BIOMASS HUB

A new position paper by the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) shows that the global potential to produce biomass for energy in a sustainable way is sufficient to meet global energy demand.  The finding is based on a report by the Department of Energy and Technology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), which shows that the largest potential for bioenergy comes from biomass production on surplus agricultural lands and degraded lands.

The report notes that global energy consumption is roughly 490 EJ (ExaJoule) today, and according to IEA projections, could top 1,000 EJ in 2050.  Current utilization of biomass for energy is around 50 EJ, or around 10 percent of global energy production, and grown on only 0.19 percent of the world’s total land area.  According to the report, estimated potential for bi0energy production is 1,135 – 1,548 EJ in 2050.

The projection exceeds even the most ambitious of goals discussed by policymakers around the world.  To date, the debate has centered around what “share” of global energy production biomass derived energy can meet.  While some smaller developing countries have the potential to meet all of their liquid transportation fuel needs with biofuels, US and EU targets are around one-quarter to one-third to liquid fuel needs.

According to Prof. S.C. Bhattacharya, President of the International Energy Initiative, India:

Bioenergy has clear advantages compared to other technologies.  It is available in all societies and all communities.  There are many small-scale and inexpensive bioenergy solutions that can be implemented directly.

There are many limitations that must be overcome before WBA projections can be met.  Primary limitations on increased bioenergy production include efficiency of the conversion process, the availability of suitable land and water resources, aquifer depletion, soil erosion, and the loss of biologically rich ecosystems, including tropical rainforests.  Policymakers must also account for the connection between biofuels production and increases in food prices.

Image: Flickr/Doctor Swan