Introduction to bioenergy

Blas MOLA-YUDEGO

Summary

As a consequence of gro-political instability during the 1970, the oil prices suffered a drastic increase in price resulting in a global energy crisis that developed along the following years. As a results, many countries established new energy policies oriented towards the diversification of energy sources. Among those, the use of biomass for energy became a target, especially in Finland and Sweden, countries with large forest resources, giving birth to modern bioenergy in the area. Nowadays, both countries are leaders in bioenergy development and implementation. This session aims at reviewing the development of modern bioenergy, linking to previous courses, including some of the main factors contributing to its successful implementation.

Materials

The modern concept of bioenergy [video]. Bioenergy is the utilization of biomass resources for the production of energy. As such, it is perhaps the oldest technology ever used for energy. What is new then? What are the differences between using wood for energy in the past and nowadays? This video presents my views on bioenergy, and why it is more than the mere utilization of wood to produce energy. 

Energy from the Forest - Benefits for the Local Economy [video] This is a video summary of this theme of the course, and shows the different steps to produce biomass from the forests till the power plant. The video is shot in a small municipality in Finland, that has established a district heating plant to produce bioenergy. In Finland local bioenergy operators have combined forces in the harvesting and utilization of energy wood. Eno Energy Cooperative manages the entire production chain from harvesting to wood chipping, transportation, and heating plant operations which has resulted in many benefits for the local economy. Source: Wenet, The Wenet Centre Project is coordinated by Joensuu Regional Development Company JOSEK Ltd, the Kajaani University Consortium, and the universities of applied sciences of North Karelia, Savonia and Mikkeli. The EU Regional Development Fund co-finances the project with regional councils and development companies in Eastern Finland as well as Wenet's member companies.

Background Materials

For those not familiarized with the main concepts related to biomass production for energy, feel free to use these materials to expand your background:

Röser, D., Asikainen, A., Raulund-Rasmussen, K. and Stupak, I. eds. (2008) Sustainable use of forest biomass for energy a synthesis with focus on the Baltic and Nordic region. Vol. 12. Springer Science & Business Media [e-brary link]

Richardson, J., Björheden, R., Hakkila, P., Lowe, A. T., & Smith, C. T. (Eds.). (2006). Bioenergy from sustainable forestry: guiding principles and practice (Vol. 71). Springer Science & Business Media. [e-library link]

Schubert R et al (2010) Future bioenergy and sustainable land use, 365 pp. Earthscale [e-brary link]

Machines in biomass procurement operations [YouTube] ForestEnergy Portal

Harvesting of fast growing plantations [Youtube] at Salixodlarna

Tasks

From the video, Energy from the forest- Benefits for the local economy identify the main sources of biomass for energy currently used in Finland.