Options for Increased Use and Refining of Biomass – the Case of Energy-intensive Industry in Sweden

Paper in proceeding, 2011

Events in recent decades have placed climate change at the top of the political agenda. In Sweden, energy-intensive industries are responsible for a large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions and their ability to switch to renewable energy sources could contribute to the transition to a decarbonised economy. This interdisciplinary study has its starting point in three energy-intensive industries’ opportunities to take part in the development towards increased refining and use of biomass. The study includes the pulp and paper industry, the iron and steel industry and the oil refining industry, each exemplified by a case company. It can be concluded that there are several technological options in each industry. On the other hand, implementing one option for increased use of biomass in each case company could demand up to 34% of the estimated increase in Swedish biomass supply, in 2020. Additionally, in a longer time perspective none of the case companies believes that the amount of biomass in the Swedish industrial energy system have the possibility to increase significantly in the future.