Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology

, Volume 137, Issue 1–12, pp 611–624 | Cite as

Renewable energy in the United States

Is there enough land?
Session 3

Abstract

A review of studies of biomass potential in the United States finds a wide variation in the estimates. A number of specific policy-relevant questions about the potential of biofuels in the United States are answered. A recently published global analysis of the potential conflict between land needed for bioenergy and land needed for food is extended to the situation in the United States. A renewable energy supply scenario, capable of meeting the 2001 US energy demand, indicates that there is enough land to support a renewable energy system but that the utilization of biomass would be limited by its land requirement.

Index Entries

Agriculture forest postfossil renewable energy scenario land requirements 
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Copyright information

© Humana Press Inc 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Thayer School of EngineeringDartmouth CollegeHanover

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