What is the most cost effective plant to grow to get ethanol in large quantities?

Question

CORN ,SWITCHGRASS,SWEET SORGHUM,WHEAT,LEAVES,

STRAW ETC.?

Answer 1

The "cost effective" portion of your question makes this a tricky one to answer, depending on your geographical location. There are other factors that need to be considered.

For example, sugar cane is the primary crop used in Brazil to produce ethanol. Sugar cane has a higher energy yield than corn. So if you are in Brazil, it is more cost effective to grow sugar cane than corn, not only because of its great energy yield, but bc the climate is better suited for growing sugar cane than corn.

In the midwest states, it would be more cost effective to grow corn than sugar cane bc of the fact that the midwest climate is not conducive to effectively growing sugar cane and is ideal for growing corn. If you are in Florida, Texas, Arizona or sourthern California, there's a chance sugar cane will be more cost effective.



Other factors you have to consider are the usability of the non ethanol producing portions of the crop. For example, deciding whether to use all of the corn, or just the corn cobs to produce ethanol must be factored. If you are able to sell off the corn kernels as food for human or animal consumption then this obviously will change your cost structure dramatically and thus impact the cost effectiveness of different alternatives.

Sorry that I can't give you a more clear cut answer. It's really a complex question.

Answer 2

I think corn is the best for high ethonol yeild. Years ago, I was involved in a feasability study for an alcohol plant in North Florida. The idea was to have a self contained and self perpetuating farm that produced ethanol and methane. It had some kind of closed food chain involving corn fields, pigs and catfish ponds and the plant created its own power. It seemed like the perfect way to harvest power from the sun into something we could all use. I have the feeling that you're onto something that will eventually make you richer than Bill Gates, if the Republicans don't have you killed.

Answer 3

I'm no expert but every time I read an article on ethanol they talk about using corn. I know it needs to be something with sugar that the bacteria turns into ethanol.

Answer 4

You may not want to mention that your sole motivation for growing crops is to obtain large quantities of ethanol. You may make people suspicious as to what you're doing with it.

Answer 5

Switch grass