Willow Tree & Gurteen's Renewable Energy Programme
Willow is a genus of deciduous trees and shrubs in the family Salicaceae, known for their slender, flexible branches and elongated leaves. Willows are typically found in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in moist soils and often growing near water bodies such as rivers, streams, and wetlands.
Willows are a valuable source of biomass for renewable energy. Fast-growing willow plantations can be harvested and used as biofuel, providing a sustainable and carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels. This makes willow cultivation an important component of renewable energy programs.
There are 30 hectares of willow planted to provide fuel for the College heating system. This is part of the Renewable Energy programme implemented at Gurteen. To minimise the risk of losses due to disease, different varieties of willow were planted in adjacent plots.
To encourage the production of more shoots, the crop was cut the following Spring. As harvesting in the first year is not economical, the cut shoots are left to recycle their nutrients into the soil. Spray was applied in March 2011 to control weeds.
A new 270 metre sq. drying floor has been installed within the farm building complex in readiness for the future harvested chipped willow, which will be reduced from 55% moisture to 25% in the process; the plant also has been of great use drying corn and hay already last year. The willow is harvested on a three year cycle and currently provides 80% of the biomass needed to fuel the boilers on site.