Swedish energy plants’ practices and development needs for storage, handling, monitoring and inventory of biofuels

Better understanding of the energy plants’ biofuel management and storage strategies, and technologies used for monitoring and forecasting fuel requirements and fuel quality at the energy plants, would facilitate possibilities to direct research and development efforts to promote increase of their efficiency and sustainability in the Swedish energy system. The objectives were therefore to 1) survey Swedish energy plants’ use of current practices for handling, storage, monitoring and inventory of solid biofuels at their feed-in terminals and industry fuel yards and 2) analyse how their current storage management actions taken match with their perceived effectiveness of actions and development needs and theory. The survey shows for example that most fuel transport occurs via truck, and supply contracts commonly span one to two years. While 43% of companies perform their own quality measurements upon delivery, a substantial 37% of respondents were unable to estimate their average annual storage losses. Subjective estimation is the most prevalent method for determining fuel quantity and fire risk during storage. Minimizing storage time was identified as the most effective measure to reduce storage losses. However, we found major gaps between theory and practice. Many energy plants demonstrate a foundational understanding of fuel logistics, but there are significant opportunities for enhancing efficiency and sustainability, by for example: implementing more robust systems for tracking and quantifying storage losses; exploring and integrating advanced technologies for inventory management. Thus, a more data-driven and technologically integrated approach to forest fuel management is crucial for Swedish energy plants to further enhance their resource efficiency, reduce climate impact, and ensure a predictable and cost-effective supply of bioenergy.