ENERGY POTENTIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF SWITCHGRASS PHYTOMASS PRODUCTION FOR BIOFUELS

In this article by experiment was installed dynamics for the yield and energy potential of phytomass of the third-the fifth vegetation years (the period of maximal productivity). Economic efficiency of phytomass production and using it as a raw material for biofuel has been calculated. The research results show that switchgrass with third year grown on low-yield soils produce yield of vegetative above-ground mass equal or more than 11.6 t/ha with energy intensity of 17.5 Mjoule/ha. Phytomass of switchgrass grown on fertile soils has potential more than 13.0 t/ha with energy intensity of 18.0 Mjoule/ha. Energy available potential of dry switchgrass phytomass is from 25.5 to 33.4 t/ha and economic efficiency of crops with third year is from 163.6% to 189.6%. Total energy potential of switchgrass phytomass per 1ha for 2014 year and 2015 year was 53.5 і 55.9 Gjoules at cultivated crop on low-yield soils and 69.5 і 70.9 Gjoules cultivated crop on high-yield soils.