Miscanthus. Photo by Mollivan Jon, Flickr.
As previously covered on this blog, the University of Iowa uses oat hulls as biomass in order to reduce their use of coal. The University of Iowa is now looking to expand their use of biomass by using new sources.
UI has already tested seed corn, saw dust and greenwood energy pellets. There’s also a possibility that the university will use locally grown miscanthus — a plant similar to sugarcane. In fact, UI has contracted with a Muscatine County farmer to plant about 15 acres of miscanthus this spring.
The larger goal is to produce 40 percent of UI’s energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Read more here.
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About Michael Gallagher
I am originally from outside of Chicago, but I have spent the last five years in Iowa pursuing my education. From 2006-2010 I attended Grinnell College, where I received a B.A. in English. Currently, I am a graduate student in the University of Iowa's journalism department.
In addition to my work for CGRER, I write for the non-profit investigative reporting organization Iowa Watch. Previously, I worked as a freelance writer, primarily contributing to Hoopla (The Gazette's arts and culture publication), and I assistant coached the Grinnell College cross country and track teams for a year.
My interests include writing, running, watching the Chicago Bulls, and . . . environmental news!
