The Effects of Biomass Availability and Preparation on the Sustainability of Power Plants in Croatia

Abstract

Energy production from biomass (wood chips) is necessarily limited by its renewability, availability, distance of sustainable supply, preparation and overall exploitation efficiency. A strong encouragement to the construction of plants that produce electricity and heat often represents variable and optimistic assessment of availability and renewability of various types and forms of biomass (especially wood chips), as well as the quality and type of consumers. Possible effects on sustainable cost-effectiveness have been analysed as related to sustainable cost-effectiveness of combined heat and power plants and also heating plants with a special critical consideration of the significance of the production, purpose, conditions, manner and consumption location of electricity and heat. Quantified values present possible limitations and insecurity of using energy transformation in the estimated exploitation period.

Energy Gain and Carbon Footprint in the Production of Bioelectricity and Wood Pellets in Croatia

“…Cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP), is the simultaneous production of two useful forms of energy (electricity and heat) in a single process [32], and it is the most cost-effective use of biomass as fuel [33]. The thermal energy that remains unused in conventional power plants (or is released into the environment with negative effects) is utilized for various production processes or, more commonly, for heating individual buildings or even entire communities.…”

“…The thermal energy that remains unused in conventional power plants (or is released into the environment with negative effects) is utilized for various production processes or, more commonly, for heating individual buildings or even entire communities. The main problem is that the construction of CHP or similar plants in relatively small regions has been encouraged without a critical review of the long-term availability and costs of preparation and supply of biomass, the type and speed of economic development, consumers of heat and economic conditions for production, transport, and energy use [33].…”

“…This high energy efficiency contributes to the economic viability and sustainability of such facilities. The variety, quality, moisture content, and degree of biomass processing all have a considerable influence on its energy value and, thus, on its use in the conversion of electricity and heat [33]. The challenge is to use wood resources in a sustainable way while improving the economy of society, but without a negative impact on the environment.…”

Life Cycle Assessment of Using Firewood and Wood Pellets in Slovenia as Two Primary Wood-Based Heating Systems and Their Environmental Impact

“…Biomass is a natural storage of energy and represents a traditional energy source. The advantage of using biomass as an energy source lies in its relatively large availability and usability potential [7]. The revised renewable energy directive (EU Directive 2023/2413) states that woody biomass should be used in line with the principle of cascading use of biomass in the following order: wood-based products, extending the service life of woodbased products, re-use, recycling, bioenergy, and disposal according to their economic and environmental added values [8][9][10].…”