Bharadwaj Kummamuru

Global overview of bioenergy and future developments

Abstract

Bioenergy is a versatile energy source. It is the only renewable energy source, which can be converted to solid, liquid and gaseous forms. In the fight against global warming, bioenergy will play a crucial role in greening the future energy mix. It is the only source, which can replace fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) in all the end use sectors of electricity, heating and transportation fuels. Currently, it is the largest renewable energy source contributing 14% out of the 18% renewable energy share in the global final energy consumption .
Recently, the United Nations (UN) has developed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These 17 goals and 169 targets aim to build on the momentum gained on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by integrating and balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development: people, planet and profit. Goal 7 deals with ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Bioenergy is vital to ensuring universal access to energy.
For such a vital energy source, data is lacking. Data is the lifeline for effective decision-making. Governments, research institutes, financial institutions and NGO’s have largely ignored bioenergy. This meant that there is no reliable, updated and structured information on the role of bioenergy in the global energy mix. To solve this issue, WBA came up with the Improving global bioenergy statistics and the result is the WBA Global Bioenergy Statistics reports published annually. The report has been published twice already and has received widespread praise. At the IRENEC conference, some of the key findings will be presented:
• What is the role of bioenergy in the global energy mix?
• How much liquid biofuels and pellets are being produced and what is the situation with the trade of these commodities?
• Which countries are leading the race in renewables and bioenergy deployment?
• How can agricultural land be used for more food and fuel production?
• How can sustainable forestry practices be exchanged for better utilization of forest products?
• What is the potential of bioenergy residues globally and continentally?
• What are the developments in upcoming sectors like advanced biofuels, pyrolysis oil and torrefied biomass?
• How much electricity and heat is generated from using biomass globally and regionally?
• What is the current production of biogas and charcoal?
• How many people are employed in the bioenergy sector?
Many more questions will be addressed. The report will also have a special focus on country developments in the bioenergy sector. The report will be published in June 2016 and the audience at IRENEC will be given a preview of the important results.

Biographical Sketch

Bharadwaj V Kummamuru is currently the Project Officer at World Bioenergy Association (WBA) based in Stockholm, Sweden. He is the lead author for the annual publication: WBA Global Bioenergy Statistics report. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the bioenergy sector globally, continentally and regionally. It deals with all sectors of bioenergy including liquid biofuels, forestry and agriculture, pellets, traditional biomass etc. The 2016 report will be published in June. Bharadwaj has a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Sustainable Energy Technology from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. Previously, he obtained his Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering. His research focus is on liquid biofuels, bioenergy policy and communication.