MARKETS AND FINANCE Biomass Thermal Energy Council Update Biomass Caucus Re-Chartered by Congress Under the leadership of Representatives Bruce Westerman (AK-R) and Ann Kuster (NH-D), the Biomass Caucus in the US House of Representatives has recently been re-chartered. This is the first time that there has been a Biomass Caucus in the House of Representatives since 2012. Westerman and Kuster are both extremely committed to the sustainable use of biomass as an energy source, and their bipartisan collaboration may serve as a major benefit for the biomass industry. A Congressional caucus, whether on the House or Senate side, may best be described as a group of Representatives or Senators with a common interest. Unlike a formal committee, they have no legislative authority but serve as a meeting ground for members of similar interests to discuss their concerns, and to come up with concepts that frequently are turned into proposed legislation. With the support of the House Biomass Caucus Serious “myth-busting” with new AEBIOM statistics 42 Bioenergy International No 82, 6-2015 and other interest groups, biomass can assume the role in the clean energy family that it deserves. Biomass Thermal DC Summit BTEC is excited to be hosting the 2015 Biomass Thermal DC Summit, with the support of various industry organisations, which will take place in Washington, DC from 17-18 November. The purpose of this event is for participants to engage federal policy makers and improve their understanding of the substantial benefits of biomass thermal energy in US energy policy. The Summit will include networking events, guest speakers, a Congressional Briefing, and a reception, all of which will add to attendees’ insight into the role that biomass currently has in US policy. Meghan Martin, BTEC Clean Energy Fellow www.biomassthermal.org/ BI82/5034/JH Published annually by the European Biomass Association, AEBIOM, the 2015 edition highlights that the final energy consumption of bioenergy has almost doubled during 2000-2013 to reach 105.1 million tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe). This trend is set to continue and, according to Members States’ projections, the consumption of biomass for energy should increase by at least 33 Mtoe by 2020. – When it comes to renewable energy discussions, the key role played by bioenergy in Europe is often underestimated, compared to its actual contribution, commented Jean-Marc Jossart, AEBIOM Secretary General. Over 95% from within EU The increasing demand can be explained by the fact that biomass is the only renewable energy source providing solutions for all energy sectors: transport, power, heat and cooling. According to the report, 74.6 percent of the biomass consumed today for energy purposes is used to produce heat (78.4 Mtoe), followed by biopower (13.5 Mtoe) and transportation biofuels (13.1 Mtoe). Given that heat accounts for half of the EU28’s final energy consumption, biomass can play a crucial role in solving the EU’s energy dependency challenge. According to the European Commission (EC), this dependency currently costs EUR 1 billion per day in fossil fuels imports to Europe. In stark contrast biomass imports currently represent only 3.84 percent of the EU’s bioenergy gross inland consumption. This means that over 95 percent of bioenergy consumed in Europe is produced within EU borders. Forest and job growth The report also highlights that the sector has a significant potential to further increase. About 70 percent of the total bioenergy feedstock delivered in Europe today originates from the forestry sector, while the rest comes from waste and agriculture. Contrary to some held beliefs, the EU forest estate keeps growing since only 62 percent of the annual EU forest growth, in areas available for wood supply, is currently annually harvested. Bioenergy also fosters considerable economic growth and contributes to job creation in Europe. The employment potential in bioenergy is superior compared to other renewable and non-renewable energy technologies, due to the additional elements of feedstock &ŝŶĂůĞŶĞƌŐLJĐŽŶƐƵŵƉƟŽŶĨŽƌŝŽĞŶĞƌŐLJ;ŬƚŽĞͿ production, supply, handling and logistics. Previous studies have already shown that the labour required to produce electricity from biomass is 3 to 6 times higher than for fossil fuels. According to EurObserv´ER statistics (used for the AEBIOM report), the number of jobs in the bioenergy sector in 2013 amounted to almost 500 000 with the added value estimated at EUR 56.1 million. Editor’s note: A summary with key findings is available on www.aebiom. org where the full report can also be ordered. BI82/5071/AS Source: Eurostat – Bioenergy is by far the leading renewable energy source in Europe, accounting for 61.2 percent of all RES energy consumed in 2014, explained Cristina Calderón, Publishing Director of the recently released AEBIOM Statistical Report 2015. European countries committed to achieving their 2020 renewable energy targets are relying strongly on bioenergy, in countries like Estonia, Poland or Latvia it represents over 85 percent of renewable energy. Source: Eurostat 42 Bioenergy International N o 82, 6-2015
Bioenergy no 6 October 2015
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