Bioenergy can play a key role in the transition to sustainable energy, especially if it is deployed in a flexible way. But how do different countries view this? IEA Bioenergy asked its own experts.
The energy transition requires an energy system that moves with the supply of sun and wind. Because these sources are not always available, the need for flexible energy sources that can quickly step in when necessary is growing. Bioenergy – generated from organic material such as wood residues, manure or vegetable oils – appears to be a promising option for this.
In a recent publication, IEA Bioenergy examined expectations for flexible bioenergy in different countries. The study is based on interviews with national experts within the working group Task 44, which focuses on the system integration of bioenergy. This shows that bioenergy is seen worldwide as a valuable addition to solar and wind, especially if its use is flexibly and intelligently tailored to energy demand.
What does flexibility mean in bioenergy?
Flexibility in bioenergy can take several forms. Think of installations that switch on or off during power peaks, heating plants that provide extra capacity during cold periods, or systems that only start operating when there is a surplus of sustainable electricity – for example for the production of hydrogen or biofuels. These forms of flexibility help to keep the energy grid in balance and make bioenergy a reliable backstop in a system that runs on variable sources.
What is happening in different countries?
The study shows that countries have their own emphases in the use of flexible bioenergy:
- The Netherlands regards bioenergy primarily as a temporary solution in the energy transition, particularly within the heat supply.
- Germany focuses on flexible biogas installations that can step in when wind and solar energy production is temporarily low.
- Finland and Sweden mainly use solid biomass in combined heat and power plants, which can switch quickly when there is an increasing demand for heat, for example during cold winter days.
- Japan uses bioenergy primarily as a stable energy source that can supply continuously, but is also investigating how installations can be used more flexibly in the future.
Opportunities and obstacles
The technological possibilities for flexible deployment exist, but in practice this flexibility is still insufficiently used. This is partly because existing market mechanisms often do not provide financial incentives for flexible behaviour. Producers are usually rewarded for constant delivery, not for responding quickly to changes in supply or demand. Policy instruments are also often lacking, which means that investments in flexibility lag behind. In addition, some installations need to be technically adapted to be able to switch up and down more quickly or to store energy temporarily.
IEA Bioenergy emphasises that clear policy frameworks and market incentives are needed to make flexibility in bioenergy viable and scalable. Think of flexibility payments, capacity markets or support schemes for smart storage and control technology.
Source: ieabioenergy.com
