Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Feb. 17, 2009). PDF text: 196 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 2 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3324854. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Biomass produced from perennial energy crops, Miscanthus and willow or poplar grown as short-rotation coppice, is expected to contribute to UK renewable energy targets and reduce the carbon intensity of energy production. The UK Government has had incentives in place, targeting farmers and power plant investors to develop this market, but growth has been slower than anticipated. Market expansion requires farmers to select to grow these crops, and the construction of facilities, such as biomass power plants, to consume them. Farmer behaviour and preferences, including risk-aversion, are believed to be important to crop selection decisions. Existing research estimating the total potential resource has either only simplistically considered the farmer decision-making and opportunity costs, or has not considered spatial variability. No previous work has modelled the contingent interaction of farmers’ decisions with the construction of biomass facilities. This thesis provides an improved understanding of the behaviour of the perennial energy crop market in the UK, by addressing these limitations, to understand the spatial and temporal dynamics of energy crop adoption. It attempts to determine the factors that govern the rate and level of adoption, to quantify the greenhouse gas abatement potential, and to assess the cost effectiveness of policy mechanisms. A farm-scale mathematical programming model was implemented to represent the crop selection of a risk-averse farmer. This was applied using spatially specific data to produce maps and cost curves economic supply, for the UK. To represent the contingent interaction of supply and demand within the market, an agent-based model was then developed. The results indicate that perennial energy crop supply may be substantially lower than previously predicted, due to the time lags caused by the spatial diffusion of farmer adoption. The model shows time lags of 20 years, which is supported empirically by the analogue of oilseed rape adoption. Results from integrating a greenhouse gas emissions balance shows that directly supporting farmers, via establishment grants, can increase both the carbon equivalent emissions abatement potential and cost effectiveness of policy measure. Results also show a minimum cost of carbon abatement is produced from scenarios with an intermediate level of electricity generation subsidy. This suggests that there is a level of support for electricity generated from energy crops that reduces emissions in the most cost effective manner.

Submitted by Rosangela Silva (rosangela.silva3@unioeste.br) on 2017-08-31T18:40:34Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Natasha Barchinski Galant.pdf: 1631842 bytes, checksum: 81d005c9d61e96682b8a04adbc6c5888 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-31T18:40:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Natasha Barchinski Galant.pdf: 1631842 bytes, checksum: 81d005c9d61e96682b8a04adbc6c5888 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-23 / Fundação Araucária (FA) / There is a demand for alternative energies, especially for a substitution of the fossil fuels. In this sense there are several options, such as photovoltaic, wind, geothermal, hydraulic and energy crops. The safflower, a new culture in the market that has high oil content in its seeds. Its oil is rich in oleic and linoleic oxides and can be approved for therapeutic purposes, food and still be used for a biofuel production. Although a plant known for many years by ancient civilizations, there are not many studies on its physiology especially with regard to germinative tests. For this purpose, this work aims to evaluate the germination of four different types of safflower at six seeding depths. The experiment was carried out in the experimental field of the Western Paraná State University, in Cascavel, being divided in two stages: in protected environment and field. In protected environment the experimental units were constituted of vessels with diameter of 0.10 m and with 0.20 m of height, maintaining 0.05 m of water sheet. Using 10 seeds per pot, being filled with substrate composed of vermiculite and macronutrients. For the field, the experimental units were divided into 3 blocks consisting of lines with 1.50 m, with 30 seeds spaced at 0.05 m, with 0.30 m of spacing between rows, totaling 6.0 m by 1.8 m blocks. In the analyzes, a 5x4 factorial was performed, with four replicates of 5 depths (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 m) and 4 genotypes. Having analyzed the percentage, speed index, mean time, means of emergence and morphometric characteristics of the plant. High emergence rates were observed for smaller seeding depths, ranging from 60 to 80%. At the deepests seedings, the averages were below 50%. At the depth of 0 m there was no emergency for both sites. For IVE the averages ranged from 0.47 to 1.34 seeds per day for the protected environment and 2.26 to 16.42 seeds per day for the field experiment. For genotypes the IMA-2103 68% and 60%, for protected environment and field. The IVE was 1.12 and 9.69 seeds per day. Thus, for both sites, the IMA-2103 had the best performance for the indices evaluated. The depths indicated for planting are 2 and 4cm. / Há uma procura por energias alternativas, principalmente para a substituição dos combustíveis fósseis. Neste sentido existem diversas opções, como energia fotovoltaica, eólica, geotérmica, hidráulica e uso de culturas energéticas. Quanto a isso existe uma cultura nova no mercado o cártamo que tem alto teor de óleo em suas sementes. O seu óleo é rico em ácidos oleico e linoleico e pode ser aproveitado com fim terapêutico, alimentício e ainda ser usado para a produção de biocombustíveis. Embora seja uma planta conhecida há muitos anos pelas civilizações antigas, não existem muitos estudos sobre sua fisiologia principalmente no que se refere a testes germinativos. Com este fim, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a germinação de quatro diferentes genótipos de cártamo em seis profundidades de semeadura. O experimento foi realizado no campo experimental da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, em Cascavel, sendo divido em duas etapas: em ambiente protegido e a campo. Em ambiente protegido as unidades experimentais constituíam-se de vasos com diâmetro de 0,10 m e com 0,20 m de altura, mantendo lamina de água 0,05 m. Utilizando 10 sementes por vaso, sendo preenchidos com substrato composto com vermiculita e macronutrientes. Para o campo, as unidades experimentais foram divididas em 3 blocos, nestes blocos constituíam-se de linhas com 1,50 m, alocadas com 30 sementes espaçadas em 0,05 m, com espaçamento entre linhas de 0,30 m, totalizando blocos de 6 m por 1,8 m. Para as análises fora realizado um fatorial de 5x4, com quatro repetições sendo 5 profundidades (0,02, 0,04, 0,06, 0,08 e 0,10 m) e 4 genótipos. Tendo analisados porcentagem, índice de velocidade, tempo médio e velocidade média de emergência e características morfométricas da planta. Altas taxas de emergência foram observadas para as menores profundidades de semeadura, tendo variação de 60 a 80%. Nas maiores profundidades as médias ficaram abaixo de 50%. Na profundidade de 0 m não houve emergência para ambos os locais. Para o IVE as médias variaram de 0,47 a 1,34 sementes por dia para o ambiente protegido e 2,26 para 16,42 sementes por dia para o experimento em campo. Para os genótipos o IMA-2103 68% e 60%, para ambiente protegido e campo. O IVE ficou em 1,12 e 9,69 sementes ao dia. Sendo assim para ambos os locais o genótipo IMA-2103 teve o melhor desempenho para os índices avaliados. As profundidades indicadas para plantio são 2 e 4cm.

Based on a meta-study, the paper describes the existing options, areal extents, and Swedish farmers' conditions for energy crop production promoted by the governments to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The drivers of and barriers to cultivating various energy crops are described in terms of a variety of motivational factors. The approach used peer-reviewed and gray literature using three Internet sources. Questions addressed include the energy crops available to Swedish farmers and how well established they are in terms of areal extent. What drivers of and barriers to growing energy crops do farmers perceive? How do various motivational factors for these drivers and barriers correspond to the adoption of certain energy crops? The results indicate that 13 energy-related crops are available, of which straw (a residue), oil crops, and wheat are the most extensively produced in terms of cultivated area. Results confirm earlier research findings that converting from annual to perennial crops and from traditional crops or production systems to new ones are important barriers. Economic motivations for changing production systems are strong, but factors such as values (e.g., esthetic), knowledge (e.g., habits and knowledge of production methods), and legal conditions (e.g., cultivation licenses) are crucial for the change to energy crops. Finally, there are knowledge gaps in the literature as to why farmers decide to keep or change a production system. Since the Swedish government and the EU intend to encourage farmers to expand their energy crop production, this knowledge of such motivational factors should be enhanced. / Ett konkurrenskraftigt jordbruk – kommunikation kring klimatförändring och nya möjligheter (K3), Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning

Das Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie untersuchte auf einem D-Südstandort in der Dübener Heide acht verschiedene Fruchtfolgen mit Energiepflanzen zur Biogasproduktion. Untersucht wurde die Ertrags- und Biogasleistung. Für die Region wird empfohlen, den Anbau in fünfgliedrigen Fruchtfolgen vorzunehmen. Als ertragsstarke und ertragsstabile Energiepflanzen haben sich dabei Energiemais, Sudangras, Zuckerhirse und Kartoffeln bewährt. Sie sollten zu 30 bis maximal 60 % in der Fruchtfolge berücksichtigt werden. Von ökologischem (Humushaushalt) und ökonomischem Vorteil ist dabei der Aufbau von Fruchtfolgesystemen, die sowohl leistungsstarke Energiepflanzen als auch Nahrungspflanzen enthalten. Die leistungsfähigsten Fruchtfolgevarianten erreichen kumulative Trockenmasseerträge von 370 bis zu 430 dt TM/ha. Theoretische Methanleistungen von insgesamt 12.000 m³ Methan/ha sind möglich.

Hemp is a versatile plant with many uses that has been around for thousands of years. The plant is highly adaptable andwill cultivate in almost any soil. It has excellent remediation properties and has shown to be relatively consistent when itcomes to crop yields. The aim of this literature survey is to examine how hemp can be used to be considered asustainable energy crop in Sweden through database searches and interviews. Hemps characteristics as an energy cropand its remediation properties is evaluated and compared with other plants that are used in Sweden. The result showsthat hemp is a competitive crop when used for solid fuel and that a closed-loop solution is achievable. Further studiesare needed for a closed-loop solution to be possible when using hemp as a biogas crop, mainly for establishing asustainable waste treatment.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), a native warm-season grass, has been investigated as a renewable energy crop that may provide viable wildlife habitat. This study investigated small mammal populations in switchgrass, hay, and corn to assess the relative habitat quality. Four, three-night trapping sessions were conducted at four locations in Kentucky using Sherman livetraps. Trapping occurred in spring (before first hay harvest), summer, fall (before switchgrass and corn harvest), and winter (post-harvest). Relative abundance of small mammals, calculated using a capture per unit effort index (per 100 trapnights), and mean taxonomic richness were used to compare habitats. Switchgrass had a significantly greater mean taxonomic richness than hay but not corn; however, four genera were captured in switchgrass and only two in corn. Switchgrass had a greater relative abundance of small mammals than hay during the summer, and corn and hay during the fall. Vegetative cover was positively correlated with relative abundance of small mammals. No-till corn and three year old switchgrass had a greater relative abundance of small mammals than conventionally tilled corn and two year old switchgrass, respectively. In conclusion, switchgrass stands managed as a renewable energy crop has the potential to be viable wildlife habitat for some small mammal species.

Der Bericht fasst die Ergebnisse des Projektes EVA (Entwicklung und Vergleich von Anbausystemen für Energiepflanzen zur Biogasproduktion) der Jahre 2009 bis 2013 auf dem Versuchsstandort Trossin (Nordsachsen) zusammen. Untersucht wurden acht Energiefruchtfolgen hinsichtlich Ertragseigenschaften, Methanbildungspotenzialen sowie ökonomischer und ökologischer Kriterien. Als leistungsstärkste Fruchtarten haben sich Energiemais, Sorghumhirsen, Sonnenblumen, Luzerne-Kleegras und Rüben bewährt. Das Ertragsrisiko konnte mit ertragsstabilen Getreideganzpflanzen, insbesondere Winterroggen, Wintergerste und Wintertriticale, gesenkt werden. Es konnten mit den verschiedenen Fruchtfolgevarianten kumulative Trockenmasseerträge bis zu 400 dt TM/ha und 12.600 m 3 CH 4 /ha erzielt werden. Mehrjährige Ackerfutter-Leguminosen-Mischungen und Zwischenfrüchte konnten den Anforderungen zum Schutz der Boden-, Luft und Wasserqualität am besten gerecht werden.

Das Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie untersuchte auf einem D-Südstandort in der Dübener Heide acht verschiedene Fruchtfolgen mit Energiepflanzen zur Biogasproduktion. Untersucht wurde die Ertrags- und Biogasleistung. Für die Region wird empfohlen, den Anbau in fünfgliedrigen Fruchtfolgen vorzunehmen. Als ertragsstarke und ertragsstabile Energiepflanzen haben sich dabei Energiemais, Sudangras, Zuckerhirse und Kartoffeln bewährt. Sie sollten zu 30 bis maximal 60 % in der Fruchtfolge berücksichtigt werden. Von ökologischem (Humushaushalt) und ökonomischem Vorteil ist dabei der Aufbau von Fruchtfolgesystemen, die sowohl leistungsstarke Energiepflanzen als auch Nahrungspflanzen enthalten. Die leistungsfähigsten Fruchtfolgevarianten erreichen kumulative Trockenmasseerträge von 370 bis zu 430 dt TM/ha. Theoretische Methanleistungen von insgesamt 12.000 m³ Methan/ha sind möglich.

Miscanthus Giganteus is a rapidly growing perennial grass utilizing C4 photosynthesis that is a promising candidate as a raw resource for “second generation” biofuel production. This study seeks to determine the long-term sustainability, from a water balance perspective, of cultivating this plant in different climate zones. CoupModel, a model for the soil-plant-atmosphere system, is utilized to model M. Giganteus and simulate its cultivation over a 30-year period at four sites in Europe, each representing a different climate zone. A future climate scenario building on historical climate data together with projections for monthly changes in temperature and precipitation, as modeled by the HadCM3 global climate model in the A2 emission scenario, is then created and used for another simulation at each site. The growth, yields, and water balances in each simulation are analyzed and compared. The highest yields and water use efficiencies are achieved in the warmest climates, but the most sustainable zones when taking water balance into account are the more humid ones. The humid continental, Dfb, zone and the humid subtropical, Cfa, zone are determined to be sustainable in the long-term for cultivation of M. Giganteus. / Miscanthus Giganteus är ett snabbväxande perennt gräs med C4-fotosyntes samt en lovande kandidat som resurs i tillverkandet av andra generationens biobränslen. Denna studie syftar till att bestämma den långsiktiga hållbarheten av odling av denna växt i olika klimatzoner ur ett vattenbalansperspektiv. CoupModel, en datamodell som simulerar systemet “jord-planta-atmosfär”, används för att simulera M. Giganteus och dess tillväxt över en 30-årsperiod för fyra platser i Europa vilka alla representerar en klimatzon. Ett framtida klimatscenario som bygger på historisk klimatdata tillsammans med projektioner för framtida månatliga förändringar i temperatur och nederbörd, framtaget av HadCM3 för IPCC:s utsläppsscenario A2, tas sedan fram och används för att göra ytterligare en simulering för varje plats. Plantans tillväxt, skörd och vattenbalans för varje simulation analyseras och jämförs. De högsta skördarna och högst vattenanvändningseffektivitet uppnås i de varmaste klimaten, men de mest hållbara zonerna för odling av M. Giganteus när vattenbalansen tas hänsyn till är zonerna med mest nederbörd. Dfb-zonen, med fuktigt inlandsklimat, och Cfa-zonen med fuktigt subtropiskt klimat bedöms vara långsiktigt hållbara för odling av M. Giganteus.