Straw as an energy source – A review of existing knowledge

Last changed: 05 November 2021

In Sweden, there are large quantities of straw that could be used for heating purposes. The amount of straw available for use as fuel has been estimated at 1 million tonnes or approx. 4 TWh. Today, only a fraction of this quantity is used, in contrast to the approx. 1.5 million tonnes of straw that are used for fuel purposes in Denmark.

The main aim of this project was to review the existing techniques for harvesting, transport and combustion of straw in small-scale and large-scale systems, and to suggest research and development projects to increase the future use of straw for fuel purposes in Sweden. In the study, systems for harvesting, transport and storage of big bales (round bales and big square bales) and for chaffing, gathering, transport and storage of loose chaffed straw were examined. Alternative systems with field-wafering and whole crop harvesting were also studied.

Contact

Contacts:

Sven Bernesson, Daniel Nilsson

Financed by:

Stiftelsen Lantbruksforskning (SLF)

Duration:

2005