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Research article2014Peer reviewed

A conceptual framework for the introduction of energy crops

Mola Yudego, Blas; Dimitriou, Ioannis; Gonzalez-Garcia, Sara; Gritten, David; Aronsson, Pär

Abstract

There is currently limited experience on the introduction of new commercial crops as a source of raw material for energy uses. The present paper analyses the introduction and development of commercial willow plantations in Sweden during the period 1986-2005. A general framework is constructed in order to identify all the factors and interrelations that can describe the introduction and expansion of willow as an alternative crop for the production of raw material for energy. The factors are identified and analysed based on a broad database of information from commercial plantations, covering almost all existing plantations, and on documents referring to existing academic literature or official reports. The analysis provides with lessons that can be useful for the introduction of new energy crops in other countries and shows the possible contradictions in policy applications. The analysis confirms that stable policies and long-term contracts reduce the uncertainties associated with the cultivation. The results of this study can be of value for other countries aiming at the introduction of new crops for bioenergy. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Energy policy; Short rotation forestry; Bioenergy; Willow; Plantations

Published in

Renewable Energy
2014, volume: 72, pages: 29-38

SLU Authors

Global goals (SDG)

SDG7 Affordable and clean energy

UKÄ Subject classification

Agricultural Science
Forest Science

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.06.012

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/60823