Towards a sustainable energy future: Evaluating Arundo donax L. in continuous anaerobic digestion for biogas production

• Published in: Global change biology. Bioenergy Vol. 16; no. 5
• Main Authors: Špelić, Karlo, Panjičko, Mario, Zupančić, Gregor Drago, Lončar, Anamarija, Brandić, Ivan, Tomić, Ivana, Matin, Ana, Krička, Tajana, Jurišić, Vanja
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.2024; Wiley
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Alternative energy sources; Anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic processes; Arundo donax; Arundo donax L; Biogas; biogas quality; Biomass; Carbon dioxide; Chemical oxygen demand; continuous anaerobic digestion; Corn; Corn silage; Crops; Energy crops; Gas detectors; Hydrogen sulfide; Livestock; Manures; Oxygen content; perennial energy crops; Raw materials; Silage; Sustainability; sustainable biogas production; Sustainable energy; Vegetables; Croatia
• ISSN: 1757-1693; 1757-1707
• DOI: 10.1111/gcbb.13135

In response to the EU's REPowerEU initiative (COM (2022) 108) which encourages an increase in biogas production by 20% in member states by 2030 to boost energy independence, it has become essential to identify sustainable alternatives to traditional feedstocks for biogas production, especially in the EU Member states where there is still high dependence on corn silage as the main raw material in biogas plants. While corn silage, predominantly used in the European biogas plants today, serves primarily for the livestock sector, alternative sources need to be explored. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential of Arundo donax, a perennial energy crop, as an alternative feedstock in a continuous anaerobic process. The biogas yield and its quality, characterized by CH4, CO2, H2S and O2 content, were determined during a continuous process with A. donax, compared with two mixed feedstocks of A. donax and corn silage over a 5‐month period in a continuous anaerobic digestion process. The results revealed that A. donax exhibits a biogas yield and methane content comparable to corn silage, indicating its potential as a viable and sustainable alternative feedstock for biogas production. The study aimed to evaluate the potential of Arundo donax L. as an alternative to corn silage for biogas production through continuous anaerobic digestion. A. donax demonstrated comparable biogas and methane yields to corn silage. This suggests that A. donax could serve as a sustainable feedstock, aligning with the EU's REPowerEU plan for increased biogas production by 2030.