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EAI presents Cleantech Snapshots: a quick summary of some of the most interesting and innovative areas in clean technology that will drive the sustainability movement in future.
This snapshot focuses on Energy plantations.. Within this page you will find
Overview
- Energy plantations grow selected species of trees and shrubs which are harvestable in a shorter time and are specifically meant for fuel
- The main advantage of using bio feedstock as fuel is their net zero carbon emissions, as they absorb an almost equal amount of CO2 during growth as they release when burnt
- Scaling up and land use issues are some of the main bottlenecks today for the faster growth of energy crops
Energy plantations(Image source)Features
- These plantations help provide wood either for cooking in homes or for industrial use, so as to satisfy local energy needs in a decentralized manner
- The energy plantations provide almost inexhaustible renewable sources of energy which are essentially local and independent of unreliable and finite sources of fuel
- IHeat content of wood is similar to that of Indian coal
- Wood is low in sulphur and not likely to pollute the atmosphere
- Ash from burnt wood is a valuable fertilizer
- Utilization of erosion prone land for raising these plantations helps to reduce wind and water erosion, thereby minimizing hazards from floods, siltation, and loss of nitrogen and minerals from soil
- Helps with rural employment generation; it is estimated that a hectare of energy plantation is estimated to provide employment for at least seven persons regularly
Advantages
- The fuel is renewable
- Transportation is minimal
- The technology of growth and harvest is well known
- They provide ecologically safe fuels
Applications
- Harvesting
- Transport
- Storage
- Handling
- Fuel Preparation
Drawbacks
- Large land areas are needed
- The energy plantation may compete with other crops for land
- The power plant designs may need to be changed for the new fuel
Interesting web resources
- C2V – CO2 to Value – a comprehensive web resource providing insights on opportunities in converting CO2 into a range of useful products – fuels, chemicals, food & materials
- All about CO2 – CO2 Q&A – a unique resource providing answers to 100+ questions on the most talked about gas today.
