This paper describes the development of a user-friendly software tool that can be used to analyse... more This paper describes the development of a user-friendly software tool that can be used to analyse GHG balances and cost-effectiveness of different biomass energy technologies. The tool has to be able to accommodate a diversity of biomass technologies. It has to be applicable for different user groups such as universities, policy-makers or companies involved in biomass technologies. As preparation for the development of the tool, a unified methodology is being developed to evaluate GHG-balances and cost-effectiveness of biomass energy technologies. Main characteristics of the software architecture of the tool are the flowchart design and the concept of working with different tiers of calculation and data input. This makes the tool applicable for a wide diversity of data availability and biomass technologies.
ABSTRACT As the main driver for bioenergy is to enable society to transform to more sustainable f... more ABSTRACT As the main driver for bioenergy is to enable society to transform to more sustainable fuel and energy production systems, it is important to safeguard that bioenergy deployment happens within certain sustainability constraints. There is currently a high number of initiatives, including binding regulations and several voluntary sustainability standards for biomass, bioenergy and/or biofuels. Witin IEA Bioenergy studies were performed to monitor the actual implementation process of sustainability regulations and certification, evaluate how stakeholders are affected and envisage the anticipated impact on worldwide markets and trade. On the basis of these studies, recommendations were made on how sustainability requirements could actually support further bioenergy deployment. Markets would gain from more harmonization and cross-compliance. A common language is needed as ‘sustainability’ of biomass involves different policy arenas and legal settings. Policy pathways should be clear and predictable, and future revisions of sustainability requirements should be open and transparent. Sustainability assurance systems (both through binding regulations and voluntary certification) should take into account how markets work, in relation to different biomass applications (avoiding discrimination among end-uses and users). It should also take into account the way investment decisions are taken, administrative requirements for smallholders, and the position of developing countries.
ABSTRACT The EUBIONET III project has boosted (i) sustainable, transparent international biomass ... more ABSTRACT The EUBIONET III project has boosted (i) sustainable, transparent international biomass fuel trade, (ii) investments in best practice technologies and (iii) new services on biomass heat sector. Furthermore, it identified cost-efficient and value-adding use of biomass for energy and industry. The aims of this article are to provide a synthesis of the key results of this project. Estimated annual solid biomass potential in the EU-27 is almost 6600 PJ (157 Mtoe), of which 48% is currently utilised. The greatest potential for increased use lies in forest residues and herbaceous biomass. Trade barriers have been evaluated and some solutions suggested such as CN codes for wood pellets and price indexes for industrial wood pellets and wood chips. The analysis of wood pellet and wood chip prices revealed large difference amongst EU countries, but also that on the short term prices of woody and fossil fuels are barely correlated. Sustainable production and use of solid biomass are also deemed important by most European stakeholders, and many support the introduction of harmonised sustainability criteria, albeit under a number of preconditions. The study identified also that a number of woody and agro-industrial residue streams remain un- or underutilised. The estimated European total potential of agro-industrial sources is more than 250 PJ (7.2 Mtoe), the amount of unutilised woody biomass (the annual increment of growing stock) even amounts to 3150 PJ (75 Mtoe). Finally 35 case studies of biomass heating substituting fossil fuels were carried out, showing that the potential to reduce GHG emissions ranges between 90 and 98%, while costs are very similar to fossil fuel heating systems. Overall, we conclude that solid biomass is growing strongly, and is likely to heavily contribute to the EU renewable energy targets in the coming decade.
This paper describes the development of a user-friendly software tool that can be used to analyse... more This paper describes the development of a user-friendly software tool that can be used to analyse GHG balances and cost-effectiveness of different biomass energy technologies. The tool has to be able to accommodate a diversity of biomass technologies. It has to be applicable for different user groups such as universities, policy-makers or companies involved in biomass technologies. As preparation for the development of the tool, a unified methodology is being developed to evaluate GHG-balances and cost-effectiveness of biomass energy technologies. Main characteristics of the software architecture of the tool are the flowchart design and the concept of working with different tiers of calculation and data input. This makes the tool applicable for a wide diversity of data availability and biomass technologies.
ABSTRACT As the main driver for bioenergy is to enable society to transform to more sustainable f... more ABSTRACT As the main driver for bioenergy is to enable society to transform to more sustainable fuel and energy production systems, it is important to safeguard that bioenergy deployment happens within certain sustainability constraints. There is currently a high number of initiatives, including binding regulations and several voluntary sustainability standards for biomass, bioenergy and/or biofuels. Witin IEA Bioenergy studies were performed to monitor the actual implementation process of sustainability regulations and certification, evaluate how stakeholders are affected and envisage the anticipated impact on worldwide markets and trade. On the basis of these studies, recommendations were made on how sustainability requirements could actually support further bioenergy deployment. Markets would gain from more harmonization and cross-compliance. A common language is needed as ‘sustainability’ of biomass involves different policy arenas and legal settings. Policy pathways should be clear and predictable, and future revisions of sustainability requirements should be open and transparent. Sustainability assurance systems (both through binding regulations and voluntary certification) should take into account how markets work, in relation to different biomass applications (avoiding discrimination among end-uses and users). It should also take into account the way investment decisions are taken, administrative requirements for smallholders, and the position of developing countries.
ABSTRACT The EUBIONET III project has boosted (i) sustainable, transparent international biomass ... more ABSTRACT The EUBIONET III project has boosted (i) sustainable, transparent international biomass fuel trade, (ii) investments in best practice technologies and (iii) new services on biomass heat sector. Furthermore, it identified cost-efficient and value-adding use of biomass for energy and industry. The aims of this article are to provide a synthesis of the key results of this project. Estimated annual solid biomass potential in the EU-27 is almost 6600 PJ (157 Mtoe), of which 48% is currently utilised. The greatest potential for increased use lies in forest residues and herbaceous biomass. Trade barriers have been evaluated and some solutions suggested such as CN codes for wood pellets and price indexes for industrial wood pellets and wood chips. The analysis of wood pellet and wood chip prices revealed large difference amongst EU countries, but also that on the short term prices of woody and fossil fuels are barely correlated. Sustainable production and use of solid biomass are also deemed important by most European stakeholders, and many support the introduction of harmonised sustainability criteria, albeit under a number of preconditions. The study identified also that a number of woody and agro-industrial residue streams remain un- or underutilised. The estimated European total potential of agro-industrial sources is more than 250 PJ (7.2 Mtoe), the amount of unutilised woody biomass (the annual increment of growing stock) even amounts to 3150 PJ (75 Mtoe). Finally 35 case studies of biomass heating substituting fossil fuels were carried out, showing that the potential to reduce GHG emissions ranges between 90 and 98%, while costs are very similar to fossil fuel heating systems. Overall, we conclude that solid biomass is growing strongly, and is likely to heavily contribute to the EU renewable energy targets in the coming decade.
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Papers by Jinke Van Dam