Current status and potential of bioenergy in the Russian Federation

The article analyses the contradiction between the high biomass resources and low level of bioenergy utilization in Russia. The article presents the total estimation of bioenergy potential of Russia in comparison with the real utilization rate and with the bioenergy potential of other countries. The study gives the analysis of general bioenergy regulating policy in Russia and describes the key objectives of Russian bioenergy community. The authors of this paper made a preliminary evaluation of the technical bioenergy potential of Russia. It was estimated at 2225.4 PJ. Crop residues contribute 42% of the total potential while livestock waste contributes 9%, forest residues 23%, municipal solid waste 25% and biogas from sewage sludge 1%. Only 12% of the bioenergy potential of Russia is being currently utilized. To the extent of the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to compare the existing bioenergy potential of Russia to the level of its actual use. The technical bioenergy potential is equal to 30% of today's total heat and electricity consumption in Russia. At the same time in some regions the technical bioenergy potential exceeds the existing heat and electricity consumption. Considering the world bioenergy potential to be assessed in the range between 64 and 161 EJ, Russia accounts for 1.3-3.5% of it.