Expectations on flexible bioenergy in different countries

Task 44 publication on activity Work package 3 – Acceleration of flexible bioenergy concepts implementation

Task 44 published the report, called “Expectations on flexible bioenergy in different countries” as part two of our latest analysis, following the report on “Implementation of flexible bioenergy in different countries” (Thrän et al. 2024). With this report we provide further insights in the ambitions concerning the energy system transformation and the possible contribution of flexible bioenergy to accelerate this transformation. Therefore, we have asked national experts from 14 different countries and the European Commission about the national goals on flexible bioenergy and their expectations on supportive measures and instruments, as well as the potential synergies with national hydrogen strategies.

The survey explored the role of policies in advancing flexible bioenergy, focusing on national and international frameworks, synergies, and contradictions. Respondents agreed that both national regulations and international strategies, such as EU-wide targets, are critical, with countries like Austria and Canada highlighting the benefits of policy alignment and financial incentives. However, challenges such as regulatory barriers in Germany and public resistance in the Netherlands demonstrate that contradictions between policies can hinder progress. While some countries, such as Denmark and Sweden, recognize the importance of flexibility in their energy strategies, explicit references to flexible bioenergy remain limited in most policy documents.

Flexible bioenergy is identified as a key contributor to energy security, particularly in supporting the transition from fossil-based to renewable energy systems. E.g., countries like Denmark and Austria emphasize its role in buffering uncertainties and maintaining electricity supply amidst increasing reliance on variable renewable energy (VRE). Bioenergy is also expected as a key factor for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, with Canada, the UK, and others highlighting its importance for industrial heat, heavy transport, and the integration with carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies (Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, BECCS). Despite its potential, flexible bioenergy is inconsistently addressed in national strategies, often overshadowed by broader renewable energy targets or limited by biomass resource availability. Overall, international cooperation and clear policy frameworks are necessary to unlock bioenergy’s flexibility benefits at scale.

Synergies between flexible bioenergy and green hydrogen are expected in many ways: Value chains, improving technical performance as well as new business models are seen as top areas for the strongest synergies. Also, better Greenhouse gas balances are mentioned, which are an important issue when reaching net zero energy systems over the next 10 to 25 years.

Thus, flexible bioenergy is considered a crucial element and key enabler in the transition toward net-zero energy systems. However, uncertainties in biomass availability make its potential impact unclear in many countries. Additionally, the sectors expected to benefit most from flexible bioenergy remain uncertain, particularly in the long term. Differences in energy transition progress exist between countries, compounded by uncertainties around competing technologies such as electric mobility for heavy transport, bi-directional charging in the electric vehicle sector, and high-temperature heat pumps for industry. These challenges highlight significant knowledge gaps regarding the need for flexibility options and the specific role of flexible bioenergy compared to other flexibility solutions across various energy sectors. They also emphasize the importance of increased collaboration both within and between countries.

To appropriately consider the possible valorisation of flexible bioenergy as one element of flexible energy provision, we propose:

• • Clarification of biomass availability, quality, and quantity, as well as supply chains and losses as a starting point for any flexible bioenergy implementation strategy.
  • Ensure common definition of flexibility in the different energy sectors and agree on common metrics on an international level.
  • Enable small to medium scale bioenergy provision units to run flexibly.
  • Demonstrate flexible bioenergy options, with variable renewable energies like wind and solar, but also with hydrogen and BECCUS and evaluate the effects on net zero energy targets, value chains and business opportunities.
  • Evaluate existing price and energy market design on their effect on flexible bioenergy in different energy sectors.

The survey results from 14 countries and the European Commission presented in this report and the previously published study “Implementation of flexible bioenergy in different countries” (Thrän et al, 2024) reveal important interconnections and findings. These insights will be compiled into a standalone summary document, to be published soon, offering a comprehensive overview of key outcomes, trends, and strategic linkages identified throughout the analysis.

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