Biomass – A Sustainable Source of Energy in Mountain Areas

The context created by the energy crisis and the climate crisis calls for renewable, ecological,environmentally-friendly energy solutions that support sustainable development. Alternativesto fossil fuels include biomass (either forestry and/or agricultural) as a renewable energysource. It is estimated that both forests and agricultural activities generate a significant amountof biomass that could be used for energy production.The aim of the analysis is to identify the potential and possibilities of using biomass as anenergy source in mountain areas.The study shows that mountain areas have sufficient forest and agricultural biomass, so that itcan be considered an important pillar in a future energy strategy for mountain areas. Amongthe main sources of biomass specific to mountain areas include residues from forestry,residues resulting from wood processing, crop residues, biomass resulting from cuttingorchards or vineyards (where this is an activity specific to the area). Also, animal husbandry isanother branch that generates biomass that can be used as a heating agent for mountainousareas. An important source of biomass can also be unproductive marginal lands, on whichenergy crops can be created.The possibilities of using biomass as an energy source can be realized through family biogasinstallations, improved stoves distributed at the household level, or even biomass power plantsserving a network of villages or a city located in mountainous areas.The results obtained will be able, through the information provided, to help decision-makers toview biomass as a sustainable energy source that can be used on a large scale.