Grass Biomass Energy
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Vermont Grass Biomass Energy Project
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Almost a third of Vermont’s total energy demand is for heating purposes
and nearly 60% of the heating fuel used in the state is No.2 heating oil.
Perennial forage grasses have the potential to be utilized as a biomass
fuel for heating which could displace heating oil, a petroleum product subject
to fluctuating prices. How much of Vermont's demand for fossil-derived
fuels can be offset with local, renewable grasses? UVM Extension and the UVM
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as part of the Vermont Grass Energy Partnership, is working to evaluate
the limits of grass as a fuel feedstock, by studying the agronomy, chemical
analysis, combustion performance, emissions and economic feasibility of
grass-derived fuels. This site is devoted to agronomic research updates on the
project as well as linkages to partner sites and other important grass energy
resources. Project Reports
Vermont Bioenergy Initiative Report to the US Dept. of Energy (Sept. 2016)
An Update on Recent Testing of Grass and Ag Biomass Burning - 2016
Vermont Farmers Food Center Heats with Biomass - 2016
Evaluation of Warm Season Grasses for Biomass Potential in Vermont 2010 to 2013
Evaluation of Intermediate Wheatgrass, Tall Wheatgrass and Reed Canarygrass for Biomass Potential in Vermont
Evaluation of a Seed Vigor Test and Seed Dormancy on Germination of Switchgrass
Nitrogen Fertilization, Time of Harvest and Soil Drainage Effects on Switchgrass Biomass Production and Fuel Quality
Biomass Production Potential on "Marginal" Land in Vermont
A Technical Assessment of Grass Pellets as a
Boiler Fuel in Vermont, January
2011
An Interim Assessment of the Vermont Technical College Pellitizer 2012
Articles/Factsheets/Spreadsheets
Grass Energy: The Basics on Production, Processing and Combustion of Grasses for Energy
Factsheet: Establishing Warm Season Grasses for Biomass In Vermont
Factsheet: Establishment and Management of Switchgrass (Cornell)
Factsheet: Switchgrass Production in Ontario - A Management Guide
Grass Biomass Production and Harvest Cost Estimator (spreadsheet)
Across The Fence Videos
Across The Fence Program on the Grass Energy Project (Part 1), 6/18/12
Across The Fence Program on the Grass Energy Project (Part 2) , 6/19/12
Across The Fence Program on the Grass Energy Research at Meach Cove Farms, 11/4/15
Grass Biomass Project Partners
Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund, Montpelier, VT
Biomass Energy Resource Center, Montpelier, VT
Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center, VT
Meach Cove Farm Trust, Shelburne, VT
Borderview Farm, Alburg, VT
Lincoln Farm, Randolph Center, VT
Links
to Other Biomass Energy Sites
Grass Bioenergy - from Cornell Uninversity
UVM Extension Ag Engineering
Penn State Biomass Energy Center
REAP Canada - Switchgrass Biomass Research/Education
eXtension - Biofuel Production
U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program
For more information about grass biomass in Vermont, contact:
Sid Bosworth, UVM Extension Agronomist - sid.bosworth@uvm.edu
Chris Callahan , UVM Extension Engineer - Chris.Callahan@uvm.edu
Alexander DePillis, VT Agency of Agriculture - alex.depillis@vermont.gov
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The Vermont Crops and Soils Homepage
provides these linkages for your access to more information, but we do
not necessarily agree nor endorse all the information and ideas that you
may find on some of these links.
This site is maintained by Sid.Bosworth@uvm.edu,
Plant & Soil Science Department, University of Vermont.
Sponsored by:
and 
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative
Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the
United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension,
Burlington, Vermont.University of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department
of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone
without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
political beliefs, or marital or familial status
Last modified September 15 2017 11:07 AM
University of Vermont