Green grass

Welsh scientists are working on a research project that aims to turn grass into a green transport fuel.

The £1m ’Grassohol’ research project aims to develop processes to make ethanol from perennial ryegrass – the most commonly sown grass in the UK, which is normally used for grazing or silage.

Ryegrasses with high extractable sugar contents will be used in the project, which will examine the best methods of extracting and fermenting the sugar and of maximising yields and rates of ethanol production.

The dried residue after fermentation and distillation is rich in protein and has the potential to be converted into animal feed.

One hectare of grassland could produce up to 4,500 litres of ethanol and it is envisaged that local refineries could be established on farms at a similar scale of production to wine co-operatives.

The project is led by the Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) at Aberystwyth University, which has incorporated the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.