Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Although China has considerable bioenergy potential, many factors may constrain its effective
use. To overcome these problems, China has formed a bioenergy development strategy. In China's
strategic framework for energy development, bioenergy would become the major component in a
sustainable energy system that may account for 40% or more of total energy consumption by 2050
(Wright 2006).
15.2.1.3 India
Bioenergy accounts for nearly 25% of total primary energy in India and over 70% of rural energy
(Ravindranath et al. 2007). Consumption of fuelwood, the dominant biomass fuel, is 162-298 mil-
lion tons. Only about 8% of the fuelwood is considered sustainable, and private plantations and trees
account for almost 50%.
Although India's current bioenergy use is relatively inefficient, modern bioenergy technologies
are opportunities for meeting energy needs, improving the quality of life, and protecting the envi-
ronment. These technologies include biomass combustion and gasification for power generation and
liquid (biodiesel and ethanol) and gaseous (biogas) fuels. The dominant bioenergy option is power
generation using woody biomass, largely from SRWCs.
India has a large renewable energy promotion program with several financial and policy incen-
tives. Total installed biomass combustion and gasification capacity is 738 MW, with a potential of
over 20,000 MW. However, technical, financial and policy barriers limit the large-scale production
of biomass for power generation.
Critical to realizing the technical and economic potential of bioenergy is a sustainable biomass
supply, including woody biomass. Forests occupy approximately 64 million ha of India, and forest
cover, including SRWCs (Table 15.2), home gardens, and agroforestry, is 77 million ha (23.5% of
the country). India has implemented one of the largest afforestation programs in the world, using
largely
Eucalyptus
,
Acacia
,
Casuarina
,
Populus
, and teak to meet fuelwood, industrial wood, and
timber needs. From 1980 to 2005, approximately 34 million ha were afforested at an annual rate
of 1.32-1.55 million ha, whereas deforestation was 0.272 million ha per year (Ravindranath et al.
2001). Consequently, the 10 GtC of carbon in Indian forests has nearly stabilized or is increasing.
taBle 15.2
area of Productive eucalypt Plantations and semi-natural Forests (*) in
2005 for selected countries, species, and age classes
area (1000 ha) by age class (years)
country
species
0-5
5-10
10-20
20-30
30-40
>40
RSA
nitens
109.7
99.3
19.4
0.7
1.8
grandis
144.1
140.7
44.9
3.7
1.7
Sudan
spp.
118.2
189.1
165.5
8.0
China
spp.
683.0
576.4
982.7
154.4
India
spp.
43.0
64.4
103.2
spp.*
656.1
984.2
1576.0
Vietnam
spp.
222.4
286.5
67.1
7.0
3.0
Australia
globulus
131.2
260.1
48.7
1.1
0.4
Brazil
spp.
2118.1
756.5
121.0
30.3
Chile
spp.
353.4
204.1
85.4
7.2
2.0
Source:
FAO, Global planted forests thematic study: results and analysis. Planted forests and trees.
FAO Working Paper FP38E, 2006. Available at http://www.fao.org/forestry/
webview/-media?mediaId=12139&langId=1
