10 June 2009
The UK Forestry Commission has started a series of trials looking at the potential for fast-growing tree species that could be used as energy crops. Focussing on short rotation forestry, the first of the trials -- involving eucalypts -- is getting underway at a farm in South Lincolnshire.
The £1.5 million project has been commissioned by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and is set to take place over a three-year period, although it could be extended to look at the harvesting of trees in eight to 15 years' time.
The research will assess the impacts that the energy crops have on the environment, offering up stat on hydrology, carbon balance and possible risks of short rotation forestry in terms of landscape and biodiversity.
It should also look into the economic viability of growing energy crops like eucalyptus trees, which can be harvested at between five and 15 years of age. As well as three species of eucalyptus, the trials could involve alder, birch, hybrid aspen, sycamore, sweet chestnut and nothofagus trees.
Ultimately, the Commission said its project was needed to provide the evidence base for a government Heat and Energy Savings Strategy that will include the use of biomass crops as a renewable heat source. It is also developing policies including new feed-in tariffs for community-scale electricity generation.
Mark Broadmeadow, climate change programme manager for Forestry Commission England, explained: "Although we already understand the main environmental impacts of conventional forestry and from growing trees as short rotation coppice, the changes in choice of tree species and length of rotation for SRF may potentially result in different environmental impacts.
"We need to be clear as to what these are and their overall effect, to ensure that government policy in this area is firmly underpinned by evidence," added Mr Broadmeadow.
The study will include trees grown in small-scale, intensive blocks as well as sites where a more extensive approach to cultivation is taken using larger-scale planting. The Commission suggested that short rotation forestry could offer high yields with potentially "better energy returns" than traditional forestry, coppice crops or miscanthus grass.
Mr Broadmeadow said: "Evidence suggests that the yield of SRF can be far superior to that of short rotation coppice or conventional forestry. It is right for government to assess the balance between increased yield and any negative impacts, to ensure the sustainability and integrity of renewable energy initiatives. A considered decision on the relative merits can only be made on the basis of good evidence."
Source: New Engery Focus, London