Renewable energy resources are of interest to many countries. Extensive research work has been done in Europe and England using Miscanthus x giganteus, a natural hybrid of Miscanthus sinensis and M. sacchariflorus, as a biomass fuel or fiber source (Jones and Walsh, 2001). (The x in the name indicates the hybrid origin of the plant.)

Almost all of the renewable energy research work refers to this one specific type of Miscanthus, M. x giganteus, a pollen sterile natural hybrid that grows quite tall, 8-12', flowers in October, and to date has set no viable seed at any location throughout the world.

Twenty tons of dry M. x giganteus are equivalent of 12 tons of coal; and 30 tons is equivalent to 12,000 liters of oil. M. x giganteus also has potential for some uses as a fiber source.

Biomass economic viability for M. x giganteus varies depending on yield, tax credit or subsidy, length of years of production and price paid for the crop. When analyzed for the United States, Heaton et al. estimated M. x giganteus to be profitable if grown for 12 years as a biomass fuel crop.