Future competitive bioenergy technologies in the German heat sector: Findings from an economic optimization approach

Abstract

Meeting the defined greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets in Germany is only possible by switching to renewable technologies in the energy sector. A major share of that reduction needs to be covered by the heat sector, which accounts for ∼ 35% of the energy based emissions in Germany. Biomass is the renewable key player in the heterogeneous heat sector today. Its properties such as weather independency, simple storage and flexible utilization open up a wide field of applications for biomass. However, in a future heat sector fulfilling GHG reduction targets and energy sectors being increasingly connected: which bioenergy technology concepts are competitive options against other renewable heating systems? In this paper, the cost optimal allocation of the limited German biomass potential is investigated under longterm scenarios using a mathematical optimization approach. The model results show that bioenergy can be a competitive option in the future. Especially the use of biomass from residues can be highly competitive in hybrid combined heat and power (CHP) pellet combustion plants in the private household sector. However, towards 2050, wood based biomass use in high temperature industry applications is found to be the most cost efficient way to reduce heat based emissions by 95% in 2050.

Status and Perspectives of Biomass Use for Industrial Process Heat for Industrialized Countries

“…The Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ) has set up a scenario database for this comparison. Moreover, the authors have made their own simulations about a possible future use of biomass for heat generation in Germany using the UFZ optimization tool “BenOpt” .…”

“…One study of the authors focuses on the heating sector in Germany using the optimization model BenOpt , . After reducing the total amount of sustainable biomass available in Germany for energy purposes by defining shares for transport and electricity, the model calculated an economic optimal use of biomass in the German heat sector, while fulfilling the defined climate targets in Germany until 2050.…”

“…and geothermal, as well as waste heat from industrial high‐temperature processes. During the cold season, CHP plants for renewable fuels will also supply coupled heat produced . Some of the residues could be utilized as fodder and others might be transferred to gaseous or solid bioenergy fuels for other applications .…”

“…Even focusing on industrial heat means a lot of different temperature levels of heat demand, amounts of heat needed, quality of heat supply, and possible combination with other chemical reactions. So far, two main approaches to consider biomass for industrial heat supply can be found in literature: (i) general consideration of the heat demand for industry or more detailed industrial subsectors , compared to available biomass potentials and (ii) technical opportunities to use biomass for the replacement of fossil fuels for certain industrial heat processes . In contrast to this state‐of‐the‐art, this article focuses exclusively on industrial process heat supply above 200 °C, whereas household heating and small‐scale industry, trade, and commerce as well as heat demand in industry with temperature levels below 200 °C are not considered.…”

Incorporating consumer choice into an optimization model for the German heat sector: Effects on projected bioenergy use

“…From over 32 Mio heating systems installed [1], ∼ 12 Mio are bioenergy heating systems [1,48], supplying the major share of renewable heating. Today, as well as in the future, a variety of bioenergy concepts are expected to provide renewable heating [25], also in a flexible way [33]. Bioenergy users are further influenced by e.g.…”