The potential for bioenergy crops to contribute to meeting GB heat and electricity demands. Issue 2 (31st October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Shifeng; Hastings, Astley; Wang, Sicong; Sunnenberg, Gilla; Tallis, Matthew J.; Casella, Eric; Taylor, Simon; Alexander, Peter; Cisowska, Iwona; Lovett, Andrew; Taylor, Gail; Firth, Steven; Moran, Dominic; Morison, James; Smith, Pete
• Is Part Of: Global change biology. Volume 6:Issue 2(2014)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2013-10-31
• Subjects: Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Energy crops -- Periodicals; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.12123
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-1693

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="gcbb12123-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The paper presents a model system, which consists of a partial equilibrium model and process‐based terrestrial biogeochemistry models, to determine the optimal distributions of both <italic>Miscanthus</italic> (<italic>Miscanthus</italic> × <italic>giganteus</italic>) and short rotation coppice willow (SRC) (<italic>Salix. viminalis L. x S. viminalis var</italic> Joruun) in Great Britain (GB), as well as their potential contribution to meet heat and electricity demand in GB. Results show that the potential contribution of <italic>Miscanthus</italic> and SRC to heat and electricity demand is significant. Without considering farm‐scale economic constraints, <italic>Miscanthus</italic> and SRC could generate, in an economically competitive way compared with other energy generation costs, 224 800 GWh yr⁻¹ heat and 112 500 GWh yr⁻¹ electricity, with 8 Mha of available land under <italic>Miscanthus</italic> and SRC, accounting for 66% of total heat demand and 62% of total electricity demand respectively. Given the pattern of heat and electricity demand, and the relative yields of <italic>Miscanthus</italic> and SRC in different parts of GB, <italic> Miscanthus</italic> is mainly favoured in the Midlands and areas in the South of GB, whereas SRC is favoured in Scotland, the Midlands and areas in the South of GB.</p> </abstract>