Reed canary grass, a good biofuel, also helps reduce agricultural emissions

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The cultivation of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) as a biological fuel, has also been found to reduce emissions of agricultural nutrients into waterways.
      For instance, nitrogen emissions per hectare go down by as much as 40 per cent compared with the cultivation of traditional barley.
      Researchers believe that the energy crop can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as more carbon is tied into the soil through the cultivation of reed canary grass than is released into the atmosphere during combustion, and from the manufacture of fertiliser.
     
Reed canary grass is grown on more than 20,000 hectares of farmland. The biggest user of the biofuel is the bioenergy producer Vapo, which is expected to sign cultivation agreements for another 500 hectares.
      Energy from the use of reed canary grass could reach levels in Finland this year that comes close to the energy produced by wind power.
      In monetary terms, the output is “About the same as for feed grain”, says farmer Markku Kavalto in Kaarina in the southwest of Finland.
      Farmers of reed canary grass are entitled to normal agricultural subsidies of EUR 500-600 a hectare. This year, the EU is paying an additional EUR 30 per hectare for energy plant subsidies, but not next year.
     
Advantages of reed canary grass as an agricultural plant also include ease of cultivation. As a perennial, it does not need to be planted every year.
      “Canary grass only needs to be mowed, baled, and fertilised each year”, Kavalto says.
      As the soil does not need to be plowed every year, the nutrient runoff into waters is reduced. This is especially beneficial in fields near waters, such as the Kavalto farm, whose reed canary grass field runs along 400 metres of shoreline, and 600 metres along a river.
      With its deep root systems, the plants also improve the soil.
     
Mowing of the dry reed canary grass takes place in the spring. It is then baled and delivered to the power plants.
      There are 30 power plants in Finland that use reed canary grass as a fuel. The output of the Kavalto farm is taken to Salo where it is turned into district heat for local residents, and electricity for the national grid.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Renewable energy targets pose problems for cities (25.2.2008)
  Helsinki plans to triple use of renewable energy (14.1.2008)

Links:
  Vapo website
  Reed canary grass (Wikipedia)

Helsingin Sanomat