The Use of Bioenergy in European Countries
Today there is a great demand for bioenergy in Europe especially in Italy, because it is the main user of such fuel. The fact that the surface of Italy is 34% forested gives a great opportunities for the bioenergy usage, but the use of forest needs to be thoroughly thought out and planned in order not to break the strict economic balance in the country.
In energy aspect Italy is still depends on other countries but this may cause some troubles because of the current international problem of energy supply. Table 1 shows the Italy Primary Energy Needs during four years.
| Sources | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2003/2004 (%) |
| Oil products | 92.0 | 90.8 | 88.0 | 03.01.2009 |
| Solid Fuels | 14.02.2009 | 15.03.2009 | 17.01.2009 | 11.05.2009 |
| Natural Gas | 58.1 | 64.1 | 66.5 | 03.08.2009 |
| Renewable Energies | 12.06.2009 | 13.0 | 15.02.2009 | 17.05.2009 |
| Net electricity import | 11.01.2009 | 11.02.2009 | 10.0 | 10.05.2009 |
| Total | 188.1 | 194.4 | 196.8 | 01.02.2009 |
The Sources of Biomass in Europe
The use of biomass is connected with the heating systems – rural had such way of heating. Today the situation is complex because in order to realize the heating of some area it is necessary to take into account new technical problems and to study such aspects as density of the territory, efficiency of boilers and stoves and industrial processes. The next table shows the quantity of forest residues in Italy. All the data refers to 2005 year.
| THE RESIDUES OF THE FOREST | Av. moisture | Av. net calorific | value as received | Amount Unit |
| % | (MJ/kg) | |||
| Oil products | 92.0 | 90.8 | 88.0 | 03.01.2009 |
| Forest area | 40 | 11 | 6.000.000 | hectares |
| Solid Fuels | 14.02.2009 | 15.03.2009 | 17.01.2009 | 11.05.2009 |
| Annual increasing of wood in forests | 40 | 11 | 300.000 | hectares |
| Natural Gas | 58.1 | 64.1 | 66.5 | 03.08.2009 |
| Annual thinnings (average) | 40 | 10 | 182.000 | hectares |
| Renewable Energies | 12.06.2009 | 13.0 | 15.02.2009 | 17.05.2009 |
| Annual final fellings (average) | 40 | 11 | 210.000 | hectares |
It has been already mentioned before that the great attention is paid to the use of the biomass in the residential buildings for heating purposes; today approximately 18 Million cubic metres of fire wood are used to heat homes. The Market of wood pellets has a very positive development because such fuel is in a great demand today and it is a very attractive alternative in heating market. This type of fuel is believed to have a very intensive development during next years.
The use of the other biomass resources in Europe
| OTHER RESOURCES OF | Av. moisture | Av. net calorific | Quantity | Unit |
| BIOMASS | % | value as received | (MJ/kg) | |
| Oil products | 92.0 | (MJ/kg) | 88.0 | 03.01.2009 |
| Forest area | 40 | 11 | 6.000.000 | hectares |
| Short rotation coppice (willow. poplar, etc.) | 40 | 11 | 350.000 | hectares |
| Annual increasing of wood in forests | 40 | 11 | 300.000 | hectares |
| Land area for short rotation coppice / energy grasses | ____ | _____ | 66.5 | hectares |
| Annual thinnings (average) | 40 | 10 | 700.000 | hectares |
| Energy grasses (reed canary grass, | 50 | 11 | 350.000 | hectares |
| miscanthus, etc; specify) | 40 | 11 | 210.000 | hectares |
| Net electricity import | 11.01.2009 | 11.02.2009 | 10.0 | 10.05.2009 |
