According to research from the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research and the TLL (Thueringian Regional Institute for Agriculture), DBFZ (German biomass Research Center) and TLL (Thueringian region for agriculture), straw could provide energy for many millions of homes. According to the authors, straw is underutilized as waste and biomass material. Professor Daniela Thran, along with her colleagues, found that between 8 to 13 millions of tons of German cereal straw could be used sustainably for fuel or energy production. The straw could heat millions upon millions of homes. Just one metric ton of straw produced from cereal could supply electricity to between 1.7 and 2.8 million households, as well as heating to approximately 2.8 to 4 million houses. These results are a testament to the contribution straw can make to the future generation of renewable energy sources. The scientists collected and analysed data from Germany on residual substances that were developed in agriculture. The most valuable resource is straw, which makes up 58%,. Its use in energy production is however very limited. The second half of last century saw a sharp rise in winter wheat and winter barley cultivation. However, the production of rye has been steady since the beginning of the millennium. To remove any compounding variables such as weather variations, the team calculated average values for 1999, 2003, and 2007.. Each year, approximately 30 million tons of cereal straw was produced (average). The 30 half-million tons can be converted to energy. Some straw can’t be used and some is used as bedding for livestock farming. To prevent soil nutrients from escaping, some straw should be spread over agricultural land. A third of the straw can be used to produce energy. The researchers calculated that Germany could use between 8 and 13 megatons per year of straw for sustainable energy production. This is possible without affecting the soil’s quality. Professor Thran stated that “to our knowledge, this is the first study done for an EU country. It demonstrates the potential for straw to be used for a sustainable energy use while also taking into consideration the humus balance.” Researchers believe straw could contribute to the future energy mix. It depends on its use. How it is used will determine how much straw can contribute to greenhouse gas emission reduction. The emissions of straw compared with fossil fuels could be 73% or 92% lower when it is used for heat generation, heat combination and power generation. Dr. Armin Vetter, who works at TLL, said “Straw should therefore primarily be used in larger district heating stations and/or combined heat and power stations, but technology must be developed for an environmentally-friendly utilization.” Dr. Vetter has been operating a straw-fuelled power station for 17 years. Market Business News published a report on renewable energy in western America.
