Agricultural Engineering/Agronomy, Central Iowa, and BioCentury Research Farms
Authors: , Nicholas Boersma (Iowa State University) , Emily Heaton (Iowa State University)
Increased awareness of global climate change and an increased desire to reduce CO2 emissions associated with fossil fuels has driven more interest into biomass crops as a source of energy. Miscanthus x giganteus (hereafter, miscanthus), a perennial biomass crop, has demonstrated high biomass yields with relatively low inputs in Midwestern research trials. The potential of this crop motivated the University of Iowa to investigate and begin using this perennial crop as a solid fuel source to generate electricity, heat, and steam. The University of Iowa has set an ambitious goal of achieving 20 percent renewable energy and zero coal use on campus by 2025. A large portion of this goal will be met by converting miscanthus to electricity in their solid fuel boilers. Given the increased marketability and potential of miscanthus in Iowa, more management and yield data are needed to predict the long-term sustainability of this novel crop.
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How to Cite: , Boersma, N. & Heaton, E. (2019) “Miscanthus REpeated PLAnting Year (REPLAY) Study”, Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms Progress Reports. 2018(1).