The Use of Forest Biomass for Energy Purposes in Selected European Countries

Anna Kożuch (), Dominika Cywicka, Krzysztof Adamowicz, Marek Wieruszewski, Emilia Wysocka-Fijorek and Paweł Kiełbasa
Additional contact information
Anna Kożuch: Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Avenue 29-Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
Dominika Cywicka: Department of Forest Resources Management, Faculty of Forestry, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Avenue 29-Listopada 46, 31-425 Krakow, Poland
Krzysztof Adamowicz: Department of Forestry Economics and Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
Marek Wieruszewski: Department Mechanical Wood Technology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 28, 60-637 Poznan, Poland
Emilia Wysocka-Fijorek: Forest Research Institute, Sękocin Stary, Braci Leśnej 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
Paweł Kiełbasa: Department of Machine Operation, Ergonomics and Production Processes, Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Balicka Av. 116B, 30-149 Krakow, Poland

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: The utilization of primary and secondary woody biomass resources, despite controversies, is being promoted to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and due to the need to diversify energy sources and ensure energy security in European Union countries. Forest biomass is one of the renewable and sustainable energy sources that can be used for electricity, heat, and biofuel production. In the context of the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, an attempt was made to analyze the production and consumption of woody biomass for energy purposes (fuel wood, chips, and pellets). Specifically, an analysis of similarities between European countries in terms of biomass utilization was conducted. The analysis was complemented by a forecast of primary biomass production in selected European countries. The similarity analysis was conducted using the Ward method. Artificial neural networks (ANNs), including multi-layer feedforward perceptron (MLP) and radial basis function (RBF) models, were used to predict fuelwood extraction. The study showed that woody biomass remains an important source of bioenergy in Europe, and its significance as a strategic resource guaranteeing energy security is likely to increase. Fuel wood harvesting in Europe generally shows an upward trend, particularly in the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Denmark, and the UK. A decreasing trend was observed in France, Spain, Greece, and Cyprus. The analysis revealed differences between countries in terms of woody biomass consumption. The ANN-based forecasts of fuelwood supply generally showed an increase in primary biomass harvesting.

Keywords: renewable energy; forest biomass; fuel wood productions; biomass management; European countries; similarity analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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