Mihaela BOBOC
Center for Mountain Economy “CE-MONT”, National Institute for Economic Research “Costin C. Kirițescu”, Romanian Academy, Str. Petreni, Nr.49, 725700, Vatra Dornei, Romania
*Corresponding author: mutu.mihaela87@gmail.com
Abstract
The context created by the energy crisis and the climate crisis calls for renewable, ecological, environmentally-friendly energy solutions that support sustainable development. Alternatives to fossil fuels include biomass (either forestry and/or agricultural) as a renewable energy source. It is estimated that both forests and agricultural activities generate a significant amount of biomass that could be used for energy production. The aim of the analysis is to identify the potential and possibilities of using biomass as an energy source in mountain areas. The study shows that mountain areas have sufficient forest and agricultural biomass, so that it can be considered an important pillar in a future energy strategy for mountain areas. Among the main sources of biomass specific to mountain areas include residues from forestry, residues resulting from wood processing, crop residues, biomass resulting from cutting orchards or vineyards (where this is an activity specific to the area). Also, animal husbandry is another branch that generates biomass that can be used as a heating agent for mountainous areas. An important source of biomass can also be unproductive marginal lands, on which energy crops can be created. The possibilities of using biomass as an energy source can be realized through family biogas installations, improved stoves distributed at the household level, or even biomass power plants serving a network of villages or a city located in mountainous areas. The results obtained will be able, through the information provided, to help decision-makers to view biomass as a sustainable energy source that can be used on a large scale.
Keywords:
biomass, renewable energy, forest biomass, agricultural biomass, sustainable development, energy politics