An energy efficient route to fossil free energy supplies
Biomass role in a sustainable future
The national climate legislation and international goals provide very tough challenges in cutting the net
CO2 emissions towards zero in order to secure a sustainable global climate. Despite growing efficiency
and capacity in production of sustainable electricity etc. we are still very far from reaching these goals.
An argument often heard, is that the biomass available can only cover part of the global energy demand,
and thus technologies like Power2X from CO2 or nitrogen are needed. The first part of this argument is
true, but if the easy electrifiable land based energy consumptions, like industry, heating, and transport
were removed from the equation, then there would be plenty of biomass available as energy carrier for
shipping, aviation and materials. According to World Biomass Association, at present the global non-
food biomass availability is 57 EJ predicted to grow to 150EJ in 2035. Even in a highly populated country
like Denmark a recent study (‘10 millioner tons planen’) showed that we could double the non-food
biomass production without reducing food/feed output and environmental sustainability [1] Alone 57EJ
corresponding to over 3 Gt of biomass, which via efficient upgrading would produce 1 Gt of biofuel,
more than enough for global shipping, aviation and materials.
Looking at international shipping, in April 2018 the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed
to reduce GHG emissions by at least 50% compared to 2008, but current projections by the International
Energy Agency (IEA) show that CO2 emissions from international shipping is expected to be 50%
higher than in 2008, unless something is done urgently [2]. Aviation is another part of the transport
sector, where CO2 emissions are continuing to grow. In 2018 it alone accounted for 2,5% of global
energy-related CO2 emissions, and global aviation activity is continuing to grow rapidly (more than
140% since 2000).
As identified by the IFD Climate Panel in their final report, low-emission or zero-emission biofuels are
potential solutions for these sectors. They are currently early stage solutions in need of development in
order to become commercialised and exported to the rest of the World. This is supported by the IEA,
which finds that the output of biofuels is currently growing with 4% per year, far behind the SDS’ target
of 10% [2].
Biofuels present their own set of issues. First of all, the most biofuels today are first generation, i.e. made
from resources (oils and sugars) that could be used for food and feed as well, which raises both political