The role of bioenergy in the European Union

Giulio VolpiRenewable Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage Policy

DG Energy, European Commission

EU 2020 climate and energy targets

GHG emissions-20%

Energy consumption -20%

Renewables share +20%

-20% -20%100%

20%

8,5%

+20%

National renewable energy targets

Source: Eurostat 2012 and Directive 2009/28/EC for targets

Renewables = 12.7% of EU energy consumption in 2010

Technology Results from the National Renewable Energy Action Plans

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Heat pumps

Biomass

Wind

Tide, wave, ocean

Solar

Geothermal

Hydro

ktoeKtoe

Biomass

EU renewable energy outlook by 2020

Bioenergy = over 10% of EU total final energy consumption

Biomass

Wind

Hydro

Bioenergy outlook by 2020

Mtoe

Domestic biomass sources (2008-2020)

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

2006 2015 2020

Biomass fromWaste

Biomass fromAgricultural andFishery

Biomass fromForestry

Ktoe

Growing energy use of forest biomass

Growing biomass imports

Primary energy from biomass for H&C and electricity (Mtoe)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2010 2020

imports primary energy

EU biomass supply primaryenergy

Wood pellets trade (2011, ktons)

Benefits of bioenergy

• Versatility: natural partner to variable sources, or controllable heat generation, or to make transport fuels

• Cost effectiveness: can be lower cost than other renewables, built on existing infrastructure

• Security of energy supply: particularly when using domestic feedstock, including wastes

• Employment/economic benefits: significant business/job opportunities across supply-chain

• But there are sustainability risks to be managed

EU sustainability criteria for biofuels

• Land exclusion criteria: biofuels cannot come from land with:• High carbon stock (dense forests, wetland, peatlands)• High biodiversity (primary forests, protected areas)

• GHG saving target: Biofuels need to save at least 35% GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels, increasing to 50% in 2017 (to reduce fossil fuel use in the lifecycle)

GHG GHG GHG

Verification of compliance

• Responsibility for checking compliance with the sustainability criteria lies with national certification schemes or with EU-recognized certification schemes

14 EU recognised certification schemes

1. ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)2. Bonsucro EU 3. RTRS EU RED (Round Table on Responsible Soy EU RED)4. RSB EU RED (Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels EU RED)5. 2BSvs (Biomass Biofuels voluntary scheme)6. RBSA (Abengoa RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance)7. Greenergy (Greenergy Brazilian Bioethanol verification programme)8. Ensus voluntary scheme under RED for Ensus bioethanol production9. Red Tractor (Red Tractor Farm Assurance Crops & Sugar Beet Scheme)10. SQC (Scottish Quality Farm Assured Combinable Crops (SQC) scheme)11. Red Cert 12. NTA 8080 13. RSPO RED14. Biograce calculation tool

Sustainability of solid biomass and biogas

. 2010 EU recommendations to MS to follow more or less the biofuels criteria:- GHG accounting to include end-use conversion

- Small bioenergy installations (below 1 MW) to be exempted

- Biomass origin and quality in small-scale uses (e.g. households) to be monitored by MS

. Ongoing review of the effectiveness of such approach, considering new market and policy developments

Biomass sustainability: stakeholders' views

Bio-energy producers concerned about meeting parallel (and sometimes conflicting) national sustainability criteria,

NGOs/academia concerned about risks posed by biomass on forest biodiversity and carbon (i.e. 'carbon debt' debate)

Forest sector sees economic/social opportunities but concerned about the administrative burden of new criteria

Non-energy biomass users concerned about possible feedstock competition

. Bioenergy is critical for meeting the EU 2020 energy and climate targets and will play an increasingly important role in the decarbonisation of the EU energy sector by 2050

. Sustainable production and efficient consumption are key to prevent unwanted negative side effects

. Need to ensure a coherent policy framework (links with EU Timber Regulation, FLEGT, EU Forest Strategy, Forest LBA etc.)

. On-going assessment on whether to further develop the EU sustainability framework to include solid biomass and biogas

Conclusions

Thank you!

More info: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/index_en.htm