Abstract
At current usage levels, short rotation coppice (SRC) biomass could be considered as an untapped resource. There is a worldwide interest to extend its sustainable production significantly in a decade to come. However, the cultivation of energy crops is very site-specific and the exploitation of SRC biomass is a relatively new trend in biomass application for heat and power production with little information on its cultivation patterns and appropriate combustion technologies. In fact, documented biomass conversion technologies’ impacts in the energy sector and their commercialisation are limited. This paper aims to present a summary of technical characteristics for different biomass conversion technologies. These characteristics are not necessarily unique to all types and possible modifications of the biomass conversion technologies applied for many countries. However, the lack of technical knowledge have created situations that were previously impossible to be solved without the aid of numerous research and development activities. The developers did not capture all of the economic benefits that the technology provides which would help to reach its technical accomplishment and commercial execution.
Highlights
Plant-derived biomass is considered as an important source of alternative energy
We found that in the case when energy crops are growing in a large scale plantations, short rotation coppice (SRC) planting density ranges from 1,000 to 20,000 pcs/ha with rotation periods from 1 to 7 years
The holes are designed in order to distribute air properly across the whole surface of the grate
Summary
Plant-derived biomass is considered as an important source of alternative energy. Wood-based biomass, including energy crops, is expected to be a major contributor, achieving ambitious goals for renewable energy (RE) in many countries (Berndes et al 2008; Ravindranatha, Hall 1996; Thrän et al 2010). There are doubts over whether deriving bio-energy from food crops containing sugars and starches does result in a reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions (Yin et al 2008). To give high yields, dedicated crops-to-biomass production systems for energy purposes require high inputs of nitrogen fertiliser to promote plant growth and improve product quality, which requires a lot of energy in its manufacturing process (Siemons 2002). This means that, on balance, the emission-reduction of GHG and energy saving achieved are minimal or, in some cases, even negative (Harris et al 2011)
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