Can you use more biomass?

We must do so, given the EU targets for emission reduction and renewable energy generation.

Using biomass instead of fossil fuels can reduce fossil-based emissions from existing heat and electricity plants in the near-term. Yet the sustainability of biomass use depends on the type of biomass and how it is produced, handled and used. We avoid using biomass that could lead to adverse environmental and social impacts.

The role of biomass in sustainable society

Biomass is a renewable energy source that is also regarded as being CO₂-neutral over the long term, since the trees, grass and crops from which it comes capture and store carbon as
part of photosynthesis. As long as the biomass is continually regrown, the process will remain CO₂ neutral in the long term.

Biomass will play an important role in meeting EU Targets. Estimations indicate that biomass could account for half of the target of 20% renewables by 2020. This means that use of biomass would double compared with today, from 5% to 10% of total energy use (heat, electricity and transport).

Current Vattenfall projects to increase biomass will lead to an increase of 5% in 2010, and by 2030 biomass is expected to account for 10% of total electricity and heat generation. The challenge is finding a way to use biomass both sustainably and profitably. A price on CO₂ emissions and additional subsidies are important for the economic sustainability of biomass.

Vattenfall operates 40 heat and combined heat and power plants that run fully or partly on biomass and together use more than three million tonnes of biomass every year. Biomass encompasses a variety of fuels that differ in terms of sustainability, quality and energy content. Our objective is to first carefully choose fuel, then to achieve low total emissions through effi cient production, preparation, transportation and combustion of the fuels chosen. See what Vattenfall uses in the chart below.

Considering the sustainability impacts

When using biomass we must look beyond the immediate impact of our own energy production. Biomass production entails risks such as deforestation and loss of carbon stock in the soil, which would negate the purpose of using biomass to reduce climate impact.

Other risks include loss of biodiversity and increased competition for land used for food production, possibly affecting food prices. Vattenfall avoids – and must continue to avoid - biomass sources that pose these risks.

We are working actively with others on the development of criteria, standards and certifications that can help ensure sustainable production of biomass fuels, and we work hard to ensure responsible performance across the biomass fuel chain. Vattenfall applies its Code of Conduct for suppliers in biomass purchases.

As biomass production becomes more global, sustainability criteria for biomass sourcing will become even more important. Most of the sustainability risks occur in countries outside the EU, where there is less rigid legislation on environmental protection, sustainable forest management and other important sustainability aspects. Therefore, increased import of these fuels makes sustainability criteria for biomass essential.

Fact Box - Vattenfall’s biomass use today