Tag Archives: production costs

328-336 M. Kolarikova, T. Ivanova,, P. Hutla and B. Havrland
Economic evaluation of hemp (Cannabis sativa) grown for energy purposes (briquettes) in the Czech Republic
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Economic evaluation of hemp (Cannabis sativa) grown for energy purposes (briquettes) in the Czech Republic

M. Kolarikova¹⋅², T. Ivanova¹,*, P. Hutla² and B. Havrland¹

¹Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Tropics and Subtropics, Department of Sustainable Technologies, Kamycka 129, CZ16521 Prague 6, Czech Republic
²Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering, p.r.i., Drnovska 509, CZ16100 Prague 6, Czech Republic *Correspondence: ivanova@ftz.czu.cz

Abstract:

Depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental risks have brought to the foreground energy crops as a possible source of bioenergy. Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been suggested for production of solid biofuels (briquettes) due to good physic-mechanical properties as well as positive energy and combustion characteristics. This study determined economic potential of hemp briquettes production in the Czech Republic. A field trial was conducted in 2009–2014 in Prague in order to compare biomass yield (BY) of hemp varieties Bialobrzeskie (B) and Ferimon (F) harvested in autumn and spring period. Based on obtained results this study determined production costs of hemp briquettes (CZK t-1), revenue (CZK t-1) and rate of return (%) for four scenarios (B, F harvested in autumn and B, F harvested in spring). Briquettes production costs ranged from 4,015 CZK t-1 to 4,707 CZK t-1 for B in spring and B in autumn, respectively, due to 30% lower biomass yield in spring harvest. Results indicated that hemp briquettes production was not profitable if the selling price was the same as the price of wood briquettes and with BY obtained in experiment (7.18–10.7 t ha-1 of dry matter). Briquettes production in autumn made profit of 9% for B and 7% for F when subsidies for hemp cultivation were considered. In current conditions in the Czech Republic, utilization of hemp for briquettes production did not prove to be economically feasible.

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415-421 T. Võsa and H. Meripõld
Growing technology and production costs for dry mass for direct burning and green mass for biogas of Galega Orientalis
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Growing technology and production costs for dry mass for direct burning and green mass for biogas of Galega Orientalis

T. Võsa and H. Meripõld

Estonian Research Institute of Agriculture (ERIA),Teaduse 13, Saku, Harjumaa 75501 Estonia;e-mail: taavi.vosa@eria.ee, heli.meripold@eria.ee

Abstract:

Demand for local and renewable energy source materials is accelerating the search for new crops for energy production. Goat’s rue or galega (Galega Orientalis Lam.) is known as a long-living and well-adapted rhizomatious legume used mainly for production of high quality forage. Thanks to its strong stem and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, an economically produced and harvested yield is feasible. As an energy source, its yield can be used in an alternative manner. In this paper estimated usage is based on a combination: direct burning of dry material (spring harvest) and ensilaging of summer harvest. Therefore the crop produces 2 yields and gives the best estimated yield. Calculations for production costs are made for pure crop and mixed grasses, since these mixes are most productive. Hauling to the usage site and costs related to material processing are not considered. Results show that establishing of the crop for pure stand and mix with grasses will cost 467.88 and 487.06 € ha-1, yearly costs are 378.56 and 421.81 € ha-1 respectively, crop finishing adds extra 111.38 € ha-1 in both cases.

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