7.3 POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS

7.3.1 Public awareness

There are two misconceptions which endanger all superficial conclusions about biomass:

· Biomass is readily available everywhere, and just needs to be collected and processed;
· Obtaining energy from biomass is a purely technological problem, which is only a matter of effort.

Both of these myths can and must be avoided by raising public awareness and disseminating better information.

Biomass is an available but problematic energy source, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to future energy supplies. Its utilization requires more research and development as well as technological progress, but, first of all, changes in the outlook of people, whether scientists, businessman, decision makers or consumers. This means new and conscious production and consumer patterns, societal values, and welfare goals.

 

7.3.2 EU scenario

Bioenergy is now accepted as having the potential to provide a major part of the projected renewable energy provision of the future. This opportunity has been well recognized, accepted and promoted in the EU countries. Some important issues selected from the European Commission's documents are given below (ref 7.6).

"In an EC strategy aiming at increasing the share of RES in the EU energy supply from 6%, at present, to 12% in 2010, biomass is expected to make a major contribution. Biomass is expected in the long term to reach a potential of 20% of the current primary energy supply. An integrated approach is necessary for addressing the whole production chain (including the increase of the yield of biomass, which is covered in Key Action 5 of the Quality of Life Thematic Programme)."

 

"Indicative RTD subjects:

· Co-combustion of biomass and bio-waste in coal fired electricity plants;
· Development and optimisation of technologies for the conversion of biomass into power and heat, such as efficient combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, biomass operated gas turbines, and components able to use different bio fuels. Particular attention should be given to large scale gasification.
· In view of the fact that the cost of biomass is a major factor in the energy cost, options should be explored as to how this cost can be reduced; this includes the use of bio waste and biogas; co-generation and poly-generation (generation of heat, electricity and other products) should be favored;
· Reduction of local and global environment degrading emissions with treatment prior to combustion, improved combustion techniques, advanced control and monitoring. Particular attention should be given to ash recirculation including metal removal, tars, NOx and particulate matter.
· Socio-economic and pre-normative RTD on the use of bio-energy e.g. technological, economical, socio-economic and environmental barriers."

 

"Bio-electricity obtained from biomass and waste is vitally important for the EU and other countries where the demand for energy is expected to grow during the coming years. In order to meet the EU's Kyoto commitments, it is anticipated that the use and trade of existing biofuels and waste derived fuels will increase significantly due to their CO₂ neutral character. It is therefore of great importance to further develop and demonstrate advanced conversion technologies and effective fuel supply chains. This can be achieved in either dedicated bio-energy plants or in co-utilisation applications with fossil fuels."