Sustainability Impact Assessment on the Production and Use of Different Wood and Fossil Fuels Employed for Energy Production in North Karelia, Finland

Michael Den Herder,Marja Kolström,Matias Pekkanen,Marcus Lindner,Tommi Suominen,Diana Tuomasjukka

doi:10.3390/en5114870

Michael Den Herder, Marja Kolström + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en5114870

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Journal: Energies	Publication Date: Nov 21, 2012
Citations: 44	License type: CC BY 3.0

Affiliation: Finland University, University of Eastern Finland

Abstract

The utilization rate of woody biomass in eastern Finland is high and expected to increase further in the near future as set out in several regional, national and European policies and strategies. The aim of this study was to assess the sustainability impacts of changes in fuel consumption patterns. We investigated fossil and woody biomass-based energy production chains in the region of North Karelia, focusing on some economic, environmental and social indicators. Indicators were selected based on stakeholder preferences and evaluated using the Tool for Sustainability Impact Assessment (ToSIA). The analysis was based on representative values from National Forest Inventory data, scientific publications, national and regional statistics, databases, published policy targets and expert opinion. From the results it became evident that shifting from fossil to wood-based energy production implies some trade-offs. Replacing oil with woody biomass in energy production would increase the local value added remaining in the region, create employment opportunities and would reduce total GHG emissions. However, firewood, wood chips from small-diameter trees from early thinning and wood pellets have high production costs. Moreover, large greenhouse gas emission resulted from wood pellet production. The case study generated valuable reference data for future sustainability assessments and demonstrated the usefulness of ToSIA as a tool presenting existing knowledge on sustainability impacts of alternative energy supply chains to inform decision making.

Highlights

IntroductionIn Finland, about 28% of the total energy consumption comes from renewable sources of which woody biomass (with 21% of the total energy consumption) is currently the most important source of renewable energy [1]
In Finland, about 28% of the total energy consumption comes from renewable sources of which woody biomass is currently the most important source of renewable energy [1]
Similar processes in different production chains can be compared. In this particular study we focus on utilization of forests resources in North Karelia with special emphasis on the use of firewood, wood chips and pellets in heat and power generation

Summary

Introduction

In Finland, about 28% of the total energy consumption comes from renewable sources of which woody biomass (with 21% of the total energy consumption) is currently the most important source of renewable energy [1]. The share of woody biomass in the region of North Karelia in eastern Finland is even higher than the national average, and has, with 34%, one of the highest utilization rates of woody biomass in heat and power generation in Europe [2]. Utilization of woody biomass is expected to increase in the future as set out in the Finnish Long-term Climate and Energy Strategy [3]. The most significant increase in energy wood harvest is expected to come for a large part from small-diameter trees harvested by thinning of young stands. Harvest residues (tops and branches) and stumps are increasingly utilized in wood chip production

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