11 • 04 • 2006

RESEARCH PREPARED ON WOODCHIP PRODUCTION METHODS IN LATVIA

The Latvian state wood science institute Silava, together with the Swedish wood development institute Skogforsk, and on request from JSC Latvian State Forests have prepared a research project “Power woodchip production biome and prime cost calculation model in clean cuts developed with harvester”.

Society’s interest in alternative, including renewable, energy resources grows constantly in connection with EU power independence. In the economies of Scandinavian countries, wood lot wastes are used actively in power production. Until now there has not been enough information in Latvia about it. That is why it has been decided to order this work to prepare the methodology with which to determine in the available resources as well as prepare economic models to evaluate what the feasible volume in different woodchip preparation phases is. This allows choosing the most appropriate technology to collect, transport, prepare and deliver woodchips to customers.