AVAILABILITY OF LOCAL BIOMASS FOR PRODUCTION OF ELECTRICITY AND HEAT IN THE NETHERLANDS IN 2020

摘要

A detailed study was conducted to estimate how much biomass could be sourced from the Netherlands for economic production of electricity and heat by 2020. For this purpose all primary biomass sources (directly from the field) and relevant secondary (processing residues) and tertiary (waste) biomass sources in the Netherlands were identified and estimated. For each of the identified biomass types availability was assessed for the year 2020 under 4 scenario’s, taking into account limiting factors such as existing and new alternative uses, soil fertility maintenance, and financial feasibility. The 4 scenario’s were characterized by open or closed markets and by different drivers for bioenergy, i.e. security of supply v.s. sustainability requirements. The analysis showed that The Netherlands can make available between 13.4 Mton dry matter (= 226 PJ HHV) and 16.4 Mton dry matter (= 281 PJ HHV) for heat and power production in 2020 under scenario’s driven by security of supply and scenario’s driven by sustainability demands respectively. This comprises between 30 and 40% of all biomass that is “present” in the Netherlands every year. Keep in mind that most biomass is not lost when it is used. For example, grass is consumed by cattle and partially turned into manure, which can then be used for energy generation. The biomass available in 2020 can produce between 44 and 95 PJ of final energy, avoiding the use of between 102 and 187 PJ of fossil fuel. This amounts to electricity production for 3 to 4 million households and heat for 0.4 to 1.2 million Dutch households. The study indicates that the availability of biomass and energy production from biomass can further increase after 2020. This is so because more biomass could be sourced and especially the efficiency of electricity and heat production from biomass can be made more efficient. Realizing these amounts in 2020 and beyond requires substantial investments in optimizing regulations and infrastructural operations and technologies. This article elaborates on the methodology used and the key biomass streams and assumptions for their possible utilization.