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Environmental sustainability and financial feasibility evaluation of woodfuel biomass used for a potential replacement of conventional space heating sources. Part II: a combined Greek and the nearby Balkan countries case study

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Abstract

Nowadays, the proposal of biofuels introduction to the existing energy network of European countries is directed through the recent European Legislation. The above proposal’s implementation would be successfully materialized by exploiting the Renewable Energy Sources, which are abundant in the Greek context. At the present study, the biofuels entrance to the Greek energy network is investigated through the three woodfuel biomass sources of Common Beech, Aleppo Pine and Common Fir. The above selection of the three specific woodfuel types is further examined via the potential imports of the above biomass from the nearby Balkan countries. The above woodfuel quantities are accumulated to the existing local woodfuel production, after appropriate modification of Part I experimental parameters. Additionally, the relevant proportion among the woodfuels types is examined and an environmental, economic and socioeconomic evaluation is conducted. Finally, a critical comparison between the Part I and Part II studies outcomes revealed the significant determining parameters of the scenarios’ prosperity.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mrs. Alexandra Lakafosi, Ministry of Rural Development and Food, General Forest Directory, for her significant contribution at the collection of data on Greek woodfuel.

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Correspondence to Konstantinos G. Kolovos.

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Kyriakopoulos, G., Kolovos, K.G. & Chalikias, M.S. Environmental sustainability and financial feasibility evaluation of woodfuel biomass used for a potential replacement of conventional space heating sources. Part II: a combined Greek and the nearby Balkan countries case study. Oper Res Int J 10, 57–69 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-009-0034-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12351-009-0034-x

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