Fast Growing Aspens as a Promising Bioenergy Source in the North European Context

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Simon Lindsey
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1 Fast Growing Aspens as a Promising Bioenergy Source in the North European Context presentation at Nordic Baltic Bioenergy 2013 Conference, Oslo, Norway 21 May, 2013,

2 EU renewable energy targets will require substantial efforts for biomass mobilization Hybrid aspen plantations are looking as the most promising source of plantation biomass in Northern European context 2

3 Hybrid aspen plantations

4 Why Hybrid Aspen? Hybrid aspen (P. tremula P. tremuloides Michx.) is a man-made hybrid between the European aspen and the North American trembling aspen. The fastest growing tree (not GMO) in the Baltics/Scandinavia (rotation period years) The average stem yield of hybrid aspen clones at 20 cub.m/ha/a is confirmed by numerous research results in Sweden, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania 4

5 Management of plantations Typical plants per ha Rotation years Established on former agricultural land Water availability is more crucial than land quality Site preparation not complicated Protection against gaming and wild voles is needed During the first year protection against weeds is important Yield may be enhanced by fertilizing with water sewerage sludge Second-third rotations over 100 thousand / ha root suckers and higher yields 5

6 Advantages/ Disadvantages of hybrid aspen cultivation Advantages: High yields - comparing to ordinary forestry Diversified end use logs, pulpwood, particleboard industry, energy wood Frost tolerant well suited to Northern climate Stable supply and lower storage costs can be harvested round year (comparing to willow) Disadvantages: Difficult and expensive to propagate Expensive to protect against gaming 6

7 Annual yield on year rotation years 7

8 The most intensively studied in Nordics crossings 1950s field test 1955 crossings 1950, 1990s filed tests 1960s, 1990s first crossings 1939 field tests 1960s, 1980s, crossings 1980s crossings 1980s (unsuccesful) crossings 1960s, 2003 first crossings beginning of 1920s crossings 1965, 1982, 2007

9 Cycle of Cultivation of Hybrid Aspen 4 weeks 4 weeks 1. Selection of a donor tree 2. Initiation of bud cultures 3. Mass micro-propagation 4. Rooting and first adaptation in ex vitro environment of shoots in micro-greenhouses in nonaceptic laboratory premises 4-6 weeks 2-4 weeks 8. Biomass from hybrid aspen plantations years 7. Breeding of plantations 6. Growth of saplings in greenhouse/field nursery 5. Second adaptation in ex vitro environment in containers in greenhouses

10 Hybrid aspen will reach 9000 ha in 2013, with Lithuania s share over 50% 1000 ha ( ) 2000 ha (after storm in 2005) 700 ha (starting 1999) 500 ha (starting 2003) 4800 ha (3400 ha ) (1400 ha in 2013est)

11 Experience in Lithuania Hybrid aspen is booming ha ha ha ha ha ha expected Hybrid aspen plantations constitute 0,2% of total forest area, but will provide 1,4% of total biomass from forests in Lithuania New legal implications 11

12 Euromediena - R&D based business

13 Core Businesses of Euromediena Vission We believe, that biotechnology can be effectively harnessed to improve the environment, in particular to meet the fast growing needs for biomass by wood processing industry and energy sectors. Three core R&D driven businesses (1) sale of clonal hybrid aspen seedlings, (2) establishment and management of fast growing clonal hybrid aspen plantations, and (3) R&D and commercialization of new plant biotech products (without genetic modification). Technology Modern tissue culture and artificial seed technology for mass micro-propagation in vitro of fast growing hybrid aspen (Pupulus tremuloides x P. tremula) and other species of energy plants

14 Euromediena today 30 permanent employees, 25 of whoom work in laboratory in Kaunas Qualification - 3 Phd degree, 1 PhD student, 12 Masters of Science (MS),11 bachelors degree. We operate modern fully equipped forest biotechnology lab at Lithuanian forest research institute New nursery established in 2012 close to Agricultural University Current capacity 1 million of micro-propagated hybrid aspen seedlings per year (for 1000 ha of plantation establishment) 14

15 Establishment of first 80 ha of plantations (autumn 2010)

16 15 years old Lithuanian hybrid aspen clones, Lithuania, summer years old Finnish hybrid aspen clones, Estonia, autumn 2011

17 Conclusions

18 The keys for hybrid aspen plantations to become important biomass source High yield hybrid aspen seedling availability modern biotechnology provides cost effective solution Land availability at reasonable price Professional management large scale efficiency, theoretical yield level achieved Long term financing availability Financial incentives are important 18

19 Prepared by: Mindaugas Šilininkas UAB Euromediena S. Daukanto a. 2/10, Vilnius (HQ) Liepų g. 1, Girionys, Kauno raj. (laboratory) Tel: Fax: (5) info@euromediena.com 19

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