It’s a total shame because so many Americans live on massive lots compared to the rest of the world yet most of those same lots are just invasive grass. Meanwhile switch grass, a native grass to much of the US was tested by the EPA ages ago to be one of the most effective sources of ethanol that could be used for cars. It’s perennial so all you do is leave it and let it grow till the city or whatever comes in and harvests then uses the biomass to create ethanol. It’s also a no-mow grass so fewer lawn mowers and better water retention in the soil.
With a bit of tuning many cars can be modified to run E85 which is 85% ethanol and while this would still have a carbon impact it would be mostly carbon already in the carbon cycle instead of sequestered carbon like NG/Oil/Coal.
If we want to get more adventurous the ethanol would be pretty stable and able to be stored for years if needed as a backup for renewables. Pulling carbon from the atmosphere to store as an emergency reserve to generate electricity in case it’s cloudy and there is no wind for an unexpected amount of time. Whether that be via generators or maybe a steam turbine? (I know ethanol creates water when burned so idk if that would make steam turbines less efficient)
But the real kicker here… distilling ethanol for fuel is illegal in the US and you need specific permits to do so and some states don’t care if it is for fuel or drinking. Land of the fucking free.
Some of it isn’t even due to HOAs but due to cities or counties. Here’s an article about it if you’re so inclined
Holy shit. I’ve just skimmed it and it’s quite extensive, definitely saving this for a complete read.
Land of the free.
It’s a total shame because so many Americans live on massive lots compared to the rest of the world yet most of those same lots are just invasive grass. Meanwhile switch grass, a native grass to much of the US was tested by the EPA ages ago to be one of the most effective sources of ethanol that could be used for cars. It’s perennial so all you do is leave it and let it grow till the city or whatever comes in and harvests then uses the biomass to create ethanol. It’s also a no-mow grass so fewer lawn mowers and better water retention in the soil.
With a bit of tuning many cars can be modified to run E85 which is 85% ethanol and while this would still have a carbon impact it would be mostly carbon already in the carbon cycle instead of sequestered carbon like NG/Oil/Coal.
If we want to get more adventurous the ethanol would be pretty stable and able to be stored for years if needed as a backup for renewables. Pulling carbon from the atmosphere to store as an emergency reserve to generate electricity in case it’s cloudy and there is no wind for an unexpected amount of time. Whether that be via generators or maybe a steam turbine? (I know ethanol creates water when burned so idk if that would make steam turbines less efficient)
But the real kicker here… distilling ethanol for fuel is illegal in the US and you need specific permits to do so and some states don’t care if it is for fuel or drinking. Land of the fucking free.