Test the new Costing Model for Biomass Harvesting Operations

Feedback: Machine Cost Calculation Model - Test version Costing Model: Machine Cost Calculation Testing Model The Testing Model of the "Machine Cost Calculation Model" has been produced by an international group of experts, operating within the framework of COST Action FP0902. The new calculation model is specifically designed for cost calculations within biomass harvesting operations, but they are fit for general use and can be applied to many other fields where costing models are needed. The current calculation model is a testing version as part of the COST Action FP0902 Working Group 3 outcome and displays a preliminary result. The development group is now welcoming comments and suggestions in order to improve the model. You can download the Testing Model here. Please give us some Feedback on the "Machine Cost Calculation Testing Model" by contacting the following contact of Working Group 3:  Lars Eliasson, WG 3 Leader, Cost Action FP0902 email lars.eliasson@skogforsk.se

6th COST Training School on Forest Fuel Quality Assurance

Forest Fuel Quality Assurance
- a COST Training School
 

Norwegian Forest & Landscape Institute

Campus Ås (Norway) – Jun.09th- Jun.15th, 2013

 Objectives:

• To provide participants with detailed knowledge of existing standards (ENS and ISO) and how to conform with these
• To provide participants with knowledge about the inherent properties of the fuel
• To gain an understanding of sampling methods for various analyses
• To gain practical insight into in field sampling
• To provide participants with skills to analyse the most important properties in the lab
• To gain exposure to other users of biomass, especially the bio-refinery concept

 The Programme:

• June 11th, Tue: Fieldwork at chipper site, sampling & sample preparation
• June 12th, Wed: Theory & practical sessions on wood fuel quality parameters
• June 13th, Thu: Theory & practical sessions, fieldtrip to Borregaard biorefinery
• June 14th, Fri: Participant presentation of findings & feedback
• June 15th, Sat: Departure

Note: The course proposal is under consideration for 5 ECTS points

You can find more information about the COST Training School on our website www.forestenergy.org or here.

Biomass Utilization Allocation in Biofuel Production: Model and Application

Another article published as a result of the cooperation between the Journal of Forest Energy and the International Journal of Forest Engineering. 

International Journal of Forest Engineering Volume 23, Number 1 (2012)

by Jianbang Gan, C.T. Smith

Abstract

Various biomass sources can potentially be used for biofuel production, and many of these same biomass sources also have other uses. This raises an important question about biomass utilization allocation. We demonstrate an economic principle for bio-mass allocation by examining the profitability of woody biomass utilization in a simple two-product case. We then develop a mixed-integer programming model for allocating multiple biomass resources in the production of different biofuels and bioproducts. Our model combines biomass utilization allocation with biofuel supply chain optimization. The model is applied to solving the forest biomass utilization allocation problem for East Texas in the southern United States. We find that besides biofuel prices, production scale and CO 2 offset credits also significantly affect biomass utilization allocation. Our findings validate our integrative model approach to addressing biomass allocation and provide useful implications for enhancing the efficient utilization of forest biomass.

You can find the full article from HERE

Provincial Government Standards, Criteria, and Indicators for Sustainable Harvest of Forest Biomass in British Columbia: Soil and Biodiversity

Article published as a result of the cooperation between the Journal of Forest Energy and the International Journal of Forest Engineering.

International Journal of Forest Engineering Volume 23, Number 1 (2012)

by Shannon M. Berch, Chuck Bulmer, Mike Curran, Maija Finvers, Brian Titus

Abstract

Sustainable forest management (SFM) is a cornerstone of forest management, whether the resulting forest products are destined for the manufacturing sector or for the emerging bioenergy feedstock market. In British Columbia, research on the environmental effects of forest management has generated scientific knowledge that has informed two linked areas of government responsibility: 1) a comprehensive set of science-based regulations and policies to ensure soil and water conservation, and 2) a monitoring program to ensure the effectiveness of these regulations and policies.

An increasing amount of biomass is being harvested from British Columbia’s forests as a feedstock for bioenergy, and these removals have the potential to incrementally increase machine traffic and organic matter removals from forest sites, compared to harvesting operations focused solely on roundwood for timber or pulp. To the extent that existing standards support SFM, they may be sufficient for ensuring that biomass harvesting is also sustainable. Regardless of the new challenges created by intensive harvesting practices, the principles of soil and biodiversity conservation remain the same. The current framework for BC’s SFM policy is reviewed to examine whether it addresses the major sustainability issues that are likely to arise in the province if intensive biomass harvesting becomes more prevalent. We conclude that intensification of biomass removals will require us to keep focused on stand and landscape sensitivity to coarse woody debris removals and biodiversity requirements, nutrient removals, and cumulative soil disturbance.

You can find the full article from HERE

Forest chips for energy in Europe: Current procurement methods and potentials

New review article in: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Olalla Díaz-Yáñez, Blas Mola-Yudego, Perttu Anttila, Dominik Röser, Antti Asikainen. Forest chips for energy in Europe: Current procurement methods and potentials. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2013; 21:562–571. 

Abstract

Forest chips are becoming an important alternative resource for energy in Europe. The aim of this study is to review and analyze the current procurement methods and potentials of forest chips in Europe, based on questionnaires sent to relevant experts in different countries as well as a literature review of existing literature. The compilation of current uses of wood chips and existing procurement methods was based on data from several professionals in 17 countries. The analysis of the forest chips potentials by countries combined data supplied by the experts as well as additional sources based in the literature. The results showed that Finland and Sweden use the largest volumes of forest chips, and is expected that many other countries will experience a significant increase in the use to produce energy. Currently, the main source of forest chips in most of the countries are logging residues, but in the near future it is expected a shift towards increasing utilization of stumps and roundwood. In the EU, the estimates for biomass potential for energy available under current conditions were 277 M m³, for above ground biomass and 585 M m³ for total biomass. The total long term potential is estimated to be 913 M m³. The results of this study reveal that significant volumes of forest chips are used in most of the selected countries for energy and the experts consulted as well as the literature suggests that even larger volumes can be mobilized and novel technology developed to improve the efficiency of supply.

You can find the whole article from HERE, and more information from HERE.

ResearchGate link HERE.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2012.12.016

COST Action FP0902 Showcase event and International Scientific Workshop

“Work Studies in Forestry” event in Florence, April 4th

Dear colleagues!

 This is my personal invitation to the Workshop “Work Studies in Forestry”, jointly organized by CNR IVALSA and the University of Florence for April 4, in Florence downtown.

Here you will find the announcement, with a full description of the event.

The Workshop will offer a comprehensive and updated review of work studies in forestry, covering: study planning, data collection, data processing, automatic time studies and result uptake by the industry.

The workshop has been designed to make participation as easy and time-efficient as possible.

That explains the dense, focused programme packing all lessons in one single morning, and the late start hour. Researchers from all the main Italian cities can leave in the morning from their residence, take a fast train, attend the workshop and be back home the same evening. Colleagues from some of the major cities in Central Europe (Lyon, Paris, München, Vienna etc.) can use a night train and still be missing from their offices one working day.

The lecturers are renowned international scholars from three different Countries (Finland, Italy and USA). In particular, I bring to your attention the extraordinary participation of Prof. Loren Kellogg, one of the best US experts in the field, who has seldom joined any of the main European networks and is visiting Italy for the first time. This is a unique opportunity to meet Prof. Kellogg and attend one of his lessons – and possibly to ask him focused questions during the discussion session.

Please notice that:

 - The Seminar is in English

- Attendance is free, but places are limited and you should register by sending a message to:spinelli@ivalsa.cnr.it

- All attendees will receive a free printed copy of the COST FP 0902 “Good Practice Guidelines for Biomass Production Studies” 

Looking forward to meeting you soon, I am taking the opportunity of wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Regards

Raffaele Spinelli

- COST Action FP0902 Vice-Chair and Host of the International Workshop -

Announcement: 6th Call for Short Term Scientific Missions in Forest Energy

Promoting the use of forest energy through Short Term Scientific Missions
 

Now open: 6th Call for Scientific Missions in Forest Energy

 

Are you interested in the harvesting and utilization of forest biomass for energy?

Do you want to learn more about other countries & cultures?

Are you ready to extend your professional network?

If your answers to the above questions are positive then a Short Term Scientific Mission is right for you!

Choose from 27 European Countries, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Brazil and Australia for a unique chance to learn something new, study a novel method or apply your knowledge in a different working environment.

 

More information is available on our website:

http://www.forestenergy.org/pages/cost_action/short_term_scientific_missions/2013

You can learn about the STSM carried out in 2011 from here:

http://www.forestenergy.org/pages/cost_action_fp0902/stsm_center/

You can find more information about forest energy on our website www.forestenergy.org.

For more information please contact:

Dr. Ger Devlin
STSM Coordinator Cost Action FP0902
email: ger.devlin@ucd.ie

or

Robert Prinz
Chair Cost Action FP0902

email robert.prinz@metla.fi