Sugar crops as a solar energy converter

Biomass crops are renewable resources with multiple uses that can benefit mankind. Current attention centers on replacement of petroleum as a principal source of energy for transportation applications. Fuels for electric power generation and household heating and/or cooking also are needed. Rising global demand for chemicals, food, construction materials, and paper products increase resource requirements even further. Sugar crops are of special interest as solar energy converters because effective use of these renewable resources can make available the multiple products that will be required to ameliorate the crises affecting the availability of materials and fuels. Sugar crops achieve high yields, grow in many countries, and can be converted into desirable fuels, chemicals, and other products by application of relatively simple technology. Although sugar crops lack some of the glamour of hydrocarbon crops or aquatic crops, rapid changes are occurring in the technology for growing, processing, and converting these crops into useful products.