Exploring the potential for biofuel crops in the Netherlands

Bioenergy, defined as energy from biomass, has the advantage that the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by its combustion is compensated for through the carbon dioxide that was initially stored by the vegetation from which the energy was derived. The first-generation biofuels are, however, generally discredited because they are considered to compete with food crops and are suspected of causing as much greenhouse gas emission as they save. Much hope is therefore placed on second-generation biofuels such as cellulose-based ethanol. This requires the bulk production of biomass. In a densely populated country such as the Netherlands one would not expect much scope for producing such a low-value crop. Yet, if it is combined with other forms of land use such as water retention, it can be economically feasible – if not under present conditions, but under a climate change scenario. Climate change can not only lead to an increased demand for land for water retention, but also to a lower profitability of alternative agricultural land use. If we add to this the likelihood of increasing energy prices, the feasibility of growing reed and/or willow for biomass production comes into view. These are plants that grow naturally in the wetter parts of the country, and can produce high yields even under waterlogged conditions