A team of SUNY Canton professors is weeding out a solution to the energy crisis with help from a $159,000 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) grant.

The team is looking at turning native northern New York grasses and weeds into clean-burning heating sources, according to UUPer Michael Newtown, director of the college’s alternative and renewable energy systems program.

“Native plants will be made into pelletized fuel for testing,” said Newtown. “Vacant farmlands can be used to grow these native grasses, potentially making an extra boon for our area farmers, while creating a whole new heating source in the North Country.”

Newtown is working on this research initiative with professor emeritus Arthur Hurlbut and fellow UUP member Matthew Bullwinkel, an associate professor of alternative and renewable energy systems.

The project is comprised of several phases. Initially, the team will research the various grasses as a fuel source in pellet stoves and boilers. Future phases will include a live testing initiative.

“We plan on further testing the viability of pelletized grass fuel and gain real-world usage data,” Newtown said.

The initiative is funded through NYSERDA in conjunction with Cornell University and the Cornell Cooperative extension.