EUBCE 2026 - Dan BERGSTRÖM - Swedish Energy Plants’ Practices and Development Needs for Storage, Handling, Monitoring and Inventory of Biofuels

Swedish Energy Plants’ Practices and Development Needs for Storage, Handling, Monitoring and Inventory of Biofuels

Short Introductive summary

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 elucidate Swedish energy plants’ 1) use of biofuels and what practices they implement for storage, handling, monitoring and inventory at their terminals and industry sites and 2) their perceived needs of development to reach higher efficiency. 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.

D. Bergström, Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences, Umeå, SWEDEN
E. Anerud, Stora Enso, Stockholm, SWEDEN
T. Kronholm, Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences, Umeå, SWEDEN