A renewable resource that can be converted to energy could be grown on local farms. That’s the message Jim Fredrick, professor in crop production and physiology at Clemson University’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center, brought to members of the Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce when he spoke recently at a luncheon.
Fredrick said he has been involved in switchgrass research and calls it a potential energy source. The native plant is part of an initiative in the state to develop new fuel sources. He has been studying the production, crop management and other aspects of the high yielding plant that is also drought tolerant, he said on March 27.
Listing perceived negative impacts related to energy consumption, Fredrick said biomass energy is cleaner burning, renewable and can be produced in the state. The state’s initiative could create a business opportunity for farmers, he said, adding that when planted, switchgrass grows to between six and eight feet, at full size, within three years. Afterwards, the crop grows yearly after harvest and lives as long as 15 years.
Switchgrass is carbon neutral and prevents soil erosion, he explained, saying that bio energy uses for switch grass include producing cellulosic ethanol to reduce dependence on petroleum and starch-based ethanol, along with making hydrogen gas synthetic fuels and biochar.
S.C. Switchgrass initiative goals include providing a new agricultural industry to rural South Carolina, developing centralized processing facilities at key locations along the I-95 Corridor, conducting state-of-the art research, increasing seed supply and conducting public awareness and educational programs on renewable energy and conservation. Fredrick said plans for planting the crop are in place for the future.
“The good news, there is a lot of potential out there,” he said, adding that the market has been established for South Carolina switchgrass. “Europeans are way ahead of us in terms of reducing carbon emissions, so the utility companies buy biomass energy products as replacements,” he said, adding that a North Charleston Company, Carolina-Pacific LLC, received a 10-year contract beginning in 2012. The agreement involves producing 280,000 tons of switchgrass pellets per year equating to a need of 40,000 acres for planting, Fredrick said.
“Because of that market, we look toward 2010 to begin planting along the I-95 Corridor,” Fredrick said, adding that now they will have to work quickly. “I think this is a great opportunity and I think we’re a little ahead in the race,” Fredrick said. “It doesn’t require anything very specialized … it’s the type of crop that a small farmer could do,” he said.
Also at the meeting, new Chamber of Commerce members were recognized, Agape Hospice of Conway, Paws to the Rescue, Hideaway Haven, Talk N’ Tan, Keith and Kenneth’s Automotive, Pee Dee Office Solutions, Professional Nursing Services and Frank Jones. New Executive Director Cindy Lesieur was also introduced during the meeting. She was selected for the position in February.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement