Solid Biomass Climate Change Interventions Examined in a Context of Inherent Safety, Media Shifting, and Emerging Risks

ABSTRACT

This article examines recent evidence from Denmark and abroad regarding climate change projects that aim to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions by converting coal-fired thermal power plants to solid biomass fuel. The article argues that projects appear to be pursued narrow-mindedly with insufficient attention paid to safety and points to evidence of media shifting—that the “resolution” of a problem within the environmental domain creates a new problem in the workplace safety domain. From the perspective of inherent safety the article argues that the conversion is a step in the wrong direction as a low risk fuel is substituted for a less safe one. Because of rapid scale-up and handling of unprecedented quantities, solid biomass qualify as an emerging risk for which proper control strategies have yet to be developed. The article finally argues that the tendency to prioritize environmental benefits over safety concerns seems to run deep and not confined to the realm of only solid biomass. Danish environmental ambitions are very high and the costs to society of introducing solid biomass fuels are breathtaking. In this setting, the general failure to address safety risks appears particularly disheartening.

Key Words:

• climate change
• sustainable energy
• media shifting
• inherent safety
• wood pellets
• dust explosion
• smoldering fire
• workplace safety

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This article has been produced as voluntary work and has not received any funding. Opinions expressed are those of the authors, not their employers or organizations.

Notes

Some coals can also affect the entire logistics chain. U.S. Powder River Basin (PRB) coal is more friable, the ignition sensitivity is lower, and explosive severity is higher than other coal grades.

The substitution will also curb sulphur dioxide emissions from ship engines. We do not consider this as an environmental driver, as it could be achieved simply by using low-sulphur diesel. Similarly, filters may remove particulate matter emissions.