Search

The residential sector accounts for about half of annual wood energy consumption in Germany. We applied a left-censored Tobit model to a cross-sectional dataset to quantify factors affecting household-level German residential wood energy consumption in years 2005, 2010 and 2014. Explanatory variables distinguished between (1) heating technology, dwelling characteristics and alternative energies; (2) woody biomass accessibility and weather; as well as (3) households' socio demographic characteristics. Results show that wood energy consuming households with central heaters used an additional 0.83–1.82 m³ year−1 of wood. Households' wood energy consumption showed a positive correlation with residence area and elastic responses to year of building construction. Greater elasticities in wood energy consumption were found when alternative energy prices exceeded US$ 1,050-1,330 per ton of oil-equivalent net calorific value. Local accessibility of woody biomass measured through forest ownership and forest density was associated with greater wood for energy consumption by an average 0.27–0.52 m3 year−1 and 0.13–0.25 m3 year−1, respectively. In addition, wood energy consumption increased proportionally with increasing rurality. Elasticity of household wood energy consumption with respect to heating degree days was estimated at 0.83–1.15. Among demographic variables, households at lower and higher income levels exhibited greater amounts of wood energy consumption. Results provide evidence that greater adoption of central wood energy heaters, price competitiveness of wood energy over alternative energies, and improving access to wood energy sources can lead to greater residential wood energy consumption in Germany. • Household-level analysis of wood energy consumption in Germany. • Central heaters facilitate greater wood energy consumption. • Households in newer buildings consumed less wood energy. • Temperature and competing energy prices strongly associated with wood energy use. • Rurality and accessibility strongly associated with wood energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores social acceptance of different wood-based energy applications in the Great Lakes region in the Upper Midwest, USA. Specifically, the paper examines attitudes and perceptions towards residential wood burning, commercial-scale wood boilers for heat, combined heat and power (CHP) facilities, and industrial power generation in Michigan. In 2021, we conducted a state-wide survey (n = 207) and 30 semi-structured interviews with individuals representing different stakeholder perspectives, including regulatory agencies, biomass industry leaders, non-governmental organizations and scientists who have shaped biomass debates, forest products workers, and Michigan residents. Results suggest that the depth of an individual's knowledge about different types of wood energy applications generally led to more positive attitudes, particularly for smaller-scale uses of wood for heat. Despite perceived environmental, economic, and human health risks of using wood for different energy applications, across all stakeholder groups, 70% of respondents perceived environmental benefits, 61% perceived economic benefits, and 57% perceived health benefits. Changing economic and environmental conditions in different parts of the state contributed to people's attitudes toward different forms of wood energy and their perceptions of associated risks and benefits. A key recommendation of this study is that policy-makers and energy developers seek to understand the complex factors that influence social acceptance when planning for the adoption of new types of wood-based bioenergy technologies. • Perceptions of risks and benefits are critical to understanding social acceptance of wood-based bioenergy technologies. • Knowledge about wood-based energy technologies generally led to more favorable attitudes towards wood energy. • Residents who lived within 50 miles of a biomass facility did not necessarily have more knowledge about wood energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In theory, China has vast potential forest resources for production of energy, but utilization on an industrial scale has been negligible. We assessed the practical possibilities and barriers for a forest energy business in a case study in northern China. The specific objectives of the study were 1) to assess the availability of forest biomass for energy production, 2) to determine feasible supply chains, and 3) to estimate the biomass fuel supply costs. Based on the case study results, the stand-level removals of the intended feedstock were low and the supply costs were relatively high. Suggestions for increasing the raw material basis, lowering the costs and further research and development were given. We conclude that although the case study area may not be promising from the feedstock point of view, the development could be started with small steps and proven technology. In order to avoid expensive mistakes further research for transfer of know-how and technology is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood energy use has strongly increased in Europe in the last decade entailing enhanced resource competition between the wood energy sector and the material-based wood sector. We applied the basket of benefit method for the forestry and wood cluster of the study area Bavaria to evaluate the impact of increased wood energy use and decreased material-based wood use on global warming potential, primary energy demand and particulate matter emissions. A baseline and a wood energy scenario were developed until 2035 and wood utilization in both scenarios was assessed via a Life Cycle Assessment of prevalent wood products, imported timber and conventional alternatives of use. The study reveals that, according to the modelled scenarios and the average substitution factors used, a demand shift towards more wood energy leads to a minor increase in global warming potential and to a reduction in primary energy demand. Increase in particulate matter emissions from wood energy use is strong, but definite conclusions cannot be drawn due to lack in data for material-based wood use. Moreover, the study results vary strongly depending on the products used for the comparative analysis. Through our approach, the ecological impact of increased wood energy use becomes visible for a whole region, taking into account the effect of a demand shift and of interdependent substitution effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper presents an empirical study on the use of woody biomass for energy supply in Germany and the federal state of Brandenburg. It aims to explain the role forestry enterprises have for bioenergy provision in this area. The ‘Institutions of Sustainability’ framework is used as an analytical tool to investigate the role of private and public actors in these transactions, respectively, in the governance structures they are subject to. Empirical evidence was gathered by in-depth interviews with actors from forestry and bioenergy practice. Triggered by favorable governance structures, i.e. strong support by national and regional policies, rising prices for fossil energy sources, and co-operation of committed individuals and groups, a new bioenergy industry has been successfully established. However, the forestry sector has so far been just a marginal fuel supplier for this industry. The study identifies pitfalls impeding a broad implementation of wood-energy supply in forestry: not cost-covering prices offered by the bioenergy sector, lacking market transparency and security of supply, lacking mobilization of forest wood, and a preference among forest managers to sell products to the wood-processing industry. In terms of the Institutions of Sustainability the properties of transactions (asset specificities, uncertainties, separability), characteristics of actors (values, rationality) and governance structures (long-term contractual obligations elsewhere) are decisive in explaining the current form of transaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The municipal utilities of Basel (IWB) are in the process of building a 30MW wood-fired cogeneration plant in the city of Basel, Switzerland, a project idea that was initially proposed by visionaries from the forest sector. Despite recent doubts about its profitability due to unforeseen major increases in investment costs, the plant is attractive both politically and from a business perspective, as several goals related to the increased use of renewable energy can be achieved simultaneously. Moreover, significant woody biomass resources are awaiting further exploitation in the Basel region, which could help to improve markedly the cost effectiveness of forest maintenance. In this paper, we study the history and some of the characteristics of the project from a socio-economic perspective. Of particular interest to our study is the early involvement of a large number of stakeholders with different interests. The project constitutes a pioneering project that could serve as an important non-Scandinavian model for similar projects in other parts of Switzerland, but also in Western and Central Europe as a whole. The lengthy decision-making and planning process offers interesting insights into the socio-economic drivers and barriers of large-scale bioenergy projects in urban settings, where wood heating systems are in general not as well established as in the countryside. We find that the interest of regional forest owners to tackle the problem of over-aged and largely unprofitable forests, coupled with a political climate that (1) favours green energy projects and (2) provides incentives for the municipal utility to produce more green energy from sources other than hydropower, have been the two main success factors for developing this particular biomass plant project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, micro-level data from wood energy producers in Hedmark County were gathered and analysed. The aim was to find how much greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions various kinds of wood energy cause (not only CO2, but also CH4 and N2O), which energy they substitute, their potential to reduce GHG emissions, and the major sources of uncertainty. The method was life cycle assessment. Six types of wood energy were studied: fuel wood, sawdust, pellets, briquettes, demolition wood, and bark. GHG emissions over the life cycle of the wood energy types in this study are 2–19% of the emissions from a comparable source of energy. The lowest figure is for demolition wood substituting oil in large combustion facilities, the highest for fuel wood used in dwellings to substitute electricity produced by coal-based power plants. Avoided GHG emissions per m3 wood used for energy were from 0.210 to 0.640tonne CO2-equivalents. Related to GWh energy produced, avoided GHG emissions were from 250 to 360tonne CO2-equivalents. Avoided GHG emissions per tonne CO2 in the wood are 0.28–0.70 tonne CO2-equivalents. The most important factors were technology used for combustion, which energy that is substituted, densities, and heating values. Inputs concerning harvest, transport, and production of the wood energy are not important. Overall, taking the uncertainties into account there is not much difference in avoided GHG emissions for the different kinds of wood energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]