Better use of biomass for energy - Position paper of IEA RETD and IEA Bioenergy

Dec 2009

With this position paper, IEA RETD and IEA Bioenergy present key findings from a joint project on “Better Use of Biomass for Energy” which identifies opportunities
• of bioenergy for better greenhouse-gas reduction, and
• of climate policies for better bioenergy development.
Different types of bioenergy production pathways exist: the Good, the Bad, and the Better. “Good” biomass for energy could diversify energy supply at reasonable cost, improve trade balances, and provide rural income and employment. Bioenergy could help reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuels.
But biomass for energy could be “bad” if no safeguards are placed against GHG emissions and biodiversity loss from land use change, food insecurity, overuse of water, and mismanagement of soils.
While “Better” biomass for energy is needed to increase sustainable energy in all countries, taking into account costs and efficiency.
There is a variety of substantial options for better use of biomass for energy both on the supply side of biomass, and for its conversion – from electricity and heat generation to providing transport fuels, and biochemicals or biomaterials -  and these are further addressed in this paper.

By: U. Fritsche (Oeko-Institut), B. Kampman - G. Bergsma (CE Delft)

 
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