The management of the woody biomass of the North Evia forest can be used for energy production, while yielding economic and other benefits for the local community.

This is noted in the third update analysis for 2023 of the Center for Planning and Economic Research (KEPE) entitled: “Investigation of the possibilities and prospects of the energy utilization of woody biomass residues. The case of Northern Evia”.

As noted, after the fires that destroyed a significant part of the forest of Northern Evia, there was an immediate and imperative need to manage the affected forest, with the main objective of protecting the soil from erosion, preserving the living trees, as well as ensuring of his seamless rebirth. However, following this, the question arises of the long-term, correct and sustainable management of the new forest, with the aim of its rational exploitation and its protection from future disasters.

Therefore, as the KEPE states, one of the issues of particular interest is the sustainable management of the woody biomass of the forest, in a way that ensures its protection and sustainability, while yielding economic and other benefits for the local community.

“The forest can be an important source of woody biomass, which can be used for energy production. Thus, the significant advantages that characterize the bioenergy sector may lead to benefits for the region’s economy, contributing to the creation of jobs and increasing the added value at the local and regional level” as underlined.

Also, KEPE estimates that opportunities are created to strengthen social structures and support economically weak households, through, for example, the establishment of energy communities. However, the forest economy includes a wide range of productive activities that are linked together cooperatively as well as competitively. For example, the production of energy from woody forest biomass is an activity linked to the wood processing industry, both competitively, in the context of securing raw material, and complementary, as the residues of the wood industry can be exploited as biofuels.

In any case, the KEPE continues, the energy utilization of forest biomass should be based on its sustainable management and in a way that ensures its protection and sustainability.

Agricultural activity

In addition, beyond the undisputed value of the forest, Northern Evia is characterized by significant agricultural activity that can be a source of dry biomass in residual form, which can be additionally exploited as raw material in combination with forest biomass. In this way, not only can the available quantities be increased, but the material can be better managed, both geographically and throughout the year, helping to alleviate the limitations that exist regarding seasonality and transport and storage costs. of biomass, while at the same time securing additional income for the producers. Regarding the agricultural activity in the Municipality of Istiaia-Edipsos and the Municipality of Mantoudi-Limni-Agia Anna, among others, significant areas of olive crops, grain areas, as well as fallow areas are recorded. The specific agricultural crops are of interest, as they can contribute to the availability of biomass through olive prunings and olive pits, as well as cereal and maize crop residues. At the same time, fallow land could potentially be used for the production of perennial energy crops and in this way be used more efficiently and protect soils from erosion, boosting agricultural income.

Smooth feeding

One of the main factors for the success of an investment in the field of bioenergy is to ensure a smooth supply of fuel with appropriate technical and quality characteristics and a cost capable of supporting the economic viability of the project. In this, as it is estimated, the design and creation of a biomass collection, management and marketing network can make a catalytic contribution, which on the one hand will ensure the availability of the raw material and the systematic supply of energy production units throughout of the year and, on the other hand, it will contribute to achieving economies of scale, increasing the period of use of the machines within the year, reducing storage requirements, etc. Therefore, by minimizing the cost of the individual processes, the reduction of the final cost of obtaining the biomass is achieved and the financial viability of the venture is enhanced. At the same time, such a network can be an important investment opportunity at the local level, offering new jobs. In this context, an interesting approach is the creation of energy cooperatives with the main advantage of the direct participation in the investment plan of those involved in the process, such as the producers themselves, the loggers, etc.

The activities of such cooperatives, as noted, may cover all stages of a corresponding value chain, from the production and concentration of biomass, to the production and marketing of secondary products, such as for example pellets (pellets) and/or production and sale of energy. As a consequence, economies of scale are achieved and biomass acquisition costs are minimized, while at the same time significant benefits are created for local communities.