By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent WURTLAND, Ky. — In a state noted for its long history of coal production, last year Kentucky attempted to come up with renewable energy projects to work with the coal industry, in an effort to provide economical energy.
It may be the need for such alternative fuels that will give Kentucky farmers a new crop to consider, as switchgrass is being researched as a biomass to supply this need. In a four-year study, researchers at the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture, participating farmers and their county extension agents have worked together to learn more about the crop’s viability in northeastern Kentucky.
The most recent step in the project involved using switchgrass compressed into pellets, which can be added to coal. East Kentucky Power Cooperative, a partner with UK in the project, tested ground switchgrass at a power plant facility in Maysville last year, with no noticeable interruptions other than it was cumbersome to handle, according to Tom Keene, a UK hay marketing specialist.
The pellets, resembling small, round pieces of wood, were created recently at the Midwestern Biofuels (MB) facility.
“Putting it in this form (pellets) allows them to use current operational procedures to incorporate this biomass into their system without any significant changes or major financial output,” Keene said.
Last year, MB began a project that involved using miscanthus and other biomass to ultimately create pellets to be burned with coal.
“Currently, we’ve tested up to an 8 percent blend with coal, and it’s gone to another utility with no problems,” said Jeff Lowe, president of MB. “It’s handled well. It went through their mills and crushed down and went right to the furnace to make power.”
Another advantage to pellets over a cut or ground material is in the ease of transporting it.
“A truckload with just plain biomass is around 11 tons. Our condensed product holds upwards of 27 tons on the same truck,” Lowe said.
Ongoing research of the project has taught those involved many things. The two drought years of 2007 and 2008, followed by an exceptionally wet 2009, have allowed the group to learn about the crop’s ability to tolerate hot, dry weather and wet, cool conditions, according to information from UK.
“If we have a drought, that’s not the end of the world. We still get production in a dry year, so that’s very good to know,” said Keene.
Research has also shown that switchgrass tolerates weeds better than other crops such as corn and soybeans, and soil tests have shown the crop needs few inputs.
The size or type of switchgrass packages have been examined to determine what might be best to get from the farm to the power plant.
“Mid-size square bales are the package of choice because they transport and store easier than round bales,” Keene said.
“However, those balers are not cheap. Farmers would have to go in together to purchase one, and then some of our slopes in northeastern Kentucky won’t accommodate the baler. So we’ll have to have a round bale component to any future program.”
From a production standpoint, educating farmers and ag officials has been a task Lowe first encountered, but working with UK extension offices has helped in that aspect.
In 2009 the switchgrass grown increased dramatically over 2007 and 2008, as all 20 test plots were harvested for the first time.
Last year the plots produced 265 tons. Keene hopes that that number will grow to 400 tons in 2010.
Tom Malone is a farmer from Bracken County, and one of many in the area participating in the project. So far, he has been encouraged by what lies ahead for the crop.
“We find ourselves on a verge of having a lot further interest and further development. I’m really excited and intrigued,” he said. |
