This page is a collection of publications that capture the work of Dr. Sid Bosworth, UVM Plant and Soil Science Department on grass crops for grown for energy use.
Almost a third of Vermont’s total energy demand is for heating purposes and nearly 60% of the heating fuel used in the state is No.2 heating oil. Perennial forage grasses have the potential to be utilized as a biomass fuel for heating which could displace heating oil, a petroleum product subject to fluctuating prices. How much of Vermont’s demand for fossil-derived fuels can be offset with local, renewable grasses? UVM Extension and the UVM College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, as part of the Vermont Grass Energy Partnership, is working to evaluate the limits of grass as a fuel feedstock, by studying the agronomy, chemical analysis, combustion performance, emissions and economic feasibility of grass-derived fuels. This site is devoted to agronomic research updates on the project as well as linkages to partner sites and other important grass energy resources.
Project Reports
- Vermont Bioenergy Initiative Report to the US Dept. of Energy (Sept. 2016)
- An Update on Recent Testing of Grass and Ag Biomass Burning – 2016
- Vermont Farmers Food Center Heats with Biomass – 2016
- Evaluation of Warm Season Grasses for Biomass Potential in Vermont 2010 to 2013
- Evaluation of Intermediate Wheatgrass, Tall Wheatgrass and Reed Canarygrass for Biomass Potential in Vermont
- Evaluation of a Seed Vigor Test and Seed Dormancy on Germination of Switchgrass
- Nitrogen Fertilization, Time of Harvest and Soil Drainage Effects on Switchgrass Biomass Production and Fuel Quality
- Biomass Production Potential on “Marginal” Land in Vermont
- A Technical Assessment of Grass Pellets as a Boiler Fuel in Vermont, January 2011
- An Interim Assessment of the Vermont Technical College Pelletizer 2012
Articles and Factsheets
- Grass Energy: The Basics on Production, Processing and Combustion of Grasses for Energy
- Factsheet: Establishing Warm Season Grasses for Biomass In Vermont