Research Stimulus Fund

Final Report

The role of energy crops in energy supply, effluent disposal and soil remediation

DAFF Project Ref No: 05 218 Start date: 1/1/2006 End date: 31/12/2009 Principle Coordinator: John Finnan, Teagasc Oak Park Email:john.finnan@teagasc.ie

Other Principle Collaborating Researchers: Dr David Dowling, IT Carlow Declan Ryan, Teagasc Oak Park Dr Fiona Thorne, Teagasc Rural Economy Research Centre Please tick below the appropriate area on the research continuum where you feel this project fits BASIC/FUNDMENTAL APPLIED/PRE COMMERCIAL

Key words: (max 4) Energy crops, Bioremediation, combustion, economics

DAFF Ref: RSF 05 218

1. Rationale for Undertaking the Research Project Context

Energy crops have many attractions as sources of secure, locally-produced and locally-used renewable energy. At the same time disposal options for organic wastes are becoming more limited as restrictions tighten on organic waste entry to land-fills and animal health concerns are restricting their application on pasture. Municipal sewage sludge volumes may be expected to increase as new treatment plants come on stream. The use of local energy crop plantations for the disposal of suitable municipal and food industry wastes could benefit local authorities and local waste-generating industries as well as farmers and energy users. Energy crops could also provide a productive and restorative use for contaminated land that is unsuitable for food or feed production. Various aspects of these possibilities have been researched in several countries with generally favourable results. Yet commercial uptake of energy crops to date has been slow. The consensus among the participants in this project is that due to lack of profitability and information gaps in the drying/storage/utilisation of the produce. The energy crops that have shown most promise in Ireland to date are willows and miscanthus. Both are high-yielding crops suited to the Irish climate and capable of being grown in many regions. There is sufficient available information on the production and harvesting of these crops. The project participants have also some positive local experience of the application of dilute effluents from breweries to willow sites. The application of sewage sludge to willows is being researched in Northern Ireland with encouraging results to date. There has been some local research on the use of willows for the remediation of contaminated sites. The drying and storage of willow chips has been thoroughly researched but practical drying/storage systems have yet to be developed. Miscanthus has potential as a high-yielding, low-input crop suitable for harvesting with locally-available machinery. Drying would not be difficult, but there is little information on its combustion in the small- to medium-sized boilers that would be the most likely outlets in Ireland at present. If this combined energy/waste disposal concept is to develop, a number of issues have to be addressed: For regulatory agencies, assurance is needed that the effluents are applied to the sites in a

way that does not lead to any pollution of air or water, or create any health hazard for humans or wild life inhabiting the site.

For heat users, practical systems of drying, storing and burning the harvested biomass must be developed and demonstrated.

For land-owners considering the establishment in energy crop planting, their investment must be shown to be profitable in comparison with traditional enterprises.

This project is designed to address these issues.

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2. Research Approach The research approach is described as follows Sewage sludge and brewery effluents were applied to existing willow and Miscanthus plantations. Concentrations of nutrients and heavy metals in groundwater, overland flow, soil and plant biomass were measured. The objective of these measurements was to determine the fate of nutrients and heavy metals in organic wastes applied to bioenergy crops. In addition, laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine the rate at which nutrients and heavy metals move down through the soil. Measurements were also conducted to determine the fate of pathogens in municipal solid waste applied to bioenergy crops. Experiments were conducted to determine if Miscanthus could be colonised by bacterial endophytes with phytoremediation potential. Systems for the drying of willow chips were be examined with a view to identifying a low-cost system and determining drying cost.

A boiler suitable for the burning of miscanthus was selected and installed. Combustion trials were conducted in which combustion efficiency and emissions were measured. Crop production , harvesting, storage/drying and utilisation costs were determined and the value of the fuel produced was estimated. The costs and returns from the spreading of effluent and the decontamination benefits will also be quantified. A net present value model of energy crop profitability was constructed and stochastic modelling was used to determine the level of risk from different energy crop options.

3. Research Achievements Sub-Project 1.1 Microbiology of bioenergy crops; pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement Task 1: Analysis of indicator bacteria. The aim of this task was to analyse over time seasonally, indicators of faecal pollution in bioenergy crop stands amended with Bio-solids. From the information gathered over the three year sampling period we conclude that; E.coli is by far the best indicator of faecal contamination. Its longevity in soil is short <9mths. The sufficiency of liming is also very important as it was found that biosolids with a

lower pH allowed for the survival of E.coli and for the transfer of the indicator to soil. Total coliforms and enterococci levels were evident in all sampling sites even in control

sites and in the untreated Miscanthus plantation. Clostridia and coliphages were evident in all sampling sites and are not reliable

indicators of faecal contamination.

Task 2: Phytoremediation potential of endophyte inoculants. The aim of this task was to evaluate the colonisation potential of selected herbicide degrading endophytes from bioenergy crops and to assess their/phytoremediation/plant protection properties.

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Prototype endophytes were able to be inoculated and colonise Miscanthus. Plant

protection against 2,4-D was observed.

A collection of Identified endophytes from Miscanthus was made that possess important plant growth promotion traits such as nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilisation this is of interest to agricultural microbiologists as they could be used to enhance the availability of nutrients to plants.

Miscanthus endophytes possess a varied resistance to many heavy metals which may be useful in the bioremediation of sites contaminated with heavy metals.

Miscanthus endophytes are capable of producing hydrolytic enzymes which are important for plant/microbe interactions.

Miscanthus endophytes were capable of utilising priority pollutants in the form of hydro-carbons such as 2, 4-D. This is an important result for phytoremediation especially of 2, 4-D as it is a commonly used herbicide.

Miscanthus endophytes were successfully tagged with gfp labelling allowing for their traceability within plants during phytoprotection studies.

Miscanthus endophytes can successfully colonise plants and appear to enhance plant growth.

Miscanthus endophytes have genes encoding antibiotic production.

Sub-Project 1.2 Nutrient and heavy metal loss to water from waste remediation in energy crops Movement of Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Groundwater The main findings are as follows

For Phosphorus, Potassium, Copper and Zincs, there was a clear relationship between the quantity of waste applied and the mean concentrations of these elements in groundwater.

For nitrate, chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead, there was no clear relationship between the quantity of waste applied and the mean concentration of these elements in groundwater.

Interim guide values were not exceeded with the exception of levels of phosphorus in plots which received high the highest concentration of brewery effluent

Movement of Nutrients and Heavy Metals in Surface Water The main findings are as follows

For plots which received biosolids, there was a relationship between the quantity of biosolid applied and the levels of nitrate, potassium, phosphorus, chromium, lead, cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc in surface water

For plots which received brewery effluent, there was a relationship between the quantity of effluent applied and the levels of nitrate, phosphorus, copper, zinc and nickel in surface water

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Sub-Project 2.1 Drying and Testing of Low Cost Drying/Ventilation Systems

Willows are harvested at >55% moisture. Hitherto, farmers either had to use expensive drying systems to dry willow chips immediately after harvest or let the willow stems season before chipping in which case their capital was tied up for an additional 12 months before sale. Several trials were carried out during the course of the project on a low-cost system for drying willow chips and improvements were made to the system during the course of the trials.. The final trial was conducted during the summer of 2008 when, in spite of the wet summer, the wood chips in the pile dried from 52% at the start of the experiment to 18.2% over an 82 day period. 617 units of electricity were used to dry the chips which represents an electricity cost of just under €5 per wet tonne. This system has now been optimised and offers farmers a low-cost method for drying willow chips in their own farm-yards. The outcome of this sub-project has been the development of an inexpensive farmyard drying system which farmers can utilize to dry willow chips over the summer before selling them into the heat market during the following winter. Consequently, this sub-project has improved the margins for willow production thereby increasing the attractiveness of this enterprise for farmers.

Sub-Project 2.2 Energy crop combustion In this sub-project,

the physical and chemical characteristics of Miscanthus were quantified,

an assessment was carried out of the optimum physical forms of Miscanthus for combustion in small boilers

boiler tests with Miscanthus were carried out Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Miscanthus: The ash content of Miscanthus was found to vary between 1-2% and was not considered excessive. Volatile matter content was found to be slightly higher than wood chips while fixed carbon content was correspondingly lower than wood chips. Higher and lower calorific values were found to be slightly lower than wood chips. Nitrogen content was higher than wood chips while bulk density and energy density were lower. Physical Forms of Miscanthus suitable for Combustion Miscanthus was best suited for combustion when harvested with a suitable precision chop harvester to lengths of approximately 4cms. In this form its flow properties were reasonable and approached those of wood chips. Great difficulty was experienced feeding Miscanthus which had been cut and baled into boilers. Trials were conducted with bale shredders, forage harvesters and wood chippers in order to convert baled Miscanthus into a form suitable for combustion. Feeding baled Miscanthus through these types of machines resulted in a product which was too light. Such material was heterogenous and too low in bulk density to feed easily through a boiler. The result was incidents of bridging, low feed throughput and low and inconsistent heat generation.

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Boiler Trials Boiler trials were conducted on two 100KW boiler, a Talbott boiler as well as with a KWB boiler. A third boiler was assessed for its suitability for miscanthus combustion although no tests were carried out. Talbott Boiler: miscanthus chips were burned in this fixed grate boiler. Sintering of ash particles was found in the combustion chamber after a short period of time due to the low ash melting point of Miscanthus. Sintered ash particles accumulated in areas of the combustion chamber where there was a change in geometry. Fouling of the heat exchanger surfaces was also found. As the consequences of sintering and fouling can only be removed manually it was concluded that fixed grate boilers are unsuitable for Miscanthus combustion.

Sintering (Talbott boiler) Fouling (Talbott boiler)

KWB Boiler Chopped miscanthus was observed to burned steadily with a crisp clean flame, but due to the high angle of repose attained on the grate , the wider particle size distribution, and the design of both the feeding system and grate type; the quantity of fuel available for combustion on the grate was limited, hence, the depicted narrow flame (below).

During the firing of miscanthus the following observations were made, occasionally some of the fuel bed material was agitated and dislodged by the incoming primary air supply and passed through both the combustion chamber and heat exchanger without full combustion. On several occasions higher temperatures were recorded in the stack compared to the heat exchanger. This effect was found to be a function of fuel preparation technology, i.e. when the crop was harvested by a self propelled forage harvester the crop was found to have a uniform partial size with little or no fine particles resulting in higher thermal efficiencies. When the fuel was prepared using either a hammer mill or tub grinder the effects of bed agitation were observed. With chopped miscanthus, combustion sometimes ceased due to slagging and ash

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fusion upon the grate surface, due to limited availability of oxygen, which tended to increase the level of CO emission

ETA 35 Hack boiler. This boiler was assessed for its suitability to burn miscanthus although no tests were carried out. This boiler has a fixed rotating grate and is equipped with a flue gas re-circulating system. This boiler proved better suited for Miscanthus combustion. Flue gas re-circulation lowers the flame temperature in the grate below the ash melting point of Miscanthus making sintering less likely. It is also equipped with an automatic cleaning system which makes manual cleaning unnecessary. The following are the conclusions of this work

In general, the physical and chemical characteristics render Miscanthus suitable for combustion. The most problematical characteristic is the low ash melting temperature

Miscanthus should be harvested with a suitable precision chop harvester set to a short cutting length in order to produce Miscanthus chips with acceptable flow properties for boilers

Fixed grate boilers without flue gas recirculation are unsuitable for the combustion of Miscanthus. Boilers need to be equipped with a mechanism to reduce ash sintering in order to burn Miscanthus consistently. Flue gas re-circulation and automatic cleaning are both advantageous.

Sub-Project 3: The economics of biomass production at farm level: An Irish Case Study

The biomass DCF model showed that, given realistic assumptions, miscanthus generates a positive rate of return on investment and is a potentially worthwhile investment. However, the risks associated with the extremely long payback periods necessary to recoup investment costs would be a concern to most investors. Especially in the case of willow, the negative return on investment means that it is unlikely that most farmers will invest in biomass production while foregoing average returns from a conventional enterprise. However, this opportunity cost is likely to decrease in line with falling agricultural incomes thereby making biomass crops more competitive. Sensitivity analysis is used to examine the effects on the estimates of variation in key physical and financial parameters. The superseded enterprise, establishment grant level, yield level, price level, and length of production lifespan are shown to significantly influence the returns generated by investments in willow and miscanthus. Since farming is a risky business it is important to account for risk in planning, especially in the context of “new crops”. This paper found that accounting for risk supported the DCF results, with miscanthus having a greater level of returns than willow. While the distributions of investment returns for miscanthus are wider than those of willow, implying greater uncertainty, the distribution of willow returns is predominantly to the left of zero indicating that such an investment has an extremely high probability of generating a negative return. The results from the SERF analysis show miscanthus generally has higher certainty equivalents, and therefore farmers would be more likely to invest in miscanthus rather than willow. These results suggest that the potentially higher returns from miscanthus outweighed the downside risk associated with the possibility of the crop failing to establish. The disparity in the level of risk is likely due

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to the superior yield potential, annual production cycle and cash flow profile of miscanthus compared to willow. The probit model results showed that willingness to adopt energy crops in Ireland was significantly influenced by the agricultural educational level of farmers, farm size, and farm system. In the final model specification, farm profit, land tenancy, general education level of the farm operator, contact with extension agents, solvency and age of the operator were not significant variables affecting willingness to adopt.

4. Impact of the Research Sub-Project 1.1 Microbiology of bioenergy crops; pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement With respect to Task 1 , the use of bioenergy crops as a sink for Biosolids (and other

wastes) offers economic advantages, however potential risks need to be elucidated. From this study over 3 years, sewage sludge application would be acceptable from a microbiological safety viewpoint provided the sludge was pre-treated appropriately i.e. limed .

A technical paper is in preparation describing this study which would be of benefit to regulatory authorities and end-users. With respect to task 2, a collection of endophytic bacteria was isolated and

characterised from Miscanthus. These have potential for further development as Plant Growth Promoting bacterial inoculants and in some cases may be useful for improving phytoremediation of environmental pollutants including herbicides. Some of the strains have potential for biocontrol activity against plant pathogens. These strains have potential for use in other bioenergy crops in addition to Miscanthus.

Research work in this area is ongoing and funded through the HEA TSRIII “Agribiotics” project

Sub-Project 1.2 Nutrient and heavy metal loss to water from waste remediation in energy crops

The production of sewage sludge and other organic wastes has increased substantially in recent years. Disposal routes are limited by opposition to the spreading of waste on food crops as well as limitations to disposal in landfill. Application of organic waste to energy crops offers a disposal route which does not involve the food chain or landfill sites. However, disposal of organic waste on energy crops needs to be environmentally benign. The results of this project will help policy makers and regulatory authorities make decisions concerning the use of organic waste on energy crops. Sub-Project 2.1 Drying and Testing of Low Cost Drying/Ventilation Systems This sub-project has resulted in the development of a low-cost farmyard drying system for willow chips. Willow can be more expensive than other energy crops as a result of higher harvesting and drying costs. Willow chips need to be dried immediately after cutting in order to avoid heating and fungal growth. This was hitherto only possible in purpose built forced air drying facilites. Such drying facilities are expensive to build and operate and are unavailable on most farms. The availability of this system offers a farmer the opportunity of drying willow chips in his/her own farm at a modest cost before selling the chips to the winter heat market.

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However, reducing the cost of willow production is also extremely valuable for the willow industry as a whole. Sub-Project 2.2 Energy crop combustion This sub-project has investigated the suitability of miscanthus for combustion and established that the chemical properties of miscanthus are suitable for combustion and that there are boilers suitable for burning miscanthus once it is presented in the correct physical form. Miscanthus combustion in small and medium scale boilers offers a new market for Miscanthus growers and this work has shown that miscanthus combustion in small boilers is possible from both a technical and a practical point of view. The availability of this information should help the establishment of this new market and thus assist growers and those involved in the Miscanthis industry. Sub-Project 3 The economics of biomass production at farm level: An Irish Case Study This sub-project has identified the profiles of farmers who may be interested in growing energy crops and has conducted an economic analysis of energy crop profitability. The agronomic characteristics of willow and miscanthus make these crops highly susceptible to risk. This is particularly true in a country such as Ireland which has limited experience in the production of these crops. Issues such as soil and climate suitability have as yet to be resolved. The lengthy production lifespan of energy crops only serve to heighten the level of risk that affects key variables. The uncertainty surrounding the risk variables involved in producing willow and miscanthus, such as the annual yield level and the energy price, make it difficult to accurately calculate the returns of such a project. The results form this sub task using sensitivity analysis and SERF analysis suggests that a greater level of risk is associated with willow than with miscanthus. This information on economics from an independent source is extremely valuable to those considering growing energy crops.

5. Exploitation of the Research There are many factors which influence the uptake of technologies by industry. At present, the energy crops industry is small (c3000ha) and growing slowly. The main factors preventing growth are the economics of energy crops and the slow development of markets. There are a number of examples of bioremediation in the country. However, there is a significant regulatory burden associated with the use of organic wastes on energy crops at present. However, the results of this research has provided the industry with important new information on economics, phytoremediation and bioremediation while technical barriers to willow chip drying and miscanthus combustion have been overcome. Sub-Project 1.1 Microbiology of bioenergy crops; pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement The Institute of Technology Carlow’s Intellectual Property policy will apply to any exploitation or IP protection arising out of research programmes. The potential for commercial exploitation of the research outcomes will be reviewed by the Institute’s External Services manager. Sub-project 2.1 Drying and Testing of Low Cost Drying/Ventilation Systems

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It is not known whether the low-cost willow chip drying system has been used by farmers. The acerage of willow in the country is still small (c500ha) and most crops have not been harvested yet. However, the availability of this system presents farmers with a low-cost option for drying willow chips. This system has been presented to the agricultural community at two open days as well as through an article in the popular press. Sub-Project 2.2 Energy Crop Combustion The government recently introduced a grant scheme to promote the use of miscanthus in commercial boilers, grants of up to 50% of the cost of the boiler are available from SEAI (Miscanthus Pilot Demonstration Programme). The results of this sub-project are relevant to this governmental scheme as they have identified the physical forms of Miscanthus that are suitable for combustion and the types of boilers necessary for successful combustion of Miscanthus. 6. Summary of Research Outputs (a) Intellectual Property applications/licences/patents 1. Under review for Tasks 1&2 (b) Innovations adopted by industry (c) Number of companies in receipt of information 5 (see section 12 below) (d) Outcomes with economic potential 1. bacterial inoculants with bio-fertiliser/biocontrol and bioremediation potential (e) Outcomes with national/ policy/social/environmental potential 1. low pathogen risk associated with the use of suitably treated Biosolid application to Miscanthus stands 2.

(f) Peer-reviewed publications, International Journal/Book chapters. Publications Accepted or Under Review

1) Ryan,RP., Germaine, K., Franks, A., Ryan, DJ.,and Dowling,DN. (2008)

Bacterial endophytes: recent developments and applications. FEMS Microbiol, Lett. 278:1-9

2) Dowling, DN and Doty, S (2009) Improving Phytoremediation through

Biotechnology. Current Opinion in Biotechnology 20 : 1-3.

3) 3. Germaine,KJ and Dowling,DN (2010) Improving the phytoremediation potential of plants using endophytic bacteria in Trends in Bioremediation and

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Phytoremediation (ed Plaza, G) Research Sign Post, Kerala, India (in press) ISBN:81-308-0424-8

4) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A.M, Thorne, F, and Wallace, M. (2009). A Discounted Cash Flow Analysis of Financial Returns from Biomass Crops in Ireland. Journal of Farm Management, 13 (9), 595 – 611. 5) Clancy, D., Breen, J., Moran, B., Thorne, F., and Wallace M. Examining the socio-economic factors affecting Irish farmers willingness to adopt bioenergy crops. International Journal of Farm Management (Under Review) 6) Clancy, D., Breen, J., Thorne, F., and Wallace, M. A stochastic analysis of the decision to produce biomass crops in Ireland. Agricultural Systems (Under Review). 7) Andrew Keppel , Michael Anderson, Bernard Rice, John Finnan, Philip Owende (2010) Characteristic Thermal Decomposition and Combustion Properties of Cereal Grain, Straw and Biomass Pellets. Energy and Fuels (under review) Publication in Preperation 7) Clancy, D., Breen, J., Thorne, F., and Wallace, M. The optimal price required to meet Irish national co-firing targets. Under Preparation.

8) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The impact on groundwater of landspreading organic wastes on Biomass Crop: Miscanthus. Journal of Environmental Quality (in preparation)

9) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The impact on groundwater of landspreading organic wastes on Biomass Crop: SRC Willow. Journal of Environmental Quality (in preparation)

10) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The impact on surface-water of the landspreading organic wastes on Biomass Crop: Miscanthus X Giganteus. Biomass and Bioenergy

11) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The impact on surface-water of the landspreading organic wastes on Biomass Crop: SRC Willow. Agricultural Engineering International

12) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The use of flow-through columns to assess the impact of organic waste spreading on groundwater quality. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

13) Galbally, P, Fagan, C, Finnan, J, Ryan, D and MacDonnell, K (2010) The impact of the landspreading of organic wastes on plots of biomass crops: a mass balance approach. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

(g) Scientific abstracts or articles including those presented at conferences

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1) Liu, X., Germaine, K., Hogan, J ., McGuinness, M, Ryan,D, and Dowling,DN. (2006) Biodegradation of organic pollutants by plant rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria. 10th International Symposium on the Genetics if Industrial microorganisms (GIM) Prague p32

2) Menton, C , Byrne, J. , Finnan, J., Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N. (2009) Microbiology of Bio-energy crops: Pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement Environ 2009 Conference, Waterford Institute of Technology Ireland (Feb 2009) 3) Menton, C , Keogh, E. , Byrne, J., Rice, B, Ryan, D Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N. (2007) Microbiology of Bio-energy crops: Pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement Environ 2007 (Jan 2007 Carlow) p 153 4) Menton, C , Keogh, E. , Byrne, J., Rice, B, Ryan, D Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N (2007) Microbiology of Bio-energy crops: Pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement 2. 10th International Symposium on the Genetics if Industrial microorganisms (GIM) Prague p83 5) Menton, C , Keogh, E. , Byrne, J., Rice, B, Ryan, D Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N (2008) Microbiology of Bio-energy crops: Pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement 3 Environ 2008 Conference, Dundalk Institute of Technology Ireland (Feb 2008) 6) Menton, C , Keogh, J. , Finnan, J., Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N ‘Developing Endophytic bacterial inoculants for the sustainable production of Miscanthus sp.; a potential bioenergy crop for Ireland. Agricultural Biotechnologies (ABIC) Conference University College Cork, August 2008 7) Menton, C , Keogh, J. , Finnan, J., Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N ‘Microbiology of Bio-Energy crops: Endophytic bacteria from Miscanthus sp’ SGM 163rd Ordinary Meeting, Trinity College Dublin. September 2008. 8) Menton, C , Keogh, J. , Finnan, J., Brazil D. and Dowling , D.N MICROBIOLOGY OF BIO-ENERGY CROPS: Plant Inoculation using Endophytic bacteria from Miscanthus sp. SGM Young Microbiologists mini-symposium, UCC Cork Ireland. April 2009 9) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A. and Thorne, F. (2008). The economic viability of biomass crops versus conventional agricultural systems and its potential impact on farm incomes in Ireland. In: 107th EAAE Seminar 2008, Seville, 29th January – 1st February 2008. 10) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A and Thorne, F. (2008). The impact of alternative energy prices on Irish farmers willingness to grow willow or miscanthus for electricity generation. In: Ag. Research Forum, Tullamore, 13th March 2008. 11) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A. and Thorne, F. (2008). The economics of willow and miscanthus and their level of risk realtive to conventional agricultural systems. In: Ag. Research Forum, Tullamore, 13th March 2008. 12) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A. and Thorne, F. (2008). The economic viability of biomass crops versus conventional agricultural systems and its potential impact on farm incomes and land utilisation in Ireland. In: UK Ag. Econ Society Meeting 2008, Cirencester, 31st March – 2nd April 2008. 13) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Thorne, F. and Butler, A.M. (2008). Valuing the risk associated with biomass crops relative to conventinal agricultural systems. In: XIIth EAAE Congress, Ghent, Belgium, 26th – 29th August 2008. 14) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Thorne, F. and Wallace, M. (2010). Risk and the decision to produce biomass crops: a stochastic analysis. In: UK Ag. Econ Society Meeting 2010, Edinburgh, 29th – 31st March 2010.

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15) Clancy, D., Breen, J, Thorne, F. and Wallace, M. (2010). Risk and the decision to produce biomass crops: a stochastic analysis. In: Agricultural Research Forum, Belfast, 13th – 14th April 2010. 16) Galbally, P, McDonnell, K, Finnan, J and Ryan, D (2010) The impact of landspreading of organic wastes onto biomass crops. In: Agricultural Research Forum, Belfast, 13th – 14th April 2010. 17) P. Galbally, D. Ryan, K. McDonnell, J. Finnan (2010) THE IMPACT OF LANDSPREADING ORGANIC

WASTES ON BIOMASS CROPS: GROUND AND SURFACE WATERS. HYDROLOGY CONFERENCE, TULLAMORE, CO. OFFALY (h) National Report 1. Clancy, D., Breen, J., Butler, A., Caslin, B., and Thorne, F. (2007). The potential impact of the REFIT scheme on the decision of Irish farmers to enter willow and miscanthus production. National Report for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. (i) Popular non-scientific publications 1. Dowling, DN (2006) Environmental Biotechnology at Carlow IT. Technology Ireland . July 2007 p13 2. Fact Sheets on willow and miscanthus production, Teagasc, June 2006. 3. Fact sheets on Reed Canary Grass and Switchgrass, August 2007 4. Finnan, J, Rice, B, Brett, P (2008) New Strategies for Dryng Willow Chips. TResearch 3(2), 46-48 5. Fact Sheet on Nutrient Guidance for Energy Crops. Teagasc. June 2008 (j) Workshops/seminars/ open days at which results were presented (excluding those in (g)) 1. Clancy, D., Butler, A and Thorne, F. (2007). The economics of bio-energy production at farm level: An Irish Case Study. In: AESI Student Day, Athenry, RERC, 24th April 2007. 2. Clancy, D., Breen, J., Butler, A., Thorne, F., and Wallace, M. (2008). The potential impact of the REFIT scheme on the decision of Irish farmers to enter willow and miscanthus production. In: AESI Student Day, Athenry, RERC, 29th April 2008. 3. Clancy, D., Breen, J, Butler, A.M, Thorne, F, and Wallace, M. (2008). The economics of bioenergy production at farm level: An Irish Case Study. In: ESRI Seminar ‘The Future of Irelands Environment’, Dublin, 3rd December 2008. 4. Clancy, D., Breen, J, Thorne, F. and Wallace, M. (2009). Assisting the decision to produce biomass crops through stochastic budgeting. In: Irish Rural Studies Symposium 2009, Athenry, 1st September 2009. 5. Clancy, D., and Breen, J. (2007). Financial Appraisal of Energy Crops. In: Energy and Climate Change Workshop, Teagasc, Oakpark, 6th September 2007. 6. Biofuels Open Day, Oak Park, May 25 2006 (B. Rice, F. Thorne) 8. Open Day, Kildalton, June 21, 2006 (B. Rice, F. Thorne) 9. Biofuels Workshop, Ballyhaise, Oct 5, 2006, Teagasc- Leader (B. Rice)

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10. Sustainable Energy Conference, Sligo, Oct 6, 2006. Association of Irish Regions (B. Rice) 11. Biofuels Exhibition/Demonstration, Gowran, Oct 28-9, 2006, Green Party (B. Rice, D. Ryan) 12. Renewable Energy Workshop, Dundalk, Nov 7, 2006, Teagasc-Leader, (B. Rice) Lecture to Renewable Energy students, Tipp IT, Thurles, Nov. 15, 2006 (B. Rice) 13. Lecture and Demonstration for international group, South East Region Authority, Oak Park, Nov 30, 2006. 14. Open Day, Oak Park, June 26 2007 15. National Tillage Crops Conference Jan 2007 (Paper by B Rice “Supplying the Biofuels Sector”) 16. Teagasc Biofuels Conference, Dunboyne and Clonmel, March 6-7 2007 Bioenergy 2007, 30th August 2007 17. Green Energy Fair, Gowran 27th-29th October 2007 18. Bioenergy 2008 – Athenry 19. Open Day, Teagasc Knockbeg Farm, 25th June 2009 20. Energy Crops Technical Open Day, Oak Park, 16th February 2010. 7. Permanent Researchers

Institution Name Number of Permanent staff contributing to project

Total Time contribution (months)

Average time contribution per permanent staff member

TEAGASC 6 35 ½ 5.91

I.T. CARLOW 1 4 4

Total 39.5 9.91

8. Researchers Funded by RSF

Type of Researcher Number Total Time contribution (months)

Average time

Post Doctorates

Contract Researchers

PhD postgraduates 4 99.1 24.8

Masters postgraduates 2 38.9 19.45

Temporary researcher

Other

Total 6 138 44.2

DAFF Ref: RSF 05 218

9. Postgraduate Research

Keogh, E. (2009) The Isolation and Characterisation of Bacterial Endophytes and their Potential Applications for Improving Phytoremediation . PhD Institute of Technology Carlow.(awarded 2009) Clancy, D (2010) Modelling the Biomass Investment Decision in Ireland. PhD. University College Dublin(October 2010) Menton, C (2010) Microbiology of Bioenergy crops; pathogen fate and bioremediation enhancement PhD Institute of Technology Carlow.(submitted October 2010)

Galbally, Paul (2010) PhD, The impact of land-spreading of organic wastes onto bio-energy crops. PhD. University College Dublin (to be submitted January 2011) Total Number of PhD theses: 4*

* One PhD has been awarded. Two have been submitted with a third to be submitted in due course Total Number of Masters theses: 2 Fitzgerald, Michael (2007) The use of energy crop sites for effluent disposal. University College Dublin. MSc Keppel, Andrew (2010) The use of arable energy crops and straw as heating fuels. University College Dublin. MEngSc 10. Project Expenditure Total expenditure of the project: €345,836 Total Award by RSF €348,873 Other sources of funding (specify) €84,000 1. Teagasc Walsh Fellowship fund 2.

DAFF Ref: RSF 05 218

Breakdown of Total Expenditure

11. Future Strategies The work of this project has created a valuable resource for the emerging Irish Bioenergy industry. The results of the project have been disseminated to the industry and the public at a wide variety of events and media (see section 6). The project has already produced a large number of publications (referred and un-refereed) and a large number of additional publications are likely to emanate from the project in the following months. Three postgraduate theses have been produced from the project and three more are due to be finished and submitted before the end of the year. Our strategy is to continue to maximize the publication output of the project. Future Work While significant advances in current knowledge have been achieved during the course of the project, it is recognoised that further work is required particularly in the following areas

The use of endophytes which can colonise energy crops

The environmental fate of nutrients and heavy metals when organic wastes are applied to energy crops

Miscanthus combustion

The economics of energy crops The acerage of energy crops is still small (c3000ha) but growing slowly. There are many factors holding back the industry including economics, regulations and the development of markets. Thus the presence or absence of technical information from research is just one of many factors which have the potential to determine the future of the industry. However, further research can remove at least some barriers from the industry by

improving energy crop economics

Category Name

Teagasc Name

I.T. Carlow Name

Institution 3 Name

Institution 4 Total

Contract staff

Temporary staff

Post doctorates

Post graduates 103,166.67 65,946.44 169,113.11

Consumables 69,144.57 19,356.91 88,501.48

Travel and subsistence

10,083.16 3,169.99 13,253.15

Sub total 182,394.40 88,473.34 270,867.74

Durable equipment

Other

Overheads 54,718.32 20250 74,968.32

Total 237,112.72 108,723.34 345,836.06

DAFF Ref: RSF 05 218

removing technical barriers to the development of markets (eg Miscanthus combustion)

by providing information to ease regulatory barriers (eg bioremediation) Our strategy is to carry out further research in these areas by seeking further funding opportunities. The EPA STRIVE programme, Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, future Stimulus calls and European FP programmes possibly offer the best prospects for future funding. A new research project at IT Carlow “ Agribiotics” funded by the HEA TSRIII programme is investigating the application of some of these endophyte strains as inoculants for bioenergy crops. For more information see http://agribiotics.itcarlow.ie/index.html#Home 12. Industry Collaboration

Name Nature of Collaboration Objective of Collaboration

Clearpower sample analysis/advice on waste disposal start-up development

Ormonde Organics spreading waste on plots obtaining research information

NPS co-operation with research programme

obtaining research information

Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency dissemination of information

disseminating research information

Nicholas Garvey advice on chip drying advice

Clearpower sample analysis/advice on waste disposal start-up development