Interpreting long-term energy scenarios and the role of bioenergy in Germany

Szarka, Nóra; Eichhorn, Marcus; Kittler, Ronny; Bezama, Alberto; Thrän, Daniela

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2016.02.016

Cited by 59 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Scenarios for future bioenergy use differ widely in quality and quantity regarding feedstock availability and bioenergy application fields (heat, power, fuels) as well [17]. Hence, policy makers from different fields are faced with very complex decision-making issues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategy Elements for a Sustainable Bioenergy Policy Based on Scenarios and Systems Modeling: Germany as Example

et al. 2017

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Bioenergy is an important renewable energy carrier with uncertainties in future development due to sustainability issues. Its further development requires a robust bioenergy strategy on a national level. To provide these strategy elements, a dedicated approach was developed, which includes a new modeling framework, an impact assessment, and stakeholder involvement. Demonstrating the approach on the example of Germany, four bioenergy utilization scenarios for a period up to 2050 have been assessed using seven indicators that cover aspects from local infrastructure to global food security. The devised strategy elements address the national and international feedstock supply, promising fields of utilization, and appropriate frame conditions. The results coherently focus on a wide range of policy fields, which has not been possible in the past. IntroductionBioenergy is made from renewable biomass sources. In recent decades, it has been the most significant renewable energy carrier in Germany, Europe, and the world [1][2][3]. On a global level, bioenergy counts today for 100 % of the renewable transport fuels, over 90 % of modern renewable heat, and 8 % of renewable power [3], with a significant rise in bioenergy utilization through all sectors, which means a doubling of the use between 2006 and 2014, and significantly contribute to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction [4]. Advanced renewable energy goals and the availability of a wider spectrum of costefficient renewable energy technologies, i.e., wind power, photovoltaics, heat pumps, and e-mobility, mean the role of bioenergy in future energy systems is expected to change [5][6][7]. However, concerns have also arisen about the availability of feedstock to cover additional energy demands using bio-based energy carriers. Although biomass is a renewable resource, its availability is limited at a certain point in time, especially when environmental impacts on biodiversity, soil quality, natural carbon stocks and sinks, e.g., are taken into account [8][9][10]. Nevertheless, the rise in the demand for biomass for food production, feed production, and material use is expected to continue in the future [11][12][13][14]. It is commonly agreed that bioenergy has to be utilized in line with the goals of sustainable development; in particular, food security ranks higher than using biomass for energetic purposes [15,16].

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategy Elements for a Sustainable Bioenergy Policy Based on Scenarios and Systems Modeling: Germany as Example

et al. 2017

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“…As a consequence, flexible power generation from biogas plants can reduce investments in grid extensions [66]. In coming years and on road to the German electricity sector RES share goals of 55-60% by 2035 and 80% by 2050 ( § 1 (2) EEG 2017), flexibility options such as dispatchable bioenergy can be expected to become even more important [67].…”

Section: Systemic Contribution Of Bioenergy For Balancing Vresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Contributions of flexible power generation from biomass to a secure and cost-effective electricity supply—a review of potentials, incentives and obstacles in Germany

et al. 2018

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Background: With wind power and photovoltaics, volatile renewables have emerged as central pillars of the energy transition. This increases the demand for flexibility options to compensate fluctuations in power generation. Focussing on the role of bioenergy as a renewable flexibility option, this article seeks to address two questions. The first is whether there is an option value of bioenergy as a provider of low-carbon flexibility in a future power system, which might justify continued technology-specific deployment support. The second question is whether existing market and policy incentives are effective in activating flexibility potentials, and what perspectives exist for increasing flexibility incentives. Methods: The article follows an interdisciplinary approach. First, technical potentials for flexible bioenergy plants and potential systemic contributions are examined. This is followed by an economic assessment of what flexibility incentives are provided by relevant market and policy framework conditions. Findings: Power from biomass can be well suited to provide flexible generation for grid stabilisation and residual load balancing. Biogas plants require an increase of nominal power over rated power, whereas the technical flexibilisation potential of solid biomass plants depends on specific technologies. Particularly, small-scale combined heat and power systems can deliver fast responses. For existing biogas plants, the Renewable Energy Sources Act's (EEG) flexibility premium and balancing market revenues have incentivised some changes in the production behaviour and investments in plant flexibilisation. However, decreasing spot market price levels and decreasing price variance reduce incentive strength. This also limits flexibilisation incentives for solid biomass plants. For new biogas plants, the EEG's remuneration rules set effective flexibility incentives, but 2014 reductions in remuneration rates have significantly slowed down the expansion. Conclusions: Given high technical potentials for flexibility provision, there is an option value of keeping bioelectricity in the technology mix until more is known about its future competitiveness with other low-carbon flexibility options. To maintain this option value, there is a case for setting policy incentives in a way that continued technological development remains possible. A stringent climate policy could accelerate structural change in the electricity sector, to allow for market price signals which incentivise low-carbon flexibility provision.

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“…These include flexible power for phases with low wind and solar power availability, fuels for heavy‐duty vehicles, ships and the aviation sector as well as heat for dedicated industry processes and in ancient buildings, which have limitations for insulation. But, the most suitable energy sectors and the related set of technologies to promote are still under discussion . While energy crops for energy provision seem to be limited, there is still a relevant unexploited potential of biogenic residues and wastes of 26.9 – 46.9 million Mg (DM) (approx.…”

Section: Prospects For Bioenergy Usementioning

confidence: 99%

One Century of Bioenergy in Germany: Wildcard and Advanced Technology

Pfeiffer

Thrän

2018

Chemie Ingenieur Technik

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Bioenergy is the oldest renewable energy resource and has a long tradition in heat provision. However, with the establishment of the chemical industry and engineering the application field as extended to the power and the transport sector. This article outlines the development of power and fuel production from biomass over a period of hundred years until today, as well as future prospects. The crucial technical innovations of bioenergy with regard to political and historical events are reflected. Despite of improvements in the last decades, mainly associated with issues like resource availability, technical efficiency or emission mitigation, the future energy supply by biomass has to be even more efficient, demand‐oriented and integrated step‐by‐step in a more renewable energy system.

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Interpreting long-term energy scenarios and the role of bioenergy in Germany

Cited by 59 publications

References 3 publications

Strategy Elements for a Sustainable Bioenergy Policy Based on Scenarios and Systems Modeling: Germany as Example

Strategy Elements for a Sustainable Bioenergy Policy Based on Scenarios and Systems Modeling: Germany as Example

Contributions of flexible power generation from biomass to a secure and cost-effective electricity supply—a review of potentials, incentives and obstacles in Germany

One Century of Bioenergy in Germany: Wildcard and Advanced Technology

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