At Siberian Federal University (SibFU) scientists analyzed the prospects for the development of the biofuel market and conducted a comparative analysis of various types of fuels by economic and environmental parameters within the framework of the world-class scientific and educational center Yenisey Siberia.
As part of the transition to low-carbon energy in the Russian Federation, CO2-neutral wood fuel can play an important role as an alternative to traditional energy sources. Furthermore, under the conditions of sanctions restrictions, the development of the domestic wood fuel market is extremely relevant for Russian timber industry — the most of the produced pellets were previously exported.
The laboratory staff reviewed the current parameters of the biofuel market development, conducted a comparative analysis of various types of fuels by economic and environmental parameters, identified the key advantages of fuelwood pellets as an alternative to coal and mazut (heavy fuel oil). The factors constraining the development of the fuel pellets market were identified, the prospects for overcoming them were determined, and the necessary measures of state support for the industry were outlined during the course of the study. Subsidy instruments and the development of appropriate infrastructure have been identified as key support measures.
Thus, the production of wood pellets seems to be very promising both from the point of view of the development of wood processing enterprises and within the context of low-carbon energy development.
The main conclusion of the study is the pronounced advantages of biofuels, in particular, fuelwood pellets, the use of which in Russia has significant prospects in the conditions of state-created economic incentives for producers and the population.
It should be noted that the Laboratory of Economics of Climate Change and Environmental Development of SibFU was established in 2021. The establishing of the laboratory was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia: the corresponding competitive selection was carried out under Science and Universities national project.