POTENTIAL OF BIOMASS ENERGY DISCUSSED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE
Press Release
EN/233
POTENTIAL OF BIOMASS ENERGY DISCUSSED IN RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMITTEE
19960214 The earth possessed enormous energy potential in the form of biomass which, produced efficiently, could generate jobs, the Committee on New and Renewable Sources of Energy and on Energy for Development was told this afternoon.Shem Arungu-Olende, of the United Nations Energy and Natural Resources Branch, said that there was a growing interest in the energy potential of biomass as a result of: environmental, ecological and sustainability concerns; the potential contribution of biomass energy; its versatility and global availability; renewed interest in growing crops on vacant land; and technological advances, which had improved its economic viability.
He said the potential of biomass could be tapped through improved utilization of existing forest and land resources, higher plant productivity and efficient energy conversion processes. When produced efficiently, biomass could make use of surplus agricultural land, provide energy to rural communities and improve land management. The image of biomass was improving as a result of a more realistic view of its potential, increased utilization and increasing recognition of its local and global environmental advantages. New technologies were producing furnaces and boilers which efficiently burned different types of biomass.
Mr. Arungu-Olende said a principal barrier to the commercialization of renewable energy technologies was that current markets generally ignored the social and environmental risks associated with the use of conventional fuel. Current regulations bore little relation to the real damage imposed by fossil fuels and the waste, disposal, insurance and decommissioning costs of nuclear plants. To improve that situation, attention needed to be focused on reducing the cost of producing biomass fuels and reducing capital investment costs for systems which convert biomass to electricity or liquid fuels.
He said the aim of any modern biomass energy system should be to maximize yields, optimize social and economic benefits, utilize appropriate materials, optimize the use of land, water and fertilizer, and create an infrastructure and strong base for research and development.
Energy Committee - 2 - Press Release EN/233 6th Meeting (PM) 14 February 1996
In a discussion of Mr. Arungu-Olende's report, an expert said that the problem in many countries was how to effectively use the enormous supply of biomass. He recommended that the Committee consider how biomass could effectively be used in both developing and developed countries. Another expert said that at present biomass was still too expensive and costs had to be reduced. Organic waste, a free energy source, and coal-firing were among new energy sources being used in some countries in Europe. The report was too optimistic in its estimation of the potential for inexpensive biomass energy. Placing bio-energy on an equal footing with fossil fuels was tantamount to wishful thinking, another said.
Another expert suggested that taxes be used to subsidize the introduction of wind and biomass energy. Electricity companies in the Netherlands were marketing "green electricity", for which users paid the equivalent of about two cents more per kilowatt for power produced from such renewable energy sources as wind, said the expert from that country. Another expert cited the subsidies for renewable energy that had made Germany the second largest producer of wind-energy after the United States.
Experts also suggested that the Committee give special consideration to the needs of small island developing States and arid States which did not have enough arable land for biomass energy. Another suggested that consideration be given to disincentives to the uncontrolled use of firewood. The expert from China said that his country was encouraging gasification of biomass for use as a heating fuel, rather than as a source of electricity. One expert expressed scepticism about the question of carbon tax and suggested that the Committee investigate other strategies to stimulate conservation of energy and renewable sources of energy.
A representative the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) disputed the reference in the report to the costs of disposing of nuclear waste and of decommissioning nuclear power plants. He said that the owners of nuclear power plants had established a fund to cover the costs of waste disposal and decommissioning. One expert responded that in his country, India, waste storage and decommissioning costs were not taken into account in planning the construction of nuclear power plants.
Speaking this afternoon were the representatives of Russia, Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Germany, Micronesia, France, Paraguay and Uruguay.
When it meets again at 3 p.m. Thursday, 15 February, the Committee will conclude its discussion of new and renewable sources of energy and take up the question of protection of the atmosphere.
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