One acre of corn grain contains 50 million BTU and requires 7.6 million BTU
to produce, for an energy output/input ratio of 6.6. When the corn stover is
included, the energy efficiency ratio improves to 8.8.
In comparison, switchgrass will produce 20.6 times the energy required to
produce it if it is transported directly to the ethanol plant. The higher
ratio for switchgrass occurs largely because it is a perennial (remaining in
production for ten years or more before replanting) and because of its lower
chemical and fertilizer requirements.
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