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en ekonomisk studie
Since the turn of the millennium a sharp increase in the interest for bio energy has been observed. Important reasons for this growing interest can be due to the fact that fossil fuels are a finite resource. A net discharge of greenhouse gases occur when fossil fuels are burned. The discharge of greenhouse gases are considered to be the main reason to the greenhouse effect. Means of control to increase the use of bio energy has been introduced and, as intended, the use of bio energy has increased.
As a result of the legal provisions the ability to pay for bio energy has increased, which the forest industry view as a problem. The forest industry are positive to a higher bio energy use, but the increased ability to pay for it has led to a situation where first-rate pulpwood are used for energy production instead of production of paper.
This degree thesis is an explorative study. The aim has been to estimate effects as a consequence of the use of pulpwood in different processes. The consequences refer to employment, added value, export value and the influence of the environment. The different processes are Cogeneration (combined heat and power), production of ethanol and production of newsprint and LWC-paper.
I have developed models which simulate the four processes and on the basis of these models I have received indicative results, which underlie my conclusions.
The indicative results from the study show that the forest industry has 2 to 10 times higher employment rate than the energy sector. The added value is 1,5 to 4,6 times higher in the forest industry and the export as much as 4 to 208 times higher. An increased use of bio fuels is solely good according to the environment and the climate.