Biomass energy transport - Analysis of bioenergy transport chains using life cycle inventory method

Biomass for energy conversion is usually considered as a local resource. With appropriate logistic systems, access to biomass can be improved over a large geographical area. In this study, life cycle inventory (LCI) has been used as a method to investigate the environmental load of selected bioenergy transport chains. As a case study, chains starting in Sweden and ending in Holland have been investigated. Biomass originates from tree sections or forest residues, the latter upgraded to bales or pellets. The study is concentrated on production of electricity, hot cooling water is considered as a loss. Electricity is, in the case study, produced from solid biomass in the importing country. Electricity can also be produced in the country of origin and exported via the transnational grid as transportation medium. The results show that emissions from long range transportation, 1200 km, performed with ships, is of minor importance compared to emissions from local bioenergy systems in a local market. In bioenergy systems the use of fuels and electricity for operating machines and transportation carriers requires a net energy input which amounts to typically 7-9% of delivered electrical energy from the system. Emissions of key substances such as NOx, CO, S, hydrocarbons, and particles are low in a perspective of sustainability. Emissions of CO2 from bio-combustion are considered to be zero since there is approximately no net contribution of carbon to the biosphere in an energy system based on biomass. The results indicate that biomass for energy can be transported from Scandinavia to Holland without losing its environmental benefits. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.