Paper details

Title:

BIOSTRAT - Strategies for the Optimal Bioenergy Use - Scenarios for Austria up to 2050

Author(s):

Dißauer, C., Fuhrmann, M., Strasser, C.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The utilization of biomass for energy purposes is regarded as a significant contributor to the reduction of carbon emissions within the energy sector. Furthermore, biomass can be stored, thereby enhancing the resilience of renewable energy systems. However, the optimization of existing and future biomass potentials in terms of minimizing carbon emissions and costs is essential in order to ensure the long-term sustainable availability of biomass. The extent to which carbon emissions can be reduced is subject to the use in the overall biomass chain. Consequently, the initial step is to assess the (future) availability of wood biomass in Austria to calculate the global warming potential (GWP) of selected bioenergy utilization pathways. The following three cases are explored: (1) electricity generation, (2) district heat, and (3) Combined Heat and Power (CHP). For each case, post-consumer wood, sawmill by-products, bark, forest wood chips, wood chips from short rotation coppice and wood pellets are considered as feedstock. Results show that electricity generation without utilization of heat results in the highest Global Warming Potential (GWP). GWP of district heat and CHP are at much lower levels. This clearly demonstrates the ecological benefit of heat utilization in a CHP plant.

Keywords:

bioenergy, biomass, CO₂ emission, life cycle assessment (LCA)

Topic:

Sustainability, Impacts and Policies

Subtopic:

Biomass strategies and policies

Event:

32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

2DO.5.1

Pages:

220 - 223

ISBN:

978-88-89407-24-0

Paper DOI:

10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-2DO.5.1

Price:

FREE