Utilization of straw in biomass energy in China

China is a big agricultural country and one of the most abundant straw resources in the world, producing more than 620 million tons of straw in 2002, and representing about 33-45% of energy consumption for livelihood in rural areas. Utilization of straw as energy with high efficiency and rationality not only meets the demands for energy as the economy grows, but also provide a basis for environmental protection and sustainable development of society in China. This paper reviews the present utilized technologies of straw in biomass energy, including improved stove, biogas, straw gasification and straw briquette, which are already commercialized and popularized in China. Other technologies, such as liquefaction, straw carbonization and bio-coal, are also presented. Based on the technology status and potential, the future research and development of straw in the biomass energy portfolio in China are proposed. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.