Biomass fuel development is not commensurate with potential

Development strategyrenewable energyVietnam's strategy to 2030, with a vision to 2050, was issued by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 2068/TTg, dated November 25, 2015, affirming the target of developing biomass energy to reach 32.2 million TOE (converted energy unit - tons of oil equivalent) by 2030, 62.5 million TOE by 2050.

In which: Use for electricity generation purposes will reach 9 million TOE in 2030, 20 million TOE in 2050, corresponding to the production of 37 and 85 billion kWh of electricity; use for heat generation will reach 16.8 million and 23 million TOE in 2030 and 2050; use for biofuel production will reach 6.4 and 19.5 million TOE in 2030 and 2050.

Biomass energy is created by biomass fuel. Biomass fuel is a type of biological material derived from organisms and plants. This material contains energy accumulated from the photosynthesis process of sunlight. Biomass fuel is wood/firewood, forestry waste (sawdust, shavings,...), agricultural waste (rice husk, straw, bagasse...), livestock waste, organic waste, algae, fast-growing biomass plants...

There are benefits to using biomass fuels. Firstly, it is renewable so the potential is endless, as plants and animals produce biomass continuously. It causes less pollution.environmental pollutionthan using fossil fuels. Moreover, it also directly contributes to environmental protection (such as treating livestock waste, agricultural and forestry by-products, household waste, etc.).

Biomass fuel is everywhere and cheaper than fossil fuel. It creates opportunities for socio-economic development in rural areas, creating new livelihoods and income for people. Besides, it reduces dependence on fossil fuels. However, there are still some disadvantages that need attention. These are: Biomass is everywhere but is not concentrated, moreover, the large volume of use leads to high transportation costs, large storage, etc.

Sometimes the biomass is still moist so it needs to be dried, which costs more electricity when adding this process and this is a new fuel group so the technology is still new, not as effective as other solid and liquid fuels. The burning process, if the technology is not guaranteed, will produce toxic gases.

Although there are still some disadvantages, however, developing energy from biomass fuels is a major trend in the development process in the context of the world facing climate change and environmental pollution, one of the causes of which is the abuse of fossil energy. Vietnam is a country located in a geographical position that nature has given the advantage of a lot of sunshine and rain, forests, seas, and biomass levels among the highest in the world.

Nghe An is the province with the largest area in the country with an agricultural land area of ​​1,485,455.77 hectares, accounting for 90.1% (2020 data), of which forest land accounts for 1,147,752 hectares (production forest land is 648,314 hectares). In addition, livestock farming is also among the top in the country with 788,000 buffaloes and cows; 1,100,000 pigs, 33,046,000 poultry. Not counting the area of ​​sea and lake surface, this is a huge potential for biomass fuel development. Moreover, a huge source of all kinds of waste in Nghe An has almost not been exploited for biomass energy production.

Currently, based on the development orientation, the province has called for and supported a number of enterprises to invest in developing production and using biomass fuel in the area, such as a number of biomass wood pellet factories (DKC Factory, BVN Thanh Chuong Factory...), charcoal pellet production Khanh Tam Que Phong Company); a number of sugar factories using bagasse to produce electricity such as NASU Sugar Factory, or burning bagasse to recover heat at Song Lam and Song Con factories...; a number of livestock farms treating waste to create Biogas for use as fuel gas,...

However, compared to the potential, biomass energy production is not really commensurate and there is still much room for development. Resolution 39 of the Politburo on building and developing Nghe An province to 2030 and vision to 2045 affirms: "Continue to restructure the economy associated with innovation of growth models; promote the development of marine economy, digital economy, border gate economy, green economy, circular economy".

Orienting the development of energy from biomass fuel sources is one of the solutions for developing a green economy and a circular economy that the Politburo has affirmed.

To achieve the above orientation, we would like to propose some issues:The first,Review the planning of landfills in urban areas and industrial zones to form a number of concentrated landfills to facilitate the construction of waste treatment plants in the direction of biomass energy production. In the immediate future, it is necessary to promote the construction of a waste-to-energy plant at the Nghi Yen waste treatment area.

Monday,There should be a support mechanism for livestock farms to deploy a number of power plants using gas from livestock waste treatment. It is recommended that there should be a mechanism for connecting to the national grid.Tuesday,Investigate and review raw material areas to continue calling on businesses to invest in more biomass pellet factories, especially in the Western districts.

Wednesday,Review the area of ​​production forests and ineffective agricultural land to convert the structure to grow specialized biomass trees. Experiment with the introduction and planting of some biomass trees to serve biomass pellet plants. Experiment with planting some deep-rooted biomass grass species in areas with high risk of landslides to prevent landslides and harvest biomass.

Thursday,Support businesses to innovate technology to produce high-calorie biomass pellets to have high added value when exporting as well as to be able to provide better fuel for thermal furnaces as well as biomass power plants in the area in the future.

Friday,Calling on businesses to invest in biomass power plants at an appropriate time to stimulate and support biomass production in the area as well as in the North Central provinces. This not only meets the orientation of renewable energy development but also stimulates socio-economic development, creating livelihoods for farmers, especially in the Western region.

There is a mechanism to support businesses to gradually switch to using biomass energy during the development process, especially furnaces that are using fossil fuels. Biomass fuel is endless, because humans are also living beings, continuous biomass plants, if exploited properly, in addition to helping reduce dependence on fossil fuels, we also contribute to protecting the environment, moving towards a green, circular economy and a society with an increasingly higher quality of life.