Giant King Grass is growing successfully in California and according to VIASPACE, who developed the hybrid, it is the highest yielding biomass crop in the world. Targeted for use a feedstock to produce biofuels or to produce renewable electricity, the company’s Giant King Grass is not genetically modified and it is not an invasive species.

After extensive laboratory testing, VIASPACE says it is the lowest cost feedstock for electricity generation using direct combustion or anaerobic digestion or for the use to create biofuels and biochemicals. The California crop is currently 10 feet tall and will be harvested when it reaches 15-18 feet.

Dr. Carl, Kukkonen, CEO, said, “California is a leader in renewable energy, and we believe that Giant King Grass can play an important role in electricity generation, and as a feedstock for nonfood cellulosic biofuels such as ethanol and butanol, and also for biochemicals and bioplastics. California is a leading state for agriculture and its warm weather makes it a good place to grow Giant King Grass. Giant King Grass can be grown on marginal lands and will not displace agriculture production.”

The company plans on expanding throughout the U.S, as well as in the Caribbean and Central and South America. The California crop will provide seedlings for global customers and also serves as a “showroom” for those interested in the feedstock. The company says in an ideal situation, the crop could be co-located with a power plant or biorefinery thus significantly improving logistics and reducing costs thus increasing profitability.