Caractérisation des modèles types de chaînes de valeur de la biomasse forestière

Abstract

Bioenergy produced from forest biomass is considered as a critical tool for energy transition and the fight against climate change. The forest bioenergy sector has very strong positions in some jurisdictions across the world, especially for heating; However, it is still at an early stage of development in regions that nevertheless have an important forest sector, including Quebec. In order to document the development of forest bioenergy in these emerging regions, this study analyzes typical models of forest biomass value chains for the heating of institutional and commercial buildings in Quebec. It has been possible to discover five typical value of chain models. Currently, within the region, wood chips are the most widely used fuel after conventional wood pellets. Despite their calorific value, torrefied wood pellets are little used and rather destined for export. That said, the prices currently observed in the study area are those of a still very limited market, in which only the most affordable sources of biomass are currently being mobilized. Supply costs should therefore evolve with additional mobilization of the raw material, but also with technological and institutional learning. This study reveals the importance of the behaviour and harmonization of the actors within the value chains, but also the influence of the external environment on the efficiency of the chains and the competitiveness of bioenergy products.

Keywords

• cogeneration
• buildings
• forest bioenergy
• bioenergy
• value chain
• heating