Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
new energy sources. A viable market requires both product demand and a reliable
supply chain. Steps towards achieving this goal include quantifying biomass pro-
duction costs and developing approaches to improve these agronomic costs.
Policymakers should consider instituting policies that encourage supply side
contracts for locally produced energy sources, in order to encourage local economic
development and to diversify energy resources. Policies are already in place that
target biofuel production, which provides a critical link between agriculture and
energy. Agricultural production is the economic and cultural lifeblood of many
western rural communities [
131
]. In the event of a fuel supply disruption, it would
be important to these rural communities and the agricultural supply chain to ensure
that agricultural production continues. It is once again essential to emphasize that
successful integration of perennial grasses would only eliminate a small fraction of
the need for energy sources. Small fractions can quickly add up to significant sums
if other biofuels options are implemented elsewhere.
Developing a locally grown biomass and biofuel products could provide eco-
nomic diversification to rural communities in the Mountain West. Establishing a
regional supply chain for biofuel production could diversify fuel sources, thereby
providing a degree of energy security against price increases or shortages. The
commercial production of cool-season perennial grass species as found in basin
wildrye, basin x creeping wildrye hybrids, intermediate wheatgrass, and tall wheat-
grass for lignocellulosic biomass production in the Mountain West will require
considerable genetic improvement to develop these plant species for suitable
biomass production. Since the 1990s, there has been a constant decline in range
grass breeding programs in the USA due to reduced budgets and other program
changes. Current range grass breeding programs have emphasized forage quality
over yield in more recent intermediate wheatgrass cultivars as well as emphasis on
developing plant materials that establish and are more persistent on dry, harsh
disturbed rangelands capable of competing against invasive annual grasses, thus
reducing the frequency and magnitude of wildfires and maintaining our natural
resources. Numerous other aspects of the supply chain and conversion processes
appropriate for the Mountain West will also require research and development
efforts.
References
1. Robins J. Cool-season grasses produce more total biomass across the growing season than do
warm-season grasses when managed with an applied irrigation gradient. Biomass Bioenerg.
2010;34:500-5.
2. Western Bioenergy Assessment Team. Strategic assessment of bioenergy development in the
west: biomass resource assessment and supply analysis for the WGA region. Denver:
Western Governors' Association. Kansas State University and the U.S. Forest Service; 2008.
3. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, Pub.L.No.110-120, 121 Stat. 1492 (2007
Dec 21). Available at:
http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD
ΒΌ
12 Mar 2013.
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