Energetic utilisation of wood as biochemical energy carrier — A contribution to the utilisation of waste energy and landuse

Abstract

The aim of the ongoing research activities is to investigate options for biofuel production related to energy purposes. This is in accordance with the worldwide discussion — especially in industrial countries — on energy supply. The discussion became necessary because the use of raw energy carriers exceeds by far that of all the other raw materials. As a consequence, the amount of waste materials and waste products from energy plants, such as CO 2, exceeds by far that of all other plants. Moreover, there is a need for new sustainable landuse systems, especially in rural areas. This development coincides with efforts of the German government to enhance the production of biomass for energy purposes. In this context the goal is that a share of three per cent of the primary energy consumption should come from biomass. Wood from forest and field as a renewable resource may present an important alternative for heat and energy supply in rural landscapes, i.e. in areas with decentralised structures. Both a closed CO 2 balance and the protection of fossile energy resources achieved by the use of biomass meets current requirements of German policy. The state of Brandenburg offers the unique chance to adopt this strategy into reclamation activities on the large scale post-mining landscapes of the Lusatian lignite district and into changing landuse systems in rural areas.