Introduction

The forestry sector faces energy challenges that involve the precise determination of the final energy consumption to achieve improvements.

Objective

To estimate the final energy consumed while processing timber forest resources.

Materials and methods

The Total Final Consumption (TFC) was determined in six companies (statistical units) engaged in primary timber processing in Pueblo Nuevo, Durango. Activity data and significant energy uses (SEUs) for two years were obtained through an energy audit. The data were disaggregated by statistical unit, activity, form and application of energy, and expressed in tons of oil equivalent (toe).

Results and discussion

The energy consumption per statistical unit was estimated at 71.19 toe·yr-1, releasing 260.14 tCO2e·yr-1. SEU was identified in vehicles with diesel engines (75 %). The use of gasoline and electrical energy in machines accounted for 14.2 % and 10.7 %, respectively. Electric motors used up to 98 % of the electrical energy. Logging represented 69 % of the Total Final Consumption (TFC), more than twice compared to sawing. Energy consumption was significantly different between statistical units (Tukey, P < 0.05) for sawing, but not for logging.

Conclusions

Energy consumption for logging was similar among the units studied but was not similar for sawing. An effective energy management program and the integration of wood energy could optimize the consumption pattern.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English | Spanish     · English ( pdf ) | Spanish ( pdf )