Climatewire: Jatropha may attract new interest as a biofuel now that a San Diego company has unveiled a commercial variety with greater yield.
The shrubby tree produces oil-rich seeds and can grow without much water. However, its yields were unimpressive, and concerns grew about its long-term viability. But SG Biofuels says it has used three and a half years of jatropha research to retool the plant’s DNA to double the plant’s yield.
Jatropha’s oil is useful as biodiesel or jet fuel, and the plant has an overall better carbon profile than corn or soybeans, partly due to its long life. The oil is also easily converted into fuel, unlike algae.
SG Biofuels CEO Kirk Haney says his modified plant can produce fuel at $1.39 per gallon, or $59 per barrel.
The modified plant will produce eight times more oil per acre than soybeans and four times more than rapeseed, Haney said. It can also be raised on marginal land that cannot grow food crops.
Haney said his company is planning on modifying the plant to work in locations like India and Africa, with the possibility of a cold-weather strain for the United States (Jonathan Fahey, Forbes, Feb. 24). – JP