A SUSTAINABLE EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR BIOMETHANE TRADE BETWEEN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION, UKRAINE, BELARUS AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

摘要

The biomass resources in some European countries are limited and might not suffice to reach theambiguous bioenergy goals up to 2020. Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine are countries with a large potential ofbiomass that can be used to produce biogas which could be than upgraded to biomethane. With an adequateframework in place the import of biomethane produced in Eastern Europe via existing gas pipelines would be feasibleand could partly substitute natural gas as primary energy source. The research project “Sustainable EuropeanBiomethane Strategy” evaluated the technical biomass potentials in the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus.Accordingly, the fundamental conditions for the energetic utilization of biomass were assessed with regard to theeconomics and sustainability of biomass production and utilization, the legal framework as well as the role of energyand climate policies among the three countries. The research results were starting point for the formulation of abiomethane strategy with which impetus could be provided for the development of a functioning biomethane industryin the three countries. In addition, the strategy frames the necessary conditions for the transport and export ofbiomethane to Western Europe.