Modern Applications of Wood Energy

Types of applications - RWEDP activities - Further reading - Other issues in wood energy

Besides being used for traditional applications, wood and biomass energy is increasingly being used for modern applications as well. Modern applications basically refer to clean, convenient, efficient, reliable, and economically and environmentally sound applications which are or can be used on a sustainable basis to substitute conventional sources of energy such as coal and oil. A clear distinction between 'modern' and 'traditional' applications cannot always be made, but what actually matters is that wood and biomass energy can be used by industries, households and utilities in ways that meet the above criteria.

Many mature technical options are available to use woodfuels in a modern way, including fuel preparations from residue materials. These technologies are not necessarily more expensive than traditional methods of woodfuel use, or other fuel for that matter, if evaluated on a life-cycle basis. Methods have to be developed further on how to promote the rational use of energy, including wood energy. Modern options deserve a wider recognition amongst decision-makers in Asia, and information needs to be disseminated to potential users.

Types of Applications

Modern applications cover not only heat and electric power generation from biomass, but also include domestic applications such as improved cooking and heating stoves. Besides direct combustion of solid fuels, the application by liquid fuels (e.g. ethanol, methanol, bio-diesel) and gaseous fuels (e.g. gasification, biogas) made from biomass are also considered as modern. Most modern applications are relatively large-scale and thus require considerable investments, with the exception of modern domestic applications which generally require minimal investments.

Modern applications of wood and biomass can be broadly classified in three categories:

Direct combustion for electricity and heat generation: this can range from simple systems like furnaces and boilers to more advanced systems like fluidized bed combustion technology. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and co-generation systems generate both heat and electricity, and can save considerable amounts of energy compared to two separate systems.

Thermo-chemical processes: these convert biomass into higher-value or more convenient products. The process releases a gas, an oil-like liquid and a char, and depending on the technology one of these is the final product. Charcoal production is the most common form of thermo-chemical processes. For other processes (e.g. gasification, bio-diesel), extensive research is being carried out, but as of yet these remain in the development stage.

Biochemical processes: these make use of the biochemistry of biomass and the metabolic action of microbial organism to produce gaseous and liquid fuels, e.g. biogas, ethanol, methanol.

Interest in modern applications of wood energy started in the seventies and eighties after the oil shocks, which raised concern about high energy costs and dependence on imported oil. With decreasing oil prices, these concerns faded out, but because of environmental concerns, such as global warming and CO2 emissions, the interest in modern wood energy is still increasing. This stems from the fact that wood energy, if used in a sustainable manner, is carbon neutral. In some countries, restrictive regulations on wood and biomass waste disposal have led to implementation of modern wood energy applications. As of yet, most modern applications are implemented in industrialized countries, but there is a good potential for applications in Asian countries.

RWEDP activities

RWEDP published a special issue of Wood Energy News on Modern Wood Energy. In April 1998, RWEDP organized an expert consultation on options for dendro-power in Asia. In January 1997, RWEDP organized a regional expert consultation on modern applications of biomass energy.

Modern Applications of Wood Energy

Types of Applications

RWEDP activities

Further reading: