Seifert T. (ed.) Bioenergy from Wood: Sustainable Production in the Tropics

Springer, 2014. — X, 266 p. : ill. — ISBN: 978-94-007-7447-6, ISBN: 978-94-007-7448-3.It’s the first book written for bio-energy production from wood in tropical and sub-tropical countries
The book covers the full value chain from the forest to the conversion including important socio-economic and environmental effects
Many practical examples, some in R-code, provide the reader with enough background for his own management of a sustainable bio-energy value chain from the plant to the productThis book is written for scientists and practitioners interested in deepening their knowledge of the sustainable production of bioenergy from wood in tropical and sub-tropical countries. Utilising the value chain concept, this book outlines the necessary aspects for managing sustainable bioenergy production. A wide range of topics is covered including biomass localization, modelling and upscaling, production management in woodlands and plantations, and transport and logistics. Biomass quality and conversion pathways are examined in order to match the conversion technology with the available biomass. A section is dedicated to issues surrounding sustainability. The issues, covered in a life-cycle assessment of the bioenergy system, include socio-economic challenges, local effects on water, biodiversity, nutrient-sustainability and global impacts. Through this holistic approach and supporting examples from tropical and sub-tropical countries, the reader is guided in designing and implementing a value chain as the main management instrument for sustainable wood.Bioenergy from wood in the tropics
Woody biomass – an antiquated or a modern source of energy?
The key concept of sustainable production of bioenergy
Managing the value chains
The scope and structure of this bookLocalisation of biomass potentialsTerrestrial inventory methods
Remote sensing methods using LiDAR or photogrammetry to estimate tree or stand parameters
Remote sensing methods estimating bulk biomass
Case study of integrated approaches and data fusion
ConclusionsModelling and simulation of tree biomassUpscaling from biomass samples to tree biomass
Upscaling from the tree to the stand level
Model evaluation and model error
Simulation of biomass in growth models
ConclusionsManaging Southern African woodlands for biomass production: The potential challenges and opportunitiesegetation types of Southern Africa
Woodland utilization and associated impacts
Productivity potential in the different biomes with case study data from the sub-region
Management practices for improved productivity in extensively managed woodlands in southern African
Institutional frameworks and policy directions for managing extensively managed woodlands in southern Africa
ConclusionsBiomass production in intensively managed forestsMatching highly productive tree taxa with specific site types and bio-energy production systems.
Selecting the optimum combination of stand density, harvesting system and rotation length.
Optimising growth conditions at time of establishment through harvest residue (slash) management and soil tillage.
Intensive cultural management to maximise growth resource utilization
Interactions among intensive silvicultural operations
Intensified silviculture, fertilization and the carbon footprint
Harvesting larger percentages of biomass from the stand than conventional practices.Biomass Harvesting and logisticsBiomass felling and extraction harvesting equipment
Collection and extraction equipment and machinery
Chipping equipment and machinery
Biomass sources and harvesting systems
Activities at roadside landing, terminal or plant
Secondary transport of biomass
Managing biomass trade and supply
Managing feedstock supply and supply cost curvesBiomass conversion to bioenergy productsTypes of bioenergy products
Thermochemical conversion technologies
Biochemical Conversion Technologies
Integration of different conversion technologies
Technology maturity and economic considerations for biomass conversionBiomass QualityDrying and Storage
cle Size
Moisture Content
Density
Chemical Composition
Elemental Composition
Calorific Value
Ash Content
Volatile Content
Biomass RequirementsSocio-economic aspects of rural bio-energy productionUse of and dependency on biomass for energy in developing countries
Rural energy use and alternatives to fuelwood
Progress up the energy ladder and implications for rural users of energy
Costs and benefits of rural energy production
Role of rural communities in bioenergy strategiesEcological impacts of biomass production at stand and landscape levelsImpacts at the landscape level
Impacts at the site levelDetermination of the environmental implications of bio-energy production using a life-cycle assessment approachLife-Cycle Assessment
Assessing lignocellulosic bioenergy systems using LCA – a case study
Conclusions