Potential for greenhouse gas reductions by using existing agricultural biomass to produce energy

Abstract

Producing energy from available agricultural biomass is one way of reducing significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. There is a plurality of systems on the market for converting biomass into different types of energy (gaseous, liquid or solid fuels as well as electricity and heat). The level of greenhouse gas reduction that can be realized depends primarily on the system used. Maximum potential can be evaluated by combining present biomass with those systems that deliver the highest greenhouse gas reduction levels. Some simplified calculations within this study show that a reduction potential of up to 50,560 Gg CO2-equivalent yr(-1) can be realized. This means that 44.7 % of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Germany could be compensated if systems for biomass use were to be supported in line with their contribution to climate protection.