The course Biomass markets and policy is part of the bioenergy module of the MSc studies of the School of Forest Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland. The course starts in the first semester, and it is complemented by the course Supply and energy use of lignocellulosic biomass in the firstsemester, making together 12 ECTS. The course, under different names, dates back to 2009, coordinated by Paavo Pelkonen, and several instructors have been involved since then. The present form of the course started in 2015 and has been designed and coordinated by Blas Mola, as Senior Researcher in Bioenergy. The course reviews all aspects related to energy policy related to wood biomass production from forest and agriculture sources, and its utilisation, particularly in the Nordic area. The course has special emphasis on economic and sociological aspects of the production and utilisation of biomass. It includes lectures and discussions, as well as independent and collaborative work on learning tasks at this Wiki learning environment.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Upon a successful completion of this course, the students have obtained knowledge and skills for analyzing the development of the driving forces and barriers of the expanding bioenergy markets at local, national and international level as well as for understanding the bioenergy-related policies and governance processes.
• The student must be able to handle basic tools of market analysis and trade, and have an understanding of the limitations and effects of the policy frameworks on the introduction and development of bioenergy.
• The student must understand the demands and needs of the consumers and the role of the European Union and the member states in the decision making and in the promotion of bioenergy.

Contents

Essentials:  Overview of the markets for biomasses for energy production and biomass based value chains globally and within the European Union (EU), including the supply, quantity, demand, and consumption as well as consumer market aspects. Fundamentals of the policies that have impacts on the supply and consumption of wood energy biomass. Complementary knowledge: Bioenergy governance at local and global level. International bioenergy business, role of bioenergy for the development of rural areas and entrepreneurship.