Organisational frameworks for straw-based energy systems in Sweden and Denmark

This discussion highlights and defines key factors and organisational structures for the transformation of local agro-biomass based bioenery systems in Sweden and Denmark. Cross case study analysis is applied to 13 examples where straw is used for energy at various scales within a conceptual framework developed by the authors. This also delivers a cross-country comparison of systems and of the stakeholder entrepreneurs involved in straw-to-energy activities. The paper then delineates four different types of agro-biomass based frameworks for organisation and action. These include ‘small scale local heat production’, ‘medium scale local heat provision with excess for sale’, ‘medium scale conversion and district heating’, and ‘large scale power or combined heat and power generation’. Three categories of farm-based entrepreneurs (i.e. pluriactive, resource exploiting and portfolio farmer) emerge from case studies and are described in the paper.

► Key organisational elements of local agro-bioenergy in Sweden and Denmark.
► Conceptual cross-case analysis of 13 straw-for-energy examples.
► Four agro-biomass based frameworks for organisation and action are identified.
► Three categories of farm-based entrepreneurs are rationalised.