Blog Post | Paulownia for Biomass

Blogger: Patrick

Position: Co-Founder

Company: Silva Tree Panama S.A

Blog Synopsis

Green energy and alternative investment firm. Silva Tree is developing 1500 Hectare of Paulownia for Timber. The project will also have 800 HA qualified as a Carbon Offset Project. Our 3000-5000 Hectare Biomass will come soon by way of a fund.

Paulownia for Biomass

By Patrick

Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Biomass is a biological material, derived from any organic object, typically plant material. Biomass is increasingly being used for energy production, because it is a renewable and effective fuel. Unlike fuels which have been trapped under the surface of the Earth for thousands of years, such as coal or oil, biomass is in general produced from a newly grown or waste material such as trees, grasses or rubbish, so burning it does not release ancient Carbon into today's atmosphere. Although burning biomass does release Carbon, it only releases the Carbon that it has already absorbed from today's atmosphere, so its sequestration and release process is CO2 neutral.

Fast growing trees such as Paulownia are particularly effective for biomass production. The energy in Paulownia biomass effectively comes from the sun as the plant photosynthesizes solar energy into biomass. The tree's trunk and branches are processed into either pellets, chips or briquettes and can then be used to fuel electricity plants, just like coal. The best thing about Paulownia biomass is that, if made into briquettes, it can be used in existing coal fuelled plants with only small modifications to the plant.

Alternatively, a biomass fuelled electricity plant can be built and fuelled by purchased biomass or by a plantation. Paulownia is especially suitable for this, as it will regenerate from its roots after harvest and can be harvested for biomass production every 3 years. A robust species, it will grow even in degraded soil close to an electricity plant.

One of the main objections to biofuels is that growing biofuel takes up valuable food crop land. Paulwonia, however, will grow in land unsuitable for food cultivation, thereby eliminating the ethical problem.

Silva Tree Panama is launching its Paulownia for Biomass Project this month. The project will be managed by Silva Tree and will concentrate on the generation of Paulownia for Biomass production. The Paulownia for Biomass project is being financed by a bespoke fund, which is open to investment. The general partner of the fund is a UK FSA-regulated trustee.

Be the first to rate this post.