**2. Materials and Methods**

The database for georeferenced mapping of the mainland territory, to evaluate areas of potential interest for the cultivation of energy crops, microalgae, as well as to map the cultivated agricultural/silvicultural species (including their residues), was created with ArcGIS software, a tool for GIS.

The applied methodology was:


Figure 1 represents a summary of the applied methodology.

**Figure 1.** Applied methodology to determine suitable areas for the implementation of energy crops.

Each of one the phases specified in Figure 1 are described in more detail in the following sub-chapters.

### *2.1. Selected Energy Crops and Microalgae Culture*

Energy crops are species intended for biomass production for subsequent generation of energy in the form of biofuels, electricity or heat. These are species that should not compete with those used for food and feed (maize, cereals and tubers, among others) and, therefore, should not be cultivated on high carbon or agricultural land. These crops should be mainly non-food and lignocellulosic species for the production of 2nd-generation fuels [7], which can be divided in two groups:


The energy crops selected (and also microalgae cultures) and evaluated in the frame of the CONVERTE Project are listed below, explaining the rationale for this selection according to their characteristics, advantages and benefits for the bioenergy production.
