Information on the willow tree and how it can be used as energy
Willow biomass is an environmentally sound, locally produced, renewable source of energy and bioproducts.
Willow biomass is an environmentally sound, locally produced, renewable source of energy and bioproducts.
Willows are easily propagated from unrooted cuttings. High yields can be obtained in a few years. Willow’s genetic diversity and short breeding cycle can be utilized to produce improved varieties. Willows vigorously resprout after each harvest. The amount of heat in a dry ton of willow is similar to other hardwoods. An array of bark and foliage colors creates opportunities for visually stunning landscape designs.
low biomass crops increase habitat diversity. They are planted on open, agricultural land, not on cleared forest land. A crop can be harvested six to seven times before replanting is required 1 ST HARVEST 3 YEARS . Willow cultivation uses significantly fewer pesticides than traditional agriculture.
One hectare of a well-managed willow plantation can yield 10 - 12 tonnes of dry matter per year, with energy equivalent to about 5 000 litres of oil.
As a rough guide, 1 kg of willow will yield about 1 kWh of electrical output. A district heating scheme for a development of 100 houses would require about 25 hectares of willow coppice. A combined heat and power system with 100 kW electrical output will use 50 ha of willow coppice harvested on a three year cycle. A power station generating 5 MW of electricity would need around 2 500 ha of willow.
converting willow into energy: combustion is used for heating water or to raise steam for a turbine; gasification produces a combustible gas that can be burned in a boiler, or used as fuel for an engine or gas turbine; pyrolysis can be used to convert the crop into gas, oil or charcoal fuels.
They reduce the need for fossil fuels for energy, chemicals, products, and fuels. Combustion of willow biomass releases fewer acid-rain producing compounds into the atmosphere Willow crops reduce soil erosion and nonpoint source pollution Willow crops generate income for local landowners and create jobs within the local community.
Riparian buffers - Natural barriers that prevent chemicals from entering streams, ponds, and lakes. Phytoremediation - Willows clean up toxins from contaminated sites. Living snowfences - Strategically planted willows trap drifting snow. Wastewater management - Willows filter contaminants from wastewater.