Miscanthus

Miscanthus
Miscanthus is a genus of about 15 species of perennial grasses native to subtropical and tropical regions of Africa and southern Asia, with one species (M. sinensis) extending north into temperate eastern Asia. Miscanthus giganteus.  The sterile hybrid between M. sinensis and M. sacchariflorus, Miscanthus giganteus or "E-grass", has been trialed as a biofuel in Europe since the early 1980s. The rapid growth, low mineral content and high biomass yield of Miscanthus make it a favorite choice as a biofuel. After harvest, it can be burned to produce heat and steam for power turbines.

Origin and Distribution:

Miscanthus is native to Asia. It was brought into the United States primarily for ornamental purposes. It has been introduced or spread throughout the eastern United States, Colorado, and California. Relatively unknown in France, Miscanthus giganteus is now in the European spotlight as a biofuel crop. Currently miscanthus giganteus is the energy crop of choice in Europe. It is grown there commercially to provide fuel for clean, affordable electricity and heat. Miscanthus will grow in relatively cold (Zone 5) as well as warm climates (Zone 9).Miscanthus also shows promise as a leading feedstock crop, based on its exceptional biomass yields with minimal production inputs in recent European and U.S. field trials.

Yield:

One acre of Giant Miscanthus, yielding 13 tons of harvestable dry matter, can produce the same amount of energy as 12 tons of Powder River Basin coal. Miscanthus x giganteus is a perennial grass that grows as tall as 12 feet high and can produce an impressive 15 tons of biomass per acre annually, according to University of Illinois research.

Advantages of Miscanthus

  • Miscanthus is a large perennial grass with potential for use in energy production.
  • Non-invasive- planted fields land easily reclaimed for corn/soy bean.
  • High yielding, low/no input.
  • Excellent for carbon sequestration and soil building.
  • Yield estimates from 10-15 tons per acre.
  • Potential income generation through carbon credits
  • Stores carbon in soil - soil restoration and carbon sink tool
  • Low nutrient content - low ash content -- very clean burning High water use efficiency
  • Harvested using existing farm equipment
  • Alternative markets: high quality paper, building materials, and fermentation

Disadvantages:

·         High planting costs.

·         Some related strains of Miscanthus that are so fertile that it may become invasive.

Uses:

  • Miscanthus is considered to be a raw material for the paper industry.
  • Miscanthus can be used as a raw material for energy production. Energy production alternatives that have been examined are co-combustion with coal and combustion in farm heating plants.
  • Miscanthus has been evaluated as a raw material for the production of fermentable pentose sugar solution.
  • Miscanthus is a a source of fiber to be used in building materials.
  • Miscanthus has been used as a material for centuries in Japan.
  • Miscanthus has been assessed for its ability to grow in west Cornwall on land which was polluted by heavy metals as a result of tin mining.
  • Miscanthus is also widely used as a fibre material in geo-textiles. Its use as canes to support ornamental pot plants and the use of Miscanthus ash arising  from combustion processes as a fertilizer is also being done.


Miscanthus - Commercial & Companies
Under the existing Energy Crops Scheme, a grant of 920/ha is available to help growers fund miscanthus planting and with all the power contracts being index linked, the crop can regularly produce net margins of 130-200/ha, he claims.
BICAL is the leader in the successful production and continued development of Miscanthus, the multipurpose crop for energy and industry.BICAL is also working with ECCI and farmer partners in the USA to establish commercial Miscanthus production.
BiSel is an example of one of these producer groups, which has a contract to supply 300,000 tonnes per year of Miscanthus to Drax power station in North Yorkshire.