Biomass: An Energy Resource for the European Union
Worldwide, millions of people rely on biomass as an energy source. However, much of this is used in fairly simple, and sometimes polluting, combustion systems that are not very energy efficient. Use of available technology and biomass currently contributes around 3%, some 45 million tonnes oil equivalent ( Mtoe), of the energy needs of the EU. However, as set out in the White Paper: Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy, COM(97)599, the goal is to significantly increase the use of biomass, adding a further 90 Mtoe by year 2010. If these targets were achieved, biomass would provide around 50% of the energy derived from Renewables.
In the longer term, it is anticipated that biomass could contribute 20% of the current EU primary energy demand, with more than 20 million hectares used for fuel crops. In order to reach these targets, there is a need to understand the present position and to identify the main areas where further research and development can lower costs and improve efficiencies throughout the complete chain of production and use. By contributing to the costs of such developments, through the RTD Framework Programmes the EU encourages co-operation between Member States and between the public and private sectors.
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