Camelina: Another Biofuel Feedstock You May Not Have Considered
by Matthew McDermott, Brooklyn, NY on 08.18.08
Over a year ago we wrote about Camelina sativa, otherwise known as false flax and a member of the mustard family, an underdeveloped feedstock for biofuel which was being investigated by a limited number of farmers in the upper great plains.
Here’s an update and some more information on this the latest biofuel feedstock candidate claiming to be able to make an end-run around the biofuels versus food debate. Biofuels Digest provides the details:
Camelina Basics
In brief here’s why supporters of Camelina believe it can put an end to food v. fuel: It is tolerant of low rainfall and can grow in areas unsuitable for food crops; Crop yields are double those of soy beans; Its oil is more resistant to cold temperatures than other oils; It is cold tolerant; The meal left over after producing the oil is a good candidate for livestock feed.
Can Be Grown in Rotation With Wheat
That’s all fine, but this is what caught my eye: According to Great Plains—a company trying to commercialize camelina biofuel production—camelina can be grown in rotation with wheat crops. Great Plains is claiming that by planting camelina in between crops of wheat farmers can produce up to 100 gallons of camelina oil per acre, while at the same time increasing wheat crop yields by 15 percent.
Author Touts Camelina
Jim Lane author of the original article is quite enthusiastic about the benefits of camelina. After a baseball analogy explaining that so far the barrier to expanding camelina production is growing education, he goes on to say:
What will bring it home? For wheat farmers, it’s a natural short crop that can be grown following spring wheat, and adds value to land. For cotton farmers and others with starved soils, its a tolerant crop that produces a good, fast yield. A superior meal and a rich, virgin oil that performs well in the cold might also prove to be the trick as biodiesel blend percentages become more aggressive in the snowy north. It’s a smart, steady play for the grower looking to do better without taking the monstrous risks that are component parts of a switchgrass or jatropha plantation.
It sounds like a win-win, but more field trials probably need to be done before we jump into the open arms of camelina producers. Like other potential biofuel feedstocks, this one probably has a way to go before reaching commercial production, but given the growing concern about the sustainability of popular feedstocks such as corn, soybeans, rapeseed and palm oil, camelina seem to deserve a closer look than it’s been given so far.
image: Wikipedia
Biofuels
Ancient Plant May Become New Source of Biofuel
Have Your Say: Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels Requests Comment on Sustainability Criteria
Ethanol Produced from Perennial Grass Could Offset 20% of Gas Use with 9.3% of Cropland
Planting Switchgrass Could Improve Soil Quality
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- US Farmer’s Incomes Now Tied More to Ethanol Than Food, Economist Says
- 4 Million Tons of Olive Pits Could Be Turned in Ethanol
- EWA Squeezes Water From Thin Air, Like In Old Biblical Times
- Algae Biofuel Facility to be Built in Durango, Colorado by Solix Biofuels
President Bush Says "Baby, Get That Phthalate-Filled Building Block Out Of Your Mouth!"
|
Solar Powered Necktie Is Not Exactly Ralph Lauren
|
This is another reason why preserving biodiversity is so critical:
http://lamarguerite.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/whats-wrong-with-biodiversity/
Mustard family...uh oh....
Sounds like an invasive (most mustards are). Miscanthus, now this...why does every biofuel feedstock come from dangerously invasive plants? This is the worst type of pollution as most pollutants aren't self-propagating, therefore expanding exponentially...
Not good...
HG
Who cares if they have found another alternative to the best agricultural product our country could ever re-turn to in time of need! Look at the shiny object! Pretty!
If the gov't would just get its head out of its backside then we would not have to even consider this, as Hemp would be growing rampant and taking care of many of our food, clothing, and fuel needs.
It sounds pretty cool to me!
Not sure about the invasiveness that Helpfulgardener is talking about at the top. It would be great if someone can explain it to me (I know there are lots of experts in TreeHugger^^)
But I believe there must be pros and cons in every biofuel ingredient, biologically or economically. It is all about balance between the usage.
MTSK
Colors of Swallowtail