Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Objectives
• Define woody biomass
• Define bioenergy
• Explain the benefits of using woody biomass for bioenergy
• Describe the role woody biomass plays in global bioenergy production
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Outline
• Availability
• Utilization
• Biomass in the United States
• Benefits
• Promotion
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
What is Woody Biomass?
• Woody biomass is the accumulated mass, above and below ground, of the wood, bark, and leaves of living and dead woody shrubs and trees.
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
What is Bioenergy?
• Energy produced from biomass including woody biomass, agricultural biomass, and other biological materials
• Includes electricity, heat, and transportation fuels
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Availability of Biomass
• OECD – commercial, industry-led
• Asia and Latin America – modern, commercial
• Africa – harvested informally
China20.5%
Asia(excluding
China)34.2%
Latin America7.0%
Africa23.9%
OECD13.0%
Middle East 0.1%
Former USSR 0.9%
Non-OECD Europe 0.4%
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Source: IEA 2003. Renewables Information. Paris
Utilization of Biomass• Biomass is the most important renewable energy source in the world today• 10.6% world total energy supply
- 77.4% total renewable energy supply• Solid biomass has grown at 1.8%• Liquid biomass has grown at 84%
0.20%16.40%
0.30%
3.20%
79.90%
Wind
Hydro
Solar tide
Geothermal
Combustiblerenewables andwaste
Solidbiomass/charcoal77.4%
LiquidBiomass
0.7%
RenewableMunicipal
SolidWaste1.20%
Gas fromBiomass0.50%
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Source: IEA 2003. Renewables Information. Paris
Biomass in the United States
• Domestic energy production
• 9% renewable: 47% biomass: 72% wood-based
17.00%
9.00%
11.00%
32.00%
31.00%
Petroleum
Renewable Energy
Nuclear Electric
Coal
Natural Gas
2% Wind
45%Hydroelectric
5%Geothermal
47%Biomass
1% Solar
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Source: Energy Information Administration 2004
Biomass & Forest Products
• Forest products industry is largest user of forest biomass– 70% of energy in-house– Created from by-products
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Biomass & Forest Products
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Benefits of Biomass
• Environmental Benefits
• Economic Benefits
• Energy Benefits
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Environmental Benefits• Carbon
sequestration• Reduced
greenhouse gas emissions
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Environmental Benefits
• Forest health– Reduce wildfire risk– Reduced mortality due
to insect and disease– Recovery of degraded
land
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Economic Benefits• Landowners
– Increased income potential
– Reduced site preparation costs
• Communities– New markets for
forest products– Economic
diversification
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Energy Benefits
• Reduced fossil fuel use
• Renewable source
• Improved energy security
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Energy Potential
• Forest residues
• Ethanol potential
• Southern advantage
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Source: Mabee et al. 2006
Energy Potential
• Agricultural residues
• Ethanol potential
• Midwestern advantage
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Source: Mabee et al. 2006
Promoting Biomass
• Market Formation– Bioenergy systems– Biofuels
• Challenges
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Market Formation• System-level focus across entire value chain
– Biomass production
– Harvesting, transport, processing
– Utilization and energy generation capacity• Direct combustion
• Conversion technology
– Consumer demand
• Marketing messages– Reliable and affordable
– Enables secure energy future
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Biofuels Opportunities
• Solid fuels– Pellets, briquettes
• Liquid fuels– Ethanol– Bio-diesel
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Challenges in Bioenergy
• Supply and Market Development
• Integration
• Competitiveness and Mainstreaming
• Sustainability
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Creating Synergies
• Energy sector– Greater use of by-products for fuel– Sale of excess electricity to the grid
• Agriculture– Cooperate in market development for ethanol
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Conclusions• Forest biomass is an attractive renewable
energy source.
• It provides environmental, economic, and energy benefits to society.
• Challenges and barriers do exist.– Market development– Collaboration– Education
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources
Credits: PhotosSlide 10: Chyrel Mayfield, Texas A&M UniversitySlide 12: NASASlide 13: www.climatechange.ca.govSlide 14: Chicago Climate Exchange, U. S. Department of LaborSlide 15: EIA Petroleum Supply Annual 2002, Vol. 1Slide 16: Warren Mabee, University of British ColumbiaSlide 17: Warren Mabee, University of British Columbia
Module 1: Understanding Bioenergy Resources