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harmonised sustainability criteria at EU-level. Despite its call for full harmonisation, EU policy- makers decided that Member States should still be able to adopt additional, national criteria. Implementation is a crucial phase, which is starting now. Member States will need to decide how to transpose the sustainability criteria into national law. At European level, the European Commission will prepare a guidance document to shape this process. Many detailed elements are still open to interpretation. Does syngas from gasification of wood fuels fall under gaseous or solid biofuels? What is considered a sufficient proof of maintaining soil quality? How to demonstrate that the carbon stock is maintained over the long term? How to make sure that enough certified biomass is available on the market in 2021 when the criteria start to apply? More than ever before, it is necessary to show commitment and actively contribute to a cleaner


Europe. What is needed now is a clear vision for the future of the bioenergy sector based on the potential of sustainable biomass. The sector has many success stories to tell and after this battle on RED II, its positive image must be restored in preparation for the political discussions to come. AEBIOM will work intensively in the coming months and years to meet the challenges that lie ahead.


‘Bioenergy from Finland’s forests’


Wood residues form Finland’s main source of bioenergy. About half of the country’s wood produc- tion is used for heat and power, either through district heating systems or through combined heat and power (CHP) plants. The most modern of these plants use fluid- ised bed technology to combust or gasify a wide range of forest residues.


‘Bioenergy from Finland’s forests’ is a report describing the nation’s approach to sustainable


solid biomass supply based on forest wood resources. Subtitled ‘Sustainable, efficient modern use of wood’, the study – prepared by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd in close co-operation with the International Renewable Energy Agency – offers insights for other countries on the development of sustainable forest bioenergy.


Three case studies illustrate specific, innovative forest bioenergy applications: 1. One bioproduct mill in Central Finland, for example, uses wood residues to power its own operations, heat the nearby town, and provide electricity for the Nordic regional market, in addition to producing pulp, turpentine and high-value products such as fertilisers and liquid biofuels.


2. In Southern Finland, a CHP plant uses a flue gas condenser to capture additional energy from moist fuel, resulting in impressive 96% efficiency.


3. In Eastern Finland, another CHP


AEBIOM


plant produces bio-oil from forest residues and sawdust, using a fluidised bed boiler to provide heat for the pyrolysis process and left-over gases to generate additional heat and power.


The other half of Finland’s wood production goes mainly to timber or pulp and paper products, where efficient technologies also help to improve cost-effectiveness and sustainability.


More information from www.vttresearch.com


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