Forest Resources and Technology Project Seeks Solutions for Russia
Promoting Cleaner Biomass Energy in the Russian Far East “USAID is strengthening the wood processing sector while also protecting the value of the resource as well as environment….” First Deputy Minister, Vladimir Pankov, Khabarovsk Kraiy Ministry of Timber and Industry Russia has 21% of the world’s standing timber, mostly located in the vast forests of the Russian Far East (RFE) and Siberia. USAID’s Forest Resources and Technology Project (FOREST) addresses issues threatening the forest ecosystem while balancing the forest industry’s important role in Russia’s economy. Based on the participation of government, non-government, private and public organizations, the program preserves Russia's valuable forests through more effective fire and pest management, and encourages innovative use of timber and non-timber forest resources by promoting renewable energy source alternatives.
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| Woodchips and Sawdust loaded in a truck |
Not many people realize that wood waste, the leftover woodchips and sawdust created from timber processing, is a potential energy source. It can be cheaper, more dependable and better for the environment than diesel or coal. FOREST Project is exploring and promoting the use of wood waste as a source of energy for wood processing facilities and for communities off the electrical grid. The project began by assessing if, and under what conditions, biomass energy makes economic sense, especially taking into account the high cost of transportation and subsidized energy prices of coal and diesel. The Biomass Feasibility Study in Siberia and Russia Far East showed that wood processors and off grid communities with high levels of wood waste could benefit from biomass energy technology.
As a result of FOREST, four timber companies now operate on biomass energy technology and 8 others are in process of adopting biomass energy systems. For example, Ros-DV, a FOREST partner company, recently constructed a new dry kiln and biomass-boiler system in Khabarovskiy Kray using American equipment from Koetter, an Indiana based manufacturer. Installation of the new system resulted from cooperation between Russian and American engineers, and the more efficient heating system is expected to bring Ros-DV additional annual revenues of up to $200,000. Businesses and communities can also expect social and environmental improvements as a result this cleaner energy source.
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