Anders Roos

Critical factors to bioenergy implementation

Abstract Barriers to bioenergy technology implementation have received increased attention in recent years. This paper contributes to the identification and analysis of barriers and drivers behind bioenergy market growth, here labelled “critical factors”. It presents a framework for the analysis of both existing and projected bioenergy market potential, using economic concepts and models from transaction cost theory and industrial organization. The framework can be used for assessments of the potential for market growth of different bioenergy systems by decision makers in administration and industry. The following critical factors are identified: Integration with other economic activity, Scale effects on bioenergy markets, Competition in bioenergy markets, Competition with other business, National policy, Local policy and local opinion. The framework is demonstrated with five cases of real bioenergy markets: Pellet residential heating in USA, bioenergy power in USA, pellet residential heating in Sweden, biomass district heating in Sweden, and biomass district heating in Austria. Different applications of the framework are discussed.

Willow growers in Sweden

Abstract The number of willow plantations on Swedish farmland increased considerably between 1991 and 1996. The main driving forces behind this development were: (1) The introduction in 1991 of a new agricultural policy in Sweden which, through deregulation, created lower grain prices and simultaneously introduced compensation for set-aside land as well as subsidies for willow plantations on surplus arable land; (2) higher taxes on fossil fuels; and (3) the existence of a biofuel market in Sweden based on forest fuels. This paper presents a statistical study of willow growers in southern and central–eastern Sweden. Data about willow growers and a stratified random sample of non willow growers were acquired from the 1995 Farm Register compiled by Statistics Sweden. Willow growers are described according to geographical distribution, willow parcel sizes, farm sizes, and farm types. Comparisons are also made with the population of farmers who are not growing willow. A high concentration of willow growers is recorded for central Sweden around Lake Malaren. Willow growers are more often in the age span 50–65 years, and as compared to non-willow growers, have larger farms. They are less often focused on animal and milk production, and more often on cereal and food crop production, when compared with other farmers. Implications of the Swedish experience for policy making in the fields of energy and agriculture are discussed.

Forest Incomes and Poverty Alleviation Under Participatory Forest Management in the Bale Highlands, Southern Ethiopia

SUMMARY There is an increasing interest in understanding the role forest products and forest resource management in rural livelihoods and poverty reduction strategies. This study investigates the contribution of forest resources to the livelihoods of rural households under a participatory management arrangement in southern Ethiopia. Data were collected through key informant interviews, group discussion, and household surveys from a total of 350 households. Income data were collected in four separate seasons at intervals of three months. The result indicates that forest products are the most important sources of income contributing to 34% and 53% of household per capita income and per capita cash income, respectively. Forest income also helps 20% of the population to remain above the poverty line. Forest income reduces inequality (Gini coefficient) by 15.5%. In general, the result confirms the importance of forest income in poverty alleviation and as safety nets in times of income crisis.

Wood fuel supply as a function of forest owner preferences and management styles

The commercial demand for wood fuel is rapidly increasing in Sweden, and the domestic supply comes primarily from private non-industrial forest owners. A model was developed to analyse decision-making among these private forest owners. The model covers five factors: economics, transaction costs, concerns about soil fertility, forestry, and previous experience. It was applied in a survey among forest owners in four communities in central Sweden in 1999. Wood fuels had been sold from 60% of the estates. Analysis suggests that the price paid had little influence on the decision to sell. Transaction costs had been alleviated by the traditional timber buyer organizing the fuel trade, and by minimizing measurement in the forest. The primary reason for selling wood fuel was that the harvesting operation cleared the ground of debris. There is a general concern for loss in soil fertility due to wood fuel harvesting which is why some owners do not sell forest fuels. Two types of fuel-selling forest owners were identified: (1) an active manager seeking different gains from wood fuel harvest, and (2) an owner who primarily relies on the advice of the timber buyer. The findings indicate that large-scale traders of wood fuels have to be active in increasing supply, making direct contact with forest owners, and connecting trade with information on ecological and silvicultural effects. Offering ash recycling may enhance supply more than marginal price increases.

Shades of green: a social scientific view on bioeconomy in the forest sector

Politics increasingly introduces initiatives supporting a shift toward a bioeconomy aiming at a society relying strongly on renewable biological sources while achieving economic growth efficiently and sustainably. However, the agenda of bioeconomy comprises different “shades of green,” in the sense that different actors stress different aspects of the concept, when embracing it in communication. This conceptual paper aims to present policy and socioeconomic theoretical frameworks and research areas relevant for a more holistic understanding of the bioeconomy concept applied to the forest sector, and identify a core set of potential contributions from social sciences for enhancing the bioeconomy in the forest sector. The paper focuses on studies within policy analysis, economics, and business administration disciplines. Thus it presents diverse disciplinary perspectives on the forest sector in a bioeconomy. Furthermore, innovation and sustainability have been identified as issues relevant to be approached across these disciplines.

Production strategies in the Swedish softwood sawmilling industry

Abstract The strategic production decisions to improve profits for sawmills can be described in three main dimensions. More value-added production increases unit revenues, larger volumes reduce fixed costs per produced unit, and improved productivity reduces unit costs. Using data about the Swedish sawmills and cluster analysis, six groups of sawmills were defined with these strategy dimensions. Characteristics of each strategy are presented concerning ownership, location, technology, and economic indicators. The results indicate that different groups of Swedish sawmills employ different production strategies, which are reflected both in the dimensions, value-added shares, size, productivity, and by other technical and economic characteristics of the sawmills. The relationships between production strategy and profitability is also analysed and discussed.

The limits of modelling. Experiences with bioenergy in practice - could models have predicted this outcome?

Abstract Factors that complicate bioenergy model building are presented and discussed. Important aspects of ‘real-life’ energy systems that are difficult to represent in modelling are: the cost structure of energy production, information asymmetry, socioeconomic factors, household economics, strategic considerations, and policy uncertainties. The modeller can employ different strategies in dealing with these problems. Complicating aspects can be quantified and integrated in the model, mentioned when the implications of the model are discussed or they may merit separate quantitative or qualitative investigations. The authors make some recommendations as to how these aspects could be considered in the modelling work to improve model accuracy.

Product attributes affecting consumer preference for residential deck materials

In many countries, restrictions on the use of traditional preservative treatments have resulted in efforts to develop wood products for outdoor use that are durable, environmentally friendly, and appealing to consumers. In the present study, consumers’ preferences for wooden deck materials were investigated using sensory analysis. The analysis included an analytical sensory profiling of five deck materials, conducted by a trained sensory panel, as well as a hedonic preference study conducted on Norwegian customers. Eighteen visual and tactile attributes were identified, and statistical analysis indicated that these attributes were sufficient to discriminate between the different deck materials. The results imply that consumers prefer deck materials with a homogeneous visual appearance and moderate color intensity. The study demonstrated a successful application of sensory research on wood products and implies that sensory analysis is an appropriate tool to study relationships between hedonic judgments and...

Description of green versus environmentally indifferent consumers of wood products in Scandinavia: flooring and decking

Swedish and Norwegian potential consumers of eco-labeled wood products in do-it-yourself (DIY) retail stores were investigated in a study that focused on the end customers of two flooring applications and wood for outdoor decks. Data were collected from different populations yielding a multiproduct, multipopulation study. Consumers with preferences for eco-labeled wood products generally focused less on the product type than consumers that reported a low preference for eco-labeled wood properties. The green consumers presented a low price sensitivity and they were more often women. Other characteristics of green consumers observed in the substudies included a higher share of married couples/cohabiters, a secondary education, less advanced plans concerning purchase, and preferences for product warranty. The results can assist producers in making approximate descriptions of green consumers; however, socioeconomic and demographic variables should be complemented by other information that reflects attitudes and intentions to get a more comprehensive idea of green consumers of wood products.

Farm-related factors influencing the adoption of short-rotation willow coppice production among Swedish farmers.

The area of short-rotation willow coppice energy plantations on Swedish farmland increased quickly in the early 1990s because of subsidies for energy crop production, an increased CO2 tax on fossil fuel and an already existing biofuel market in the country. In this study farm-related determinants for the adoption of short-rotation willow coppice production among Swedish farmers are identified and estimated. A Tobit model is applied to cross-sectional data on Swedish farmers in 1995. The results show that the decision to plant willow and the areas planted depend positively on arable land area, forest land area, the area of other land types, leasing out of arable land and tractor ownership. Negative factors are pasture area, tenancy and animal production. Differences in willow growing between ownership types, age groups and geographical regions are also important. The policy implications of the results are discussed.