Although the idea of using biomass materials to generate clean energy has been around for a long time, the approach has been plagued with issues that have kept it on the sidelines, while wind and solar power have gotten the lion’s share of the press.
Early plans to use waste material as a source for renewable energy soon revealed a serious weakness. The economics of waste material was unpredictable, with market prices that could fluctuate wildly, making accurate business predictions difficult or impossible. Logistics was also a problem, since sources tended to be scattered, requiring hauling. In addition, the lack of consistency in waste material led to processing issues.
Attention then turned to the idea of using dedicated energy crops, but this too ran into obstacles, the biggest of which was the risk that such large scale crops might take over productive food growing land, or have other negative effects upon food agriculture. Moreover, the time and resources necessary to grow such crops greatly reduced their cost efficiency as an energy source.
But all of that is suddenly changing, with the development of what is becoming recognized as the world’s first realistic power crop.
Meet Giant King Grass (GKG), a proprietary energy crop from California-based VIASPACE, with all of the characteristics required to give it a clear advantage over other forms of renewable energy, making it competitive even with fossil fuels. GKG grows so fast it can be harvested multiple times each year, making it highly cost effective compared to wind, solar, or other renewable energy sources. GKG is not genetically modified, and is non-invasive. It grows easily and safely on marginal lands, posing no threat to food agriculture of food-growing lands, even providing localized employment to developing countries.
Although it can be readily pelletized for shipment anywhere, GKG can be grown nearby new or even existing traditional power plants to virtually eliminate transportation or logistical issues. Unlike other green energy sources, GKG requires no complicated or costly new technologies or infrastructure, and can produce as much energy as is needed, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in any type of weather. As if that weren’t enough, it can, like oil, be processed for use in producing green gasoline or other hydrocarbon based materials. And, as a biomass renewable, it has a carbon footprint that is almost zero, absorbing as much carbon during growth as it emits during burning.
Giant King Grass is already being grown in initial power plantation settings, with more to come.
For additional information, visit www.Viaspace.com
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