Biomass Analysis by Means of Environmental Economics

Abstract

The latest years, oil and gas demand reduction incurred market turbulences as a result of oil wells exploitation uncertainties and new green policies towards sustainability that turn the stakeholders to eco-friendlier energy sources. A challenging alternative to this direction is the increment of biomass share in the overall consumed energy balance. From many standpoints of view, biomass has minor impact on the CO2-cycle balance “operating” as an offset against CO2 photosynthesis. In the present work, a practically holistic interpretation of biomass energy contribution in our societies was outlined. Expert systems were developed as a tool to biomass energy analysis and certain models were presented to approach estimation of individual parts of biomass exploitation chain. The tendency of energy crop land availability and best cultivated practices were presented as well. A schematic cost analysis of biomass utilization was performed under most common operational scenarios. Economic evaluation, future strategic planning and environmental impact from energy biomass utilization were all analyzed up to a certain point. Biomass as a renewable energy form is expected to bring about a positive cost/benefit ratio. Biomass, in general, is easier to handle, (storage-transportation), cost-effective and more beneficial in terms of greenhouse gases (GHG) net emissions as results from an incorporated ad hoc developed SWOT analysis.