“Green biorefinery” (GBR) is a concept to utilise (grassland) biomass as raw material for the production of biobased products like proteins, lactic acids, fibres and energy. A scoping study to develop a blueprint for first generation GBR in Ireland was carried out combining field and desk research. The study showed that the quality of the biomass from current Irish harvesting systems is compatible with the basic GBR technologies used to produce insulation materials and proteinaceous products for animal feed. The blueprint outlined the ideal GBR system to have a catchment area of approximately 700-800 ha depending on biomass availability within the catchment area, and the availability should be in excess of 30% in order to contain transport costs.
The viability of this GBR system will depend on the self–sufficiency of its energy requirements, which can be achieved by the anaerobic digestion of the slurries that remain after processing. The residual material remaining after the anaerobic digestion can be used as fertiliser on the farm supplying the biomass, recycling will reduce direct costs of the supplying farms.
Title thesis: Alternative Use of Grassland Biomass for Biorefinery in Ireland: A Scoping Study