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FOREWORD
Agricultural and forest residues, as well as purpose grown energy crops, are among the major energy resources available to the European Union (EU). Increased used of these resources, commonly known as biomass, can contribute sustainable solutions to many of the problems facing us now.
Use of home-grown resources can significantly reduce the need for the EU to import oil and other fossil fuels and, at the same time, increases the security of energy supply. Since plants recycle carbon dioxide, use of biomass contributes to the reduction of emissions that contribute to climate change, in accordance with the Kyoto Agreement. Fuels derived from biomass contain less sulphur, while properly designed systems using biomass can also reduce other atmospheric pollutants, improving local air quality. Use of residues will also improve the local environment, while planting of energy crops on land not required for food production can generate jobs, improve rural economies and help maintain agriculture and forestry.
Worldwide, millions of people rely on biomass as an energy source. However, much of this is used in fairly simple, and sometimes polluting, combustion systems that are not very energy efficient. Use of available technology and biomass currently contributes around 3%, some 45 million tonnes oil equivalent ( Mtoe), of the energy needs of the EU. However, as set out in the White Paper: Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy, COM(97)599, the goal is to significantly increase the use of biomass, adding a further 90 Mtoe by year 2010. If these targets were achieved, biomass would provide around 50% of the energy derived from Renewables.
In the longer term, it is anticipated that biomass could contribute 20% of the current EU primary energy demand, with more than 20 million hectares used for fuel crops. In order to reach these targets, there is a need to understand the present position and to identify the main areas where further research and development can lower costs and improve efficiencies throughout the complete chain of production and use. By contributing to the costs of such developments, through the RTD Framework Programmes the EU encourages co-operation between Member States and between the public and private sectors.
Since many biomass conversion technologies are now commercial, under the present (Fifth) Framework Programme calls for research proposals are now being targeted at key areas (both technical and non-technical) that are acting as barriers to widespread use of biomass. These actions are being taken as part of a wider initiative to create a European Research Area, as a central component of a European knowledge-based society.
This publication is presented as a guide to help researchers, companies and planners work together to reach the targets set for biomass as a contribution to the expansion of Renewable Energy Sources within the European Union.
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