What is modern bioenergy?

Bioenergy is energy of biological and renewable origin, normally derived from purpose-grown energy crops or by-products of agriculture. As stated before, examples of bioenergy resources are wood, straw, bagasse and organic waste. The term bioenergy encompasses the overall technical means through which biomass is produced, converted and used. Modern bio-energy refers to some technological advances in biomass conversion combined with significant changes in energy markets that allow exploring an increased contribution of biomass to our energy needs, whether throughout traditional and emerging technological areas (e.g. from combustion to liquid biofuels).

Cost Comparison between Renewable and Fossil Fuels

Fuel Cost for Electricity generation - a key driver for bioenergy

The graph shows the range of costs for different fossil and renewable technologies and fuels.  From the average of the high and low cost, biomass is the cheapest of the renewable energies for electricity. Furthermore, biomass is the sector that still has a great potential for expansion for electricity production.   Biomass is, in varying quantities and qualities, present almost everywhere, therefore representing a indigenous energy source that should be utilised to reduce energy consumption from centrally produced electricity.  Also the figures in blue, representing the CO2 emissions from each fuel, further legitimizes biomass as a CO2 saver as it emits only 30 kg of CO2 equiv. /MWh compared to the fossil fuels which range from 400 to 800 kg of CO2 equiv. /MWh. 

What is not shown are the subsidies that the fossil fuel sector receives (have been in place for decades) which are unfairly supporting high carbon emitters, which creates an artificial market, thus limiting the growth of renewable energies.  The removal of such subsidies seems unlikely, even by the European Commission.  Many power producers claim this will only harm the the consumer as an increase in electricity prices will have to be made.  What is needed is a gradual reduction in these subsidies which should lead to an increase in low carbon technology markets.

Bioenergy key drivers and advantages

Some bioenergy key drivers consist in its contribution to:

• the reduction of energy dependency on energy imports and thus, the increased security of supply
• the climate change mitigation (bioenergy use decrease net greenhouse gas emissions and some other noxious gas emissions compared to fossil fuels, thus contributing to fulfil the Kyoto commitment) and the fight against desertification
• stable employment opportunities in rural areas and among small and medium sized enterprises; this in turn fosters regional development, achieving greater social and economic cohesion at community level.

Other important advantages of bioenergy are as follows:

• Widespread resources are available
• Biomass resources show a considerable potential in the long term, if residues are properly valorised and dedicated energy crops are grown. Bioenergy makes valuable use of some wastes, avoiding their pollution and cost of disposal
• Biomass has the capacity to penetrate every energy sector: heating, power and transport. Bio-fuels can be stored easily and bioenergy produced when needed
• Bioenergy creates worldwide business opportunities for EU industries
• Biofuels are generally bio-degradable and non toxic, which is important when accident occur.

Barriers to bioenergy, specific actions against them and driving forces to support these activities

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