Energy from California agriculture and forest resources: current and future potential and constraints

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Biosources Dig.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6720942

Sachs, R H

More than 0.3 Quad of energy in the form of liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels can be produced from California forests and farms without altering significantly the supply of food, feed or fiber. The costs of biomass to fuels via direct combustion and gasification conversion systems is now lower than the petroleum or natural gas-derived fuels that they would replace. Yields of 10 tons dry matter per acre per year would be expected from all irrigated agricultural regions if the most productive crops such as corn, sorghum, sugar beets, certain forages and tree crops are grown. Double cropping, e.g., winter grain followed by corn or sorghum in the summer, may increase yields above 10 tons dry matter per year. As much as 4 tons per acre should be available as residues from corn or sorghum for energy conversion systems. With selected crop acreage and utilization schemes up to 5 billion gallons of fermentation ethanol can be produced annually from high starch and sugar crops. With little change in current crop production and utilization over 1 billion gallons of ethanol and methanol can be produced by conversion of current collectable crop, forestry and urban residues.

• Research Organization: Dept of Environmental Horticulture UC Davis, 95616
• OSTI ID: 6720942
• Journal Information: Biosources Dig.; (United States), Journal Name: Biosources Dig.; (United States) Vol. 3:1; ISSN BIDID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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VEGETABLES
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