The search for sustainable alternatives to energy production from agricultural crops is a key concern in the context of the European climate goals of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. In Germany, maize has so far dominated as an energy crop, but its cultivation poses ecological challenges: soil erosion, nutrient leaching, and, in particular, groundwater contamination with nitrates are known problems. Therefore, research must identify suitable alternative crops that minimize the ecological problems while achieving the same or similar biomass production and energy generation. A comparative study by the University of Bayreuth shows that perennial silphium is a more sustainable alternative to the energy crop silage maize .