Northern Maine Has Capacity for Grass Biomass Production, but Has Its Day Come?
As scientists comb the globe for renewable energy ideas, biomass – the use of plant material and animal waste as fuel – has come to the fore as a potential solution. Could this new market have a future in Maine’s 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’t have Aroostook grass heating your home anytime soon.
“Based on our research, conversion of Aroostook County’s 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,” said , Professor of Earth and Environmental Science at UMPI.