NDLI: Economics and Energy of Ethanol Production from Alfalfa, Corn, and Switchgrass in the Upper Midwest, USA

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Economics and Energy of Ethanol Production from Alfalfa, Corn, and Switchgrass in the Upper Midwest, USA

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Vadas, P. A. Barnett, K. H. Undersander, D. J.
Copyright Year	2008
Abstract	In the USA, biomass crop systems will be needed to meet future ethanol production goals. We estimated production costs, profits, and energy budgets for three potential crop systems for the Upper Midwest: continuous corn with stover harvest, an alfalfa–corn rotation with stover harvest, and switchgrass. Production costs, profits, and on-farm energy use were greatest for continuous corn, less for alfalfa–corn, and least for switchgrass. Energy to transport crops was similar for all crop systems. Both energy used to produce ethanol and energy output in ethanol was greatest for continuous corn, less for alfalfa–corn, and least for switchgrass. Co-product energy output was 32% greater for alfalfa–corn than continuous corn and 42% greater than switchgrass. Net energy produced (outputs–inputs) was greatest for switchgrass, followed by continuous corn, and then alfalfa–corn. Efficiency of energy production (outputs/inputs) was greatest for switchgrass, followed by alfalfa–corn, and then continuous corn. Our analysis emphasizes tradeoffs among crop systems. Corn may produce high rates of ethanol and net energy, but will do so least efficiently and with the greatest erosion and N leaching. Corn may have the greatest production costs, but return the greatest profit. Comparatively, alfalfa–corn will produce less ethanol and net energy, but will do so more efficiently, and with less erosion and little N leaching. Production costs, but also profits, may be less for alfalfa–corn than continuous corn. Switchgrass may produce the most net energy and will do so most efficiently and with the least erosion, but will also yield the least ethanol. Nitrogen leaching will be less for switchgrass than corn, but greater than alfalfa–corn. Switchgrass may be the least expensive to produce, but may return a profit only if selling prices or yields are high.
Starting Page	44
Ending Page	55
Page Count	12
File Format	PDF
ISSN	19391234
Journal	BioEnergy Research
Volume Number	1
Issue Number	1
e-ISSN	19391242
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2008-03-04
Publisher Place	New York
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Ethanol Biomass Crop systems Alfalfa Economics Ecology Plant Genetics & Genomics Plant Sciences
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment Agronomy and Crop Science

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