Economic and energy efficiency of cultivating energy willow biomass in the Western Forest-Steppe region of Ukraine

Abstract

Research findings have demonstrated the economic and energy efficiency of growing energy willow biomass - specifically, the wicker willow (S. viminalis L.) and the three-stalked willow (Salix triandra L.) ‒ in the Western Forest-Steppe region of Ukraine. The research was conducted from 2022 to 2024 on experimental plots of the Western Ukrainian National University, which are located in an area of variable moisture conditions. Weather conditions during the study period, in terms of deviation from long-term averages both at individual locations and throughout the growing season were within the ranges typical for this zone. The production of thermal energy from energy willow biomass in the Western Forest-Steppe of Ukraine is characterized by very high economic efficiency. The rate of return is 103.9 % after the first three-year cycle and increases to 224.2 % after two growing cycles, indicating the significant potential of this crop as a renewable energy source and an economically viable alternative to traditional fuels. The energy assessment demonstrates that the technology for growing energy willow in the Western Forest-Steppe region of Ukraine is energy-efficient and resource-conserving. The energy efficiency ratio of over 5 obtained in the second growing cycle indicates that for every unit of energy expended, more than five units of energy are stored in the biomass, confirming the potential of energy willow plantations as a stable source of renewable energy. Upon completion of the first growing cycle, economic efficiency increases significantly. Thermal energy output rises from 105.8 to 195.1 Gcal/ha ‒ an increase of nearly 1.84 times ‒ resulting in a proportional increase in revenue from
190.4 to 351.0 thousand UAH/ha.