Department of Phytoenergy

Aims and activities

The Department of Phytoenergy  is focused on applied research of biomass as a renewable resource for energy, materials and raw materials/substances. Our work  focuses on 1) selection and breeding of trees and perennial plants for sustainable production of biomass (the so-called energy or biomass crops), 2) monitoring and evaluation of their environmental benefits and risks (biodiversity, erosion control, cooling the landscape, water retention and carbon/humus sequestration; invasive behavior) and 3) analyses of economic and spatial  potential of biomass in the landscape under different conditions and time frames using economic models and GIS tools. New areas of our research include the use of trees in agroforestry systems and biomass crops in the circular economy. 

We traditionally use the results of our research for education and consultancy. We provide scientific support to state administration and municipalities, especially in the field of the environment and agriculture, but also consultations and planting material for practical growers of fast-growing trees. The members of our department are founding or active members of the following associations: 

Czech Agroforestry Association (ČSAL) founded in 2014 

Poplar Commission of the Czech Republic (TKČR) founded in 2017 

News (in Czech)