Thanks, Krauts.
Back to you, University of Illinois.
So you were researching miscanthus to produce ethanol?
Alright. So, miscanthus produces a cleaner ethanol than corn.
And, it can be grown in places where corn can't.
But, most importantly, it's non-invasive.
India just released a car that is fueled by ethanol. So, the technology is there, but it is the infrastructure that isn't.
This would free us from OPEC. It looks like miscanthus takes about 3 years to reach its peak growth.
Here my ignorant questions.
How many miscanthus farms would we need to fully free ourselves? I saw 20 million acres was necessary but what does that mean in terms of purchasing and operating the land.
Then, what type of production lines do we need to convert that grass to fuel?
Can we make a hybrid ethanol with corn and miscanthus?
I understand that miscanthus won't need corn, but I am Cherokee. In Cherokee culture, the 3 Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) are foundational crops. Corn is indigenous here so I want to maintain its presence, but I do want the most fuel efficient vehicle.
Are any schools working on this now?
