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- Evaluation of the potential of biomass to energy in Portugal : conclusions from the CONVERTE projectPublication . Abreu, Mariana; Reis, Alberto; Moura, Patrícia; Fernando, Ana Luisa; Luís, Gabriel; Quental, Lídia; Patinha, Pedro; Gírio, FranciscoABSTRACT: The main objective of the Portuguese project "CONVERTE-Biomass Potential for Energy" is to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, identifying biomass typologies in mainland Portugal, namely agri-forest waste, energy crops and microalgae. Therefore, the aim was to design and construct a georeferenced (mapping) database for mainland Portugal, to identify land availability for the implementation of energy crops and microalgae cultures, and to locate agricultural and forestry production areas (including their residues) with potential for sustainable exploitation for energy. The ArcGIS software was used as a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, introducing the data corresponding to the type of soil, water needs and edaphoclimatic conditions in shapefile and raster data type, to assess the areas for the implantation of the biomass of interest. After analysing the data of interest in each map in ArcGIS, the intersection of all maps is presented, suggesting adequate areas and predicting biomass productions for the implementation of each culture in mainland Portugal. Under the conditions of the study, cardoon (72 kha, 1085 kt), paulownia (81 kha, 26 kt) and microalgae (29 kha, 1616 kt) presented the greater viability to be exploited as biomass to energy in degraded and marginal soils.
- Marginal soils for bioenergy production : How to identify these soils in Portugal?Publication . Abreu, Mariana; Reis, Alberto; Fernando, Ana LuisaABSTRACT: n the bioenergy/biorefineries sector, energy crops have achieved a relevant position as a feedstock for bio-based products, biofuels and bioenergy. To produce the energy crops, soils with low Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) risk must be utilized, such as marginal/degraded/contaminated (MDC) soils. Locating these types of soils in any territory, region, or country is challenging. Several criteria, e.g. soil drainage, dryness, temperature, have been identified by the European Union, and allow to classify soils as marginal. Yet, the dispersed information makes the identification and selection of marginal soils a challenging process. Therefore, this study details the tools and baseline documents that can be used to identify marginal areas, presenting low ILUC risk for the cultivation of energy crops. The application of the methodology to Continental Portugal allowed to obtain a preliminary map that indicates available soils for the cultivation of energy crops.
- GIS-Based Model to Identify Marginal Soils for Bioenergy ProductionPublication . Abreu, Mariana; Reis, Alberto; Fernando, Ana Luisa; Quental, Lídia; Patinha, Pedro; Gírio, FranciscoABSTRACT: Energy crops are industrial species (woody, perennial, and annual species, among others) that can generate biofuels, energy, and bioproducts. Due to their tolerance, there is an interest to grow energy crops in marginal/contaminated/degraded soils, avoiding Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) burdens. Therefore, this study aims at the development and use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to spatially relate land-use selection and optimal species allocation, as an useful decision support systems (DSS), modelled to determine adequate marginal areas, inadequate for food and feed crops. ArcGIS software was used as a GIS tool, and parameters associated with areas considered to be marginal in mainland Portugal were identified. To identify marginal soils, it is necessary to know what type of criteria applies. It was considered the Regulation EU(1305)2013-Annex III, which details all the criteria and the respective parameters, that marginal soil should present being these, the base of this work. Considering all these criteria, a search in several databases was realized to collect the data that exist and how all these could be utilized to determine marginal soils in mainland Portugal. The maps obtained show that marginal soils in Portugal represent less than 10% of the territory.
- GIS-Based Model to Identify Marginal Soils for Bioenergy Production [Poster]Publication . Abreu, Mariana; Reis, Alberto; Fernando, Ana Luisa; Quental, Lídia; Patinha, Pedro; Gírio, Francisco
- Low indirect land use change (ILUC) energy crops to bioenergy and biofuels: a reviewPublication . Abreu, Mariana; Silva, Luís; Ribeiro, Belina; Ferreira, Alice; Alves, Luís; Paixão, Susana M.; Gouveia, Luisa; Moura, Patrícia; Carvalheiro, Florbela; Duarte, Luís C.; Fernando, Ana Luisa; Reis, Alberto; Gírio, FranciscoABSTRACT: Energy crops are dedicated cultures directed for biofuels, electricity, and heat production. Due to their tolerance to contaminated lands, they can alleviate and remediate land pollution by the disposal of toxic elements and polymetallic agents. Moreover, these crops are suitable to be exploited in marginal soils (e.g., saline), and, therefore, the risk of land-use conflicts due to competition for food, feed, and fuel is reduced, contributing positively to economic growth, and bringing additional revenue to landowners. Therefore, further study and investment in R&D is required to link energy crops to the implementation of biorefineries. The main objective of this study is to present a review of the potential of selected energy crops for bioenergy and biofuels production, when cultivated in marginal/degraded/contaminated (MDC) soils (not competing with agriculture), contributing to avoiding Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) burdens. The selected energy crops are Cynara cardunculus, Arundo donax, Cannabis sativa, Helianthus tuberosus, Linum usitatissimum, Miscanthus × giganteus, Sorghum bicolor, Panicum virgatum, Acacia dealbata, Pinus pinaster, Paulownia tomentosa, Populus alba, Populus nigra, Salix viminalis, and microalgae cultures. This article is useful for researchers or entrepreneurs who want to know what kind of crops can produce which biofuels in MDC soils