With skyrocketing prices for gas, oil and electricity, the EU is facing a major energy crisis this winter, and many citizens are at risk of not being able to heat their homes. Today's debate on the EU's heat supply looks at affordability, sustainability and renewability, but now more than ever, energy security is at the heart of the discussion. Bioheat ticks all the boxes, as a new Bioenergy Europe report reveals.
For the fourth time since its launch in 2007, the 2022 Statistical Report published by Bioenergy Europe is being split into several publications, each covering a different aspect of bioenergy.
Currently, the question of how to provide half of the EU's energy supply – namely heat – remains difficult to answer. However, Bioheat is an available solution to decarbonize and safely supply the heating sector, and it Bioheat statistical report for 2022 analyzes together with the accompanying Policy Briefs the current state of affairs of biomass in the heating sector.
Bioenergy Europe points out that bioenergy is often incorrectly linked to energy generation; however, it is “noteworthy that bioheat accounts for 74 percent of all bioenergy consumption in the EU.”
In 2019, of all renewable energy sources in heating (RES-H), bioenergy contributed 85 percent, reducing emissions by approximately 160 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 eq.) could be reduced.
This represents more than the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of Belgium and Slovakia combined and “shows how bioheat can actively contribute to REPowerEU's objectives.”
Nevertheless, the report highlights that one of the heating sector's biggest challenges is its dependence on fossil fuels, with 36 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Europe coming from heat. To achieve its climate neutrality goal, “the EU cannot afford to delay its commitment to higher RES-H penetration.”
Current legislative proposals welcome more ambitious targets for heat as they demonstrate a clear recognition of the sector's importance to the EU's climate and REPowerEU objectives.
“Bioheat offers a solution to another major challenge of the sector, namely the obsolescence of aging equipment. Modernizing the EU's heating supply is crucial, as today a quarter of the EU's heating installations are more than 30 years old.”
To meet higher air quality targets by 2030, the slow replacement rate of inefficient and outdated appliances must be accelerated so that new, modern bioheat appliances can contribute to greater reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
When looking at pollution reduction, one fireplace emits the same amount of fine particles as 300 modern bioheat appliances, demonstrating the huge potential the sector has in terms of energy efficiency, especially in the construction sector.
In addition to home heating, the penetration of renewable energy into the EU's overall heating system should be a priority. Biomass-based district heating offers a concrete solution to further stimulate the fuel switch to renewable energy sources. Since 2000
the share of bioenergy in district heating will more than triple, reaching a share of 97 percent of all renewable energy combined in 2020.
This remarkable increase proves once again that bioheat offers a viable energy efficient solution, both at individual and district level, and is a perfect example of sector integration.
Furthermore, the report notes that 80 percent of energy consumption in industry is used for heating purposes, with bioheat covering 10 percent of total industrial heat consumption.
We are all worried about getting through the coming heating season and we are seeing an increasing demand for pellets for individual heating appliances. This shows the interest of end users in a sustainable and domestically available energy source, said Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe.
The Bioheat Bioenergy Europe 2022 report highlights the key role that biomass plays in the production of renewable heat and provides the reader with detailed data in this regard. These cover a range of indicators such as consumption by Member States, fuels used, the role of biomass in industrial heat production and decentralized heating systems.
Through this report, readers will become aware of the importance of heating in the EU27 energy mix, both industrial and residential, but also of the versatility of biomass when it comes to meeting these needs.
Source: Bioenergyinternational
