Northern 海角社区 Has Capacity for Grass Biomass Production, but Has Its Day Come?
As scientists comb the globe for renewable energy ideas, biomass 鈥 the use of plant material and animal waste as fuel 鈥 has come to the fore as a potential solution. Could this new market have a future in 海角社区鈥檚 northernmost county?
Researchers at thee (UMPI), , and recently investigated the feasibility of using perennial grasses as a source biomass in Aroostook County. In a report to Aroostook stakeholders and an academic paper that looks at four townships, the researchers lay out the case in detail.
The conclusion, in short: a perennial grass biomass industry is probably feasible. But you probably won鈥檛 have Aroostook grass heating your home anytime soon.
鈥淏ased on our research, conversion of Aroostook County鈥檚 extensive sub-prime farmland into grass biomass production is not feasible under present technological and market conditions. However, our investigation suggests that its time may come in the future,鈥 said , Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at UMPI.