Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
A possible consequence of high subsidies, which should not be
underestimated, is their abuse (this is not an allegation that farmers
have deceitful intentions).
The additional budget expenses, shown in Figure 9.6, consider only
theoretical expansion of hemp production in Germany. Corresponding
increases would occur in the other EC countries.
Besides the burdens named already, additional negative effects on the
budget should be expected; for example, additional administrative
expenses for controlling the hemp cultivation area and hemp harvest.
5. HEMP AS ENERGY SOURCE
Hemp is one of the oldest cultivated crops and has a variety of uses,
including use of the whole plant as an energy source. After a first dew
rotting process, hemp straw consists of 31% bast fiber, 52% shives, 8%
seed, and 9% other substances. The most valuable raw material is bast
fiber. Consequently, using hemp as an energy source should be connected
with the exploitation of the shives, after the bast fiber is extracted from the
stems.
Use of these shives for energy production would require hemp
production to be located close to the energy plants due to the low value
density of the raw commodity and corresponding high transportation costs.
For example, 100 kg of un-pressed shives occupies more than one cubic
meter. Compressing the raw material to reduce transport cost is technically
feasible. However, investment for a briquette production process is not
economically viable at current energy prices (Wolpers 1986).
Given transportation costs, the optimal location of an energy plant
should be evaluated on a local and regional level rather than a national and
international level. Because hemp is characterized by a quick decreasing
transportation worth, the agricultural conditions and locations mainly
determine the location of the power generation. It follows that energy from
hemp—if it will be an alternative to conventional generated energy—can
only be competitive in rural areas with production sufficient to fuel a
power plant.
The most competitive locations in Germany are counties in the
state Brandenburg. Hemp production in these counties even occurs if the
subsidy payments by the EC will dramatically decrease or the processing
stage pays less than 10 to 12 DM per 100 kg/straw.
Energy plants should be located near cities and smaller towns for
an efficient use of the district heating. Lower land prices favor locations in
Search WWH ::
Custom Search