Biofuels (heating)

Biofuels are solid fuels made from biomass and used to generate heat and electricity. Their properties and environmental impact depend on the raw materials used, the production pathway and the specific application; residues and by-products can be an important feedstock in some cases.

Definition of biofuels
Biofuels, in particular biogenic solid fuels, are organic fuels in solid form that are used to generate energy, e.g. by incineration. They mainly originate from industrial residues/by-products and energy crops.

Background/creation
Biofuels are a sub-sector of biomass products, which represent an important element in the renewable energy segment. They are widely discussed as renewable energy sources, and their role depends on factors such as feedstock, processing route and application. Biofuels are used in different heating applications, including industrial plants as well as municipal and private heating systems, with requirements and fuel specifications varying by application.

The demand for solid biofuels has increased in all areas of application, as they represent an efficient use of the energy stored by the sun. This energy source is considered to be the largest on earth. Awareness of the benefits of biofuels, particularly in terms of CO2 emissions, has led to the development of modern plant technologies that allow the simultaneous use of biofuels with fossil fuels (co-firing).

The industrial use of biofuels often takes place in large biomass heating (power) plants, using mainly woody biomass such as wood chips and industrial pellets. Urban and private consumers, on the other hand, prefer higher quality fuels such as wood pellets and logs.

Properties
Biofuels are organic products that exist in various forms. The characteristic features include

- Composition: Biofuels are mainly composed of industrial residues and by-products as well as specially planted energy crops.

- Physical characteristics: They are present in solid form and have different densities and moisture contents depending on the type, which affect their usability.

- Differences in quality: Industrial customers often use woody biomass, while private households require higher quality products such as wood pellets and logs.

- Chemical characteristics: Burning biofuels releases significant amounts of stored solar energy, with efficiency and emissions output depending on the type of fuel.

Application and importance in the market
Biofuels have a wide range of applications for generating heat and electricity. In industry, they are mainly used in large heating (power) plants, where they can be burned efficiently. They are sometimes used together with fossil fuels in co-firing applications, with performance and potential emissions effects depending on plant configuration, fuel quality and the comparison used.

Municipal and private users mostly use higher-quality biofuels. These are marketed through groups such as the Mabanaft Group and the Petronord Group, which sell both biofuels and other fuels. Despite the regional availability of the raw materials, there are international differences in the use and trade of these energy sources.

Differentiation from similar terms
- Biogas: In contrast to biofuels, biogas is a gaseous energy source produced by the anaerobic fermentation of organic materials.

- Bioenergy: Bioenergy encompasses all energy that can be obtained from biomass, while biofuels are specifically limited to solid fuels.