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