Organisation Description - International IEA Task 31 : Biomass Production for Energy from Sustainable Forestry

Contacts
Website: www.ieabioenergytask31.org




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International Activities - International Energy Agency : Solid Biofuels : Wood (Lignocellulose)



Biomass Production for Energy from Sustainable Forestry

This task focuses on three distinct aspects of the production of biomass for energy from conventional forestry systems: the growing and cultural treatment of forest stands and plantations; the recovery of biomass for energy through forest operations; and consideration of questions of environmental sustainability of biofuel production. An integrated approach is taken to investigation and sharing of knowledge on these separate aspects.

Silviculture

Development of silvicultural systems that incorporate production of biofuels as an integral part of conventional forest management. This includes special focus on:

• effect of residue removal on stand establishment;
• early stand entry and intermediate stand treatments;
• expanded utilization of all species and stand components; and
• mixed-species stand management.

Forest operations

Development of forest operations, including intermediate stand treatments and harvesting, that enable cost-efficient and environmentally acceptable recovery of biomass for energy and conventional forest products. Areas requiring special attention include:

• early stand entry;
• division of available biomass between fibre and energy;
• biofuels compaction and transportation;
• enhanced logistical efficiency involving better coordination of flows of materials and information between forestry operations and consumers of biomass; and
• reduced cost and enhanced quality of biofuels.

Environmental sustainability

The focus of this aspect of the Task effort logically builds on the achievements during earlier periods, when there was evaluation of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management, and development of guidelines for sustainable incorporation of bioenergy production systems in conventional forest management practices. The Task will continue to critically assess and refine site-specific Adaptive Forest Management systems to achieve environmentally sustainable integration of biofuel production in conventional forest management. This specifically includes forest ecosystem research on:

• nutrient management, including wood ash recycling and biosolids utilization;
• carbon sequestration;
• stand productivity; and
• soil and water conservation

Contacts

Contact

• Jim RICHARDSON / IEA Bioenergy Task 31 CANADA