Possibilities and challenges in regional forest biomass utilization

In Finland, it is estimated that forest biomass will be the main source of bioenergy when meeting the national target of 38% renewable from final energy consumption by 2020. Achieving this target means that concrete actions on increasing the use of renewable energy have to take place in regional level. The aim of this was to introduce a questionnaire study, which highlights concrete local possibilities and challenges in utilization of forest biomass. Volume of regional forest biomass business and production prices was also studied. The questionnaire was sent for actual participants operating in forest biomass production, supply, and end-use. This study gives information about operation methods and bottlenecks in forest biomass markets for all stakeholder groups interested in use and production of forest biomass. Opinions, valuable references, and concrete examples could be applied into practice by actual actors working with forest biomass. Background information for this kind of study is sufficient data about regional use and availability of forest biomass. (C) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.