Calliope Panoutsou

Chapter 1 – Biomass Supply Assessments in Europe: Research Context and Methodologies

Abstract Since early 2000, several biomass assessment studies were delivered at European and global level mostly driven by the increasing demand for the development of bioenergy and biofuels, and the need to secure sustainable, continuous supply for the emerging plants. Ongoing research and development and industrial development plus increased drivers to use renewable raw materials in industrial sectors beyond energy have seen the focus of the biomass markets widen to include value chains for bio-based chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other materials. Consequently, research is now exploring increasingly varied configurations of value chains with the aims of understanding which types and quantifying how much biomass can be extracted sustainably, generate financial returns, and help the industry achieving high-quality products for consumers. This chapter sets the scene for research on biomass supply assessments in Europe and reviews 40 studies delivered during the last 14 years. It analyzes context, key components in terms of terminology, framework conditions and assumptions, models used, and evidence provided so far for policy, research, and industry. It further discusses the main challenges, identifies gaps, and provides recommendations.

Chapter 9 – Assessing the Potentials for Nonfood Crops

Given the ambitious EU targets to further decarbonize the economy, it can be expected that demand for lignocellulosic biomass will continue to grow. Provisioning of part of this biomass by dedicated biomass crops becomes an option. This chapter presents yields and cost levels that can be reached in Europe with different perennial crops in different climatic, soil, and management situations. The AquaCrop model developed by FAO was used and fed with phenological parameters per crop and detailed weather data to simulate the crop growth in all European NUTS3 regions. Yield levels were simulated for a maximum and a water limited yield situation and further converted to match with low, medium, and high input management systems. Low input systems are suitable for the lower quality soils often characterized as “marginal” because of their low suitability to be used for annual (rotational) cropping. In addition, suitability maps specific per crop were prepared according to important limiting factors such as killing frost, length of growing season, and slope. The cost productions were assessed with an activity-based costing (ABC) model, developed to assess the roadside Net Present Value (NPV) cost per ton of biomass. The yield, crop suitability, and cost simulation results were then combined to identify the best performing crop–management mix per region.

Assessing Potentials for Agricultural Residues

Abstract Agricultural residues can be derived from both primary harvesting and pruning activities on field as well as by-products/residues from processing crops in the respective agricultural industries. In this chapter, they are defined as primary and secondary agricultural residues, respectively. The aim of the chapter is to present the key challenges, the methodologies, and relevant indicators for assessing potentials for agricultural residues. Detailed information on the use of data sources and methods are also included. The diversity of landscapes and related economic activities in Europe provide a big range of potential agricultural residues. To secure year-round sustainable supply, their mobilization should be linked to current practices and traditional agricultural markets within the respective regions. Future assessments should focus on bottom-up approaches and account for the soil, climatic, environmental, and socioeconomic profiles in the understudy regions.

Supply of Solid Biofuels: Potential Feedstocks, Cost and Sustainability Issues in EU27

In 2006, the total biomass contribution to primary energy consumption in the European Union was 86.6 million tons oil equivalent (Mtoe). The main share of 66.4 Mtoe was provided by solid biomass, with the remainder provided by biogas, transport biofuels and renewable solid municipal waste [1]. The bioenergy supply potential has recently been assessed at global level by (among others) the IPCC, US EPA, World Energy Council, Shell, IASA and the Stockholm Environment Institute [2, 3]. Estimates of the share of biomass in the future global energy supply range from below 100 EJ/year to above 400 EJ/year in 2050, compared to a global primary energy consumption of 420 EJ for the year 2001 [4]. One of the major reasons for the large ranges observed is that studies differed widely in their estimates of land availability and energy crop yields, and, to a lesser extent, the availability of wood and residue resources. Studies at the European level also deliver widely ranging results. Conservative results on the total biomass potential come from the EEA study [8]: how much bioenergy can Europe produce without harming the environment? It estimates a total bioenergy potential from agriculture, forestry and waste of almost 300 Mtoe in 2030. Of this, 142 MTOE will come from agriculture only which is obtained from 19 million hectares of agricultural land. This is equivalent to 12% of the utilised agricultural area in 2030. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a perspective on solid agricultural biomass feedstocks in EU27 and to summarise relevant data that influence the availability and future supply of these feedstocks for energy and fuel production. To achieve this, the chapter is structured in sections that aim to provide a series of concise answers to key questions arising regarding biomass availability and supply: • Which types of biomass feedstocks can be produced within the available land resources of EU27 and how much of them can be estimated as available. • What are the key cost factors and the costs ranges for residual feedstocks and energy crops. • What are the main concerns affecting their sustainable exploitation. • What are the main future challenges and how they can be overcome.

Sustainability of Perennial Crops Production for Bioenergy and Bioproducts

Abstract Perennial nonfood crops, such as giant reed, switchgrass, or miscanthus, are characterized by relatively high yields, low input needs, and low susceptibility to pests and diseases. Their robustness and physiological characteristics, such as deep, dense, and extensive root system, allow them to adapt to different types of soils and ecological conditions, including marginal land. Either for bioenergy or biomaterials, perennial crops offer environmental advantages by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases and energy, and promoting social benefits, especially in rural areas. However, their production cost is affected by yields that can compromise their economical exploitation. In this context, studies on the sustainability of perennial crops production are reviewed, taking into account environmental, economic, and socioeconomic aspects. In the end, a critical assessment of the literature is made providing hints on how the cultivation and use of perennial grasses can be promoted and managed envisaging gains in sustainability.

Research Overview, Gaps, and Recommendations

Abstract Modeling biomass supply and logistics has been included both directly and indirectly in European research and several initiatives have taken place through the last 15 years. Research has evolved from narrow assessments covering single or a few feedstock types and specific regions to harmonized approaches with consistent algorithms applied across Europe at different regional and temporal scales. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of research work in the area, identify gaps in research knowledge, and provide recommendations for future to research in the field of modeling biomass supply and logistics.