1. Agro-forestry & crop combination options
Dr Calliope Panoutsou
Biomass Department
CRES

2. Contents Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats Aim
Biomass resources available in south EU
Agro- biomass
Forest biomass
Current RTD projects
Future options
Future RTD needs
Challenges
Recommendations- Conclusions

3. Aim
Collecting information on experiences gained with and possibilities for dedicated bioenergy crop combinations as well as
agro-forestry options which promise to combine high yields with relatively low environmental impacts.
28-Dec-18

4. Strengths Climate favors several resource options
Residual resources with low moisture
Energy crops with high yielding potential
Energy crops can be complementary to current activities in time and resources (human & machinery)
Uncertain policy framework (new CAP) leads farmers to seek new cropping options
Political pressure on RES & bioenergy (Biomass Action Plan)
Emissions & Biofuels Directives (2003/87/EC, 2003/30/EC) could be a means for high biomass demand

5. Weaknesses Semi-arid conditions require irrigation
Landscape associated risks (erosion, water runoff, desertification levels)
Small farming size compared with central, northern EU member states
Lack of “fully” mechanized agriculture
RTD fragmented, reflecting great diversity of crops, supply routes and end uses.
Difficult forest management, fire risks, lack of road infrastructure, etc.
Need to evaluate the whole chain; an integrated approach to deliver quality, availability and cost targets and achieve competitiveness.
28-Dec-18

6. Opportunities
Identify dedicated low impact high yielding cropping systems suitable for med regions
Create supply chains combining residual forms and energy crops.
Establish fuel supply chains which will act as links among biomass producers & users
Evaluate resource options both for industrial & with waste fractions (e.g. energy properties (biorefinery supplies)
Combine agro- forestry biomass with waste streams (demolition wood, packaging paper, etc.)
Create communication channels & synergies with the farming & forestry community
28-Dec-18

7. Threats
Traditional “food” agriculture systems not aware of energy- industry markets
Variety of feedstocks with different physical- chemical properties
Lack of specified agricultural machinery for certain energy crops
Low knowledge levels in the farming & forestry communities
Complexity of issues & associated groups involved require prior to start- up planning and strong day-to-day coordination
28-Dec-18

8. Biomass energy in south EU
High growth rate in wind energy but slow expansion of biomass singled out as key reason for failure to reach targets.
Modest progress in southern countries.
Limited data for energy crops: RTD small scale fields cannot give answers for commercial scale up
Lack of forest management practices dedicated to energy in most south states

9. Agro-biomass potential Land use (Mha)
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10. Agro-biomass potential Dry biomass (Mt/y)
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11. Agro- biomass potential Dry biomass (%)
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12. Agro- biomass potential Biomass production (t)
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13. Forests EU 25: Land cover (2000)
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14. Annual increment, fellings (2000)
Growing stock (Million m3)
EU N: 6,420 EU C: 10,546 EU S: 2,767
Annual increment, fellings (2000)
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15. Current RTD projects
ENK6 CT : Bioenergy chains for south Europe
Four perennial grasses: giant reed, cynara, switcgrass, miscanthus
Three thermochemical processes: combustion, gasification, pyrolysis
Whole chain economics & environmental assessments
Harvest window ensuring year round supply
Good time allocation of resources
Crops are complementary to current agricultural activities

16. Current RTD projects Cynara cardunculus: BIOCARD 6FP
Perennial crop suitable to med conditions
Can be rainfed
Wide range of products from biodiesel, heat & electricity
Good potential for biorefinery feedstock…
28-Dec-18

17. Future RTD needs
Establish competitive supply chains to meet market requirements.
Optimise bioenergy systems, matching production options through to conversion requirements.
Improve know-how for stages between production and conversion.
28-Dec-18

18. Resource production Yield & Characteristics
Sustained high yields over long term under commercial (not research) conditions
Multi-cropping of selected perennial crops for energy
Optimise forest management systems also for energy
Agronomy to influence biomass quality
Combined approaches of residual biomass & energy crops examined at pre-commercial chains
Determine production systems that best integrate with chain including conversion requirements.

19. Harvesting & Collection
Effectiveness & Speed
Test existing machinery
Develop and test new machines and components
Low contamination harvesting methods
Harvesting and collection must be effective and high speed, deliver feedstock in optimal state, and minimize site impacts

20. Storage & Transport Reliability & Quality
Minimization of risks: fire, health.
Ensure quality: feedstock physical specifications
Optimise technology for chips / bales / pellets
Assess different logistic structures, such as centralized fuel depots.

21. System integration
System sustainability – energy and emissions balance over life cycle of chain
System costs – vertical integration or each step as profit centre?
Stakeholders consultation – agro-industry, hauliers, energy industry, local communities.
Emergence of international trade of standardised biomass fuels – impacts?
Minimization of risk throughout the chain and demonstrating schemes can be financed.

22. Challenges Supply the industry with secure raw material
Efficient land use by the use of whole- crop solutions as well as exploiting both fertile and marginal land.
Ensure that both primary production and residues will be evaluated for their energy potential
Sustainability in biomass production- handling
Improve the acceptability of biomass filiere by strengthening the communication channels among the relevant stakeholders, especially the farming- forestry sectors with the respective fuel and energy sectors.
Local biomass production & international biomass trade
28-Dec-18

23. Future options
Perennial crops, like cynara, giant reed, miscanthus and SRC like eycalypts, robinia
Annual crops possibilities for double cropping like in Germany
Green crop harvesting for AD-biogas and a second crop option for bioenergy – biofuels??
Integrate energy crops within the current crop patterns as complementary activities
Ensure harvest window with crop selection
Integrate forest & agricultural activities to ensure supply
28-Dec-18

24. Recommendations Integrated waste management strategies
Introduce efficient land use strategies, complementary to current systems and regional characteristics
Sustainable forest residual harvest for energy prevents fire risks. “Make sure the message is clear enough!!”
28-Dec-18

25. Conclusions- Next Steps
To be completed with your
valuable input!!
Thank you for your attention