A predictable source of energy

With oil prices rising, countries across the world are looking to biomass as a reliable alternative energy source. The conversion of plant matter, such as trees, grasses or agricultural crops, into fuel for transport or to generate electricity is seen as the energy source closest in kind to fossil fuels. It is increasingly seen as an energy of the future and unlike solar, wind and hydro power it does not rely on the unpredictable elements.

The potential is excellent with biomass capable of delivering 9% of global primary energy and 24% of electricity requirements by the year 2020, according to a report by WWF, the conservation group, and the European Biomass Association, which promotes the biomass industry.

Some countries, such as Brazil, Malaysia, China and Indonesia are moving ahead fast. Biomass energy represents 30% of Brazil's gross domestic primary energy production and supplies energy to the ceramics, steel and paper industries. The US, in an attempt to reduce reliance on non-secure sources of oil, such as the Middle East, has also invested in the sector with biomass forming the largest renewable energy source, according to the US Department of Energy. It helps that growing crops for biomass can also provide income for US farmers.

Europe has been relatively slow to take up biomass energy with only 4% of EU energy needs being met from this source. A 2003 biofuels directive aimed at replacing, by 2010, 5.75% of petrol and diesel used for transport. Tardiness in responding to this and other targets prompted the European Commission to publish an action plan last year outlining the potential of biomass. The action plan also showed how biomass could reduce dependence on imported energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide employment through a new type of industry.

Germany, Sweden and France are at the forefront in the use of biofuels while Denmark has committed itself to using biomass energy for some of its heat and power needs. There is also an attempt to move from using rapeseed and sugar beet as crops in Europe for biofuels to 'second generation' crops which are more energy-efficient, such as certain types of grasses.

Bulgaria and Romania's entry into the EU is also seen as an opportunity for further expansion of the biomass industry given they each have 0.7 hectares of agricultural land per capita, compared to 0.4 in the rest of the EU, according to the action plan.

But while environmental groups support biomass energy and biofuels they are keen to see that this energy source is tapped in a sustainable way. "The Commission has mentioned sustainability in its action plan but when it mentions it, it is in a very vague way," says Jean-Philippe Denruyter, climate and energy policy officer with WWF. "We are now talking to people in the Commission to ensure there is a system in place to ensure sustainability."

One of the most obvious drawbacks of biomass energy is the destruction of rainforests to convert the land to grow biomass crops, leading to deforestation and soil erosion. The use of environmentally unfriendly pesticides can also offset the environmental benefits. Then there are complicated calculations about the amount of energy expended to grow certain crops or to transport them, before or after processing. For certain crops, there may be no significant reduction in greenhouse gases compared to using fossil fuels, warns Denruyter. There are also social concerns about the use of child labour and workers' rights in those developing countries which decide to grow crops for biofuels with a view to export.

The Commission is to report later this year on implementation of the biofuels directive and will address these sustainability questions.

Environmental groups want to see the EU itself growing the right crops and converting to biomass in a sustainable way. But they also want to see the bloc put pressure on others to ensure this source of energy is not indiscriminately seen as the best alternative to fossil fuels but is used in a way that it does cut greenhouse gas emissions. "We want to see Europe becoming the driver for sustainable production of biofuels," says Denruyter.

This would involve not just ensuring that the biomass products and biofuels that Europe imports are certified as sustainable but working with developing countries considering moving over to this lucrative industry to ensure certain standards are maintained. Countries which would have excellent conditions for growing tropical crops such as sugar cane will move towards this industry and the EU must ensure benefits for the environment, Denruyter argues. "It's not a new wave of colonialism but a way of ensuring sustainability," he says.

With oil prices rising, countries across the world are looking to biomass as a reliable alternative energy source. The conversion of plant matter, such as trees, grasses or agricultural crops, into fuel for transport or to generate electricity is seen as the energy source closest in kind to fossil fuels. It is increasingly seen as an energy of the future and unlike solar, wind and hydro power it does not rely on the unpredictable elements.