Res. Agr. Eng., 2004, 50(4):123-129 | DOI: 10.17221/4938-RAE

Technology and economy of energy crops

Z. Abrham, M. Kovářová, T. Kuncová

Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Prague, Czech Republic

The cost modelling for growing and harvest of selected energy crops and further costs for recommended forms of energy crops processing to biofuels was conducted. Importance and effect of subsidies on resulted costs for biofuels production was assessed. The result are then total costs per unit of fuel weight which range from 469 to 1,806 CZK/t for biofuels processed to form of chopped material or pressed bales and from 881 to 2,466 CZK/t for briquettes and pellets. The result costs per energy unit in biofuel have ranged from 59 to 121 CZK/GJ. On basis of economical data is evaluated the biofuels competitive power in comparison with main competitive fuels on market. The energy crops specific costs without subsidies are higher thus their position on market will be complicated, lower specific costs can be expected only when residual biomass would be utilised (grain straw). The competitive power of the energy crops will be much better as the subsidies are utilised in 2004 and total specific costs for chopped material are from 82 to 142% of brown coal price, 95-137% for briquettes in comparison with the brown coal briquettes. The energy utilisation if winter wheat and sorghum is economically unsuitable.

Keywords: sorrel; knotweed; reed canary grass; winter wheat; sorghum; triticale; maize; economy of growing; solid biofuels; subsidies

Published: December 31, 2004  Show citation