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 . Taylor Scott International