Assessment of the availability and utilization potential of low-quality biomass in Latvia

Abstract

Biomass will play a pivotal role in the future economy. Within the context of the development of bioeconomy in the European Union, large-scale replacement of fossil fuels with bio-based feedstock is a topical issue not only for energy applications but also for chemicals, materials and bioproducts. The transition to bio-based economy poses a challenge of sustainable and efficient use of the limited biomass feedstock. This paper presents a conceptual methodology for an optimum supply and use of biomass resources. Authors propose a three-dimensional model called the 3D Model merging three inter-related aspects of the bioeconomy – bioresources, bioproducts and bioenergy, biomass consumers and logistic chains. The research focuses on low-quality and waste biomass resources and their use for bioenergy production such as wood residues, energy wood plantations, agriculture waste and by-products, green waste and organic waste. The importance of low-quality biomass lies in the untapped potential for low-quality biomass applications in Latvia that can help meeting environmental, climate, energy and waste policy targets. This is the first step to evaluate the potential of low-quality biomass application potential in Latvia. The proposed 3D methodology serves as a platform for further policy planning studies in the field of bioeconomy and sustainable use of bioresources.