Wood chips have emerged as a potential source of biomass fuel, contributing to solving energy problems and protecting the environment. This article will analyze in detail the uses of wood chips in the field of biomass burning, and provide updated data until 2023.
1. Outstanding advantages of wood chips as biomass fuel:
- Abundant source of raw materials: Wood chips are produced from naturally available wood raw materials, especially from by-products and waste from the forestry industry. According to FAO, the global amount of wood scrap is expected to reach 580 million m3 by 2030, opening up an abundant supply for wood chip production.
- High energy properties: Wood chips have a high calorie content, equivalent to coal and higher than other biomass fuels such as straw and bagasse. On average, 1 ton of wood chips can provide 4,100 kWh of energy, meeting the energy needs of many activities.
- Environmentally friendly: Wood chips are a renewable fuel source, burning wood chip biomass emits 40% less CO2 than coal. The use of wood chips contributes to reducing the greenhouse effect and climate change.
- Minimize environmental pollution: Compared to fossil fuels, burning wood chips emits significantly lower amounts of fine dust, SOx and NOx, contributing to improving air quality.
- Enhance energy security: Using wood chips helps reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels, especially in the context of strong fluctuations in fossil fuel prices.
- Economy: The price of wood chips is often lower than fossil fuels, helping to save costs for users. In addition, the wood chip production and use industry creates many jobs, promoting local economic development.
2. Statistics on the wood chip market as biomass fuel:
- Demand for wood chips for biomass burning: Demand for wood chips for biomass burning is expected to grow 6% per year in the period 2023-2028, reaching 52 million tons in 2028. (Source: Allied Market Research)
- Global wood chip production: Global wood chip production will reach 42 million tons in 2022 and is expected to increase to 48 million tons in 2023. (Source: Hawkins Wood Products)
- Main wood chip consumption area: Europe is the largest wood chip consumption area for biomass combustion, accounting for 45% of total global demand. Next is North America (30%) and Asia (20%). (Source: IEA Bioenergy)
- Wood chip application: Wood chips are widely used in biomass power plants (60%), biomass heaters (25%), and heat production plants (15%). (Source: Wood Markets Group).
3. Typical examples of wood chip application in biomass burning:
- Drax Biomass Power Plant (UK): The largest biomass power plant in Europe uses wood chips as the main fuel, providing 2.5 GW of electricity to the national grid.
- Biomass heaters in Finland: More than 70% of Finnish households use wood chip biomass heaters for heating, contributing to reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Thermal plants in Canada: Many thermal plants in Canada use wood chips to provide steam and heat for industries such as paper, food, and textiles.
4. Conclusion:
Wood chips are a potential biomass fuel source with many outstanding advantages, contributing to solving energy problems and protecting the environment.
Source:
Overc Team synthesize, analyze and write articles.
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