Switchgrass.

The current focus of this project is on testing a small-scale switchgrass-fired
boiler as a potential on farm heat source. Many potential applications exist on
Maryland farms for using this type of system including heating of farm buildings,
greenhouse heating, hot water heating in dairies, grain drying, and heating
of aquaculture systems. Switchgrass consistently outyielded eastern
gammagrass in a late-winter single harvest system and yields of 10 Mg/ha
appear to be readily attainable with minimal inputs after the establishment
phase. The energy content of harvested switchgrass is approximately 18MJ/
kg giving a total harvested energy content per acre equivalent to that in 530
gallons of heating oil. At current fossil fuel prices, there are not compelling
reasons for farmers to convert to switchgrass fired heating systems, especially
given the lack of readily available off-the shelf heating units. It is hoped that
this project will demonstrate the technical feasibility of biofuel-fired systems
for on farm applications. With relatively minor subsidies for water quality
benefits and reductions in net CO2 emissions these systems appear to be an
economically viable option for agriculture to address both local and global
environmental issues.