• Energy Research
• 15. Life on land close

This study provides essential information related to the nutrient and carbon levels and the energy potential of Eucalytpus nitens (Deane & Maiden) Maiden bionenergy plantations located in northwestern Spain. Nutritional analysis showed that leaves and bark had the highest concentrations of N, P, K and Mg. Carbon concentration was constant for all above-ground tree components. Nutrients and carbon were analyzed at stand level according to plantation productivity. Stemwood, the main tree component at the end of the rotation, had the highest nutrient content, except for N and Ca, which were highest in leaves and bark respectively. Based on this study, the nutrient content per ha of above-ground biomass was 243-706 kg N, 44-122 kg P, 131-375 kg K, 121-329 kg Ca and 25-67 kg Mg at the end of the bioenergy rotation (6-12 years, depending on site quality) and 19-56 Mg C ha-1. Energy analysis showed a fairly constant Net Calorific Value for wood, 18.32 ± 0.19 MJ kg-1. The results obtained are valuable for selecting the most appropriate forest management system in these bioenergy plantations, and thereby promote the sustainable use of woody crops.

The current situation in the energy sector suggests the possibility of using biomass in co-combustion systems as an alternative to other fuels. In the case of the North of Spain the amount of forest residues that is generated guarantees it as a valuable source of energy for the future. However, an effective exploitation of these residues must first overcome a number of serious problems such as transport, storage, handling and pre-treatment, to meet the requirements of the power plants. The aim of this work is to study the influence of storage time on the moisture content and chemical and combustibility properties of pine woodchips. Their combustibility behaviour was evaluated by means of the following tests: heating value, ash composition, slagging/fouling indices, and the combustion profiles obtained from TG analysis. As a result of the weather conditions in the North of Spain open-air storage in the area under study is not suitable for dry pine woodchips, although their combustion behaviour remains practically unaltered. Work carried out with financial support from the Spanish MICINN (Project PS-120000- 2006-3, ECOCOMBOS), and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF. The assistance from staff at La Pereda power plant owned by HUNOSA, is also gratefully acknowledged Peer reviewed