Evaluating the availability of forest biomass recourses for bioenergy usage in Queensland using a GIS-based tool

The potential contribution of using forest biomass as renewable bioenergy is proven not only costeffective but also know to mitigate effects of climatic change. This study aims to measure the availability of forest biomass for bioenergy production and climate change mitigation with a focus on forest in Queensland. Forest biomass has economic and environmental benefits, and a more energy efficient production system with optimal placement of these resources can be created. This research indicates the potential energy availability of forest biomass of the current forest estate in Queensland. This project aimed to: (1) estimate the total harvestable forest footprint in Queensland, (2) estimate the annual availability of forest biomass residues and (3) estimate the annual energy potential of forest biomass and identify the energy hotspots. The study uses a geographical information systems (GIS) based approach that focuses on the location of current hard- and softwood plantation and native forest available for production within Queensland and their corresponding energy contents. Data sets for this study are derived from the Australian Renewable Energy Mapping Infrastructure (AREMI), Queensland Government, private native forestry owners and plantation owners. Forest biomass volumes are converted into annual residue weight (dry tonnes) and later converted to energy (MJ) according to international energy conversion factors. Results indicate that a total area of 13.5 Mha of forest could potentially be available for biomass retention. This area can currently provide an average total of 1.17 million dry tonnes of biomass per year which equals a total energy content of 28 petajoules. Hot spot analysis indicates areas of interest for future bioenergy planning according to lows and highs in energy of forest biomass