Straw use and availability for second generation biofuels in England.

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Bioenergy
• Sustainability Science

Background:

• EU renewable transport fuel targets necessitate increased bioenergy feedstocks.
• First-generation biofuels face sustainability debates, driving interest in second-generation alternatives.
• Second-generation biofuels utilize lignocellulosic feedstocks like cereal straw.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the current use and potential availability of cereal straw as a feedstock for second-generation biofuels in England.
• To assess the feasibility of converting available cereal straw into bioethanol.
• To analyze the impact of regional straw yields on potential bioethanol production.

Main Methods:

• An on-farm survey of 249 farms in England (Cereal, General Cropping, Mixed).
• Linking survey data with Farm Business Survey data for comprehensive analysis.
• Statistical analysis to determine correlations between grain and straw yields.

Main Results:

• No significant correlation between grain and straw yields for wheat and oilseed rape; weak correlation for barley.
• Potential cereal straw supply in England is 5.27 Mt from arable farms.
• 1.45 Mt of cereal straw is currently incorporated into the soil, with potential for bioethanol production equivalent to 1.5% of UK petrol consumption.

Conclusions:

• Cereal straw represents a significant, underutilized resource for second-generation biofuel production in England.
• Regional variations in straw yields significantly influence the total potential supply and bioethanol output.
• Converting currently incorporated cereal straw could contribute to meeting renewable energy targets.