Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 9/20/21


The U.S. federal government and many private businesses have set bold renewable energy goals, upwards of an 80-100% renewable electrical grid by midcentury. Currently, North Carolina consumes only 10% renewable energy, most of which is solar, unlike national consumption which is more diverse, particularly in biomass. As demand and incentives for renewable energy increase, improving the production efficiency of other renewable sources will be vital. NC State researchers are evaluating biomass crops and land-use strategies to help NC growers assess and capitalize on bioenergy trends in an environmentally responsible way.

Defining 'Marginal’ Meaning for North Carolina
The NC Department of Agriculture funds research and development of second-generation bioenergy crops through the NC Bioenergy Initiative. While biomass crops like corn, sugarcane, and grasses offer NC growers an attractive renewable energy option, agricultural and environmental concerns suggest that biomass crop production could cannibalize commodity crop acreage or environmentally sensitive forests and wetlands. Biomass crops are typically designated for 'marginal’ agricultural land, but there has been no explicit agreement on the term’s definition.

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