Bioenergy revisited: Key factors in global potentials of bioenergy

V. Dornburg, D. Vuuren, G.W.J. van de Ven, C.A. Langeveld, M. Meeusen, M.A.H. Banse, M. van Oorschot, J. Ros, G.J. van den Born, H. Aiking, M. Londo, H. Mozaffarian, P. Verweij, E. Lysen, A. Faaij

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

229 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

he growing use of bioenergy goes hand in hand with a heated public debate, in which conflicting claims are made regarding the amount of biomass that can be sustainably used for this purpose. This article assesses the current knowledge on biomass resource potentials and interrelated factors such as water availability, biodiversity, food demand, energy demand and agricultural commodity markets. A sensitivity analysis of the available information narrows the range of biomass potentials from 0–1500 EJ/yr to approximately 200–500 EJ/yr in 2050. In determining the latter range, water limitations, biodiversity protection and food demand are taken into consideration. Key factors are agricultural efficiency and crop choice. In principle, global biomass potentials could meet up to one third of the projected global energy demand in 2050.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)258-267
JournalEnergy & Environmental Science
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Keywords

  • land-use scenarios
  • biomass energy
  • environmental-impact
  • water-use
  • palm oil
  • exploration
  • biofuels
  • habitat
  • willow
  • diet

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