Abstract
Harnessing sustainably sourced forest biomass for renewable energy is well-established in some parts of the developed world. Forest-based bioenergy has the potential to offset carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, thereby playing a role in climate change mitigation. Despite having an established commercial forestry industry, with large quantities of residue generated each year, there is limited use for forest biomass for renewable energy in Queensland, and Australia more broadly. The objective of this study was to identify the carbon dioxide mitigation potential of replacing fossil fuels with bioenergy generated from forest harvest residues harnessed from commercial plantations of Pinus species in southeast Queensland. An empirical-based full carbon accounting model (FullCAM) was used to simulate the accumulation of carbon in harvest residues. The results from the FullCAM modelling were further analysed to identify the energy substitution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions offsets of three bioenergy scenarios. The results of the analysis suggest that the greatest opportunity to avoid or offset emissions is achieved when combined heat and power using residue feedstocks replaces coal-fired electricity. The results of this study suggest that forest residue bioenergy is a viable alternative to traditional energy sources, offering substantive emission reductions, with the potential to contribute towards renewable energy and emission reduction targets in Queensland. The approach used in this case study will be valuable to other regions exploring bioenergy generation from forest or other biomass residues.
Highlights
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the leading cause of rising global temperatures and anthropogenic climate change, and of these GHG emissions, carbon dioxide is the most significant contributor [1]
The results of this study suggest that forest residue bioenergy is a viable alternative to traditional energy sources, offering substantive emission reductions, with the potential to contribute towards renewable energy and emission reduction targets in Queensland
Net GHG emissions avoided in this study considered emissions displaced by combusting the substituted fossil fuel type, non-carbon dioxide emissions generated by combusting the bioenergy type, and estimates of transport emissions associated with hauling residue to the bioenergy facility
Summary
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are the leading cause of rising global temperatures and anthropogenic climate change, and of these GHG emissions, carbon dioxide is the most significant contributor [1]. In 2021, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) [2] reported on further evidence that emissions from human activities are responsible for increased global surface temperatures. Energy in the form of electricity, heat, and transport accounts for over 70% of GHG emissions [3]. In Australia, the combustion of fuels for electricity and industrial processes accounted for 53% of total GHG emissions in 2020, with a further 17% of emissions coming from transport fuel combustion [5]. In Queensland, 13% of total GHG emissions can be attributed to transport [6]. Commitments to international agreements, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement where Australia committed to an emissions reduction target of
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