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The Web 2.0 of biofuels has Scientists and Engineers thinking they can halve U.S. oil needs.

Forget corn ethanol. Nevermind soy biodiesel. This months issue of Scientific American reports on how Scientists are turning agricultural leftovers, wood and fast-growing grasses into a variety of biofuels including jet fuel. The second-generation biofuels will be made from the inedible parts of plants making it the most environmentally friendly and socially responsible near-term alternatives to oil. “Grassoline” will come from agricultural leftovers such as corn stalks, grass and weeds and wood waste products.

One of the greatest benefits of this new version of cellulosic biomass is its abundance without impacting food supplies. However media-hyped, current corn- and soy-based biofuels affect farmland appropriations as well as food prices. Raw feedstock such as Switchgrass can grow anywhere from Canada to Mexico, in sandy soil that lends itself well to traditional agriculture. Other possible cellulose sources often have low water and fertilizer requirements.

Cellu, Cel, Cellulo… what?
Cellulosic biofuels can be made from anything that is or ever was a plant. Sugar molecules in plant cellulose contain the chemical energy needed to create combustible fuels. This means that there are dozens if not hundreds of sources of biomass. Potentially everything from wood residues such as sawdust and construction debris, to ag residues such as corn stalks, wheat straw and grass clippings.

So when do I get it?
Cost will determine how fast grassoline use will grow. It will have to compete with petroleum and the industry that has spent the last hundred years reaping the technological benefits of dedicated research programs. Also, grassoline refineries will require investments, a cost that will be integrated into the price of the fuel produced through the years.

However, grassoline raw feedstocks are far less expensive than crude oil helping keep cost down. Grassoline will be domestically produced creating jobs and alleviating national security concerns that imported oil brings. Also, alternative fuels have the financial backing of the Administration. Barack Obama’s stimulus bill contained $800 million in funding for the Department of Energy’s Biomass Program. The bill also contained $6 billion in loan guarantees for “leading edge biofuel projects” that will commence construction by October 2011.

Can I sell my grass clippings?
This probably won’t be a cash boon for most people. However, homeowners and landscape professionals alike may be able to turn their yard wastes into fuel if not money. As entrepreneurs get involved with this industry, businesses and technologies will improve. So, while we aren’t hopping into Jetsonian flying cars (yet) we are moving away from fossil-based fuels and that should count for something, right?