Effect of biomass species and plant size on cellulosic ethanol: A comparative process and economic analysis

The effects of five different biomass species and their chemical composition on the overall process efficiency and economic performance considering feedstock availability and feedstock costs to manufacture ethanol from lignocellulose were studied. First is a comparison of ethanol production and excess electricity generated between different biomass species. Results show that, at the same feedstock rate of 2000 Mg day^?1, aspen wood has larger ethanol production than switchgrass, hybrid poplar and corn stover, while the excess electricity generated is as follows in increasing order: aspen < corn stover < hybrid poplar/switchgrass. Second, our results show that the ethanol production is largely linear with holocellulose (cellulose plus hemicellulose) composition of the various biomass species. However, the relationship between excess electricity generated and non-holocellulose combustible component is nonlinear. Last, on environmental performance, it is found that the water losses per unit ethanol production are in the following order: aspen wood < corn stover < hybrid poplar < switchgrass. While corn stover is a potential feedstock to produce cellulosic ethanol with the lowest ethanol production cost at the present time, hybrid poplar and switchgrass are the two promising future energy crops.The effects of plant size analysis showed that the estimated feedstock delivered costs, ethanol production, excess electricity generated and solid and gaseous waste emissions all increase with plant size for the various biomass species. The ethanol production costs decrease with the increase in plant size with optimal plant sizes for corn stover in the range from 2000 dry Mg day^?1 to 4000 dry Mg day^?1.     

Bioenergy technologies for carbon abatement

In this paper, bioenergy technologies (BETs) are presented as potential carbon abatement opportunities substituting fossil fuel or traditional (less efficient) biomass energy systems. Cost of energy (produced or saved) of BETs is compared with fossil fuel and traditional biomass energy systems to estimate the incremental cost (IC). The IC of carbon abatement for each of the selected BETs (in $ kWh⁻¹ or $ GJ⁻¹) is estimated using the carbon emission (tC kWh⁻¹ or tC GJ⁻¹) reduction obtained by substituting fossil fuel and traditional biomass alternatives. The abatement costs are estimated and compared for ten combinations of BETs (with seven technology alternatives) substituting conventional technologies. The analysis indicates that out of the ten project cases six have negative ICs in the range of −37 to −688 $ tC⁻¹ and four have positive ICs in the range of 52–162 $ tC⁻¹ mitigation. The negative ICs indicate that the suggested alternatives are cheaper than the original technologies. Thus, results indicate that the chosen BETs are cost-effective mitigation opportunities and are currently aggressive candidates under Clean Development Mechanism.     

Effects of wood ash and nitrogen fertilization on Scots pine crown biomass

The crown biomass, being one of the most susceptible components of the above-ground tree biomass, could respond positively to environmental changes and temporary increase in nutrient availability. The influence of wood ash and nitrogen fertilization on crown biomass was studied in a 40-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stand growing on a Haplic Arenosol. The 36-model trees for the crown biomass measurements were sampled for 3 growing seasons after the application of 5.0 t wood ash ha⁻¹, 180 kg N ha⁻¹, 2.5 t wood ash ha⁻¹ plus 180 kg N ha⁻¹, and control (untreated plots). The masses of the current, 1-year-old and older needles and shoots, and branches were measured. A significant influence on the current year needles and shoots was found after the application of 180 kg N ha⁻¹ or 2.5 t wood ash ha⁻¹ plus 180 kg N ha⁻¹. When wood ash was applied in combination with nitrogen, an extra response tendency of the crown growth, especially of the top and the middle sections of the crown, was determined. However, there was no short-term influence of wood ash on crown biomass growth.     

Gasification of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis l.) straw in a farm-scale reactor

A novel gasification reactor was designed for conversion of grass straw to synthesis gas. Our design goal was to improve synthetic gas yield and thermal stability at a scale suitable for on-farm use at a cost similar to that of a combine harvester. The reactor that was constructed and tested in this study follows the newly emerging design technique whereby the endothermic pyrolysis or gasification and exothermic char combustion co-exist in the same reactor. It operates in a dual mode where straw gasification occurs in the annulus of an outer tube and an inner (draft) tube. Our trials established that the dual-mode operation could be performed without material flow problems. Sustained tests demonstrated reactor stability at gasification temperatures up to 650 °C and successful gasification of Kentucky bluegrass straw utilizing combustion heat from the inner tube. Calculated equivalence ratios of combustion in the inner tube ranged from 0.3 to 0.78 indicating fuel lean combustion of residual char without slagging. Carbon conversion ranged between 35.4 and 44.8%. Energy recovery, estimated as the ratio of the heat of combustion of the gas to that of the dry-ash-free feedstock, ranged from 14.7% to 30.92%. The estimated heating value for the synthesis gas ranged from 1.27 to 2.85 MJ m⁻³. Although these conversion parameters are low, a proof of the design concept was established. They can be improved with little modification by increasing the residence time in the draft tube and complete isolation of the gaseous products of combustion and the gasification. More tests are required to evaluate the economic feasibility of the farm-scale unit.     

A comparative analysis of woody biomass and coal for electricity generation under various CO2 emission reductions and taxes

Mitigating global climate change via CO₂ emission control and taxation is likely to enhance the economic potential of bioenergy production and utilization. This study investigated the cost competitiveness of woody biomass for electricity production in the US under alternative CO₂ emission reductions and taxes. We first simulated changes in the price of coal for electricity production due to CO₂ emission reductions and taxation using a computable general equilibrium model. Then, the costs of electricity generation fueled by energy crops (hybrid poplar), logging residues, and coal were estimated using the capital budgeting method. Our results indicate that logging residues would be competitive with coal if emissions were taxed at about US$25 Mg⁻¹ CO₂, while an emission tax US$100 Mg⁻¹ CO₂ or higher would be needed for hybrid poplar plantations at a yield of 11.21 dry Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ (5 dry tons ac⁻¹ yr⁻¹) to compete with coal in electricity production. Reaching the CO₂ emission targets committed under the Kyoto Protocol would only slightly increase the price of fossil fuels, generating little impact on the competitiveness of woody biomass. However, the price of coal used for electricity production would significantly increase if global CO₂ emissions were curtailed by 20% or more. Logging residues would become a competitive fuel source for electricity production if current global CO₂ emissions were cut by 20–30%. Hybrid poplar plantations would not be able to compete with coal until emissions were reduced by 40% or more.     

Wood fuel supply,costs and home consumption in Lithuania

This paper examines the possibilities of increasing the use of wood from private forests in Lithuania for bioenergy purposes. Potential wood fuel supply and consumption were investigated using a literature review and analysis of statistical data. Costs of wood chips production were calculated applying economic simulation. The analysis showed that 0.6 Mm³ (1.2 TWh) of firewood is produced and about 0.3 Mm³ (0.6 TWh) of forest logging residues could be used annually for fuel in private forests. The available volume will increase in coming decades. In total, Lithuanian households had increased wood fuel consumption by five times during 10 years and exceeded 2.3 Mm³ (4.6 TWh) in 2003. Firewood production for home consumption is one of the most important forest owners’ objectives.The cost of forest chips varied from 19 to 36 euro m⁻³ in pre-commercial thinnings and from 20 to 28 euro m⁻³ in final thinnings. The lack of specific policies supporting the use of natural resources is causing a lack of incentive to increase the use of local fuels.     

Evaluating the impact of three incentive programs on the economics of cofiring willow biomass with coal in New York State

Plantations of fast-growing willow shrubs are being promoted as a source quality biomass feedstock for bioenergy and bioproducts in New York State (NY). In the near-term, cofiring of the feedstock—in combination with other woody biomass—with coal in existing utility power boilers is considered to be the most promising conversion method for energy generation. Despite the clear technological viability and associated environmental benefits, cofiring of willow has not been widely adopted. The relatively high production cost of the willow feedstock, which is over twice that of coal, is the primary reason for this lack of interest. Taxes that account for some of the social costs of using coal and/or incentives that appropriate value for some of the social benefits of using willow are essential for eliminating most or the entire current price differential. This paper presents an integrated analysis of the economics of power generation from cofiring willow biomass feedstock with coal, from the perspective of the grower, aggregator and the power plant. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the relative impact of a green premium price, a closed-loop biomass tax credit, and payments to growers under the proposed Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) harvesting exemption policy. The CRP payments reduced the delivered cost of willow by 36–35%, to $1.90 GJ⁻¹ and $1.70 GJ⁻¹, under current and increased yield conditions, respectively. These prices are still high, relative to coal. Other incentives are required to ensure commercial viability. The required levels of green premium price (0.4–1.0 cents kWh⁻¹) and biomass tax credit (0.75–2.4 cents kWh⁻¹) vary depending on whether the incentives were being applied by themselves or in combination, and whether current yield or potential increased yields were being considered. In the near term, cofiring willow biomass and coal can be an economically viable option for power generation in NY if the expected overall beneficial effects associated with the production and use of the biomass is accounted for.     

Wood ash and nitrogen influence on ground vegetation cover and chemical composition

An experiment was set up in a 38-year-old Scots pine stand (forest type Pinetum vacciniosum) on a sandy soil (Haplic Arenosol). Raw wood ash (WA) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers were applied. There were 6 treatments: (1) 1.25 t WA ha⁻¹; (2) 2.5 t WA ha⁻¹; (3) 5.0 t WA ha⁻¹; (4) 180 kg N ha⁻¹; (5) 2.5 WA t ha⁻¹ together with 180 kg N ha⁻¹; and (6) control (without ash or N). The effects on ground vegetation cover, biomass and chemistry of Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. were studied.The ground vegetation cover measurements were performed from the initial phase of the experiment and continued annually in all treatments. The ground vegetation biomass and the concentrations of the main plant nutrients (N, P, K, Ca and Mg) and some heavy metals (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu and Zn) were determined in the 5.0 t WA ha⁻¹ and 180 kg N ha⁻¹ plots 2 years after the application.The study results showed a significant reduction of the moss cover after the application of wood ash, and the higher ash dose gave a higher decrease. N and wood ash applied together with N also decreased the cover of the moss. Small changes in the mean cover of the vascular plants occurred after the N application. The biomass of the moss remained unaffected. Significant increases of the P, Ca and Mg concentrations in P. schreberi were found after the application of 5.0 t WA ha⁻¹, and also higher N concentrations were obtained after N application. No wood ash influence on the heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn) concentrations in P. schreberi was found.     

Ensilage performance of sorghum hybrids varying in extractable sugars

Renewable feedstock resources require novel storage technologies to optimize industrial use. Solid state fermentation of biomass feedstock may provide organic chemicals and fibers while reducing the risk of current dry-storage procedures. Here, we compare the chemical composition and fermentation of six sorghum hybrids (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) following 1, 7, and 21 days of storage. Ensilage of 7 days resulted in a pH of 3.8 and declined further to 3.75 at day 21. Lactate increased during ensilage from 2.0 to 3.9 g 100 g⁻¹. Acetic acid increased between 1 and 7 days of ensiling but did not change until the end of the ensiling period. Total organic acids averaged 2.5 g 100 g⁻¹ after day 1 and increased to 4.2 and 4.7 g `100 g⁻¹ after days 7 and 21, respectively. Neutral detergent fiber ranged from 38 to 50 g 100 g⁻¹ among hybrids and total non-structural carbohydrates varied from 18 to 32 g 100 g⁻¹. Hemicellulose and cellulose ranged from 13 to 19 g 100 g⁻¹ and 20 and 28 g 100 g⁻¹, respectively. Genotypic variation in sorghum may offer designing dual-purpose hybrids for production of biomass and economically valuable byproducts.     

Performance of simulated flexible integrated gasification polygeneration facilities,Part B: Economic evaluation.

This paper investigates the economics of integrated gasification polygeneration (IG-PG) facilities and assesses under which market conditions flexible facilities outperform static facilities. In this study, the facilities use Eucalyptus wood pellets (EP), torrefied wood pellets (TOPS) and Illinois #6 coal as feedstock to produce electricity, FT-liquids, methanol and urea. All facilities incorporate CCS. The findings show production costs from static IG-PG facilities ranging between 12 and 21 €/GJ using coal, 19–33 €/GJ using TOPS and 22–38 €/GJ using EP, which is above the average market prices. IG-PG facilities can become competitive if capital costs drop by 10%–27% for coal based facilities. Biomass based facilities will need lower biomass pellet prices or higher CO₂ credit prices. Biomass becomes competitive with coal at a CO₂ credit price of 50–55 €/t CO₂. Variations in feedstock, CO₂ credit and electricity prices can be offset by operating a feedstock flexible IG-PG facility, which can switch between coal and TOPS, thereby altering its electricity production. The additional investment is around 0.5% of the capital costs of a dedicated coal based IG-PG facility. At 30 €/t CO₂, TOPS will be the preferred feedstock for 95% of the time at a feedstock price of 5.7 €/GJ. At these conditions, FT-liquids (gasoline/diesel) can be produced for 15.8 €/GJ (116 $/bbl). Historic records show price variations between 5.7 and 7.3 €/GJ for biomass pellet, 1.0–5.6 €/GJ for coal and 0–32 €/t CO₂. Within these price ranges, coal is generally the preferred feedstock, but occasionally biomass is preferred. Lower biomass prices will increase the frequency of switching feedstock preference from coal to biomass, raising the desire for flexibility. Of the three investigated chemicals, an IG-PG facility producing FT-liquids benefits the most from flexibility. Our study suggests that if the uncertainty in commodity prices is high, a small additional investment can make flexible IG-PG facilities attractive.     

Hydrothermal catalytic gasification of fermentation residues from a biogas plant

Biogas plants, increasing in number, produce a stream of fermentation residue with high organic content, providing an energy source which is by now mostly unused. We tested this biomass as a potential feedstock for catalytic gasification in supercritical water (T ≥ 374 °C, p ≥ 22 MPa) for methane production using a batch reactor system. The coke formation tendency during the heat-up phase was evaluated as well as the cleavage of biomass-bound sulfur with respect to its removal from the process as a salt. We found that sulfur is not sufficiently released from the biomass during heating up to a temperature of 410 °C. Addition of alkali salts improved the liquefaction of fermentation residues with a low content of minerals, probably by buffering the pH. We found a deactivation of the carbon-supported ruthenium catalyst at low catalyst-to-biomass loadings, which we attribute to sulfur poisoning and fouling in accordance with the composition of the fermentation residue. A temperature of 400 °C was found to maximize the methane yield. A residence time dependent biomass to catalyst ratio of 0.45 g g⁻¹ h⁻¹ was found to result in nearly full conversion with the Ru/C catalyst. A Ru/ZrO₂ catalyst, tested under similar conditions, was less active.     

Net carbon dioxide emissions from alternative firewood-production systems in Australia

The use of firewood for domestic heating has the potential to reduce fossil-fuel use and associated CO₂ emissions. The level of possible reductions depends upon the extent to which firewood off-sets the use of fossil fuels, the efficiency with which wood is burnt, and use of fossil fuels for collection and transport of firewood. Plantations grown for firewood also have a cost of emissions associated with their establishment. Applying the FullCAM model and additional calculations, these factors were examined for various management scenarios under three contrasting firewood production systems (native woodland, sustainably managed native forest, and newly established plantations) in low-medium rainfall (600–800 mm) regions of south-eastern Australia. Estimates of carbon dioxide emissions per unit of heat energy produced for all scenarios were lower than for non-renewable energy sources (which generally emit about 0.3–1.0 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹). Amongst the scenarios, emissions were greatest when wood was periodically collected from dead wood in woodlands (0.11 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹), and was much lower when obtained from harvest residues and dead wood in native forests (<0.03 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹). When wood was obtained from plantations established on previously cleared agricultural land, use of firewood led to carbon sequestration equivalent to −0.06 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹ for firewood obtained from a coppiced plantation, and −0.17 kg CO₂ kWh⁻¹ for firewood collected from thinnings, slash and other residue in a plantation grown for sawlog production. An uncertainty analysis, where inputs and assumptions were varied in relation to a plausible range of management practices, identified the most important influencing factors and an expected range in predicted net amount of CO₂ emitted per unit of heat energy produced from burning firewood.     

Factors driving the development of forest energy in Finland

Renewable energy sources play an important role in the Finnish energy and climate strategies which are implemented partly through the Action Plan for Renewable Energy Sources. Enhancement of wood energy plays a key role in the plan. A special emphasis is given to forest chips produced from small-sized trees from early thinnings and above-ground and below-ground residual biomass from regeneration cuttings. The production goal of forest chips is 5 million m³ solid (10 TWh) in 2010. The use of forest chips is promoted by means of environmental taxes, financial aid for investments, and financial support for research, development and commercialization of technology. In 2002, altogether 365 heating and power plants larger than 0.4 MW used forest chips. The total consumption was 1.7 million m³, the use of small houses and farms included. The growth of use is presently about 350 000 m³ per annum, but reaching the official goal will require an annual growth of 400 000 m³ during this decade.The consumption of roundwood per capita, 15 m³ per annum, is in Finland 20 times as high as the average consumption of the EU countries, respectively. Consequently, residual forest biomass is abundantly available. The capacity of heating and power plants to use forest chips is large enough to meet the goal. However, users require competitive chip prices, good quality control of fuel and reliable supply chains, and new efficient procurement systems are being developed. The paper deals with the drivers of this development: support measures of the Government; strong support to research, development and commercialization of forest chip production from the National Technology Agency Tekes; advanced infrastructure for the procurement of timber for the forest industries; positive attitude and active participation of the forest industries; the active role of leading forest machine and boiler manufacturers, and the possibility to cofire wood and peat fuels in large fluidized bed boilers so as to secure the availability of fuel in all conditions, stabilize the moisture content of fuel and reduce the emissions from combustion.     

Methanol production by gasification using a geographically explicit model

Methanol mixed with 15% gasoline appears to be a viable alternative energy source for the transportation sector. Produced from gasification of certified wood coming from well-managed forests, its production could be considered as sustainable and the well-to-wheel emissions can be reduced significantly. The physical flows of the entire bio-energy chain consisting of harvesting, biomass transportation, methanol production by gasification, methanol transportation, and methanol distribution to the consumers are assessed and costs are estimated for each part of the chain. A transportation model has been constructed to estimate the logistic demands of biomass supply to the processing plant and to the supply of gas station. The analysis was carried out on a case study for the geography of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It has been found that a typical optimal size for methanol production of some 130,000 m³, supplies about 100 gas stations, and the biomass supply requires on average 22,000 ha of short-rotational poplar, with an average transportation distance of biomass of some 50 km to the methanol processing plant. The methanol production costs appear to be most sensitive with respect to methanol plant efficiency, wood cost, and operating hours of the plant. In an area where biomass is spread heterogeneously, apart from the demand, the geographical position of the plant would appear to have a major impact on the final biofuel cost.     

Part I: Experimental studies on a pulverised fuel stove

This paper is concerned with development of a pulverised fuel stove with improved conversion efficiency and minimal emissions at near constant power level without the use of external power. The design originates from a cylindrical sawdust stove with a central porthole being lit from the bottom. Such a stove will have a flame in port with enhanced sooting tendency. For similar configuration, stable premixed combustion behaviour of the combustible gases from the port of the fuel block (known as the gasification mode) has been achieved by use of air supply through a thin slot at the bottom, for at least 30 min of stove operation. In order to ensure stable combustion of the gases at exit, a metal device is used. In an attempt to extend gasification duration, studies are conducted in single port configuration having air entry from the bottom with a horizontal baffle to control the flow rate. This configuration worked in gasification mode for about 20 min but there have been problems of flame extinction. To overcome these drawbacks multi-port design with vertical air entry is employed with success.The stove has exhibited conversion efficiency in excess of 37% due to well focused nature of flame at exit. CO emission factors are about 12 g (kg fuel)⁻¹, a performance superior to conventional biomass stoves (∼45 g kg⁻¹). NO_x emission factors are about 1 g kg⁻¹ fuel which falls in the range of reported data for NO_x. Studies with different pulverised leafy fuels have indicated these fuels have lower volatile release rates and therefore exhibit lower power level operation for a given port configuration compared to sawdust fuel.     

Aboveground tree biomass in a recovering tropical sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) forest of Eastern Ghats,India

Aboveground biomass of individual tree species by component and total biomass per unit area for four different stages of a recovering tropical dry deciduous forest stands, dominated by sal (Shorea robusta Gaertn. f.) of the Eastern Ghats, India were investigated during 2001–2002. Different periods of recovering (2, 4, 6, and 10-year) forest stands (84°13′E, 20°29′N) were selected in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, India and sample trees of all species were harvested. Tree species diversity was 23, 23, 21 and 22 in 2, 4, 6, and 10-year recovering stands, respectively. Species-wise Ixora pavetta showed the highest biomass in 2 and 4-year stands while Shorea robusta in 6 and 10-year stands. Component-wise, in all species, bole–wood contribution ranged between 22.6% and 60.9%. Aboveground tree biomass, in all the stands, was dominated by Shorea robusta, which ranged between 12.68 and 231.91 Mg ha⁻¹. Total aboveground tree biomass was 30.12, 49.21, 107.54 and 261.08 Mg ha⁻¹ in 2, 4, 6 and 10-year stands, respectively.     

A techno-economic evaluation of the effects of centralized cellulosic ethanol and co-products refinery options with sugarcane mill clustering

This work compares the calculated techno-economic performance for thermochemical and biochemical conversion of sugarcane residues, considering future conversion plants adjacent to sugarcane mills in Brazil. Process models developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory were adapted to reflect the Brazilian feedstock composition and used to estimate the cost and performance of these two conversion technologies. Models assumed that surplus bagasse from the mill would be used as the feedstock for conversion, while cane trash collected from the field would be used as supplementary fuel at the mill. The integration of the conversion technology to the mill enabled an additional ethanol production of 0.033 m³ per tonne of cane for the biochemical process and 0.025 m³ t^?1 of cane plus 0.004 m³ t^?1 of cane of higher alcohols for the thermochemical process. For both cases, electricity is an important co-product for the biorefinery, but especially for biochemical conversion, with surpluses of about 50 kWh t^?1 of cane. The economic performance of the two technologies is quite similar in terms of the minimum ethanol selling price (MESP), at 318 $ m^?3 (United States 2007 dollars) for biochemical conversion and 329 $ m^?3 for thermochemical conversion.     

Above-ground biomass estimation in ten tropical dry evergreen forest sites of peninsular India

The present study aims to estimate the above-ground biomass (AGB) distribution in ten 1-ha permanent plots, established in five sites each in inland and coastal tropical dry evergreen forests of peninsular India. Two linear regression equations, one using basal area (BA, Method 1) and the other using BA and height (Method 2) were followed. On using method 1, the AGB varied from 39.69 to 170.02 Mg ha⁻¹ and by method 2, it varied from 73.06 to 173.10 Mg ha⁻¹. The relationship between BA and AGB yielded a positive correlation for all the five sites of inland and coastal areas. The basic wood specific gravity of 41 tree species determined by oven-dry weight by volume, ranged from 0.46 to 0.92 g cm⁻³ for inland sites and 0.47 to 0.89 g cm⁻³ for the coastal sites. The AGB estimation obtained in this study represents a more realistic picture of biomass of tropical dry evergreen forests, because a relatively large area was sampled.     

Yield and composition of herbaceous biomass harvested from naturalized grassland in southern Iowa

Much of the land area in southern Iowa is used for perennial pastures that are dominated by cool-season grass species. These species are well adapted to the soils and climate and have become naturalized within the region. Biomass produced from these pastures might potentially be used as a feedstock for cofiring with coal to supplement supplies of dedicated energy crops such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). While much is known about the use of these pasture species for forage production, relatively little information is available on their use as a bioenergy feedstock. This research was conducted to assess the potential of harvesting cool-season pastures for cofiring with coal. Ten representative sites located in south central Iowa were evaluated. Across all sites, 26 plant species were identified, with individual sites having between 5 and 14 species. Biomass yield was determined at several sampling locations within each site. Yields ranged from 0.75 to 8.24 t ha⁻¹ over all sites. Mean yield across all sites was 4.20 t ha⁻¹. Fuel characteristics of the cool-season species were evaluated for burning qualities. Concentrations of ash, chlorine and sulfur are important for determining suitability in a biofuel. Ash content ranged from 58.5–118.1 g kg⁻¹ DM across all sites. Chlorine ranged from 0.8–7.6 g kg⁻¹ DM and sulfur content ranged from 0.7–3.4 g kg⁻¹ DM. Highest heating value (HHV) ranged from 17.69–19.46 MJ kg⁻¹. These results indicate that cool-season grassland in southern Iowa can produce biomass of sufficient yield and quality to supplement other sources for cofiring with coal to generate electricity.     

The potential biomass for energy production in the Czech Republic

Biomass production is a promising alternative for the Czech Republic's (CZ) agricultural sector. Biomass could cover the domestic bio-energy demand of 250 PJ a⁻¹ (predicted for 2030), and could be exported as bio-fuels to other EU countries. This study assesses the CZ's biomass production potential on a regional level and provides cost–supply curves for biomass from energy crops and agricultural and forestry residues. Agricultural productivity and the amount of land available for energy crop production are key variables in determining biomass potentials. Six scenarios for 2030 with different crop-yield levels, feed conversion efficiencies and land allocation procedures were built. The demand for food and fodder production was derived from FAO predictions for 2030. Biomass potential in the CZ is mainly determined by the development of food and fodder crop yields because the amount of land available for energy crop production increases with increasing productivity of food and fodder crops. In most scenarios the NUTS-3 regions CZ020, 31 and 32 provided the most land for energy-crop production and the highest biomass potentials. About 110 PJ a⁻¹, mostly from agricultural and forestry residues, can be provided from biomass when the present Czech agricultural productivity is maintained. About 195 PJ a⁻¹ (105 PJ from energy crops) can be provided when production systems are optimised with regard to fertilizer regimes and 365 PJ a⁻¹ (290 PJ from energy crops) when the yield level of Dutch agriculture is reached. Costs for woody biomass decrease with increasing plantation yield and range between 2.58 and 4.76 € GJ⁻¹. It was concluded that Czech agriculture could provide enough biomass for domestic demand and for export if agricultural productivity is increased.