American perspectives on the use of hemp biofuels

Hash-free cannabis is capable of producing 307.80 to 325.82 gallons of biofuel per hectare, 51% more than the amount of energy produced in the same area planted with, for example, soybeans. The analysis of the results obtained showed the possibility of reducing the cost per unit of production by 7.8% in comparison with a decrease in the cost of hemp raw materials by 10%.

On the profile website of the National Hemp Association, there is a separate panel dedicated to the energy potential of the hemp plant. Only over the last year, the editors of the specialized edition of Ukrainian cannabis growers focused their attention on " How promising is the production of" green hydrogen "from hemp in France ", described " Prospects for the use of hemp biofuel in the UK ." Against the background of the above publications, the materials provided by our American colleagues, who are actively studying this area of ​​modern cannabis farming, will be especially interesting, and the relevant government agencies allocate resources that are not at all for children.

In a green economy, hemp biofuels can be a more sustainable solution, both ecologically and economically. Research initiated on this topic in the United States is a clear confirmation of this.

The current situation with hemp biofuels in the United States

In the most economically developed country in the world, with the introduction of the federal standard for renewable fuels in 2005, as well as the amendments to the law “On energy independence and security” in 2007, the country's transport industry was forced to introduce biofuels on a large scale. This is why almost all gas stations in the United States can see displays indicating that the fuel "can contain up to 10% ethanol."

Currently, biofuels are produced primarily using corn, soybeans and sorghum, a few crops that are considered economically viable for commercial use in the American market. Unfortunately, from the point of view of ecology, the situation is different. To grow the above mentioned plants, it is necessary to use large areas of extremely fertile soils, apply abundant irrigation for this, provide for continuous tillage, as well as the use of a significant amount of agricultural machinery. The environmental benefits of biofuels produced from corn, soybeans or sorghum do not counterbalance the damage caused by the production of these energy feedstocks.

The economics of using hemp as biofuel

Due to the current situation, the US Department of Energy has ordered experiments, the results of which will be officially published in March 2022. The study, entitled “Economic Prospects for the Co-Production of Ethanol and Biodiesel from Industrial Hemp,” examines the economic aspects of producing biofuels derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. As part of the experiments, the Americans have developed a model for the use of capacities for the production of lignocellulosic biofuels, which process about 85 tons of hemp biomass per hour and produce biodiesel and bioethanol from lipids and carbohydrates, respectively.

Simulations from the above studies have shown that hemp, which contains 2% lipids, can produce up to 3.95 million gallons (over 14 million liters) of biodiesel per year. By increasing the lipid content of biomass to 5% and 10%, biodiesel production increases to 9.88 and 19.91 million gallons, respectively. The unit cost of hemp biodiesel, containing 2%, 5% and 10% lipids, was US $ 18.49, 7.87 and 4.13 per gallon, respectively.

In addition, the analysis of the results obtained showed the possibility of reducing the cost per unit of production by 7.8% in comparison with a decrease in the cost of hemp raw materials by 10%. Added to this is another positive aspect: cannabis-free cannabis is capable of producing 307.80 to 325.82 gallons of biofuel per hectare, which is 51% more than the amount of energy raw materials that is produced in the same area planted with, for example, soybeans.

Benefits of using hemp-based biofuels

Today, with the health of the planet and the climate emergency at the center of global attention, the use of hemp-based biofuels is slowly making its way thanks to the economy and sustainability of growing the plant. Unlike other energy crops used at the moment, hemp grows well even on the poorest soils, without requiring special attention from a person, both in terms of irrigation and in terms of the use of technology, as well as fertilizers. Moreover, hemp-derived ethanol will cost about a quarter of that of regular gasoline, not only because of lower growing costs, but also because this sustainable biofuel will be produced primarily from hemp waste.

Commentary of the specialists of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"

The idea of ​​hemp biofuels is not new. One of the first American projects on this topic dates back to 1941, when Henry Ford presented to the market a car made not only from hemp biocomposite materials, but also refueled with hemp ethanol. The increase in energy prices observed since the summer of 2021 suggests that it makes sense for the governments of agricultural countries, including Ukraine, to carefully study and, if necessary, use developments in the use of hemp as an energy raw material. Therefore, it makes sense to consider the issue of organizing a specialized round table on the above-mentioned topics during the next training course for students of the Hemp University .