Programme for promoting projects to optimise biomass energy use.

The Integrated Energy and Climate Programme adopted by the German Government defines the following targets for the further expansion of renewable energies by 2020: to increase the share of renewables in the electricity sector to 30% and the share of renewable energies in heat provision to 14%. In order to achieve these targets and develop a sustainable energy supply, more intensive use of biomass is essential. Biomass sustainability is one of the key challenges in energy and environmental policy and requires a comprehensive, viable and sustainable biomass strategy.

Against this background, the Federal Environment Ministry is supporting projects which aim to address the present unresolved questions relating to the production of electricity, heat and fuels from biomass.

Funding is provided for studies, pilots and demonstration projects in seven thematic areas:

Thematic area 1 - Utilisation of residues
Improvement and further development of parameters and technologies for the efficient harnessing and utilisation of biogenic residues, e.g. through "best practices" for the different material flows.
 
Thematic area 2 - International cooperation
Systemic studies and international cooperation on the development of "best practice" in the provision of sustainable biomass and bioenergy carriers (Eastern Europe, Russia)
 
Thematic area 3 - Biomass gasification
Development and demonstration of biomass gasification technologies to support efficient production of electricity and heat from combined heat and power generation (CHP).
 
Thematic area 4 - Biomethane strategy
Development and demonstration of a European biomethane strategy (supply and import of biomethane from Central/Eastern Europe via gas pipelines).
 
Thematic area 5 - Bioenergy strategy
Further development of the sustainable bioenergy strategy by resolving current problems in the biofuels sector and electricity/heat production, e.g. through scientific monitoring of the forthcoming implementation of European criteria to safeguard sustainability in biomass use and pilot projects for the use of climate-gas-efficient fuels and bioenergy carriers.
 
Thematic area 6 - Regional bioenergy
Optimisation of regional biomass use in terms of regional value added, security of supply and climate protection in the context of the "100% renewable energy regions" in Germany.
 
Thematic area 7 - Strategy development: biomass
Development and support for a viable biomass strategy.