Hungary has a significant bioenergy potential in the field of renewable energies. Numerous experiments are being carried out worldwide in the area of the bioenergetic utilisation of biomass. Based on these experiments, the energetic utilisation of sorghum species could be a possible alternative. These crops have rather diverse morphological forms and good environmental stress resistance characteristics which is of chief importance from the aspect of drought resistance. Considering the advantageous characteristics of sorghum species, they are preferable in biogas and bioethanol production, although their production for biomass-based heating could also have perspective. Six silo sorghum hybrids, one open pollinated variety and two Sudan grass varieties were examined from the aspect of whether they are suitable for biomass-based energy production. It was a further objective to get to know whether there could be significant differences between the various vegetable parts and the extrusion residues from the feedstock preparation of bioethanol production. The measurements were performed using an IKA C2000 Basic adiabatic calorimeter, obtaining values between 15699 J g-1 and 17900 J g-1. As a result of these examinations, it was concluded that the selection of the proper variety has less influence on the efficiency of biomass combustion, while the given vegetable part is of great significance from this aspect.

Keywords: sorghum, bioenergy, calorimeter, combustion heat