Feasibility of Agave as a feedstock for biofuel production in Australia

Demand is increasing for alternative sources of energy that are secure and produce less greenhouse gas and generate fewer pollutants than fossil fuels. One such energy source is ethanol. Of the new crops or cellulosic processes proposed for ethanol production, Agave tequilana is the only crop that is ready to go into the ground now – cultivars, agronomic systems and fermentation technologies have been developed during two hundred years of cultivation for tequila production. This RIRDC study assesses the feasibility of growing Agave tequilana Weber in Australia as a feedstock for the sustainable production of ethanol. The report introduces A. Tequilana, detailing why the crop may be of interest in Australia. Information on the biological and agronomic attributes of the crop is collated and potential sites of cultivation identified. An agronomic system is then proposed and coste