Miscanthus x giganteus energy crop grown in Ireland was harvested on 21st of February and 28th of March 2012 to examine the effects of harvesting time on self-heating during storage of Miscanthus chips in clamps (98 m3) under weather sheltered conditions. There was a relatively large difference...

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy in conjunction with partial least squares regression to predict quality indices of biomass pellet blends was assessed. A diverse range of biomass was used including wood, Miscanthus and herbaceous energy grasses. The moisture, carbon and ash contents...

Rapid methods to characterise biomass for energy are needed due to the increasing use of biomass in the energy system and the expanding varieties of biomasses available. Chemical information on biomasses can be utilised in integrated management systems, allowing for the appropriate selection and...

Climate change and rising atmospheric CO2 levels have become much debated environmental issues in recent years. Point source emissions of CO2 from industrialised processes such as power generation and cement production account for much of this increase. Direct carbon sequestration and storage...

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is the process through which the impacts of plans and programmes on the environment are assessed. Objectives, targets and indicators are the tools through which these environmental impacts can be measured. The same objectives, targets and indicators may...

It's necessary to determine risks of pollution arising from amendment of organic by-products (OBs) to energy crops. The impact of applying two OBs on the quality of overland flow (OLF) from plantations of short rotation coppiced willow was assessed. Municipal biosolids (BS) and distillery...

The impact of landspreading organic byproduct (OB) on the quality of groundwater (GW) and soil underlying short rotation coppiced willow plantations was assessed. Organic byproduct, namely biosolid (BS) and distillery effluent (DE), was spread on six plots (each with a plot area of 0.059ha) at...

The objective of this study was to compare the fuel-chain greenhouse gas balance and farm economics of hemp grown for bioenergy with two perennial bioenergy crops, Miscanthus and willow, and two more traditional annual bioenergy crops, sugar beet and oil seed rape (OSR). The GHG burden of hemp...

The use of anaerobic digestion for the treatment of organic wastes is spreading throughout Europe. A number of restrictions on organic wastes which can be treated in anaerobic digestion facilities and the subsequent handling of the digested material are specified in European legislation....