Objectives

This introductory session focuses on:

• To get familiar with the course information (structure, assignments, evaluation…)
• To get familiar with the wiki course environment and the general possibilities of wiki pages
• To reflect on your previous knowledge and experiences, as well as to share some information about your interests, experiences and course expectations
• To get familiar with the main concepts on bioenergy production

The contents of the background session deal with:

• Rationale and pre-conditions for modern bioenergy development.
• Examples of modern use of wood for energy
• Overview of biomass markets and origins

Materials

The modern concept of bioenergy [video]. Bioenergy is the utilization of biomass resources for the production of energy. As such, it is perhaps the oldest technology ever used for energy. What is new then? What are the differences between using wood for energy in the past and nowadays? This video presents my views on bioenergy, and why it is more than the mere utilization of wood to produce energy. 

Energy from the Forest – Benefits for the Local Economy  This is a video summary of this theme of the course, and shows the different steps to produce biomass from the forests till the power plant. The video is shot in a small municipality in Finland, that has established a district heating plant to produce bioenergy. In Finland local bioenergy operators have combined forces in the harvesting and utilization of energy wood. Eno Energy Cooperative manages the entire production chain from harvesting to wood chipping, transportation, and heating plant operations which has resulted in many benefits for the local economy. Source: Wenet, The Wenet Centre Project is coordinated by Joensuu Regional Development Company JOSEK Ltd, the Kajaani University Consortium, and the universities of applied sciences of North Karelia, Savonia and Mikkeli. The EU Regional Development Fund co-finances the project with regional councils and development companies in Eastern Finland as well as Wenet’s member companies.

Complementary Materials

For those not familiarized with the main concepts related to biomass production for energy, feel free to use these materials to expand your background:

Röser, D., Asikainen, A., Raulund-Rasmussen, K. and Stupak, I. eds. (2008) Sustainable use of forest biomass for energy a synthesis with focus on the Baltic and Nordic region. Vol. 12. Springer Science & Business Media [e-brary link]

Richardson, J., Björheden, R., Hakkila, P., Lowe, A. T., & Smith, C. T. (Eds.). (2006). Bioenergy from sustainable forestry: guiding principles and practice (Vol. 71). Springer Science & Business Media. [e-library link]

Schubert R et al (2010) Future bioenergy and sustainable land use, 365 pp. Earthscale [e-brary link]

Machines in biomass procurement operations [YouTube] ForestEnergy Portal

Harvesting of fast growing plantations [Youtube] at Salixodlarna

Welcome to the Forest Capital of Europe  The video introduces Finland and the city of Joensuu, located in North Karelia, hosting the European Forest Institute, the University of Eastern Finland, the former Finnish Forest Research Institute (METLA, now LUKE), the North-Karelian University of Applied Sciences, among others. Industrially, there is the main factory of John Deere of forest machinery, one of the largest in Europe. Source: Wenet,Wenet: The Wenet Centre Project is coordinated by Joensuu Regional Development Company JOSEK Ltd, the Kajaani University Consortium, and the universities of applied sciences of North Karelia, Savonia and Mikkeli. The EU Regional Development Fund co-finances the project with regional councils and development companies in Eastern Finland as well as Wenet’s member companies.