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Ethanol

National Ethanol Feedstock Resources

The United States has vast potential ethanol feedstock resources. For information on historical and current (i.e., starch-based) resources, see the Biomass Energy Data Book Feedstocks page. Visit the National Agricultural Statistics Service for the most current data on crop production.

Currently used feedstocks merely scratch the surface of total U.S. ethanol feedstock potential. A joint U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)/U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) study found that 1.3 billion tons of biomass—predominantly cellulosic feedstocks—could be produced for biofuel production in the United States annually with only modest changes in farming practices (see diagram and report below). This quantity of feedstocks could be used to produce enough biofuels—mostly ethanol—to satisfy about one third of current U.S. petroleum demand. The report Increasing Feedstock Production for Biofuels addresses some of the economic and research factors affecting biomass feedstocks. Search the Bioenergy Feedstock Information Network for additional documents related to ethanol feedstock resources.

A graphic showing potential U.S. biomass feedstock. Logging and other residue 64 million dry tons per year, fuel treatments 60 million dry tons per year, urban wood residues 47 million dry tons per year, wood processing residues 70 million dry tons per year, pulping liquor 74 million dry tons per year, fuel wood 52 million dry tons per year, perennial crops 377 million dry tons per year, crop residues 446 million dry tons per year, process residues, 87 million dry tons per year, grain-to-ethanol 87 million dry tons per year.

All resources are cellulosic feedstocks except grain-to-ethanol.
Source: Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry.

Different feedstocks have different ethanol production potentials, both in terms of tons of feedstock that can be grown per acre of land and gallons of ethanol that can be produced per ton of feedstock. In general, cellulosic feedstocks grown specifically for energy production—such as the perennial grasses switchgrass and miscanthus—have the potential to yield more biomass per acre than starch crops such as corn grain. Beyond this generalization, biomass yields depend on numerous factors including land use, soil type, farming practices, and plant genetics. The table below gives example potential biomass yields based on specific, high-intensity farming practices; yields vary substantially based on the practices used.

Example Potential Biomass Feedstock Yields Based on Specific High-Intensity Farming Practices
Feedstock Potential Biomass Yield
(dry tons/acre/year)
Corn Grain 4.9
Corn Stover 4.9
Rice Straw 5.8
Cotton Lint Residue 1.2
Perennials* 8.0

*Such as switchgrass
Source: Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry, Table B.6

To determine the potential gallons of ethanol produced (via biochemical conversion) per ton of various feedstocks, use the Theoretical Ethanol Yield Calculator and the Biomass Feedstock Composition and Property Database. The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands' Phyllis database also contains information on the composition of biomass and waste. The table below shows the potential of some commonly considered feedstocks.

Example Theoretical Ethanol Yields of Selected Feedstocks
Feedstock Theoretical Ethanol Yield
(gal/dry ton of feedstock)
Corn Grain 124.4
Corn Stover 113.0
Rice Straw 109.9
Cotton Gin Trash 56.8
Forest Thinnings 81.5
Hardwood Sawdust 100.8
Bagasse 111.5
Mixed Paper 116.2
Switchgrass* 96.7

*74 Switchgrass Alamo Whole Plant
Source: DOE Biomass Program Theoretical Ethanol Yield Calculator and Biomass Feedstock Composition and Property Database

See State Ethanol Feedstock Resources to learn more about the geographic distribution of ethanol feedstocks.