BEST - bioenergy for climate mitigation

Background and Objective

The aim of the joined research project BEST is to develop regionally adjusted concepts and innovative options of producing biomass for energetic and material utilization. The project´s investigation will be conducted in two areas of Central Germany: the region Göttingen and in the Thuringian arable plain. Both regions are already developed as so called “bioenergy regions” and cover a broad climatic gradient.

One sub-project of BEST is conducted at the Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture. It focuses on the emissions of nitrous oxide during the production of bioenergy crops and investigates the parameters controlling this process. Additionally, the bioenergy crops´ potential to sequester carbon in soils will be determined. This work forms a basis to assess different bioenergy crops and their usage options regarding their greenhouse gas mitigation potential.

Approach

We established two research sites, one in the region Göttingen and one in the Thuringian arable plain in order to investigate the regional climate mitigation potential of bioenergy. At each site bioenergy crops with different management intensities and nutrient expenses are analyzed (maize, oil seed rape, grassland, short rotation plantation).

The work package that is located at the Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture consists of the following:

• determination of the N₂O emissions from soils by means of all year around chamber measurements, measurement of important parameters controlling the N₂O emission and modeling of the N₂O budgets
• quantification of the CH₄ exchange rates at the field sites and modeling of the CH₄ fluxes
• quantification of the soil organic carbon stocks and their changes after the establishment of 21 short rotation coppices plantations
• balance of the overall greenhouse gas emissions of bioenergy feedstock and supply
• deduction of the net CO₂-equivalent saving by the use of bioenergy, calculation of the associated costs and nutrient efficiencies

Results

see publications