Tag Archives: european
EEA Urges Rethink On Biomass
[background=rgb(0, 128, 1) !important]03/07/2013[/background] Bioenergy production must follow EU resource efficiency codes if it is to play an important role in the renewable energy mix, according to a report by the European Environment Agency. The study, EU Bioenergy From A Resource Efficiency Perspective, states more power needs to be extracted from the same material input while negative environmental effects are avoided. The EEA has also revised its potential bioenergy production estimate in the EU, reducing the figure published in 2006 by almost 40% due to changes in scientific understanding, the altered EU policy framework and economic factors. The study claims that generating electricity by burning pure biomass is only 30% to 35% efficient, while burning the same material to produce heat is usually more than 85% efficient. EEA executive director Hans Bruyninckx said: “This study highlights the fact that forest biomass and productive land are limited resources and part of Europe’s ‘natural capital’. So it is essential that we consider how we can use existing resources efficiently before we impose additional demands on land for energy production.” The report suggests the current energy crop mix is not favourable to the environment and recommends a broader mix of crops to reduce environmental impacts. “Different energy cropping systems can vary hugely in their productivity, as well as in environmental impacts. High-yielding systems with efficient conversion can deliver more than 20 times more energy compared with low-yielding inefficient systems using the same land area,” the study states. The EEA calls for perennial crops to be grown as these are not harvested annually and can enhance ecosystems and provide services such as flood prevention and water filtration. The report can be seen here . Continue reading
Pöyry Releases Biocoal White Paper in Conjunction with PAM-Sponsored Biomass Conference
PRESS RELEASE June 18, 2013, 8:05 p.m. ET Pöyry Releases Biocoal White Paper in Conjunction with PAM-Sponsored Biomass Conference Pöyry announces biocoal white paper in conjunction with CMT’s Biomass Pellets Trade & Power in Seoul, September 9-10, 2013, co-hosted by EnerOne and sponsored by Pellet Association Malaysia (PAM) SEOUL, South Korea–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 18, 2013– Global biomass and renewable power leaders will convene at the Biomass Pellets Trade & Power conference supported by Premium Sponsors Pellet Association Malaysia (PAM) and Agensi Inovasi Malaysia (AIM). PAM establishes common practices and standards and promotes Malaysian pellets internationally, aligning itself with AIM, the Malaysian National Innovation Agency driving innovation agenda and National Biomass Strategy. Asia’s renewable energy outlook is blooming, especially in biopower as consumption in China, Japan and South Korea grows. National Renewable Energy Policy in Japan and South Korea promotes biomass consumption growth, with co-firing in Japan’s power plants projected to increase while South Korea’s biomass usage expands to 10 million t/yr by 2020. The Biomass Pellets Trade & Power presents key country experts, Mr. Ken Kojima, Managing Director of Pellet Club Japan, and Professor Gyu-Seong Han of Chungbuk National University, elaborating on Japan’s and South Korea’s biomass market respectively. A market led by Europe, the global biomass market is expected to expand, with Asia driving up demand for wood and palm pellets and agricultural residues. Leading European biomass trader and power utilities will share markets and operational insights, with EDF Trading Markets’ Mr. Nicholas Tsirigotis on global wood pellets supply and trade dynamics, and Mr. Jens Price Wolf on DONG Energy’s experience in converting existing coal to wood pellets fired power plant. South Korea’s top power utilities, Korea Southern Power (KOSPO), Korea East-West Power (EWP), Korea South-East Power (KOSEP), Korea Western Power (KOWEPO) and Korea Midland Power (KOMIPO) will also lend perspectives on current biomass-based power generation projects and expectations of biomass supply. Onto biocoal, Mr. Andreas Teir, Director of Global BioFutures Practice, Pöyry, and author of “Biocoal — Bioenergy Game Changer in Asia?” white paper, shares more insights on Asia’s biocoal market potentials. Sharing on wood and palm pellets supply, sustainability, agricultural residue, collaborations and biomass market in Malaysia, Canada, US and Russia include Ekman & Co AB, Eco-Frontier, Indufor Asia Pacific, Global Green Synergy Sdn. Bhd., The National Bioenergy Union (Russia) and Firefly AB. http://www.cmtevents…0929&pu=222519 CONTACT: Centre for Management Technology Hafizah Adam, +65 6346 9218 hafizah@cmtsp.com.sg SOURCE: Centre for Management Technology Continue reading
Biofuel Crop Mix ‘Not Favourable For Environment’
A report by the European Environment Agency found benefits vary significantly depending on the source of crops Rayhan Uddin guardian.co.uk , Wednesday 3 July 2013 16.46 BST When sourced from agricultural residues or waste, bioenergy is more efficient than fossil fuels both in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and the impact on ecosystems. Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images[/color] The current mix of crops used for energy are “not favourable to the environment”, according to a report published on Wednesday by the European Environment Agency. It said that the environmental benefits of such bioenergy vary significantly depending on the source of crops. When sourced from agricultural residues or waste, bioenergy is more efficient than fossil fuels both in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and the impact on ecosystems. But growing crops for energy has knock-on environmental impacts such as deforestation, the EEA warned. The report comes as the EU continues to debate a plan cap the percentage of biofuels made from food crops , with a final vote due to occur on 10 July. Proponents say the cap is needed because of environment concerns over the EU’s biofuel policy – which sets a target of 10% of transport fuels coming from biofuel by 2020, but the proposed cap has come under fierce criticism from biodiesel companies and farmers. The industry says the EU is destroying a booming £14bn sector while farmers feel demand is being taken away from them at a time of increasing volatility in global food prices. Hans Bruyninckx, director of the European Environment Agency, said “We see huge potential for bioenergy in the transition of the energy system that will occur over the coming years, but our research shows that this potential must take into consideration resource and climate efficiency. For example, food crops and other first generation pathways are a particularly inefficient use of biomass.” Most of the environmental impacts cited in the EEA report are a result of deforestation, draining of peatlands and other land clearance for biofuels , together known as indirect land use change (ILUC) . The report notes that adverse environmental effects associated with ILUC, such as an increase in carbon emissions or reduction in biodiversity, currently fall outside of the EU bioenergy policy framework, and believes that this needs to be addressed. Friends of the Earth Biofuels campaigner Kenneth Ritcher said: “This report is a stark warning to lawmakers about the urgent need to differentiate between the types of bioenergy, based on their real impact on climate change. If the European parliament is serious about cutting emissions it must support proposals next week to penalise biofuels that increase emissions through deforestation.” Continue reading
