About the book

Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems presents a comprehensive overview of how cellulosic energy crops can be sustainably produced and converted to affordable energy through liquid fuels, heat and electricity.

The book begins with an introduction to cellulosic feedstocks, discussing their potential as a large-scale sustainable energy source, and technologies for the production of liquid fuels, heat and electricity. Subsequent chapters examine miscanthus, switchgrass, sugarcane and energy cane, sorghums and crop residues, reviewing their phylogeny, cultural practices, and opportunities for genetic improvement. This is followed by a detailed focus on woody crops, including eucalyptus, pine, poplar and willow. Critical logistical issues associated with both herbaceous and woody feedstocks are reviewed, and alternate strategies for harvesting, transporting, and storing cellulosic materials are also examined. The final sectionof the booktackles the challenge of achieving long-term sustainability, addressing economic, environmental and social factors.

Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems is a valuable resource for academics, students and industry professionals working in the field of biomass cultivation and conversion, bioenergy, crop science and agriculture.

Contents

1 Introduction to Cellulosic Energy Crops 1
Mark Laser and Lee Lynd

2 Conversion Technologies for the Production of Liquid Fuels and Biochemicals 15
Sofie Dobbelaere, Tom Anthonis, and Wim Soetaert

3 Technologies for Production of Heat and Electricity 31
Jacob J. Jacobson and Kara G. Cafferty

4 Miscanthus Genetics and Agronomy for Bioenergy Feedstock 43
Maryse Brancourt-Hulmel, Charlotte Demay, Emeline Rosiau, Fabien Ferchaud, Linda Bethencourt, Stephanie Arnoult, Camille Dauchy, Nicolas Beaudoin, and Hubert Boizard

5 Switchgrass 75
Rob Mitchell, D.K. Lee, and Michael Casler

6 Sugarcane, Energy Cane and Napier Grass 91
Edward P. Richard, Jr. and William F. Anderson

7 Sorghum 109
William L. Rooney

8 Crop Residues 131
Douglas L. Karlen and David R. Huggins

9 Eucalyptus 149
Michael W. Cunningham and Bijay Tamang

10 Pine 161
David B. South and Mathew Smidt

11 Poplar 183
Andrzej Klasa and Doug Karlen

12 Development and Deployment of Willow Biomass Crops 201
Timothy A. Volk, L.P. Abrahamson, T. Buchholz, J. Caputo, and M. Eisenbies

13 Herbaceous Biomass Logistics 219
John S. Cundiff

14 Woody Biomass Logistics 251
Robert Keefe, Nathaniel Anderson, John Hogland, and Ken Muhlenfeld

15 Economic Sustainability of Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems 281
Kelly D. Zering

16 Environmental Sustainability of Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems 299
Richard Lowrance and Adam Davis

17 Social Sustainability of Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems 315
Cornelia Butler Flora and Charles F. Curtiss

18 Commercialization of Cellulosic Energy Cropping Systems 335
Sam W. Jackson

19 Selected Global Examples of Cellulosic Cropping System Trends 345
Douglas L. Karlen, Marcelo Valadares Galdos, Sarita Candida Rabelo, Henrique Continho Junqueira Franco, Antonio Bonomi, Jihong Li, Shi-Zhong Li, Jaya Shankar Tumuluru, and Leslie Ovard

Index 365