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- Title
Cost Analysis of Short Rotation Coppice with Poplar in Portugal for the Production of Biomass and Chemicals.
- Authors
Rodrigues, Abel; Bordado, João; Mateus, Margarida
- Abstract
In this study an evaluation of the potential economic feasibility of woody poplar short rotation coppices (SRCs) in Southern Portugal was done on a hectare unit area basis. The assessment was based on the financial analysis of an investment on a poplar SRC production system, with a spreadsheet model (POPFINUA) adapted to water and nutrient needs by the plantation, to be supplied through irrigation, fertilization and application of superabsorbent polymers for water storage and releasing in soil. The estimated period for lifecycle of the cultivation was 15 years, under a three year rotation, with a cost structure wherein maintenance, establishment, general and harvesting costs accounted to 9%, 18%, 29% and 44% of the total costs, respectively. The predicted value of costs per energy unit at the end of plantation lifetimes, was 2.8€ GJ-1, above the threshold of the average delivered cost of coal, i.e., 1.2€ GJ-1. A sensitivity analysis of economic feasibility was done based on several key variables namely biomass yield, land rent costs, discount rate, biomass price and establishment grants and annual incentives. This analysis showed that biomass yield was the variable with higher impact on the economic results.
- Publication
Silva Lusitana, 2016, Vol 24, Issue 1/2, p79
- ISSN
0870-6352
- Publication type
Academic Journal