Water Needs of Willow (Salix L.) in Western Poland

Willows are one of the plants which can be used to produce biomass for energy purposes. Biomass production is classified as a renewable energy source. Increasing the share of renewable sources is one of the priority actions for European Union countries due to the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve the best possible growth of the willow and increase its biomass for fuel, it is crucial to provide optimal water conditions for its growth. The aim of the study was to determine the water requirements of willows under the conditions of the western Polish climate and to verify whether this area is potentially favourable for willow cultivation. The novelty of this paper lies in its multi-year climatic analysis in the context of willow water needs for the area of three voivodships: Lubusz, Lower Silesian, and West Pomeranian. This is one of the few willow water-needs analyses for this region which considers the potential for widespread willow cultivation and biomass production in western Poland. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was determined by the Blaney-Criddle equation and then, using plant coefficients, water needs for willow were determined. Calculations were carried out for the growing season lasting from 21 May to 31 October. The estimated water needs during the vegetation season amounted on average to 408 mm for the West Pomeranian Voivodeship, 405 mm for the Lubusz Voivodeship, and 402 mm for the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. The conducted analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that these needs do not differ significantly between the voivodeships. Therefore, it can be concluded that the water requirements of willows in western Poland do not differ significantly, and the whole region shows similar water conditions for willow cultivation. Furthermore, it was found that water needs are increasing from decade to decade, making rational water management necessary. This is particularly important in countries with limited water resources, such as Poland. Correctly determining the water requirements of willow and applying them to the cultivation of this plant should increase the biomass obtained. With appropriate management, willow cultivation in Poland can provide an alternative energy source to coal.

Sentinel-2 Time Series Analysis for Identification of Underutilized Land in Europe

Biomass and bioenergy play a central role in Europe’s Green Transition. Currently, biomass is representing half of the renewable energy sources used. While the role of renewables in the energy mix is undisputed, there have been many controversial discussions on the use of biomass for energy due to the “food versus fuel” debate. Using previously underutilized lands for bioenergy is one possibility to prevent this discussion. This study supports the attempts to increase biomass for bioenergy through the provision of improved methods to identify underutilized lands in Europe. We employ advanced analysis methods based on time series modelling using Sentinel-2 (S2) data from 2017 to 2019 in order to distinguish utilized from underutilized land in twelve study areas in different bio-geographical regions (BGR) across Europe. The calculated parameters of the computed model function combined with temporal statistics were used to train a random forest classifier (RF). The achieved overall accuracies (OA) per study area vary between 80.25 and 96.76%, with confidence intervals (CI) ranging between 1.77% and 6.28% at a 95% confidence level. All in all, nearly 500,000 ha of underutilized land potentially available for agricultural bioenergy production were identified in this study, with the greatest amount mapped in Eastern Europe.

Silvopastoral Systems for Energy Generation

The silvipastoral systems are characterized by the association between tree crops, pastures and animals and can also constitute an efficient and sustainable means of supplying forest biomass for energy purposes such as electric, mechanical and thermal energy generation. It is an unconventional energy alternative and the evaluation of the energy potential offered by this productive system depends on several factors, such as management techniques, forest species, silvipastoral system characteristics and the design of the conversion and energy utilization process. In this context, it was developed a mathematical model to determine the energy efficiency of silvipastoril production system integrated with a cogeneration system for the production of thermal, mechanical and electrical energy. It can be concluded that these results are advantageous in relation to the conventional modalities of energy generation, taking into account the prices of electricity practiced in the market.

Woody biomass for energy use will face rising scrutiny

Significance There is an obvious tension between promoting forests to capture carbon and burning wood for energy. Increased demand risks unsustainable indirect changes of land use. However, modern forestry practices suggest woody biomass can be used sustainably, if forest eco-systems are well managed. Impacts Although it continues to carry a green label, debate over its sustainability may damage financial flows into the biomass sector. The sector focus on secondary and tertiary wood sources, as well as wood industry by-products, will increase. Woody biomass use for heat and power will make up a key part of renewable energy generation, particularly in heavily forested countries.

Increase in the irrigated area of sugarcane and its potential in the bioenergetic generation of Brazil

Sugarcane has alarge capacity for producing electricity using completely clean technology from a renewable source, contributing to environmental preservation. This study aimed to evaluate the increase in biomass resulting from the implementation of irrigation in Brazilian sugarcane plantations, estimate the potential for cogeneration, and calculate how much it will be possible to increase the Brazilian energy cogenerated with sugarcane bagasse and the impact on the Brazilian energy matrix. The increase in irrigation in the rainfed areas of Brazilian sugarcane plantations has substantial potential in increasing biomass for energy cogeneration. Considering an increase of 15% in the sugarcane plantation yields in rainfed areas achieved by the increase in irrigation, it leadsto a potential increase of 96.39 million tons of sugarcane and 26.80 million tons biomass produced. In the energy matrix, the potential impact is 1.42 GWh of cogenerated energy, which corresponds to a 12.47% increase in cogeneration in the sugar-energy sector and a 0.85% increase in Brazil's energy matrix. The expansion of the sugarcane irrigated area contributes to the increase in the production of bagasse and bioenergetic generation in Brazil.

Assessment of Tomato Peels Suitable for Producing Biomethane within the Context of Circular Economy: A GIS-Based Model Analysis

Biomass is seen as one of the most dominant future renewable energy sources. In detail, agro-industrial by-products represent a cheap, renewable, and abundant feedstock useful for several new products, including biochemical, biomaterials, and above all biogas, which are taking on an ever-increasing role in Italy. In this context, the tomato chain was analysed aiming at estimating the amount of processed tomato and the related waste production as a new suitable resource for producing biofuel as a new frontier within the context of a circular economy. Due the importance of the tomato industry, this research aims at filling gaps in the knowledge of the production and yield of the by-products that are useful as biomass for energy use in those territorial areas where the biomethane sector is still developing. This aim could be relevant for planning the sustainable development of the biomethane sector by reducing both soil consumption for dedicated energy crops and GHG emissions coming from the biomass logistic supply. The achieved results show the localization of territorial areas highly characterized by this kind of biomass. Therefore, it would be desirable that the future policies of development in the biomethane sector consider the availability and the distribution of these suitable biomasses within the territory.

Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo).

Bambusa vulgaris is the most commonly encountered bamboo in cultivation in SE Asia but is rarely found in natural forest (although possibly natural, or escaped, naturalized populations exist). It is grown pantropically, and is the only Asian species that is common in the New World. Ease of propagation is the main reason for its success, culms and branches rooting very readily indeed. Infrequency of flowering, failure to produce seed and divert resources away from culm production, and recovery of clumps after flowering are other assets, and may be a result of repeated selection and cloning (Stapleton, 1990). Although not very straight, not easy to split, and inflexible, the culms are thick-walled and initially strong although relatively susceptible to powder-post beetle attack. They find many uses, although structural use is not recommended without preservation to protect against beetles. The ease of propagation, long life expectancy, and high yield make this species better suited to production of pulp and biomass for energy. Susceptibility to bamboo blight is of concern, especially on sites with impeded drainage. Repeated vegetative propagation has resulted in reduced genetic variability. Ornamental clones with all yellow, or yellow striped culms, or shortened, swollen culm internodes ('Wamin') are widely cultivated.