Objective To construct a network of researchers currently developing equipment and methods for harvesting, transport and storage of short rotation forestry crops in the EC. To contribute to design and performance of trials of machines, coordinate harvesting developments within LEBEN projects and to develop a programme for future research. A network has been established to coordinate research and development in harvesting, transport and storage for short rotation coppice plantations. The aim of the network is to maintain progress in developing techniques for harvesting, storage and transport of material from short rotation coppice plantations.The economic potential for the supply of biomass for energy from short rotation forestry has been investigated through a series of supply strategies. Information on operations and costs have been derived from an existing series of large scale production trials with willows and poplars. Plantations have been modelled over some 21 years where operations have been costed on a marginal or full cost basis. It has been estimated that all supply systems are able to supply the domestic sector economically but only farmer does everything options can supply the current industrial market whereas, farmer grows but contractor supplies systems will be able to supply the long term industrial market.Short rotation forestry for energy has been investigated in the EC over a number of years to determine appropriate species and silvicultural regimes. These trials have determined species choice for different regions in Europe: Willows for North west Europe, poplars for North and Central Europe and Robinia in Southern Europe. Similarly, species specific short rotation forestry harvesting technology is being developed in a number of locations: willow poplar harvester in the UK, a poplar harvester in Germany and Robinia harvesters in Italy. In addition, research into storage and drying of wood fuel from short rotation forestry is being carried out: willow bundles in the UK, comminuted wood fuels in Denmark and poplar and willow bundles in Eire. The purpose of this project is to develop a network of researchers currently developing equipment and methods for harvesting, transport and storage of short rotation forestry crops in Europe. Working demonstrations will be held of each of the harvesters with all the collaborators present, the idea being to get exchange of ideas and information and to contribute to design and performance trials of existing machines. In addition the network collaborators will be involved in coordinating developments of harvesting and storage of short rotation forestry crops in the LEBEN projects. A publication on the state of the art of the technology and working methods for harvesting, transport and storage of wood from short rotation forestry will be prepared. A conference on "harvesting, transport and storage of wood for fuel from short rotation forestry" will be held in early 1992. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesforestrysilviculturecoppicingagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsagricultural sciencesagricultural biotechnologybiomass Programme(s) FP2-JOULE 1 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of energy - non-nuclear energies and rational use of energy - (JOULE), 1989-1992 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator University of Aberdeen EU contribution No data Address Regent Walk AB9 1FX Aberdeen United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ITALY Italy EU contribution No data Address Via A.Barazzuoli 23 50136 FIRENZE See on map Total cost No data SILSOE RESEARCH INSTITUTE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Wrest Park, Silsoe MK454HS SILSOE,BEDFORD See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Skovteknisk Institut Denmark EU contribution No data Address 1875 Frederiksberg C See on map Total cost No data TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH Germany EU contribution No data Address Hohenbachernstraße 85350 FREISING See on map Total cost No data Teagasc, Agriculture and Food Development Authority Ireland EU contribution No data Address Oak Park 41 Carlow, County Carlow See on map Total cost No data
