Las potencialidades bioenergéticas del Arundo donax L. en Argentina

  Initiatives that stimulate the use of renewable resources to replace fossil sources in pursuit of the energy transition gain visibility in the context of global warming, the main planetary environmental challenge. In the study, a comprehensive technical approach was applied to evaluate the energy potential of Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a herbaceous plant of Asian origin, considered a species of good biomass yield per hectare. From randomized block designs and standardized techniques, agronomic trials were carried out in the SE of the Province of Buenos Aires, obtaining yields between 5 and 11 t/ha, higher at higher planting density. The technological characteristics of the biomass showed an average cellulose content of 53 % and a higher calorific value between 4000 and 4500 kcal/kg, confirming its potential as an energy crop. The results on the production and use of the biomass demonstrated the availability of technological capacities for its exploitation without impacting soils and taking advantage of its potential as a renewable energy resource. Thus, we reflect on the value chain of the species that allows promoting localization processes of projects that activate complementarities between singular territories.Las iniciativas que estimulan el aprovechamiento de recursos renovables para sustituir fuentes fósiles en pos de la transición energética ganan visibilidad en un contexto de calentamiento global, principal desafío ambiental planetario. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar las barreras y las oportunidades de generar bioenergía térmica a partir de la caña de Castilla (Arundo donax L.) como recurso para diversificar la matriz. Se aplicó un enfoque integral técnico para evaluar las potencialidades energéticas del Arundo donax L., planta herbácea de origen asiático, considerada una especie de buen rendimiento de biomasa por hectárea. Aplicando diseños en bloques al azar y técnicas estandarizadas, se realizaron ensayos agronómicos en el SE de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Se obtuvieron rendimientos entre 5 y 11 t/ha, superiores a mayor densidad de plantación. Las características tecnológicas de la biomasa mostraron un contenido promedio de celulosa de 53 % y un poder calorífico superior entre 4000 y 4500 kcal/kg, lo que confirma su potencial como cultivo energético. Los resultados sobre la producción y el uso de la biomasa demostraron que se dispone de las capacidades tecnológicas para su explotación, sin impactar en los suelos y aprovechando su potencialidad como recurso energético renovable. Se reflexiona acerca de la cadena de valorización de la especie que permita promover procesos de localización de proyectos que activen complementariedades entre territorios singulares.   Abstract Initiatives that stimulate the use of renewable resources to replace fossil sources in pursuit of the energy transition gain visibility in the context of global warming, the main planetary environmental challenge. In the study, a comprehensive technical approach was applied to evaluate the energy potential of Giant reed (Arundo donax L.), a herbaceous plant of Asian origin, considered a species of good biomass yield per hectare. From randomized block designs and standardized techniques, agronomic trials were carried out in the SE of the Province of Buenos Aires, obtaining yields between 5 and 11 t/ha, higher at higher planting density. The technological characteristics of the biomass showed an average cellulose content of 53 % and a higher calorific value between 4000 and 4500 kcal/kg, confirming its potential as an energy crop. The results on the production and use of the biomass demonstrated the availability of technological capacities for its exploitation without impacting soils and taking advantage of its potential as a renewable energy resource. Thus, we reflect on the value chain of the species that allows promoting localization processes of projects that activate complementarities between singular territories