Course description

The course Supply and energy use of lignocellulosic biomass is part of the bioenergy module of the MSc studies of the School of Forest Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland. The course starts in the first semester, and it is complemented by the course Bioenergy markets and policy in the second semester, making together 12 ECTS. The course dates back to 2009, under different names. Originally coordinated by Prof Paavo Pelkonen; several instructors have been involved since then. The present form of the course started in 2015 and has been designed and coordinated by Blas Mola, as Senior Researcher in Biomass Production and Bioenergy. The course reviews all aspects related to biomass production for energy from forest and agriculture sources, and its utilisation, particularly in the Nordic area. The course has special emphasis on engineering, biological processes, environmental and management aspects of the production and utilisation of biomass. The course includes lectures and discussions, as well as independent and collaborative work on learning tasks.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Explain the basis of biomass supply, energy production, engineering processes and technologies involved. 
• Identify the main elements of the production aspects of various forms of biomass, including forest and agricultural residues, biomass plantations and peat. Supply, production, current use and utilization limitations, as well as the technologies related to energy production and conversion on a sustainable basis. 
• Handle basic research tools concerning biomass supply and use, as well as the use of the different technologies associated with the management, harvesting, transport, conversion and energy production.

Contents

Essentials: Basic concepts of lignocellulosic biomass supply and production from managed forests, plantations and sources of different industrial by-products. Research and analysis tools for evaluation and estimation of existing biomass resources and potentials. Basics for analysis of harvesting and transportation logistics of energy wood. Complementary knowledge: Heat production technologies; introduction to bio-energy conversion technologies, with focus on thermal combustion and gasification.

Course responsible

Blas Mola-Yudego, School of Forest Sciences, Borealis room 376, email address: blas.mola(at)uef.fi