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Potentials of Biomass and Renewable Energy: The Question of Sustainable Availability

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Biokerosene

Abstract

Robust and detailed knowledge of the sustainable availability of biomass is crucial for the development of strategies, targets and roadmaps related to future use of bioenergy and biofuels. In this paper, an overview of existing studies on global biomass potentials is given. Specifically, land-based energy crops, wastes and residues as well as microalgae are addressed as biomass sources. It is shown that large potentials exist, but associated with considerable uncertainties. Furthermore, the scope of the discussion is extended from an exclusive focus on biomass feedstock to a more general view on renewable energy and on options of renewable fuel production beyond utilization of biomass. However, it is also shown that issues of sustainability and particularly economic aspects are not sufficiently addressed in the assessments that have been reported to date. Substantial research efforts are required to fill the remaining knowledge gap with respect to the sustainable and economic potentials of renewable energy and fuels.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    In the relevant literature biomass potentials are given as the primary energy chemically stored in biomass, typically in exajoule (1 EJ = 1018 J).

  2. 2.

    http://www.unwater.org

  3. 3.

    Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA)

  4. 4.

    On the basis of an algae oil fraction of 20 %, a density of algae oil of 0.93 kg/L, and an energy content of dry algal biomass of 21.7 MJ/kg [37].

  5. 5.

    On the basis of an algae oil fraction of 15 %, a density of algae oil of 0.93 kg/L, and an energy content of dry algal biomass of 20 MJ/kg [38].

  6. 6.

    On the basis of an algae oil fraction of 25 %, a density of algae oil of 0.93 kg/L, and an energy content of dry algal biomass of 32.8 MJ/kg [40].

  7. 7.

    On the basis of an algae oil fraction of 15 and 60 %, a density of algae oil of 0.93 kg/L, and an energy content of dry algal biomass of 32.8 MJ/kg [40].

  8. 8.

    Geographic Information System.

  9. 9.

    Based on an input of 1 EJ in the form of lignocellulosic material, e.g. wood, and assuming a conversion via gasification and subsequent Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, about 0.2 EJ in the form of renewable jet fuel could be obtained. Other valuable fuel products, such as diesel and gasoline, are also formed and add to the process efficiency [34].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bauhaus Luftfahrt e. V., Taufkirchen (bei München), Germany

    Arne Roth, Florian Riegel & Valentin Batteiger

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  1. Arne Roth
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  2. Florian Riegel
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Correspondence to Arne Roth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany

    Martin Kaltschmitt

  2. Institute of Environmental Technology and Energy Economics, Hamburg University of Technology, Hamburg, Germany

    Ulf Neuling

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Roth, A., Riegel, F., Batteiger, V. (2018). Potentials of Biomass and Renewable Energy: The Question of Sustainable Availability. In: Kaltschmitt, M., Neuling, U. (eds) Biokerosene. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53065-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-53065-8_6

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