Grass Biomass: A Biofuel Strategy Right for Upstate New York

Abstract

Given the steady increase in gas utility rates, it’s becoming more and more desirable for homeowners to seek out energy alternatives for home heating in upstate New York. In this brief we discuss why large-scale liquid biofuel production—such as ethanol—is an inappropriate alternative solution for Upstate’s home heating energy needs and how locally grown and produced grass pellets burned in the home can fill that gap. After briefly introducing the technology involved, we outline the potential benefits as well as the obstacles of producing and consuming grass pellets for home heating upstate.