Bio-energy to meet domestic demand
Pruhonice – Biomass production is a promising alternative for the Czech Republic’s agricultural sector. Biomass could cover the annual domestic bio-energy demand of 250 PJ (predicted for 2030), and could be exported as bio-fuels to other EU countries. A joint study by the Department of Phytoenergy at the Silva Tarouca Research Institute, Pruhonice, and Utrecht University assessed the Czech biomass production potential on a regional level and provided cost/supply scenarios for biomass from various energy crops.
About 110 PJ, mostly from agricultural and forestry residues, can be provided from biomass if the present Czech agricultural productivity is maintained. About 195 PJ (105 PJ from energy crops) could be provided if production systems are optimised with regard to fertilizer regimes, and 365 PJ (290 PJ from energy crops) should the yield levels of Dutch agriculture be reached. It was concluded that Czech agriculture could provide enough biomass for domestic demand and for export if agricultural productivity is increased.