Willow Biomass Research
The Biomass for Energy Research Programme has undergone major expansion in the last few years. Research began in 2002 with a field trial containing 4 willow clones and a poplar clone. Its aim was to investigate the most appropriate clones to grow in northern maritime climates such as those found on Orkney. In 2006 the programme was expanded. A 6.5 ha trial was initiated which will investigate 13 new clones and the most appropriate husbandry and cutting regime for northern maritime climates.
In September 2006, an MRes student was engaged to study the success of
the 13 willow clones in the new 2006 trial during their first year prior
to cutting back. This produced data on the affect of planting density
on willow growth, percentage survival for each clone and biomass production
after one year of growth.
In 2007, A PhD student was engaged who working on aspects of the whole
willow supply chain. This includes research into long term husbandry,
including cutting regime, appropriate harvesting and storage regimes and
biomass market development in northern peripheral communities.
In 2008 the Agronomy Institute became part of an E.U. Northern Peripheries
Programme project called PelleTIME.
This has enabled us to expand research into the grass biomass for energy
crops. We are now investigating the agronomy of growing Reed Canary Grasses,
barley straw and forage grasses for energy use. There are two main trials,
one in Orkney and one in Shetland together with further Reed Canary Grass
variety trials which were begun in 2009. Further information on this major
area of research can be found at. http://www.agronomy.uhi.ac.uk/html/pelletime.htm
Diagram showing growth/harvest cyle of SRC Willow