산림 바이오매스의 지역 에너지 이용 확대 방안

Abstract

산림 바이오매스는 국내에 다량 존재하는 재생가능 자원이며 탄소중립적 특성을 가지며 에너지로 이용하면 화석연료를 대체할 수 있다. 산림 바이오매스의 지역 에너지 이용은 정부의 기후변화 대응 정책, 에너지 믹스 전환 등에 기여하며 지역 밀착형 뉴딜의 의미에도 부합한다. 유럽에서는 이미 산림 바이오매스를 활용하여 전기와 열을 생산하고 에너지 지산지소를 실현한다. 우리 정부도 바이오매스를 지역 에너지로 이용하는 사업을 추진한 바 있으나 현장에서 안정적으로 가동하는 데 어려움을 겪었다.

이 연구는 산림 바이오매스를 지산지소형 에너지로 이용하는 데 부딪히는 문제점 등을 밝히고 산림 바이오매스 에너지 이용의 확대 방안을 제시한 것이다. 국내에서 운영하는 산림 바이오매스 에너지 시설의 운영 사례를 조사하고 투입비용과 산출을 분석하였다. 이와 관련하여 외국(일본, EU, 오스트리아)의 사례와 지원제도를 조사하였다.

Background and Purpose of Research ○To efficiently use forest resources, Korea needs to explore ways to utilize forest biomass as an energy source for local production and consumption. Using biomass will contribute significantly to the government’s policies for climate change, energy mix for reduced nuclear energy, and carbon neutral by 2050. It will also meet the goals of the inclusive Green New Deal. The use of forest biomass has characteristics: (1) renewable, (2) substitutable for fossil fuels, (3) stockpiling, (4) abundant sources, and (5) carbon neutral. Considering these traits, the Korea Forest Service needs to review the conditions for success to operate energy facilities while implementing its energy self-sufficient village program. This study aims to suggest fundamental ways to use forest biomass as local energy resources. In particular, this study focuses more on heat supply and low-processed wood chips than on power generation and wood pellets.

Research Methodology ○This research explored cases of using forest biomass as an energy source to examine challenges in operating facilities. Using the plan to create forest energy self-sufficient villages, it analyzed costs and outputs to figure out requirements for sustainable facility operation. The analysis was based on net present values and option valuations. Moreover, the research reviewed overseas cases in Japan, Austria, and the E.U. and their related support systems to take away implications. Based on these endeavors, this study suggested measures to expand the use of forest biomass as a local energy source.

Key Findings ○Renewable energy took 5.56% of Korea’s primary energy supply in 2018, while the share of forest biomass in the total renewable energy amounted to 15.3%. The largest ratio of forest biomass has been wood pellets. As renewable energy certificates (RECs) are introduced for forest biomass energy generation under the Renewable Portfolio Standard, forest biomass for energy generation has increased. However, Korea has relied heavily on imported biomass, as shown in the import of 91.3% in 2019.

○The government came up with a plan to raise the share of renewable energy from 7.6% in 2017 to 20% in 2030 to achieve its goal for energy mix in response to climate change and nuclear energy reduction. To this end, it has operated the mandatory supply of renewable energy and carbon emission trading. However, as solar energy generation has increased, the REC prices have plummeted. Moreover, Korea’s renewable energy policy has focused on energy mix, resulting in insufficient efforts for heat supply through renewable energy.

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