Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Besides the reduction in emissions, biomass burning can
provide opportunities for industry and communities to reduce their
electricity costs if power generators are scaled to their particular
requirements. The establishment and operation of biomass systems will
increase employment, with most of the jobs created in rural areas where
jobs are most threatened by ongoing forest protection
measures and
mechanization of factors of production.
Wood fuel conversion technologies include direct combustion,
cogeneration, gasification, and conversion to liquid fuels. The efficiency of
the conversion system determines the reduction in emissions through
the displacement of fossil fuels. Estimates of emission savings range from
1.7 to 9.0 tonnes of C per hectare per year depending on forest type,
discount rates, energy conversion efficiency, and the particular fossil fuel
being displaced (Wright
et al.
1992; van Kooten
et al.
1999). The cost of
substituting wood biomass for coal in electricity production ranges from
$27.60 to $48.80 per t C, based on a value of $7.50 per for hybrid
poplar on energy plantations, a substitution ratio of 2.6-4.6 of wood per
t of coal to generate an equivalent amount of energy, and a carbon content
of 0.707 t C per t of coal (Marland
et al.
1995).
As shown in Table 10.6, energy from wood residues can compete
with fossil fuels and purchased electricity. This conclusion needs careful
scrutiny, however. First, wood residue prices are based on average and not
marginal costs, and are only available for small-scale operations where
wood is easy to come by. At a larger scale, one would expect much higher
raw material (wood) costs. Second, wood fibre prices vary significantly by
region depending on residue surpluses or shortages, and environmental
regulations. Regional values are not currently available for comparison
(Forest Sector Table 1999). If fast-growing plantations are included,
estimated costs are $2.82 per GJ, which is more expensive than fossil fuels,
but still cheaper than purchased electricity.
Fossil fuel substitution on a global scale, using 10% of an
estimated 3,454 million ha of forested area as a source for biomass energy,
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