| The need of having alternative energy sources was | | | | The project aims at developing power wood-pulp |
| felt by us decades ago. University of Florida Statue | | | | plants which provide wood-fiber; providing clean |
| and Shell Energy have jointly conducted research on | | | | biogas to the industries; ethanol development from |
| trees and biomass by planting Energy Crop Plantation | | | | plants such as sugarcane; and biodiesel fuel |
| which is the largest in the United States. Over | | | | production from crops like soybeans. |
| 250,000 native Cottonwoods and the non-invasive | | | | The petroleum over-dependence of our nation for |
| eucalyptus together with different row crops like | | | | power has given rise to an urgent need for an |
| soybeans sprawl over 130 acres of the Energy Crop | | | | alternative energy source to be developed. Penn |
| Plantation area. The University undertook research in | | | | State University has undertaken special research to |
| collaboration with some agencies and some local | | | | develop an alternative energy source which is |
| groups who are striving to develop future alternative | | | | practical and which will not cause an increase in the |
| energy sources independent of fossil fuels. These | | | | pollution like petroleum products. Such focused |
| include The Common Purpose Institute, Shell, | | | | research is taking us to a hydrogen-fueled economy, |
| Department of Energy of US and various individual | | | | when the hydrogen power would be a sustainable |
| groups. As an outcome of their ceaseless efforts, | | | | and clean and endlessly renewable energy resource. |
| this group of super trees got created. | | | | This Hydrogen energy can be obtained from crop |
| These energy crops which are also called closed loop | | | | plants and water and can be continuously renewed. |
| biomass are fast-growing crops and are good | | | | The Penn University seeks to build this sustainable |
| biomass energy supply sources. This research based | | | | energy resource within the US? own infrastructure. |
| project is committed to growing crops and biomass | | | | This assumes great importance in a situation where |
| energy supplies processing from fast-growing energy | | | | the world?s supply of oil peaks and ultimately begins |
| crops or closed loop biomass. The research is | | | | to decline. Fuel cells powered by Hydrogen need to |
| primarily on the planting of energy crops which are | | | | be developed commercially to be used as substitutes |
| fast-growing crops called closed loop biomass and | | | | or together with conventional combustion engines for |
| processing of resultant supplies of biomass energy. | | | | motor vehicles. |