By Brian Houlihan

GSK’s biomass facility in Co. Waterford

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Recently it was announced that the British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) have opened a biomass energy plant in Ireland. The €8 million investment facility is located at its manufacturing site in Dungarvan Co. Waterford.

The facility will burn wood pellets provided by Coillte and which are sourced within a 70km radius. It is expected that the biomass plant will reduce GSK’s Dungarvan site carbon emissions by around 30%. The company also expect to make significant savings on energy costs.

A similar biomass energy facility was under construction in Mayo and due to open in September. But the project ran into financial difficulties and its future is now uncertain.

So could hemp be used instead of, or in tandem with, other fuels?

Hemp is much quicker to grow than trees and other crops used in biomass. Farmers also might be more inclined to partake in such projects due to the shorter term commitments as opposed to growing tress. Growing hemp is better for the land that the use of forests. Hemp has multiple uses and any material not used for biomass can be used for other practical purposes.

Hemp pellets are already available in Ireland but these are largely imported. If GSK were to use hemp at their facility then many farmers in the region could provide the raw material required. These hemp pellets could also be used in the homes across Ireland with pellet stoves.

But is hemp even a viable option for biomass energy in Ireland?

Teagasc

Teagasc conducted research into hemp for biomass purposes between 2008 and 2012. Their research found that 11.1 to 12.2 tonnes of dry matter per hectare is possible from hemp. An early maturing variety (Ferimon 12), a medium maturing variety (Felina 32) and a late maturing variety (Futura 75) were used in the trial. The highest yields were obtained from (Futura 75) the variety with the latest maturation date.

The research also looked at other aspects such as: the use of nitrogen and potassium fertilisers, plant density, field location, soil type, harvesting techniques and other important factors.

Teagasc also highlighted another potential benefit to farmers from growing hemp for biomass. Yield increases can be expected in cereal crops grown in the same field the following year. The magnitude of the increase will depend on previous cropping history and soil type.

It’s worth noting that whether or not we should be even burning hemp pellets is a debate worth having. Is this the best use of the plant? Is the burning of fuels for energy still viable? Let me know your thoughts on the matter.

Brian Houlihan is the curator of the Dublin Hemp Museum and regularly writes about hemp. Follow him on Twitter @dubhempmuseum and@houlihanbrian. You can also find the museum on Facebook.

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