How do we get through the winter with the impending gas crisis approaching? The European Commission wants European countries to use less gas as quickly as possible. Among other measures, it also looks at an all-time energy reserve available in rural areas of Europe: wood. There is currently an astonishingly large growing timber stock of 26…
US President Joe Biden has launched an ambitious $2 billion plan to boost the bioeconomy and biotechnology in the US. The aim of this so-called National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative is, among other things, to lower prices for citizens, create jobs, ensure the safe supply of medicines, fuel, chemicals and materials...
What about cutting down trees for woody biomass? There is regular discussion about this, especially on social media. Using facts, we explain that no trees are cut down specifically for woody biomass, but that woody biomass is a by-product of forest management and not a goal in itself. Woody biomass…
The way we currently deal with energy, raw materials and materials leads to climate change, loss of biodiversity and environmental problems. To solve these major sustainability challenges, the energy transition and the raw materials transition must be tackled together. That doesn't happen enough yet. The SER writes that in the exploration Balanced management of the raw materials transition and the energy transition...
All products we make and use are made from raw materials. Most of these are still fossils. To become a sustainable society, this must change. We must obtain components that are renewable and that nature can bring us year after year. This switch from fossil to plant material (or: biomass) must…
In response to the European Parliament's vote, Bioenergy Europe says it welcomes the European Parliament's approval of the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII). However, the new definition of “primary woody biomass” still raises some concerns. On September 14, 2002, the European Parliament took its position…
The Netherlands has taken major steps towards a more sustainable energy system. At the same time, much more action is needed to achieve the climate goals: We are now heading for a 39 to 50 percent CO2 reduction in 2030, instead of the target of 60 percent. The Netherlands has thought itself rich for too long and postponed matters. 'The rose-colored glasses have to come off and...
September 17 was the Open Energy Day, organized by NVDE. During this day you could take a look at sustainable energy projects at dozens of locations throughout the country. We visited the Bio Energy Plant in Cuijk. Here we were shown around by Daniel Goedhuis. He gave us a very clear explanation of how a bio-energy plant works. Hereby…
Home-grown sustainable energy appears to be not only cleaner, but also more reliable and affordable than foreign sources, says Marc Londo. “To take advantage of these opportunities, we need a new 'Energy Building' and a transparent sector.” Every crisis is an opportunity, including the current energy crisis. If one thing has become clear lately...
The European Parliament yesterday (14 September) took its position on two important files for the bioenergy sector: the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Renewable Energy Directive (RED). Primary woody biomass is an essential renewable energy source to meet the EU Parliament's ambition to increase renewable energy to 2030 percent by 45, and…
Bioenergy explained Bioenergy is part of sustainable forest management and relies on established synergies with the timber industry. Together they help maintain the resilience of forests. The woodworking industry uses high-quality wood for the production of furniture and other wood-based products. Sustainable bioenergy in turn uses residuals and…
According to leading environmental scientist Michael Obersteiner, director of the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford, the global target of reaching 1,5 degrees is unthinkable without biomass. Speaking at the World Bioenergy Association's media partnership event with Euractiv, Professor Michael Obersteiner from the University of Oxford, a co-investigator for the IPCC climate change reports, explains…
On July 14, 2021, the European Commission presented a new climate package under the European Green Deal, which includes the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the 2030 Forest Strategy and the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy. These new regulations have consequences for forests and the timber industry. In the past, sustainable forest management was…
September 9 Florence, IEA Bioenergy: Commenting on the upcoming planetary vote in the European Parliament on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) next week, Dr. Paul Bennett, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IEA Bioenergy said: Europe faces a harsh winter season due to the Russian war in Ukraine and the demand…
Since July 1, the Bio-Economy Platform has had a coordinating role in the further development of the BioEnergy export group. This new role has been agreed with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and trade organization FME. Thirty Dutch companies with export ambitions are members of the BioEnergy export group. RVO and FME support these companies in their export plans. Platform Bio-Economy…
Following its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU is working tirelessly to respond to the climate crisis facing the entire world. In this context, the European Council and the European Parliament responded with enthusiasm to the European Commission's proposal to adopt the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII), a fundamental instrument…
The production of electricity from renewable sources increased by 2022 percent in the second quarter of 25 compared to a year earlier. The production of electricity from coal increased by 40 percent. At the same time, 19 percent less electricity came from natural gas. Net electricity production in the second quarter amounted to 28,2 billion kWh, 4,3 percent…
Bioenergy currently accounts for two-thirds of all global renewable energy consumption, including renewable electricity and renewable energy sources for heating, cooling and transport. Half of this consumption is in the form of traditional cooking and heating, mainly in developing countries. Although this practice is often inefficient or unsustainable, 2,4 billion people worldwide do not…
The province of Overijssel has resumed support for bioenergy. This is good news for the sector. But the support is not without conditions. The province keeps the advice of the SER in mind. This advised parties to use biomass as much as possible for high-quality applications. Only where there is no other option,…
In the Grote Beek valley, Natuurpunt will start a new form of agriculture: paludiculture or wet agriculture. An investment of 2 million euros with which they want to restore 130 hectares of peat, good for approximately 1.000 tons less CO2 in the air and soil every year. The intention is to collaborate with a local…
