Posted April 1997
FAO Regional Consultation
Genting Highlands/Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
6-9 January 1997
In order to address the issue of modern biomass applications, the FAO regional Wood Energy Development Programme, RWEDP organized the above mentioned regional expert consultation. The objective of the consultation was to create a forum for senior officials at the policy level to:
Apart from addressing the general situation, the consultation focused specifically on types of industries that have large scope for modern biomass energy systems. Also, the consultation covered typical ecological, economic and environmental situations that prevail in the RWEDP member countries and relate to modern use of biomass energy. Discussions dealt with the policy framework (legislation, subsidies, etc.) governing applications that (may) influence the adaptation in a positive as well as negative manner. Both the real and perceived barriers to the use of efficient wood energy technologies were covered.
1. Countries within the region have in general experienced relatively high growth rates in their economies in combination with high average annual increases in energy consumption.
2. Electricity consumption, in proportion to total energy consumption, has in many cases shown even higher average annual growth rates.
3. Growth rates in energy as well as electricity consumption are expected to remain high in the near future due to various reasons among others. fast growing activities in industries, electrification of rural and other non-electrified areas, improvements in quality of life, etc.
4. The latter will put a strain on the resources of many countries as much of these expected increases will be based on fossil fuels which need to be imported (strain on foreign exchange earnings both for fossil fuel importing and exporting countries), as well as an adverse impact on the environment due to the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels.
5. At the same time other potential energy sources could be made available in most countries in the form of forest residues, wood processing residues, etc., agro-residues and agro-processing residues, municipal solid waste, etc.
6. Part of these residues are used for various purposes among others. raw material for particle board, fibber board, etc. or as fodder and fertilizer (in the case of agro-residues, etc.), energy for domestic purposes as well as industrial use, etc. as well as other purposes.
7. A large portion still remains unused within the region and in particular in the 16 RWEDP member countries. There appears therefore considerable potential for increased and efficient use of these residues.
8. Options for increased use of residues exist such as a source of energy through various means among others. upgrading the quality and fuel characteristics through drying, size reduction, briquetting, carbonization, gasification, liquefaction, etc. power generation including co-generation, heat generation, etc.
9. Biomass residues are a renewable and potentially environmentally friendly option for increased power generation, in particular in those areas where the demand for power is increasing at a high rate. Power generation does not have to be limited to grid connected applications but can also be used for stand alone systems e.g. in remote areas, etc.
10. Besides its use as a source of energy, there are also other options available for increased use of residues such as a substitute for other raw materials. An example is the use of empty palmoil fruit bunches (EFB) as a source of fibber replacing wood based fibbers. However, these options were considered as being outside the scope of the consultation and have therefore not been covered.
11. Due to the multitude of residues generated as well as being able to be used for various purposes, there is a need to get more reliable information on various aspects on residues use (un-used amounts still available, possible uses for residues, prices of residues as well as competing uses, etc.) than what is available at present in data base system maintained within the region.
12. There is also a need to set up and/or improve existing information system on how residues are used at present as a source of energy such as direct combustion systems used, other conversion processes used, etc.(technology data base).
13. Efficient, mature and proven energy conversion technologies exist outside as well as within the region.
14. In various countries within the RWEDP region, experience exists with regard to the use of such modern technologies
15. The exchange of information and sharing of experiences with regard to the use of modern biomass energy technologies among relevant implementing organizations is considered important to facilitate the transfer of technology within the region as well as from outside the region. Unfortunately, systems to facilitate the sharing and exchange of information and experiences are at present still lacking.
16. The level of government support with regard to the increased use of residues is often inadequate or at times conflicting. This may result in that implementing agencies are un-able to carry out their mandated tasks.
1. Maximum use should be made of residues available within the countries. This is not limited to maximizing its use but includes also improving existing end-uses (increased end-use efficiency) as well as promote substitution where possible. Maximizing the use of residues as a source of energy may help countries improve their balance of payments vis a vis oil and other commercial sources of energy.
2. Maximizing the use of biomass residues should only be considered where this is not associated with negative environmental- and/or social aspects.
3. Where appropriate, the private sector should be encouraged to use residues as a substitute for other raw biomass resources.
4. In order to facilitate the use of residues it is important that countries set up database systems on the various aspects of residue use (amounts used, amounts remaining un-used, competing uses, prices, residue conversion technologies, etc.).
5. Such database systems should not be limited to the use for policy making bodies but should be set up in such a way that they are also useful and accessible for project implementing agencies, financing agencies as well as end-users.
6. As it may be difficult for individual countries to set up and maintain such database systems, there is a need to institutionalize the exchange of information within and between the countries concerned with regard to the various aspects of residue use. RWEDP should take a leading role in coordinating such activities with a view to institutionalization.
7. At the same time efforts should be made to come to some form of net-working to facilitate the exchange of information with regard to residue use. RWEDP should take a leading role to facilitate such a networking system.
8. Increased use of biomass residues often will imply the use of new and modern equipment. Since many of the modern technologies available are designed for use in a different economic, institutional and managerial environment, careful consideration is needed when introducing such systems.
9. Systems for the transfer of technologies should take into account the need to consider both the hardware and software aspects (localization of equipment, management aspects, operational training requirements, maintenance requirements and capabilities, technical backstopping, etc.).
10. Due to seasonal fluctuations, biomass energy conversion technologies should be flexible with regard to its fuel requirements (hybrid-fuel option, multi-fuel boilers, etc.)
11. Besides the increased use of wood and other residues, countries are encouraged to actively promote the growing of multi-purpose trees in areas at present not used (waste lands, etc.).
12. Such tree planting activities need to be flexible in its objectives as external factors may play a role in changing the original goals and/or objectives under which the programme was initiated.
13. At the same time, when considering multi-purpose tree planting activities, site specific as well as time-frame specific influences should be considered in the design of such programmes.
14. Governments should formulate clear cut implementable policies which should encourage the active involvement of the private sector.
15. Research and development for the application of biomass residues for productive uses should be continued and, where necessary, strengthened.
For further information contact: Wim.Hulscher@field.fao.org, or Auke.Koopmans@field.fao.org.
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