Sustainability of bioenergy

[olejandro]

Bioenergy - future uses of bioenergy are gaining importance across increasing numbers of national and global modelling exercises. One key question that can raise significant difficulties is one of biomass sustainability. The current version of the paper / model seems to assume that biomass is carbon neutral. It would be useful to clarify this assumption, suggest why it is appropriate, clarify what definition of "biomass sustainability" is used (in broad terms at least) and consider if future versions of the model might usefully include the explicit representation of emissions linked to the use of different biomass commodities.

[olejandro]

@daly-h and @energynumbers do you have an opion on how we should best address this?

[energynumbers]

I'm inclined to say that our definition of biomass sustainability within the context of TIM and this paper is that it is carbon neutral and that continues to be available into the future. We recognise that there are complex debates around the use of biomass, and it is outside this paper's scope to discuss them.

[energynumbers]

If we want to say more: we calculate emissions on a territorial basis. For native biomass, the CO2 that the plants capture from the atmosphere during growth is release during combustion. For imported biomass, we assume that carbon credits equal to the amount released during combustion, are imported along with the biomass.

[daly-h]

Agree with the wording below. I would also reference the source for bioenergy availability (2015 SEAI report) which assesses the future availability of bioenergy according to EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sustainability criteria. In acknowledging the complex debate about bioenergy sustainability, we have identified integrated assessment of land, food, waste and energy as a future development priority.

[olejandro]

This seems to have arrived with a delay. 😆