The ongoing energy transition is mainly driven by reductions in the cost of wind and solar energy, and political efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although substantial deployment of variable renewable energy (VRE) is an important part of the overall transformation, rapid changes in the energy mix may pose challenges to the resilience of the electricity grid, particularly in times of weather-related stress. As fossil generation capacity is being retired and replaced by VRE generation, it raises the important question of how to maintain the stability and reliability of future energy supply.
Although climate and energy policies are still largely focussed on electricity, most of the energy is used for heating, cooling, and transport. These sectors have remained deeply reliant on fossil fuels and significant decarbonisation efforts are needed to ensure that the overall emission pledges of the Paris Accord can be met. In addition to sector-specific measures, it is essential to recognise the links between electricity, heat and transport and exploit synergies so that these sectors will support each other’s in the effort to decarbonise.
News and Highlights
IEA Bioenergy News Volume 34(1) – July 2022
This issue covers the ExCo89 Virtual meeting held on 16-19 May 2022. It also features the press release “The Dawn of Greater Energy Independence” by Paul Bennett, Chair of the Executive Committee, a Task Focus by Task 37 & Task 40, the Noticeboard, and recent...
Conference session Bioenergy’s contribution to low-carbon energy systems
Task 44 hosted successfully a session Bioenergy’s contribution to low-carbon energy systems on 7 Dec 2021 as a part of IEA Bioenergy’s triannual conference. The session focused on multiple services and benefits bioenergy can provide to low-carbon energy systems....
Recent Events
IEA Bioenergy triannual online conference 2021
Bioenergy - A critical part of the path to carbon neutrality The IEA Roadmap ‘Net Zero Emissions by 2050’ recognizes bioenergy as an important option, representing 18% of total energy supply in 2050, and playing a major role to reach carbon neutrality of the global...
IEA Bioenergy Task 44 Webinar – Flexible Bioenergy in Renewable Energy Systems
The global energy system transition is driven by steep reductions in the generation costs of wind and solar energy as well as political efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Growing shares of variable renewable energy (VRE) in the energy supply system poses...
Latest Publications and Reports
Status of and expectations for flexible bioenergy to support resource efficiency and to accelerate the energy transition
Open access article in the Journal Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, based on work performed within IEA Bioenergy Task 44. https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S1364-0321(22)00024-7 We can expect a remarkable expansion and cross-sectoral deployment of PV...
Five cornerstones to unlock the potential of flexible bioenergy, 2021
The discussion paper is a summary of IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme Task 44 to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing, to raise awareness for the important potential of flexible bioenergy in sustainable energy system integration, and to...
The IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) is organised under the auspices of the International Energy Agency (IEA) but is functionally and legally autonomous. Views, findings and publications of the IEA Bioenergy TCP do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the IEA Secretariat or its individual member countries.