Regional bioenergy crops key to aviation fuel plans
By Farms.com
In an impactful study by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, researchers have pinpointed the most suitable bioenergy crops for producing sustainable aviation fuels across the U.S., focusing on economic and environmental sustainability.
The study, involving a detailed analysis by Madhu Khanna and Xinxin Fan, explores the viability of corn stover, energy sorghum, miscanthus, and switchgrass in different U.S. regions.
This research is part of a broader effort under the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, which aims to significantly increase U.S. production of environmentally friendly jet fuel.
The team evaluated the crops based on several criteria, including the cost of switching from other viable crops, carbon emission reductions, and biomass yield.
Findings indicate that while miscanthus and switchgrass offer substantial environmental benefits, particularly in terms of lowering greenhouse gas emissions, corn stover could be more advantageous for areas focusing on scaling production due to its lower break-even price. However, its higher greenhouse gas intensity might require offsetting measures like carbon credits.
The conclusions drawn from this study are expected to guide both policymakers and growers in selecting appropriate crops that align with both economic and environmental objectives, helping the U.S. to meet its ambitious goals for sustainable aviation fuel production and carbon reduction.