The use of biomass for energy purposes has increased considerably in Germany.
In 2005, around 1,2 million hectares of energy crops were used for the production of biofuels or biogas. Thus, according to the Renewable Raw Materials Agency (FNR), 10% of agricultural land used would already fall under the label “from agriculture to energy”. Over the past year, several high energy yield crops have been tested at the FNR for energy use. The agricultural office of the Land of Thuringia is coordinating a 3-year project comprising 6 cultivation regions allowing each to test 8 different energy plants.
Thus, ancient crops such as millet or North American crops would have a chance to overtake maize for biogas production. It is also important to optimize crops, hence the use of improved intermediate crops such as mustard.
With this project, the FNR hopes to have the widest possible range of raw materials for the production of bioenergy, and to increase agricultural biodiversity. In the medium term, the results will be used, not only for the production of biogas and biofuels, but also for the production of synthetic biofuel BtL (Biomass-to-Liquid) whose future is promising.
The FNR and the German Agricultural Society (DLG) organize a forum at the "Energy for Agriculture" information center in Hesse from 20 to 22 June 2006. Exhibitors will present their latest news on growing, harvesting and conserving energy plants.
Learn more about liquefying biomass
For more information, contact:
FNR - Tel: +49 3843 6930 0 - email: info@fnr.de - Sites
- http://www.fnr.de
- http://www.bio-energie.de
Sources: Wissenschaft-Wirtschaft-Politik, May 2006
Editor: Valerie Bichler, valerie.bichler@diplomatie.gouv.fr