Bioenergy
Mainly used as fuel for heat production, demand for bioenergy is increasing.
The term bioenergy covers all fuel derived from the plant world. The bioenergy used to produce heat and generate electricity on a large scale comes primarily from forestry bi-products, and is called wood fuel. Over the last ten years, the use of wood fuel in heat production has doubled. However, its use in electricity generation is still quite modest.
Energy from plants
Today, bioenergy also comes from energy forests (forests of fast-growing trees that are harvested every four or five years). Bioenergy also includes farm refuse, such as straw, and wood from demolished buildings and some household waste. In Finland, peat is classified as bioenergy, while it is considered to be a fossil fuel in the rest of Europe.
A good alternative for the environment
From an environmental perspective, biofuels are very good as long as they are incinerated in an efficient plant. As trees grow they absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as they give off when burnt. This means the net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is zero. And, to protect the fertility of the forests, ash produced in the incineration process can be spread on the forest floor.
The future
Policy-makers have agreed to increase the share of renewable energy sources in the production of electricity and heat – so demand for biofuel is increasing both in Sweden and in the rest of Europe.
Share of electricity generation based on bioenergy:
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