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There is a simple way: 1. Plant tree 2. Wait 20 years 3. Chop tree 4. Burn tree in steam engine and generate electricity. However, that's a long time for a re
by skriticos2 10y ago
There is a simple way:
1. Plant tree
2. Wait 20 years
3. Chop tree
4. Burn tree in steam engine and generate electricity.
However, that's a long time for a relatively small amount of energy (not even counting logistics losses here). Most trees are just not very efficient at converting solar energy/CO2 into fuel (wood). There are better results being looked in with algae that might result in fuel some time, but it's still in research.
- tim333 10y agoAlgenol looked quite promising. Apparently they got 8000 gal/acre/year from their trial. Somehow they never quite get to commercial production though. http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/12005/green-expectations http://www.ethanolproducer.com/articles/12005/green-expectat...
- ars 10y agoThere are WAY better plants than trees for this. Switchgass is often listed as one of the best options. You literally just cut it down, let it dry for a bit, and throw it into the exact same plants that burn coal.