GC: n

CT: Energy crops are grown specifically for use as fuel and offer high output per hectare with low inputs. Research into which strains perform best under UK conditions and typical outputs expected for different UK sites has been performed on a number of potential energy crops.

S: BEC – http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=75,17301&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL (last access: 9 January 2015)

N: 1. Under the EU Renewable Energy Directive the UK has committed to allocating 15% of electricity supplies from renewable energy by the year 2020; therefore there is mounting interest in the use of energy crops for power production.
2. Energy crops are typically densely planted, high yielding crop species that will be burnt to generate power. Recognised biomass sources include forest and woodland products, short rotation coppice (SRC), short rotation forestry (SRF), forest residues and arboricultural arisings. Woody crops such as Willow or Poplar are widely utilised, as well as tropical grasses such as Miscanthus and Pennisetum purpureum, due to their ability to grow fast and to provide high output of biomass per hectare.
3. Very high outputs per hectare can be achieved from energy crops such as wheat, which typically yields 7.5-8 tonnes of grain per ha in the UK, in addition to which there is typically 3.5-5 tonnes per ha of straw. The grain could be used to produce liquid transport fuels and the straw could be burned to produce heat or electricity.

S: 1, 2 & 3. Forestry – http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-8ADLM4 (last access: 9 January 2015).

SYN:
S:

CR: biomass, biomass energy, energy.