Anaerobic digestion in sustainable biomass chains.

This thesis evaluates the potential contribution of anaerobic digestion (AD) to the sustainability of biomass chains. Results provide insights in the technological potential to recover energy and valuable by-products from energy crops and residues, and evaluate biomass cascades involving AD technology for their feasibility and desirability. Embedding AD in biomass chains addresses current constraints towards increased use of biomass for energy production considering land competition and environmental pollution. In this context, so far the major advantages of AD to improve energy efficiency and closing material cycles have received, thus far, limited attention. As part of the experimental research an Oxitop® protocol was refined for screening plant material suitable for anaerobic digestion based on their energy content...