Model-Based Assessment of Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.) Energy Yield in the Form of Diverse Biofuels in Marginal Areas of Italy

Abstract

Giant reed is a promising perennial grass providing ligno-cellulosic biomass suitable to be cultivated in marginal lands (MLs) and converted into several forms of renewable energy. This study investigates how much energy, in the form of biomethane, bioethanol, and combustible solid, can be obtained by the cultivation of this species in marginal land of two Italian regions, via the spatially explicit application of the Arungro crop model. Arungro was calibrated in both rainfed/well-irrigated systems, under non-limiting conditions for nutrient availability. The model was then linked to a georeferenced database, with data on (i) current/future climate, (ii) agro-management, (iii) soil physics/hydrology, (iv) land marginality, and (v) crop suitability to environment. Simulations were run at 500 × 500 m spatial resolution in MLs of Catania (CT, Southern Italy) and Bologna (BO, Northern Italy) provinces, characterized by contrasting pedo-climates. At field scale, Arungro explained 85% of the year-to-year variability of measured carbon accumulation in aerial biomass. At the provincial level, simulated energy yields progressively increased from bioethanol, to biomethane, and finally to combustible solid, with average values of 92-115-264 GJ ha−1 in BO and 105-133-304 GJ ha−1 in CT. Mean energy yields estimated for 2030 remained unchanged compared to the baseline, although showing large heterogeneity across the study area (changes between −6/+15% in BO and −16/+15% in CT). This study provides site-specific indications on giant reed current productions, energy yields, and natural water consumption, as well as on their future trends and stability, ready-to-use for multiple stakeholders of the agricultural sector involved in bioenergy planning.

Climate‐based identification of suitable cropping areas for giant reed and reed canary grass on marginal land in Central and Southern Europe under climate change

“…The climate‐based suitability maps for GR and RCG merely show areas of potential suitability, without taking into account their productivity and yield quality. Using crop models or field experiments, the profitability of growing GR or RCG on potentially suitable marginal sites could be elaborated upon (Cappelli et al, 2021; Meehan et al, 2017; Nassi o Di Nasso et al, 2013). It could also be useful to map the influence of different input intensities (e.g., irrigation or nitrogen fertilization) on site‐specific yields and quality performance of GR and RCG in future studies, as was done by Ramirez‐Almeyda et al (2017).…”

Arundo donax L. in Egypt: a potentially valuable economic plant

“…Further on, the giant reed is praised for its great capacity to remove pollutants and agrochemical waste from nearby water sources (Basso & Cukierman, 2005;Danelli et al, 2021;Fiorentino et al, 2017). Recently, giant reed has grown a good reputation as a promising second-generation source of biomass for bioenergy production (Cappelli et al, 2021;Corno et al, 2014;Danelli et al, 2020;Lemons e Silva et al, 2015). This privileges the plant to act as one of the hopes toward improving Earth's health and minimizing the impacts expected from global warming caused by over-dependence on conventional sources of fossil fuel.…”