Figuring land use into renewable-energy equation

The most land-intensive of all renewable energy sources is biofuels, particularly biodiesel, according to the analysis that Andrews presented.

Meeting 100 percent of the world’s energy needs with ethanol from sugar cane would require nearly three times the amount of land now used for farming.

Ethanol from corn or the cellulose in plants requires more land than ethanol from sugar cane, as is burning biomass to make electricity, according to the study. Biodiesel from soy is the most land intensive by far.

“All of those are just beyond the pale. We would have to double the amount of the Earth’s land area that we currently devote to human purposes to get energy from any bio sources so it’s just not going to happen,” he said. “For 10 percent, maybe a niche market, but don’t count on them for broad solutions.”

ZDNet