The effects of location, feedstock availability, and supply-chain logistics on the greenhouse gas emissions of forest-biomass energy utilization in Finland
Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Forest biomass represents a geographically distributed feedstock, and geographical location \naffects the greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of a given forest-bioenergy system in several \nways. For example, biomass availability, forest operations, transportation possibilities and the \ndistances involved, biomass end-use possibilities, fossil reference systems, and forest carbon \nbalances all depend to some extent on location. The overall objective of this thesis was to \nassess the GHG emissions derived from supply and energy-utilization chains of forest \nbiomass in Finland, with a specific focus on the effect of location in relation to forest \nbiomass’s availability and the transportation possibilities. Biomass availability and \ntransportation-network assessments were conducted through utilization of geographical \ninformation system methods, and the GHG emissions were assessed by means of lifecycle \nassessment. The thesis is based on four papers in which forest biomass supply on industrial \nscale was assessed. The feedstocks assessed in this thesis include harvesting residues, smalldiameter \nenergy wood and stumps. The principal implication of the findings in this thesis is \nthat in Finland, the location and availability of biomass in the proximity of a given energyutilization \nor energy-conversion plant is not a decisive factor in supply-chain GHG emissions \nor the possible GHG savings to be achieved with forest-biomass energy use. Therefore, for the greatest GHG reductions with limited forest-biomass resources, energy utilization of forest \nbiomass in Finland should be directed to the locations where most GHG savings are achieved \nthrough replacement of fossil fuels. Furthermore, one should prioritize the types of forest \nbiomass with the lowest direct supply-chain GHG emissions (e.g., from transport and \ncomminution) and the lowest indirect ones (in particular, soil carbon-stock losses), regardless \nof location. In this respect, the best combination is to use harvesting residues in combined \nheat and power production, replacing peat or coal.
Source: LUTPub (LUT University)
Author: E. Jäppinen
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W231350327