Willow biomass as an energy source

New York has a vast amount of agricultural land that could be used to grow a dedicated crop, such as poplar or willow, as an economically viable renewable fuel source. SUNY- ESF has joined forces with other organizations to form the Salix Consortium. The Consortium is devoted to facilitating the commercialization of willow biomass crops as a locally produced, renewable feedstock for bioenergy and bioproducts.

A few facts:
Willow is a clean versatile wood energy source.

For every unit of energy invested in the production and conversion of willow biomass to energy, 20-30 units of energy are produced.

Willow is a carbon-neutral energy source
The amount of CO2 taken up by the plants during photosynthesis is equivalent to the amount emitted when the wood is burned plus the CO2 emissions produced by machinery during production.

Co-firing biomass with coal consistently reduces oxides of sulphur emissions and reduces oxides of nitrogen under certain conditions.

SUNY-ESF is a member of the
Salix Consortium

Includes 25 organizations across North America representing industry, government, agricultural and farming groups, environmental organizations and universities

The Objectives:
To establish willow as a commercial biomass energy crop in the Northeast

To demonstrate and quantify the environmental and economic benefits of co-firing willow with coal in existing electric power plants

The Challenge:
To simultaneously establish enough acreage so there is a reasonable supply of willow biomass while developing a reliable market to sell the biomass

Current:
SUNY-ESF has developed a short rotation intensive culture (SRIC) where willows are grown almost like shrubs and are harvested every three years. We have also established a breeding program to develop improved clones.

Short Rotation Intensive Culture

A step planter machine is used to automate the planting process. Whips (stems from one year old willows) are fed into the machine between two belts, cut to the correct length, and then inserted directly into a hole in the ground. Automating the planting process significantly reduces the cost of production.

Trees are cut after one growing season to create multiple shoots in future years

Agricultural based machinery is used to harvest the trees after three years. This cycle can be repeated up to 7 times over 21 years.

The harvest is then transported to a retrofitted electric power station where the wood is chipped and co-fired with coal

Which clones are best to cultivate?
SUNY-ESF has established a breeding program to develop hybrid clones that will produce high yields, be resistant to insects and disease, and have good form.

ESF's willow trials have examined spacing, cutting cycles, fertilization, irrigation, herbicides, and clone/site interactions.

Much of the productivity is based on drought tolerance and pest resistance.

Genetic Improvement of Willow
The Salix genera is dioecious meaning that they produce male and female trees. We can physically cross a male from one species with a female from another species creating a hybrid having characteristics inherited from either or both species. Once a new line has been established, it can be maintained and multiplied clonally simply by cutting the stems and replanting them. To produce many stems quickly the main stem is cut back to the ground after one year's growth. The next spring the tree will produce many stems making it appear shrub-like.

A strong clonal improvement program will help ensure increases in productivity and clone survivability.

Research is currently underway to identify insect, disease, and drought resistance of various willow clones for potential use as crops.

The cuticle and the properties of the leaf surface are important for water conservation, as well as pest and pathogen resistance.