Amsterdam, Netherlands 2002

Biomass Trade: Economic and Greenhouse Gas Considerations (Biotrade)

Task 35 – Techno Economic Assessments for Bioenergy Applications
Task 38 – Greenhouse Gas Balances of Biomass and Bioenergy Systems

at the 12th European Conference & Technology Exhibition on Biomass for Energy, Industry and Climate Protection

19 June 2002 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

Jointly organised by

Scope and objectives of the workshop

The workshop provided an open forum on the topic of international biotrade, with the prime objective to present the  state-of-the-art insights and real life experience in matters, discussed key possibilities, limitations, open questions and research agenda. Following topics were addressed:

1. GHG and energy balances and economics of international bio-energy trading chains
2. Biomass resource potentials
3. Optimal use of land in terms of the CO2 balance: sequestration, indigenous utilisation and export compared, trade-offs and synergies discussed
4. Practical experience and lessons learned.
5. Formulation, implementation and verification of criteria for sustainable bio-energy trade.
6. Policy frameworks, pilot projects and implementation schemes

Workshop Program

Session 1: Introduction

Large Scale International Bio-energy Trade – Perspectives, Possibilities and Criteria; introduction to a workshop
Andre Faaij, Utrecht University
Presentation Slides

Introduction from Task 35: techno-economics of biotrade chains
Yrjö Solantausta, VTT-Processes, Finland
Presentation Slides

Introduction from Task 38: Greenhouse Gas emissions from biofuel transportation; accounting of international biofuels trade in national greenhouse-gas inventories
Bernhard Schlamadinger, Gerfried Jungmeier, Joanneum Research, Austria & Leif Gustavsson, Lund University, Sweden
Presentation Slides

Session 2: Practical Experiences with Biotrade

Biomass trade from the perspective of an electric utility: Essent
Martijn Wagener, Essent-Energy, The Netherlands

Forests Products Industry perspective
Kai Sipilä, VTT-Energy, Finland

The Swedish experience of biomass trade – trade patterns, incentives and policy aspects
Erik Ling & Karin Ericsson, The Swedish experience: STEM – Sweden
Presentation Slides

Session 3: Supply and Demand

Notes from a developing country´s perspective: Brazil
Jose Moreira CENBIO-USP, Brazil & Arnaldo Walter, University of Campinas, Brazil

Notes from potential large scale user/trader: Biofuels trade in the Port of Rotterdam
Kees Weststrate, Corporate Development Unit, Port of Rotterdam

International trade and fuel prices of solid biofuels
Eija Alakangas, EUBIONET and VTT-Processes
Presentation Slides

Session 4: Panel discussion

Workshop Summary
Andre Faaij, Utrecht University
Presentation Slides

List of Participants