This publication highlights the potential contribution of bioenergy to world energy demand. It summarises the wide range of biomass resources available and potentially available, the conversion options, and end-use applications. Associated issues of market development, international bioenergy trade, and competition for biomass are also presented. Finally, the potential of bioenergy is compared with other energy supply options.

ABSTRACT

Biomass is a versatile raw material that can be used for production of heat, power, transport fuels, and bioproducts. When produced and used on a sustainable basis, it is a carbon-neutral carrier and can make a large contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Currently, biomass-driven combined heat and power, co-firing, and combustion plants provide reliable, efficient, and clean power and heat. Production and use of biofuels are growing at a very rapid pace. Sugar cane-based ethanol is already a competitive biofuel in tropical regions. In the medium term, ethanol and high-quality synthetic fuels from woody biomass are expected to be competitive at crude oil prices above US$45 per barrel.

Feedstocks for bioenergy plants can include residues from agriculture, forestry, and the wood processing industry, as well as biomass produced from degraded and marginal lands. Biomass for energy may also be produced on good quality agricultural and pasture lands without jeopardising the world’s food and feed supply if agricultural land use efficiency is increased, especially in developing regions. Revenues from biomass and biomass-derived products could provide a key lever for rural development and enhanced agricultural production.

Certification schemes are already established to ensure sustainable production of forest biomass and could be adopted to guide residue recovery and energy crop production. Biomass utilisation will be optimised by processing in biorefineries for both products and energy carriers.

Given these possibilities, the potential contribution of bioenergy to the world energy demand of some 467 EJ per year (2004) may be increased considerably compared to the current 45-55 EJ. A range from 200-400 EJ per year in biomass harvested for energy production may be expected during this century. Assuming expected average conversion efficiencies, this would result in 130-260 EJ per year of transport fuels or 100-200 EJ per year of electricity.

INTRODUCTION

Global energy demand is growing rapidly. The total current (2004) commercial energy use amounts to some 467 EJ [IEA, 2006a], and about 88% of this demand is met by fossil fuels. Energy demand is expected to at least double or perhaps triple during this century.

At the same time, concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere are rising rapidly, with fossil fuel-derived CO2 emissions being the most important contributor. In order to minimise related global warming and climate change impacts, GHG emissions must be reduced to less than half the global emission levels of 1990.

In addition, security of energy supply is a global issue. A large proportion of known conventional oil and gas reserves are concentrated in politically unstable regions, and increasing the diversity in energy sources is important for many nations to secure a reliable and constant supply of energy.

In this context, biomass for energy can play a pivotal role. Energy from biomass, when produced in a sustainable manner, can drastically reduce GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels. Most countries have biomass resources available, or could develop such a resource, making biomass a more evenly spread energy supply option across the globe. It is a versatile energy source, which can be used for producing power, heat, liquid and gaseous fuels, and also serves as a feedstock for materials and chemicals.

This publication has been produced by the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee based on the considerable information available from Member Countries. It highlights the contribution of bioenergy in meeting the world’s future energy demand, through state-of-the-art research and market development. It also explores the routes for bioenergy to achieve its potential.

Download Potential Contribution of Bioenergy to the World’s Future Energy Demand

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IEA Bioenergy
IEA BIOENERGY: EXCO: 2007:02

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

André Faaij, Associate Professor at the Copernicus Institute for Sustainable Development of the Utrecht University, the Netherlands was the lead author of this publication. André is also the Leader of Task 40: Sustainable International Bioenergy Trade - Securing Supply and Demand. He was assisted with contributions from the other Task Leaders of IEA Bioenergy.

 Josef Spitzer, Austria and Kees Kwant, the Netherlands comprised the editorial committee to review drafts of the text. In addition, Members of the Executive Committee provided discussion and comments on draft material. Judy Griffith and Justin Ford-Robertson provided valuable assistance in preparing the text for publication.

The Secretary facilitated the editorial process and arranged final design and production. The assistance of Contracting Parties to IEA Bioenergy and the bioenergy industry in providing access to photographs is gratefully acknowledged.

Further Information:

IEA Bioenergy
IEA Bioenergy Website:
www.ieabioenergy.com

IEA Bioenergy Secretariat
John Tustin - Secretary
PO Box 6256
Whakarewarewa
ROTORUA
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +67 7 3482563
Fax: +64 7 348 7503

Adam Brown – Technical Coordinator
Energy Insights Ltd
1, St Hilda’s Close
Didcot
Oxfordshire, OX11 9UU
UNITED KINGDOM
Phone: +44 (0)7723 315441

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