Bioethanol Production Potential and Other Biomass Energy Properties of Invasive Reynoutria, Solidago, and Spiraea Plants

Due to the threat posed by the spread of invasive plant species, there is an urgent need to develop effective methods of eradicating and managing their biomass. The aim of the study was to examine selected invasive plants in terms of their use for energy purposes and to find out whether they can be a raw material for the production of second-generation biofuels. First, their chemical compositions were determined. The higher heating value (HHV) and lower heating value (LHV) were also calculated. High values of the higher heating value, ranging from 18.490 MJ∙kg−1 to 19.900 MJ∙kg−1, indicate the possibility of using the biomass of invasive plants for energy purposes (combustion). All investigated invasive plant species were also subjected to the process of obtaining ethanol. This included an alkaline pretreatment with 1% sodium hydroxide, followed by a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. The highest ethanol yield per ha of plants was obtained at 2.6 m3∙ha−1 for the Reynoutria × bohemica biomass. The remaining species showed an ethanol yield below 2 m3∙ha−1. The conducted research allows for the conclusion that the studied invasive plants can be a promising raw material for the production of bioethanol.