Forest bioenergy value chains can offer attractive opportunities to promote economic development and mitigate climate change. However, implementing profitable and efficient forest biomass value chains requires overcoming barriers that continue to hinder the development of bioenergy systems in several jurisdictions. The objective of this study was to compare the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of various potential configurations of forest bioenergy value chains, including forest biomass supply and bioenergy production chains, in the Capitale-Nationale region of Quebec (Canada), which is a jurisdiction that has considerable forest resources but makes little use of bioenergy. We based our study on the ToSIA model parameterization and compared various policy measures, biomass supply, and logistics scenarios for 2008 and 2030. Our results showed that wood chip and pellet value chains in the Capitale-Nationale region would positively contribute to the regional economy in 2030, even in the absence of subsidies. Moreover, actions to increase biomass feedstock mobilization in 2030 would lead to an increase in gross value added, employment, and energy production in the region compared with 2008 and a greater increase than other considered policy or logistical measures. However, increased biomass feedstock mobilization would also mean higher relative GHG emissions and more fossil fuel energy input per unit of bioenergy than in the other scenarios. Conversely, optimizing biomass feedstock and combustion technologies could help minimize the fossil fuel energy input needed and GHG and some non-GHG pollutant emissions. Overall, our study suggested that implementing policy and logistical measures for forest biomass value chains could make the significant mobilization of forest bioenergy attainable and, in turn, Quebec’s 2030 bioenergy target of 17 petajoules realistic.
Afin d’atteindre les cibles climatiques, le gouvernement du Québec prévoit une augmentation de la production de bioénergie forestière pour favoriser la transition énergétique. Cependant, l’utilisation de la biomasse forestière à des fins énergétiques présente des défis sociaux, économiques et environnementaux particuliers. Au cours d’un atelier de travail collaboratif tenu à l’hiver 2022, des professionnels et parties prenantes se sont prononcés sur le développement durable de la bioénergie forestière au Québec. L’objectif de cet article est d’identifier les sources de biomasse, les façons de faire et les voies de conversions perçues comme étant propices au succès de cette filière émergente. Il ressort des discussions qu’il est difficile d’entrevoir un seul et unique modèle d’affaires pour le déploiement de projets de bioénergie forestière, ce dernier s’insérant dans les activités de différents secteurs. La disponibilité de la biomasse forestière, le coût d’approvisionnement et de production, la valeur et le cycle de vie des produits générés ainsi que le comportement des parties prenantes sont des éléments déterminants pour définir la nature et la portée de projets de bioénergie forestière. Le succès de tels projets nécessite une amélioration de la cohérence tout au long de la chaîne de valeur et leur acceptabilité auprès des communautés.
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