BeWhere Austria at WREC 2011

Bioenergy is one way of achieving the indicative target of 10% renewable energy outlined in the EU Directive 2009/28/EC. This paper assesses the consequences for land use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fossil fuel substitution of increasing the use of bioenergy for road transportation. Different technologies, including first and second generation fuels and electric cars fuelled by bio-electricity are assessed in relation to existing bioenergy uses for heat and power production. The paper applies a spatially explicit energy system model that is coupled with a biomass production model to allow estimating impacts of increased biomass utilization for energy production on agriculture and forestry. Uncertainty is explicitly considered with the help of Monte-Carlo simulations of input parameters. Results indicate that second generation fuels perform better with respect to land use than first generation ethanol and that costs are lower. Biodiesel is also a cheap option, although the total potential is limited at a low level due to constraints in feedstock production. Electric vehicle mobility minimizes land use, however, costs are still high and prohibitive. First generation ethanol production is effective in reducing domestic GHG emissions because it does not induce feedstock competition with existing bioenergy uses (i.e. heat and power production). However, land use change is significant

Last edited: 22 July 2013