Prospects for the Use of Wood Fuel in the Context of Low-carbon Energy Development

Authors

  • Ekaterina Ivantsova Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
  • Darya Kozyaeva Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia

Keywords:

Biofuels, Fuel Pellets, Low-carbon Energy, Pellets, Wood Fuel, Timber Industry

Abstract

Wood fuel can play an important role as a CO2-neutral alternative as part of the low-carbon energy transition. Furthermore, given the sanctions imposed recently, the development of the domestic market for wood fuel is extremely relevant for the timber industry of Russia as most of the pellets produced were previously exported. The article examines the current parameters of the development of the biofuel market and provides a comparative analysis of various types of fuel in terms of their economic and environmental performance. We also elucidate the key advantages of wood pellets as a fuel alternative to coal and fuel oil. Thus, the production of wood pellets seems to be very promising both in terms of the development of wood industries and in the context of low-carbon energy development. In the course of the study we identified the factors that act as constraints on the growth of the fuel pellet market, the prospects for overcoming them, and the necessary measures of government support for the industry (most notably, subsidy mechanisms and infrastructure development). The key takeaway from this study is that there are undeniable advantages that come with biofuels, in particular, wood pellets, the use of which in Russia is very promising provided that the economic incentives offered by the government to both manufacturers and residential consumers are in place.

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Published

2023-04-30