Bioheat, Biopower and Biogas
Developments and Implications for Agriculture
This report complements earlier OECD work on liquid biofuels and provides information
on biomass based heat and power, as well as on biogas. It discusses the heterogeneous
portfolio of different biomass feedstocks, conversion technologies, and pathways of
utilisation. It also shows that governments in many countries provide substantial
support to the production and use of renewable energy in general, and bioenergy in
particular; these support measures are highly diverse and are given at national and
various sub-national levels.
The results of a large number of life-cycle analyses of various bioheat and biopower
chains reviewed in this study indicate that the objective to reduce GHG emissions
and fossil energy use is met; indeed the savings estimated for most chains are substantial
when compared to fossil alternatives. At present, most of the chains examined do not
compete with food and feed production, and thus the implications for agricultural
markets are small. It is clear, however, that if a stronger focus on agricultural
biomass crops is to be developed, this will require careful design of support policies
so as to avoid compromising the ability of the agricultural sector to provide food
and feed in a sustainable manner.
Published on April 13, 2010