis (C4 photosynthetic pathway). Regrowth begins each spring in early May in Iowa, and its primary growth period follows through the warm months of June, July, and August. Frost in the autumn stops its annual growth.  Switchgrass grows as a bunchgrass and will spread slowly with short rhizomes. Its erect stems grow to be 2 to 5 feet tall. Varieties adapted for the Northern U.S. are very winter-hardy once established. Biomass production increases throughout the early growth stages. Maximum biomass production occurs in late July and early August. Seeds mature in late summer.