ENK5-2002-80647 Energy Forest Development on Areas in Central Eastern Europe, where Agricultural Production is Uneconomic

Contacts
Website: www.energyforest.com
Further Information



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Crops for Solid Biofuels : EESD (Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development) : Forestry : Solid Biofuels : Wood (Lignocellulose)

Type of Project	Assessment study
Contract No	ENK5-2002-80647
Total Cost
EC Contribution
Start Date	1-11-2002
Duration	18 Months
Scientific Officer	Komninos Diamantaras

Abstract

The main goal of the project Is to classify energy plants and low quality agricultural land to help farmers and decision-makers to choose the best types of biomass and planting sites for growing energy crops. We shall analyse the socio-economic implications and environmental effects of biomass planting and design a new computerised database to support decision-makers.

We are advocating biomass planting and renewable energy related research is one of our main priorities. The consortium operates a website, organises meetings, and publishes a newsletter. The lessons learned will be summed up in a comprehensive final report entitles 'Energy Forests for Re-cultivation', which will be available in hard-copy format.

Due to the forced agricultural policy in Central Europe, part of the lands have been classified as agricultural lands. Agricultural production is too expensive on these lands. In the case of high water table the cultivation is very difficult and the yield often rots off. Sometimes, high salinity characterize these lands, or the yield is endangered by the flood or by the inland waters. There are many reasons to give up the agricultural cultivation of these land and as an alternative solution introduce biomass production for heating or other purposes. This can be a good way of utilization of lands.

This project will provide a method for the classification of these territories taking into account the below mentioned problems (flood or inland water danger, salinity, artificial intervention in the nature etc.). Also a theoretical model of a decision-supporting system will be defined in this study.

The project involves an interesting study, in which the possible effects of energy forest planting will be examined on a brown coal mine dumps in Chomutov region in Northern Bohemia (Czech Republic).

Objectives

Sub-objective 1 - Description of decision supporting system
Sub-objective 2 - Assessing the non productive areas, as possible energy forest places
Sub-objective 3 - Land classification, ranging the possible areas
Sub-objective 4 - Characterisation of relevant biomass type
Sub-objective 5 - Analysing the socio-economic, agricultural and environmental aspects of energy forest development.
Sub-objective 6 - How can the planting of the energy forests help to the recultivation - Czech Republic case study

Project partners:

• Geo-Montan (Hungary - Coordinator)
• Vodní zdroje GLS Praha a.s. (Cross Czech a.s.) (Czech Republic)
• Geonardo Ltd. (Hungary)
• Central Mining Institute (Poland)
• CRES (Greece).

Contacts

Contact

• Geo Marten HUNGARY