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Policy Tasks to Use Forest Biomass as a Local Energy Source
Author Min, Kyungtaek
Views 66665 Publication Date 2021.03.29
Original
Background and Purpose of Research
○To efficiently use forest resources, Korea needs to explore ways to utilize forest biomass as an energy source for local production and consumption. Using biomass will contribute significantly to the government’s policies for climate change, energy mix for reduced nuclear energy, and carbon neutral by 2050. It will also meet the goals of the inclusive Green New Deal. The use of forest biomass has characteristics: (1) renewable, (2) substitutable for fossil fuels, (3) stockpiling, (4) abundant sources, and (5) carbon neutral. Considering these traits, the Korea Forest Service needs to review the conditions for success to operate energy facilities while implementing its energy self-sufficient village program. This study aims to suggest fundamental ways to use forest biomass as local energy resources. In particular, this study focuses more on heat supply and low-processed wood chips than on power generation and wood pellets.

Research Methodology
○This research explored cases of using forest biomass as an energy source to examine challenges in operating facilities. Using the plan to create forest energy self-sufficient villages, it analyzed costs and outputs to figure out requirements for sustainable facility operation. The analysis was based on net present values and option valuations. Moreover, the research reviewed overseas cases in Japan, Austria, and the E.U. and their related support systems to take away implications. Based on these endeavors, this study suggested measures to expand the use of forest biomass as a local energy source.

Key Findings
○Renewable energy took 5.56% of Korea’s primary energy supply in 2018, while the share of forest biomass in the total renewable energy amounted to 15.3%. The largest ratio of forest biomass has been wood pellets. As renewable energy certificates (RECs) are introduced for forest biomass energy generation under the Renewable Portfolio Standard, forest biomass for energy generation has increased. However, Korea has relied heavily on imported biomass, as shown in the import of 91.3% in 2019.

○The government came up with a plan to raise the share of renewable energy from 7.6% in 2017 to 20% in 2030 to achieve its goal for energy mix in response to climate change and nuclear energy reduction. To this end, it has operated the mandatory supply of renewable energy and carbon emission trading. However, as solar energy generation has increased, the REC prices have plummeted. Moreover, Korea’s renewable energy policy has focused on energy mix, resulting in insufficient efforts for heat supply through renewable energy.

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