GIS AND LCA METHODS COMBINED FOR EVALUATION OF EFFECTS OF LOCAL RAW MATERIAL AVAILABILITY AND ROAD NETWORK PROPERTIES ON THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BIOMASS SUPPLY

摘要

This study presents two case studies of 100 GWh of forest biomass supply: Rovaniemi in northern Finland and Mikkeli in south-eastern Finland. The study evaluates the effects of local biomass availability and road network properties on the GHG emissions of these two supply chains. The local forest biomass availability around the case study locations, truck transportation distances and road network properties are analyzed by GIS methods to produce accurate and site-dependent data for the transportation emission calculations. The GHG emissions are then assessed by LCA methods. The total transportation distance to Rovaniemi is 22% larger than to Mikkeli, but the transportation derived GHG emissions are 31% larger. The results highlight the fact that local conditions should always be taken into account when assessing the sustainability of biomass based energy production.