Perceptual analysis of energy market based on woody biomass of trees originated in Costa Rica

Abstract

In the last decade, biomass has become a renewable energy option; however, the absence of studies to understand its market limits its implementation. Therefore, the present study analyzed the perception of the actors that make up the vegetable biomass market for energy purposes from the perspectives of producers, intermediaries and consumers. For which 52 producers, 33 intermediaries and 55 consumers of tree biomass from the North Zone of Costa Rica were surveyed, studying the market from a technical, environmental, financial and social perspective, and identifying the variables that limit the market. The results showed that, for environmental and social aspects, there is a similarity of perception between the three sectors; however, in the financial and technical aspects there are significant differences, specifically in the price of biomass, homogeneity of biomass and the associated costs in addition to the competition from other sources of agro-industrial biomass. The analysis showed that biomass variability in terms of presentation affects 40.5% of the market, species variation 24.8%, moisture content 10.6%, biomass availability over time 8.4%. Finally, the organization and structuring of the market by 8.9% and other variables add up to the remaining 6.8%, being necessary an organization regarding the sale of biomass and the corresponding articulation between the sellers and consumers with the participation of intermediaries for the viability of the biomass market in Costa Rica.