Results on the resources evaluation activities for the use of biomass as fuel

The main goal of this task is to characterise the availability of biomass and their source location in respect to two specific magnesite production plants, i.e. GM’s and MAGNA’s that are located at Chalkidiki (Greece) and Esteribar Valley (Spain) respectively. Different resources were evaluated in order to provide multiple bio-fuels sources and provide flexibility to the operators of the plants. The availability of local, low-cost solid biomass resources (e.g. forest, agricultural & agro-industrial residues, etc.) was evaluated for the GM and MAGNA sites respectively. The evaluation was performed through the collection of regionally-specific data on current forest, agricultural and agro-industrial residues. Factors affecting the biomass availability, such as alternative uses, sustainability requirements, relevant legislation and support measures and socio-economic issues were taken into account. Cost estimates were made after the formulation of simplified logistic models and compared with the local biomass prices or prices for internationally traded biofuels (e.g. wood pellets). Fuel analysis for specific biomass samples were performed in order to better evaluate their suitability as fuels in the kilns and to be used for other Tasks in the framework of BAMBOO project including CFD simulations and demonstration activities in the aforementioned industrial plants