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Die Bioökonomie gilt als zentrales Zukunfts- und Innovationsfeld, das ökologische und ökonomische Entwicklungen miteinander in Einklang bringen kann.[1] Ihr Ausbau ist für den Übergang von einem fossilbasierten, hin zu einem weitestgehend biobasierten, nachhaltigen und an natürlichen Stoffkreisläufen orientierten Wirtschaftssystem essenziell. Die mit der zirkulären Bioökonomie verbundenen Möglichkeiten zur Defossilisierung sind ein zentraler Schlüssel zur Transformation in Richtung Klimaneutralität im Jahr 2045 bei gleichzeitiger Schonung der begrenzten natürlichen Ressourcen. Die steigende Bedeutung der an natürlichen Stoffkreisläufen orientierten, biobasierten Wirtschaft erfordert, dass Wertschöpfungsketten in ihrer Gesamtheit – von der Gewinnung biogener Ressourcen bis zu deren Recycling – in ihrem Stoffdurchsatz reduziert und optimiert werden (Thrän und Moesenfechtel 2020). Für eine nachhaltige Nutzung von Biomasseressourcen sind die fortlaufende Erfassung der biogenen Abfälle und Reststoffe und deren Bewertung der stofflichen und energetischen Nutzung essenziell. Das DBFZ hat daher im Jahr 2016 (Projekt AG BioRestMon) ein Biomasse Monitoring entwickelt, dass die nationalen Biomassepotenziale für das Jahr 2015 erfasst und diese Daten der Öffentlichkeit in einer frei zugänglichen Webanwendung bereitstellt. Die aufgebaute Datenbank wurde 2019 veröffentlicht  (https://datalab.dbfz.de/resdb/potentials) und befindet sich derzeit in der Aktualisierung (Fortschreibung der Biomassedaten bis 2020, sowie  methodische Anpassungen, die in Kapitel 2.5 beschrieben werden). Mit diesem Hintergrundpapier möchten wir einen Überblick über die Herangehensweise zur Ermittlung der heimischen Biomassepotenziale aus Abfällen und Reststoffen sowie dem Aufbau der Datenplattform gegeben. Importe, die nicht Teil der Datenanalysen sind, werden ergänzend eingeordnet. Ebenso erfolgt eine Übersicht über die Treiber und erwartete Nutzungskonkurrenzen, die die weitere Entwicklu

Policymakers need to drive the rapid expansion of renewable energy technologies, and additionally channel the limited national potential of biomass into areas where it can provide the greatest benefit to the energy system. But do current policy instruments promote the use of biomass in these areas? In this study, shortterm energy scenarios are generated using the BenOpt model while considering both current and alternative policy instruments. The results are compared with long-term, cost-optimal energy scenarios in regard to the use of biomass. The analysis reveals that e.g. the GHG-quota instrument does not promote the use of biofuels in the hard-to-electrify areas of the transport sector, where they should be cost-optimally allocated according to long-term energy scenarios. This might lead to counterproductive developments in the passenger road sector, but at the same time helps to ramp up biofuel capacities required in shipping and aviation in the long term. In contrast, alternative policy scenarios show that the sole instrument of a high CO2-price is more conducive to direct electrification and at the same time displaces more fossil fuels until 2030 than the GHG-quota alone. This instrument also promotes the optimal use of biogas plants in the power sector according to long-term cost-optimal developments. However, a high CO2- price alone is not sufficient in the heat sector, w here additional instruments are required to scale up renewable technologies and use biomass efficiently instead ofsimply covering the base load demand.

As one of the renewable resources, biomass is in demand for the transformation of the energy system to achieve climate protection targets. At the same time, the availability of biomass is limited. In this paper, the energy system optimisation model BenOpt is used to determine the optimal use of the limited biomass under different frame conditions (scenario settings) in the future German energy system. Previous energy system studies have summarised available biomass and biomass conversion technologies in a very general way, with little differentiation between biomass types, conversion technology options with their technical parameters, and their applications. In this paper, 20 different groups of biogenic residual and waste materials; 15 types of energy crops grown on limited agricultural land; other biomasses such as algae, paludiculture, and log wood; 111 different bioenergy technologies; and a total of 265 renewable and fossil energy technology options for meeting sector-specific energy needs are considered. With this focused and differentiated presentation of biomass and biomass conversion technologies in the energy system, the study is a novelty and fills a research gap. In summary, to achieve the climate protection targets, biomass is most cost-effective in sectors where direct electrification is not possible or only possible on high costs: in high-temperature industrial applications and in the aviation and shipping sector. In addition, biomass especially biogas is also the cost-optimal option used in electricity flexibilisation to cover the residual load. In this study, the political decision on the future role on energy crops and thus the availability of biomass has the greatest influence on the results. Depending on whether a sole use of residues and waste biomass or a maximum availability of residues, waste and cultivated biomass is assumed; the bioenergy used comprises a total of approx. 660 PJ to approx. 1,830 PJ.

Multiple global crises are adding new elements to the discussion on securing and shaping a future, renewable energy system in Germany. Biomass from residues, forest wood and energy crops are major renewable energy contributors in Germany today. The role of energy crops within that system is controversially discussed for a long time and a phase-out from cultivated biomass is again in the focus. But what kind of trade-offs would be connected with such a phase-out and what would be the allocation priorities of the remaining biomass potential? Through a detailed representation of biomass potentials, prices and conversion technologies in an energy system optimization model, it could be shown that a phase-out increases the demand for energy imports by 1400 PJ per year, which is associated with on-costs of €14 - 25 billion annually in the long term. Finally, the results show that the decision on whether to grow energy crops in the future is directly influencing the future transformation strategy for high-temperature industrial heat applications. Solid biomass is identified as the future cost-optimal solution to fully transform this sector. However, a phase-out of energy crops changes the cost-optimal allocation priorities completely.

Policymakers need to drive the rapid expansion of renewable energy technologies, and additionally channel the limited national potential of biomass into areas where it can provide the greatest benefit to the energy system. But do current policy instruments promote the use of biomass in these areas? In this study, shortterm energy scenarios are generated using the BenOpt model while considering both current and alternative policy instruments. The results are compared with long-term, cost-optimal energy scenarios in regard to the use of biomass. The analysis reveals that e.g. the GHG-quota instrument does not promote the use of biofuels in the hard-to-electrify areas of the transport sector, where they should be cost-optimally allocated according to long-term energy scenarios. This might lead to counterproductive developments in the passenger road sector, but at the same time helps to ramp up biofuel capacities required in shipping and aviation in the long term. In contrast, alternative policy scenarios show that the sole instrument of a high CO2-price is more conducive to direct electrification and at the same time displaces more fossil fuels until 2030 than the GHG-quota alone. This instrument also promotes the optimal use of biogas plants in the power sector according to long-term cost-optimal developments. However, a high CO2- price alone is not sufficient in the heat sector, w here additional instruments are required to scale up renewable technologies and use biomass efficiently instead ofsimply covering the base load demand.

Background With sustainable bioenergy in the European energy mix, intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) become of growing importance, as they can ensure a more efficient utilisation of biomass feedstocks from agricultural and forest residues. A high potential for market uptake is foreseen for fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), one of several IBCs. While facing the chicken and egg problem in market entry, the aim of this study was the development of adequate strategies to support market implementation. The case study findings and methodological approach can provide policymakers, industry, and a broader audience with a vision for addressing similar challenges in market adoption of innovations in the bioeconomy and beyond. Therefore, we tested a new PESTEL + I approach and its practical applicability to an IBC value chain. Results With an adopted PESTEL method, we analysed a promising value chain in which FPBO is produced from sawdust in Sweden and Finland, transported to the Netherlands and upgraded and marketed as a marine biofuel. Our results show that the market uptake of IBCs such as FPBO and subsequently produced biofuels is above all driven by the European Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). In Annex IX Part A, sawdust is listed as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, which can be double counted towards the 14% renewable energy share goal in the transport sector in 2030. To support the use of advanced biofuels in the maritime and aviation sector, the proposal for revision of RED II 2021 contains a new multiplier (1.2x) for fuels delivered to these sectors, while all other multipliers are deleted. These legal European obligations and implementation into national law of member states create strong incentives for many downstream market actors to use advanced biofuel. However, technological challenges for FPBO use still hamper fast market introduction. Conclusions Overcoming technology challenges and the creation of long-term validity of guidelines and regulatory fram

Indirect land use changes (iLUC) pose a significant challenge to the sustainable production of biomass and bioenergy. The implementation of sustainability certification has the potential to manage this risk effectively. However, there remains an open question regarding how to extend certification schemes to create a credible and reliable approach for accounting for iLUC risks. This study focuses on low iLUC risk biomass production, which can be achieved through the adoption of additionality practices by individual producers. To support the sustainable use of such practices, this study examines whether existing assessment instruments of voluntary certification schemes for trade-offs that might arise from the use of such practices are based on scientific evidence. We found trade-offs that are preferentially addressed by the schemes, and considerable gaps for certain trade-offs. Biomass cultivation on unused land could be determined as the most promising additionality practice in terms of addressing trade-offs. This study contributes to the need to implement additionality practices in low iLUC certification approaches without compromising sustainability by identifying trade-offs as required by European Union low iLUC legislation. Finally, this study presents a decision support tool tailored to certification schemes to verify that certification instruments addressing a particular trade-off are based on scientifically sound methods.

Bioenergy research aims to uncover the potentials of biological residues. Regional-specific characterization of such potentials is needed to improve the use of local resources, decisions on bioenergy conversion routes, and services within global efforts against climate change. The definition and calculation of the theoretical and technical biomass and bioenergy potentials are keys for developing sustainable use pathways at a regional level. The present work develops a methodology where theoretical framework, quantification methods, and values for the necessary parameters, to assess regional biomass and bioenergy potentials, are considered. The region of Lafões (Portugal) is the case study to illustrate the application of the methods, resulting in three bioresidue categories (agricultural by-products, forestry residues, and municipal waste) and two bioenergy conversion routes (biochemical and thermochemical). The biochemical conversion route revealed a technical energy potential of 765 TJ yr−1, comparing favourably with the 543 TJ yr−1 achieved by the thermochemical route. Also, the environmental and economic performances, associated with the implementation of bioenergy technologies, are possibly better achieved through the biochemical route, to be assessed through life cycle analyses and life cycle costing. Regardless of action priorities, the two conversion routes combined can potentially cover the entire current electrical energy demand of the region. This should also be appraised with expectations in mind for both flexible bioenergy services (with other renewables) and for bioenergy usage in applications which are difficult to defossilize.

Multiple global crises are adding new elements to the discussion on securing and shaping a future, renewable energy system in Germany. Biomass from residues, forest wood and energy crops are major renewable energy contributors in Germany today. The role of energy crops within that system is controversially discussed for a long time and a phase-out from cultivated biomass is again in the focus. But what kind of trade-offs would be connected with such a phase-out and what would be the allocation priorities of the remaining biomass potential? Through a detailed representation of biomass potentials, prices and conversion technologies in an energy system optimization model, it could be shown that a phase-out increases the demand for energy imports by 1400 PJ per year, which is associated with on-costs of €14 - 25 billion annually in the long term. Finally, the results show that the decision on whether to grow energy crops in the future is directly influencing the future transformation strategy for high-temperature industrial heat applications. Solid biomass is identified as the future cost-optimal solution to fully transform this sector. However, a phase-out of energy crops changes the cost-optimal allocation priorities completely.

The transport sector is a major consumer of energy worldwide. Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet to de-fossilize the transport sector due to its intricacy; therefore, many concepts and technologies should be combined to have a noteworthy impact on this hard-to-abate sector. As such, the required diverse set of expertise for making correct decisions cannot be achieved by merely utilizing one model. In this study, we connect multiple datasets and models that employ various methodologies with different purposes to exhibit a pathway to a green transport sector. The extended bioenergy optimization (BENOPTex) and renewable energy mix (REMix) models are coupled iteratively to produce coherent results while considering different sets of constraints. The combined effects of bioenergy and synthetic fuel—using renewable electricity—on the German transport sector are investigated via a scenario. Two demand models are also used to capture the specificities of the energy demands of the mainly behavior-driven road transportation as well as technology-driven aviation sector. The outcome of the resulted soft-coupled model respects biomass availability, regulatory circumstances, techno-economic properties, and power sector expansion for the production of synthetic fuels.

Der Pilotbericht gibt einen ersten Überblick über wesentliche Merkmale und Trends der deutschen „biobasierten Ökonomie“ im nationalen und internationalen Kontext. Er wurde im Rahmen des SYMOBIO-Projekts koordiniert vom CESR der Universität Kassel in Kooperation mit dem Thünen-Institut.

Der Pilotbericht gibt einen ersten Überblick über wesentliche Merkmale und Trends der deutschen „biobasierten Ökonomie“ im nationalen und internationalen Kontext. Er wurde im Rahmen des SYMOBIO-Projekts koordiniert vom CESR der Universität Kassel in Kooperation mit dem Thünen-Institut.