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Originally Posted by tisonlyi
If you've got some more info on switch grass that puts some flesh on the bones of the statement through npr, then I'll be out setting up switch grass cooperatives immediately. 
Ahh: I went and nosed around for some more info... it seems switchgrass has the potential in some people's eyes, but is a red herring in others'... |
My intent was to point out that this is still in development. I hope we don't give up on this due to initial barriers. We've not come this far without overcoming such barriers. There's a reason why we don't rely so much on whale oil anymore.
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Originally Posted by tisonlyi
The thing that has changed is the oil price, not the cost of the technology.
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I'm not referring to the cost of the technology; I'm referring to the application of it. If it weren't for the enhanced oil recovery method known as steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), the amount of oil extractable from the oil sands would be greatly limited. Surface bitumen as it is has a recovery rate of 20%, whereas those applying the SAGD method get as high as 60%. That's a huge difference. For decades in the tar sands, they've been experimenting with various methods to extract deeper oil. I'm guessing there are still developments to be made. Oil price is the biggest factor for development, but the impact of the technology should not be underestimated.
We should be working toward a way to make switchgrass and other materials (e.g. waste vegetable oil, and other inedible plant materials) a viable source of biofuel. It's entirely possible. I say don't give up.