Biomass could make up 60 per cent of the world’s renewable energy use by 2030, according to new analysis, as well as providing 20 per cent of the global primary energy supply.
A recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), titled Global Bioenergy Supply and Demand Projections for the Year 2030, projected that biomass use around the world could grow to 108 EJ by 2030, double the current level.
The report found that biomass use is expected to change significantly by 2030. While traditional space heating and cooking methods such as burning firewood currently account for two-thirds of global use, a shift is expected to what the report termed modern biomass consumption, including growing use in the power and transport sectors and use in combined heat and power (CHP) applications for industry.
IRENA predicts that biomass use for power and district heating could reach 36 EJ, or one-third of total use, in 2030, while use in transport applications could climb to 31 EJ, or 29 per cent of total use. Heat for industry and buildings would reach 41 EJ, of which only 6 EJ would come from traditional methods.
The report estimated 2030’s global biomass supply potential at between 97 and 147 EJ per year, with around 40 per cent (37-66 EJ) coming from agricultural waste. Of the rest, 33-39 EJ would come from energy crops and 24-43 EJ from forest residues.
Asia and Europe (including Russia) boast the largest supply potential at around 43-77 EJ per year, the report said, with Asia producing residues and wastes (15-32 EJ) and Europe producing fuel wood (0.3-13 EJ) and energy crops (7 EJ). North and South America account for 45-55 EJ per year, constituting energy crops (around 7 EJ) and fuel wood (3 EJ) in North America, and energy crops in South America (16 EJ).
