Bioenergy from mountain forest: a life cycle assessment of the Norwegian woody biomass supply chain

Abstract

Norwegian mountain forests represent interesting sources of wood biomass for bioenergy. This case study gives a life cycle assessment of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and costs of forest management, harvest and transport operations in the mountainous areas of Hedmark and Oppland counties in Norway. Low-intensity forest management characterizes the study sites. The study shows that transportation to the terminal is the operation with the highest GHG impacts in the examined supply chain and that the bundling of forest residues has the highest financial cost. The mountain forest system analyzed emits 17,600 g CO2e per solid cubic meter over bark. Transportation to the terminal accounts for 31% of the emissions and 23% of the costs, while bundling accounts for 25% of the total emissions and 19% of the total costs. The study shows that there is a considerable quantity of woody biomass available for bioenergy purpose from mountain areas. In the short term, it is possible to integrate harvesting of logging residues in the conventional logging operations. However, it is necessary to improve forest management, logistic and technology for reducing emissions and operative costs, ensuring the achievement of a sustainable system at the same time.

Trade-Offs between Economic and Environmental Optimization of the Forest Biomass Generation Supply Chain in Inner Mongolia, China

“…The transportation node had the highest share of the total cost (38.83%) and CO 2 emissions (60.04%). Similar to [45], the transportation to the terminal which served an important role in the woody biomass supply chain accounted for 23% and 31% of the total cost and total emissions, respectively. The unit transportation distance was significant regardless of road condition, particularly for low-density sandy shrub residue.…”

“…That supply cost was dependent largely on the raw material's own characteristics: (1) raw material in Inner Mongolia possessed the following characteristics: broad dispersion, low density, high moisture content [37,45]; (2) uneven seasonal availability [40]. The sandy shrub stubble residue could be transformed into bioenergy to promote the development of a residue-recycling economy.…”

Life-Cycle Energy and GHG Emissions of Forest Biomass Harvest and Transport for Biofuel Production in Michigan

“…The values for transport stage show an obvious decrease. This may be because the case study is conducted in different countries (Sweden and Spain) [18], the locations of forest feedstock in mountain areas increase hauling inputs [19], and the assumption of long transport distances [21]. Sensitivity analysis for key inputs to harvesting and transportation operations was conducted.…”

“…Although extensive LCA studies have been conducted on biofuel logistics, the sources [8,[17][18][19]21] were chosen based on the forest feedstock type, which makes the comparison more persuasive. As shown in Table 8, the per unit values of energy demand and GHG emissions during the harvest operation is within a reasonable range as compared to prior research [8,[17][18][19]21]. The values for transport stage show an obvious decrease.…”

“…Gonzalez-Garcia et al [18] conducted a LCA to identify environmental impacts of pulpwood production and supply to pulp mills in Sweden and Spain. A LCA was also conducted to evaluate GHG emissions and costs of forest management, harvest and transport operations in the mountain areas of Hedmark and Oppland countries in Norway [19].…”