Development of renewable energy production is one of the main directions of decarbonizing the Ukraine’s energy sector as well as the forestry sector. Increase in woody biomass utilization efficiency at producing energy, alongside with securing the proper level of technological processes and technical equipment, also requires a reliable information support toolbox that would facilitate managerial decisions. An important constituent of this toolbox is represented by the regional assessments of energy function of forest plant communities. The information basis of the research is formed by the information from the industrial database of IA “Ukrderzhlisproekt”, which contains the detailed biometric characteristics of the stands in the studied region, as well as by a system of mathematical models for quantitative assessment of foersts’ live biomass and dead organic matter. As a result, the quantitative values of the total energy content in live biomass and daed organic matter of Zhytomyr Polissia’s forests were determined. The total amount of energy accumulated in vegetal biomass of the region's forests is 3035.7 PJ, which corresponds to 100.2 million tons of conventional fuel. At the same time, the share of the total energy content in dead organic matter is 11.1 %. The structure of energy content in vegetal biomass in the region is dominated by pine stands, which accumulate more than 60 % of the energy of forests of Zhytomyr region, including 70.8 % - in live biomass of tree trunks. More than 40 % of energy is accumulated in vegetal biomass of stands of I site index class, which mainly grow in fairly infertile forest growth conditions. In the general structure of energy content in dead organic matter (336.2 PJ) more than 60 % belongs to forest litter (212.8 PJ which is not considered a source of renewable energy), standing dead trees 12.3 % (41.3 PJ), dry branches – 17.8 % (close to 60 PJ). The results obtained in the course of the research will serve as an information background for the formation of a strategy for development of forest bioenergy in Zhytomyr region.

Woody biomass in Ukraine is currently seen as an important resource for securing development of national renewable energy sector, avoiding dependence on the imported fossil fuels, and for building a low-carbon economy. This research highlights the indices of the overall energy potential of Ukraine’s forests of the dominant tree species, expressed in units of primary energy. The indices are differentiated by biomass components and stand age groups. The information basis of the research consists of two main components: data on biometric assessment of trees collected at temporary sample plots, and mathematical models of biomass expansion factors. The research features the assessment results on the annual potential of woody biomass for stem wood (fuel wood), logging residues and wood processing residues. This resource forms a part of the sources of renewable energy and can be used for securing energy needs of the society. The proposed indices of woody biomass energy potential serve as an information basis for shaping the regional programs of forest bioenergy development in Ukraine.

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