Introduction

Abstract

The provision of energy from regenerative energy sources, in general, and from biomass, in particular, is increasingly gaining importance in the political discussions about energy and the environment. Of all the regenerative energy sources, biomass is the most important option, by far. For example, in Germany around 75 % of the entire energy ultimately provided from renewable energy sources comes from biomass, and this proportion tends to be even higher worldwide. According to the ambitious aims of the Commission of European Communities, which have been adopted by many EU member states, among them also Germany, this proportion should even become distinctly greater in absolute terms. This applies especially with regard to fossil energy sources which must be increasingly managed with a view to taking more care to conserve resources.