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Forest biomass is one of the main contributors to the EU's renewable energy target of 20% gross final energy consumption in 2020 (Renewable Energy Directive). Following the RED, new sustainability principles are launched by the European energy sector, such as the Initiative Wood Pellet Buyers (IWPB or SBP). The aim of our study is the investigation of the quantitative impacts from IWPB's principles for forest biomass for energy only. We deploy a bottom up method that quantifies the supplies and the costs from log harvest until forest chip delivery at a domestic consumer. We have a reference situation with existing national (forest) legislation and voluntary certification schemes (scenario 1) and a future situation with additional criteria based on the IWPB principles (scenario 2). Two country studies were selected for our (2008) survey: one in Finland with nearly 100% certification and one in Leningrad province with a minor areal share of certification in scenario 1. The sustainable potential of forest resources for energy is about 54 Mm 3 (385 PJ) in Finland and about 13.5 Mm 3 (95 PJ) in Leningrad in scenario 1 without extra criteria. The potential volumes reduce considerably by maximum 43% respectively 39% after new criteria from the IWPB, like a minimum use of sawlogs, stumps and slash for energy, and by an increased area of protected forests (scenario 2A Maximum extra restrictions). In case sawlogs can be used, but instead ash recycling is applied after a maximum stump and slash recovery (scenario 2B Minimum extra restrictions), the potential supply is less reduced: 5% in Finland and 22% in Leningrad region. The estimated reference costs for forest chips are between €18 and €45 solid m −3 in Finland and between €7 and €33 solid m −3 in the Leningrad region. In scenario 2A, the costs will mainly increase by €7 m −3 for delimbing full trees (Finland), and maximum €0.3 m −3 for suggested improved forest management (Leningrad region). In scenario 2B, when ash recycling is applied, costs increase by about €0.3 to €1.6 m −3 , depending on the rate of soil contamination. This is an increase of 2%, on top of the costs in scenario 2A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC) have a substantial biomass production and export potential. The objective of this study is to assess whether the market for biofuels and trade can be profitable enough to realize a supply of biofuels from the CEEC to the European market and to estimate the cost performance of the energy carriers delivered. Five NUTS-2 (Nomenclature d''Unités Territoriales Statistiques) regions with high biomass production potentials in Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic were analysed for biofuel export options. From these regions pellets from willow can be provided to destination areas in Western European countries (WEC) at costs of 105.2–219.8€t−1. Ethanol can be provided at 11.95–20.89€ per GJ if the biomass conversion is performed at the destination areas in the WEC or at 14.84–17.83€ GJ−1J if the biomass to ethanol conversion takes place (at small scale) at the CEEC region where the biomass is produced. Short sea shipping shows most cost advantages for longer distance international transport compared to inland waterway shipping and railway. Another reason for lower biofuel supply costs are shorter distances between the regions of biomass production and the destination areas. Therefore the Szczecin region in Poland, closely located to the Baltic Sea, shows a better economic performance for long distance trade of biomass production than the selected region in Hungary (‘land-locked’). It is concluded that in future key CEEC regions can supply (pre-treated) biomass and biofuels to the European market at cost levels, which are sound and attractive to current and expected diesel and gasoline prices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Management strategies for loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) plantations in the Southeastern USA can be adapted to fulfill both the demand for wood products and for bioenergy. This study quantifies the impact of plantation management choices on the cumulative carbon balance and the net present value of loblolly pine plantations at the stand level, as well as the wood supply cost for bioenergy production for these different management strategies. The strategies assessed (conventional, additional thinning and short rotation) are characterised by planting density, thinning age and rotation period, each with and without collection and utilization of slash residues for bioenergy. The total wood supply costs for bioenergy include the cultivation, harvesting and transport costs for small diameter trees and slash. The results show that the carbon balance after 100 years is 205 (247), 214 (268) and 149 (195) Mg ha −1 for the conventional, additional thinning, and short rotation loblolly pine plantation management strategies (within parentheses: same strategies with slash utilization). The conventional strategy has the lowest wood supply costs for bioenergy, 47 (46) $ Mg −1 pulpwood, followed by the additional thinning strategy, 50 (49) $ Mg −1 pulpwood, and 54 (52) $ Mg −1 pulpwood for the short rotation management strategy. In conclusion, switching from the current conventional strategy without the utilization of slash for bioenergy to an additional thinning strategy with the use of slash increases the overall carbon accumulation by about 31%, at marginally higher wood supply cost. Adapting plantation management strategies can have a positive effect on the economic performance and on the carbon balance of loblolly pine plantations. Integration of wood supply for bioenergy and traditional forestry sectors can lead to co-benefits in terms of cost reduction and carbon accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the feasibility of mobilising maize and wheat residues for large-scale bioenergy applications in South Africa by establishing sustainable residue removal rates and cost of supply based on different production regions. A key objective was to refine the methodology for estimating crop residue harvesting for bioenergy use, while maintaining soil productivity and avoiding displacement of competing residue uses. At current conditions, the sustainable bioenergy potential from maize and wheat residues was estimated to be about 104 PJ. There is potential to increase the amount of crop residues to 238 PJ through measures such as no till cultivation and adopting improved cropping systems. These estimates were based on minimum residues requirements of 2 t ha −1 for soil erosion control and additional residue amounts to maintain 2% SOC level. At the farm gate, crop residues cost between 0.9 and 1.7 $ GJ −1 . About 96% of these residues are available below 1.5 $ GJ −1 . In the improved scenario, up to 85% of the biomass is below 1.3 $ GJ −1 . For biomass deliveries at the conversion plant, about 36% is below 5 $ GJ −1 while in the optimised scenario, about 87% is delivered below 5$ GJ −1 . Co-firing residues with coal results in lower cost of electricity compared to other renewables and significant GHG (CO 2 eq) emissions reduction (up to 0.72 tons MWh −1 ). Establishing sustainable crop residue supply systems in South Africa could start by utilising the existing agricultural infrastructure to secure supply and develop a functional market. It would then be necessary to incentivise improvements across the value chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]