Options for increased use and refining of biomass : the case of energy-intensive industry in Sweden
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 toswitch to renewable energy sources could contribute to the transition to a decarbonised economy. Thisinterdisciplinary study has its starting point in three energy-intensive industries' opportunities to take part in thedevelopment towards increased refining and use of biomass. The study includes the pulp and paper industry, theiron and steel industry and the oil refining industry, each exemplified by a case company. It can be concludedthat there are several technological options in each industry. On the other hand, implementing one option forincreased use of biomass in each case company could demand up to 34% of the estimated increase in Swedishbiomass supply, in 2020. Additionally, in a longer time perspective none of the case companies believes that theamount of biomass in the Swedish industrial energy system have the possibility to increase significantly in the future.