Woody Biomass Crop Trials

Background

This project is examining the suitability of a range of native woody species for biomass production across NSW. The species chosen include mallees, other eucalypts and acacias which have been selected according to their likely suitability to the various climates in NSW, with ability to cope with harsh climatic conditions such as drought and frost. One of the main reasons for selecting mallee species is their proven ability to reshoot naturally from the stump (known as coppicing) after repeated harvest cycles.

The main purpose of the crop trials is to investigate biomass production for bioenergy under short rotation cycles (3-4 years) which would target marginal unproductive areas, for example on farming or mining land. This could be achieved using integrated land management techniques which would result in additional co-benefits associated with increased native vegetation cover. These may include carbon sequestration in the trees, improved biodiversity and soil improvement. On farms, woody crops could be integrated into the landscape through windbreak plantings, in recharge zones, in areas prone to soil erosion and salinity and for rehabilitating degraded soils. We believe there is potential for deriving additional income for landholders by the sale of the biomass and generation of carbon credits.

The bioenergy use options include electricity generation such as combustion using pelletised wood for local energy generation or to feed into the grid and heat generation such as in biomass boilers to heat hospitals, glasshouses and swimming pools. The electricity generation could involve use in dedicated furnaces, co-firing with other energy sources such as coal or used in hybrid biomass-solar systems.

The biomass crop trials map below shows the locations across NSW of the trial sites. There are currently 11 active sites. These are Cargo 1, Cargo 2, Glen Innes, Grafton, Muswellbrook, Orange 2, Scone, Tamworth, Trangie, Yanco 1 and Yanco 2. The site at Orange 1 was terminated in Autumn 2020 after the 6 month measurements due to high mortality, primarily due to the timing of planting and ongoing climatic challenges. Orange 2 has been planted with the most successful site species from the Orange 1 trial, with a variation on the planting design to test alternative planting layouts. Following the map is a table outlining the planting date and the species planted at each trial site.

Site details

Factsheets

These factsheets outline specific details about the crop trial sites including the site layout, species planted, site photos and timeline of events.

Planting

This drone footage was captured by DPI staff during planting of the Orange 1 Biomass Crop Trial in October 2019. The imagery and video show the extent and layout of the Orange site. Approximately 6,000 trees were planted at this site.

Media coverage

Television Interviews

Yanco Biomass Crop Trial - First harvest - For the very first time scientists are trialing how certain species of trees can create a sustainable form of energy, 9th December 2021

Around 6000 native trees are being planted in Tamworth this week as part of an extensive research project, 13th May 2020

BIOMASS - More than 30,000 native trees will be planted across the state to discover which ones can generate the best sustainable power, 10th October 2019

• Interview on NBN News, 12/05/2020 - Tamworth plays a key part in a multi-million dollar bioenergy project

Radio Interviews

Online Articles and Stories

• NSW trial explores if trees can help power the country instead of fossil fuels - ABC Riverina News, 21/12/2021
• Around one thousand trees will be harvested at Yanco this month in the next phase of a critical biomass crops for bioenergy trial - The Singleton Argus, 9/12/2021
• First harvest of biomass crops for bioenergy at Yanco - The National Tribune, 8/12/2021
• First harvest of biomass crops for bioenergy at Yanco - Dept of Primary Industries, 8/12/2021
• Did you know our Forest Carbon team have planted more than 50,000 trees since 2019 - NSW DPI Facebook, 19/04/2021
• Woody biomass crop trials begin to thrive - Dept of Primary Industries, 1/12/2020
• Around 6,000 native trees are being planted at the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Trangie Agricultural Research Centre as part of a $4 million ‘#Biomass for #Bioenergy’ project - Bioenergy Australia, 2/09/2020
• Trangie tree planting part of Biomass for Bioenergy project - Daily Liberal, 28/08/2020
• Biomass for Bioenergy project sees 6,000 trees planted in NSW - Bioenergy Insight, 28/08/2020
• Trangie hosts biomass crops for bioenergy - Dept of Primary Industries, 27/08/2020
• Farm trees assessed for potential to produce bioenergy - Grain Central, 26/05/2020
• Biomass for Bioenergy: ABC New England Rural radio interview - Bioenergy Australia, 19/05/2020
• Planting biomass crops for bioenergy at Tamworth - Bioenergy International, 13/05/2020
• Farmers could play vital role in emerging bioenergy industry and help reduce emissions - ABC Rural, 13/05/2020
• Could farmers help fuel the next stage of renewables? - ABC New England North West, 13/05/2020
• Planting biomass crops for bioenergy at Tamworth begins - Northern Daily Leader, 12/05/2020
• Planting biomass crops for bioenergy at Tamworth - Energy & Resources Knowledge Hub, 12/05/2020
• Planting biomass crops for bioenergy at Tamworth - Dept of Primary Industries, 12/05/2020
• Innovative research on woody biomass crops for bioenergy in NSW - Dept of Primary Industries, 9/10/2019