The potential biomass for energy production in the Czech Republic

Abstract

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 À1 (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 À1, mostly from agricultural and forestry residues, can be provided from biomass when the present Czech agricultural productivity is maintained. About 195 PJ a À1 (105 PJ from energy crops) can be provided when production systems are optimised with regard to fertilizer regimes and 365 PJ a À1 (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 h GJ À1. It was concluded that Czech agriculture could provide enough biomass for domestic demand and for export if agricultural productivity is increased. r

Methodology of analysis of biomass potential using GIS in the Czech Republic

“…It can be also used for analysis in wide time scale from analysis of current biomass potential up to few decades horizon. The methodology created is far more detailed and fl exible than those used up to now for assessment of biomass potential in the Czech Republic (Sladký, 1996;Scholes, Manning, Markvart, 1997;SRCI CS, 1999;Lewandowski et al, 2006;MPO, 2008;CZ Biom, 2009).…”

“…Several studies were carried out of biomass potential assessments in the Czech Republic in last 13 years (Sladký, 1996;Scholes, Manning, Markvart, 1997;SRCI CS, 1999;Lewandowski et al, 2006; Report of independent expert commission, 2008; CZ Biom, 2009). Total biomass potential ranges between 151-276 PJ/year for long-term assessments in these studies.…”

“…Total biomass potential according to these scenarios is 151,3 PJ and 201,9 PJ/year. Six scenarios of biomass development were analysed in EU project VIEWLS (Lewandowski et al, 2006) which in-cluded diff erent crop-yield levels (actual, optimal), conversion effi ciencies and diff erent land allocation procedures.…”

Methods and tools to evaluate the availability of renewable energy sources

“…Different authors have proposed product to residue ratios (Koopmans and Koppenjan, 1997). This method has been widely applied to estimate agricultural residues availability for energy purposes (Lewandowski et al, 2006;Perlack et al, 2005). The residue availability may significantly vary with local agricultural practices and climatic conditions.…”

Effect of permanent waterlogging on the growth of poplar clones MAX 4, MAX 5 (J-104, J-105) (Populus maximowiczii A. Henry × P. nigra Linnaeus) and evaluation of wood moisture content in different stem parts – Short Communication

“…fast growth, adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and different silvicultural systems (Fang et al 1999). Biomass production is a promising alternative for the Czech agricultural sector (Lewandowski et al 2006). Poplar clones cultivated most frequently in the Czech Republic are those obtained through the intentional hybridization of black poplar and Maximowicz' poplar (P. nigra × P. maximowiczii) featuring excellent sprouting capacity comparable with willows, which is important for general longevity of the plantation (Strašil, Šimon 2009).…”