Published Date
Biomass and Bioenergy May 2011, Vol.35(5):1995–2005,doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.01.057
Author
Nicolae Scarlat a,,
Viorel Blujdea b
Jean-Francois Dallemand a
aInstitute for Energy, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Via E. Fermi 2749, TP 450, 21027 Ispra (Va), Italy
bInstitute for Environment and Sustainability, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Italy
Received 24 July 2009. Revised 24 January 2011. Accepted 28 January 2011. Available online 22 February 2011.
Abstract This paper provides a resource-based assessment of availability of biomass resources for energy production in Romania, at NUTS-3 level. The estimation of available biomass includes the residues generated from crop production, pruning of vineyards and orchards, forestry operations and wood processing. The estimation of crop residue availability considers several site-specific factors such as crop yields, multi-annual yield variation, environmental constraints and competitive uses. The evaluation of agricultural residues was based on specific residue to product ratios, depending on crop type and crop yield. An estimate of pruning residues is proposed, based on current orchard and vineyard areas and specific ratios of residues. Woody biomass considers forest and forestry residues (including firewood) and wood processing by-products, taking into account the type and share of the unused part of the tree biomass and technical and economic aspects, including availability and competitive use. The amount of agricultural and forest residues available for bioenergy in Romania was estimated at 228.1 PJ on average, of which 137.1 PJ was from annual crop residues, 17.3 PJ residues from permanent crops and 73.7 PJ/year from forestry residues, firewood and wood processing by-products. The biomass availability shows large annual and spatial variations, between 135.6 and 320.0 PJ, due to the variation in crop production and forestry operations. This variation, which is even larger at the NUTS-3 level, if not properly considered may result in shortages in biomass supply in some years, when biomass is available in a lower amount than the average. Highlights ► This paper estimates residues from crop production, pruning and forestry at NUTS-3 in Romania. ► This study reveals significant biomass, 228.1 PJ on average, available for energy production. ► There are large annual and spatial variations of biomass availability, between 135.6 and 320.0 PJ. ► There is large amount of biomass available still unused. Keywords
IFC Russia Renewable Energy Program (The World Bank Group), Russian Federation
Received 4 July 2012. Accepted 1 September 2012. Available online 5 October 2012.
Abstract
The North-West of Russia is characterized by a large renewable energy resource base in geographic proximity to the EU. At the same time, EU Member States are bound by mandatory renewable energy targets which could prove to be costly to achieve in the current budgetary context and which often face strong local opposition. Directive 2009/28/EC on Renewable Energy makes it possible for Member States to achieve their targets by importing electricity produced from renewable energy sources from non-EU countries. So far, most attention has been on the Mediterranean Solar Plan or Desertec. An EU–Russia Renewable Energy Plan or RUSTEC – being based on onshore wind/biomass/hydro energy and on-land interconnection, rather than solar power and subsea lines – could present a cost-efficient and short-term complement to Desertec. This article examines the political, geopolitical, economic, social and legal challenges and opportunities of exporting “green” energy from Russia to the EU. It argues that EU–Russian cooperation in the renewable energy field would present a win-win situation: Member States could achieve their targets on the basis of Russia's renewable energy potential, while Russia could begin to develop a national renewable energy industry without risking potential price increases for domestic consumers—a concern of great political sensitivity in Russia.
Highlights ► Russia has a huge renewable energy potential in geographic proximity to the EU. ► This potential could help the EU decarbonize its electricity supply at least cost.► EU–Russia green energy export is a win-win situation but lacks political attention.► RUSTEC could be a short-term and cost-efficient complement to Desertec. ► RUSTEC would diversify EU energy imports/Russian exports and stimulate innovation. Keywords
Published Date
Biomass and Bioenergy July 2011, Vol.35(7):2925–2935,doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.03.027 Author
Yoon Lin Chiew a,,
Tomoko Iwata b
Sohei Shimada a
aDepartment of Environment Systems, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha, Environment Building, 4th Floor, 277-8563 Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
bEnvironment Research Group, Building Research Institute,1 Tachihara, 305-0802 Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Received 30 September 2010. Revised 10 March 2011. Accepted 11 March 2011. Available online 12 April 2011.
Abstract Biomass refers to renewable energy sources and comes from biological materials such as trees, plants, manure as well as municipal solid wastes. Effective utilization of biomass as an energy resource requires the use of an optimization model to take into account biomass availability, transportation distances, and the scales and locations of power facilities within a region. In this study, we develop a new analytical tool that integrates cost, energy savings, greenhouse gas considerations, scenario analysis, and a Geographic Information System (GIS) to provide a comprehensive analysis of alternative systems for optimizing biomass energy production. The goal is to find a system that optimizes the use of biomass waste by analyzing the cost, net avoided CO2emission, and net energy savings with the objective of profit maximization. In this paper, we describe an application of the modeling tool described above to one of the fastest growing agriculture industries in Asia, the palm oil industry, for the case of Malaysia. Five scenarios utilizing palm oil waste as energy resources are discussed. The scenario of installing of new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants in the region yielded a number of benefits in terms of net energy savings, net avoided CO2emission, and profits. The results also demonstrate the benefits of utilizing excess heat for biomass pre-treatment. The choice of a suitable CHP plant scale, management strategies for biomass seasonal availability, and market price of biomass are also important factors for effective use of the biomass in a region. Highlights ► We develop an optimization model for energy production from agricultural biomass. ► We model 5 scenarios to optimize plant size, plant location and biomass distribution. ► We evaluate the net energy savings, net avoided CO2emission, and profits. ► We demonstrate the benefits of utilizing excess heat for biomass pre-treatment. ► We determine additional factors which may impact effective biomass utilization. Keywords
