Les valorisations énergétiques des biomasses, difficultés et promesses

Energetic valorization of biomass Energetic uses of biomass are growing very slowly. To day, in 1983, about 3,5 on 4 Millions of tons (oil equivalent) of wood and by products from wood processing industries are valorized as solid fuels. Energetic supply of others by-products like ce real -straws, animal wastes, energetic crops are not yet significant. Monetary costs, for final user, are usually important, especially when the biomass needs to be collected. Biomass transportation amplifies the costs of energy because it generates différents rents among biomass producers. It's why on farm or on firm biomass uses often are the better economic ways. Two hypothesis for biomass development may be suggested : First, a low scenario; in this case, dry biomass only, wood and straw, should be burned to satisfy thermic needs, directly on production sites or after a transportation on short distances. Secondly a high scenario which supposes technical improvements and an increase of the oil prices so that liquid fuels conversion for biomass should become realistic. In the best conditions, the whole energetic supply should not probably exceed 5 or 6 Mtoe at the end of the century. Clearly this estimation is farm from official ones presuming very strong incentives and situated about 8 or 10 Mtoe in 1990.