Miscanthus
Alternative uses for miscanthus include animal bedding, thatching
and fibreboard (mdf) production. miscanthus has excellent properties
for animal bedding being able to absorb up to three times its own
weight. In the UK, animal bedding is currently the largest market
for miscanthus and there are large areas planted for this purpose
in the south east and south west of England (see the website Bical
for more details on this and other non-energy uses for miscanthus).
As mentioned previously, miscanthus can also be used in biological
filtration systems.
Giant reed
Giant reed is most commonly found growing wild along riverbanks
in the Mediterranean and Southern Europe. It has also been successfully
cultivated across Europe for a range of applications. It has been
used effectively as a windbreak, protecting more valuable crops
from damage, for thatching and, is ideal for paper production as
it is pithless. Giant reed has been used to produce fishing rods,
woodwind instrument “reeds” and pipe organ pipes! As
with miscanthus and willow, giant reed can also be used in biofiltration
systems to removed organic pollutants from waste water such as
septic tank run-off.
Cardoon thistle
Cardoon thistle originated in the Mediterranean and is believed
to have been utilised by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, as well
as being eaten by the Victorians! Cardoon is no longer grown as
a food crop but is grown extensively across Europe for a wide range
of uses. For medicinal purposes, the compound cynarin extracted
from Cardoon has excellent properties for improving digestion and
decreasing cholesterol levels. In term of energy production, Cardoon
is used for both the seed heads (which have >25% oil content)
and the dry biomass from the stems, which can be combusted (or
used for paper production). In the UK, Cardoon is primarily used
ornamentally in gardens and is grown for the attractive flower
used in floral arrangements.
Reed canary grass
Alternative uses for reed canary grass are not as diverse as some
of the other energy crops. None-the-less, reed canary grass is
widely used for animal feed & bedding, biofiltration and fibre
production.
Switchgrass
Switchgrass plantations have been shown to be excellent wildlife
habitats where the seed provides a good food source for birds and
small mammals. Alternative uses for switchgrass include fodder,
bedding, paper fibre, composite manufacture and ethanol production.
|
