Title:
Replacement of Peat with Forest Chips in Finnish Energy Production
Author(s):
Ranta, T., Karhunen, A., Laihanen, M.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Between 2018 and 2020, an average of 15 TWh of energy peat was consumed in Finland. Energy peat is used in 260 boilers in Finland, which produce district heat and heat and steam for industry, as well as electricity as cogeneration (CHP) in connection with district heating and industrial heat production. Peat accounts for 3–5% of the energy sources used in Finland, but its importance has been greater in terms of security of supply. With current use in accordance with the 2018–2020 average, the emissions from peat are almost 6 Mt CO2 per year in Finland, which is 15% of emissions from the energy sector. The use of peat has declined rapidly, by a third, over the period 2018–2020, as fossil fuels are being replaced by renewable energy sources. Peat is typically used in multi-fuel boilers, where various biomass fractions are most used in boilers in addition to peat. Typically, it is necessary to combust some 20–30% of peat or a similar proportion of other sulphur-containing fuels in a power plant boiler to prevent corrosion. By 2040, the technical minimum use of peat will fall to 2 TWh. The techno-economical potential may be even lower, but due to socio-economic objectives, peat production will not be completely ceased. The reduction in the minimum share assumes that old peat boilers are replaced with new biomass boilers or are alternatively replaced by other forms of heat production. Based on the biomass reserves, the current use of peat can be completely replaced by forest chips, but regional challenges may occur along the coast and in southern Finland. It is unlikely that the current demand for all peat will be fully replaced by biomass when part of CHP production is replaced by heat production alone and combustion with waste heat sources.
Keywords:
biomass, economics, heat, supply, combined heat and power generation (CHP), markets
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Biomass resources and potentials
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1AO.7.2
Pages:
42 - 49
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-1AO.7.2
Price:
FREE
