Biomass: the miracle solution?

The European Commission adopted the Biomass Action Plan on 7 December 2005. The main objective of the Action Plan is to double the use of bio-energy sources (wood, wastes, agricultural crops) in the EU’s energy mix by 2010. Currently, the EU meets about 4% of its energy needs from biomass. The plan outlines 31 measures to promote biomass in heating and cooling, electricity production and transport (biofuels).

Main actions proposed include:
new EU legislation on the use of renewable energy, including biomass for heating and cooling (2006);
a possible revision of the biofuels directive (2006) which might set national targets for the share of biofuels and would oblige fuel suppliers to use biofuels;
Member States national biomass action plans;
development of an industry-led “Biofuel technology platform”;
research into second-generation biofuels.

The use of more biomass energy poses several challenges and faces quite a number of important obstacles:…

EurActiv