Assessment of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl., Dendrocalamus asper (Schult. & Schult.f.) Backer and Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees charcoal for biomass energy applications in Uganda

Bamboo is a fast-growing plant with potential for high biomass yield, making it a valuable resource for energy production. This study investigated the potential of bamboo charcoal as a sustainable bioenergy resource by evaluating key energy properties of charcoal derived from three bamboo species (Bambusa vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, and Dendrocalamus strictus) growing in Uganda. The analysis focused on moisture content, density, ash content, fixed carbon content, and calorific value. B. vulgaris charcoal stood out with its low moisture content, lower volatile matter, lower ash content, high fixed carbon, high density, and high calorific value. These characteristics make it an attractive option for fuel, including energy production. We concluded that charcoal produced from B. vulgaris is the most suitable alternative for charcoal production among the three species. We recommend evaluating community perceptions on the use of bamboo charcoal as a bioenergy option. ● Bamboo contributes to clean and sustainable biomass energy ● Bamboo charcoal yields varying ash content, volatile content, density, and calorific values ● B. vulgaris charcoal has better biomass energy attributes