Biomass in the Binnenveld As noted above, the main biomass flows available in the Binnenveld region comprise grass, wood and animal manure. Of these, manure is by far the most important. Some 240,000 tons of manure are produced by the region’s pigs and cattle each year. This flow also has the greatest energy potential. The second largest flow is grass clippings, production of which is in the order of 3,500 tons per year, largely from alongside ditches and waterways. Wood represents the smallest biomass flow. Production figures are not available, although the volume of regenerated or new wood which grows in any one year is estimated to be 700 tons (equivalent to 400 tons per year of dry material). In all cases, and particularly that of grass, the production, transport and processing of the flows involves a large number of actors. This report offers a detailed examination of the ways in which the biomass flows can be used. The routes for grass, manure and wood are shown on A3 foldouts, with a full assessment of the technical and financial merits of each. Particular attention has been devoted to the suitability of the routes in the specific Binnenveld situation. In all routes, the value of the biomass flows is of critical importance to each of the parties in the chain. In the case of landowners, the revenue from waste wood can help to offset the costs of landscape maintenance, while the costs of collecting mown grass can be kept within reasonable bounds. Farmers wish to minimize the cost of disposing of manure. For the process owner, the value of the biomass flow is critical in view of the high investment costs involved. Processing grass and manure is only financial viable if there is a reasonable profit margin. The owners of wood-burning installations will, of course, wish to pay as little as possible for the wood itself. All parties have an interest in ensuring that the costs of collecting and transporting grass and wood are kept to a minimum. We return to this point in our recommendations. Significant developments There are a number of important ongoing developments with regard to the use of biomass: • The value of biomass will continue to rise due to the growing demand for renewable energy and the scarcity of other resources. • The manner in which wood is harvested and collected will be further improved, with better organization and coordination. This In the energy sector, demand for wood will increase due to the growing number of wood-burning installations in Germany and the improved SDE+ subsidy scheme which, from 2012, will also apply to sustainable heat. This will benefit landowners. However, expectations must not be set too high given the high production and collection costs involved. • The processes used to derive (or recover) natural resources from biomass are being further refined and improved. This is particularwill serve to reduce costs and will benefit both the landowner and the bio-energy user. ly relevant in the case of manure, but will have an effect across the broad field of biomass use. The bio-based economy is likely to 125 Pagina 135
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