K u rzfassu n g sb an d - Graz University of Technology

172 Energieinnovation 2006
Following the investigation of biomass policies, this paper provides a comparative survey about
biomass potentials in central and eastern European countries as well as estimations for
corresponding cost-resource-curves.
By far the highest biomass potentials are available in Poland and Germany (each in the range of about
500 to 700 PJ/yr. The lowest potentials show Slovenia and Slovakia (each below 60 PJ/yr) and
Austria, Czech Republic and Hungary are in the range of about 100-250 PJ/yr.
In Poland (and also Hungary) agricultural products and residues are dominating, the other countries
show a mix of forestry and agricultural potentials.
In Czech Republic, the share of biomass on RES is currently 74%, in Austria about 50%. Hence, in
both countries biomass plays a significant role in the structure of RES as a primary resource. The
paper presents in detail the state of the art of biomass use in these countries.
However, biomass market is still undeveloped in the Czech Republic and has mainly local character.
Biomass in the form of wood residuals from timber felling is expected to play important role in mid
term. But in longer term the major role of intentionally planted biomass is expected. The paper
includes an investigation of the main barriers (like missing technological knowledge, legislation
barriers, limitations by nature protection etc) for such innovative developments of the biomass market
in CEE.
The prospects of biomass use in the considered countries will be investigated. Partly, the existing
policies will lead to a strong increase of biomass use. In Austria, in particular increased use of biofuels,
electricity generation from biomass and pellets production is expected. According to the currently
implemented quota for biofuels, the biofuel demand will increase from 50,000 t (2004) to about
500,000 t in 2010. The electricity generation from biomass will increase from 0.3 TWh (2004) to 1.9
TWh in 2007 and pellet consumption will increase from less than 4 PJ (2004) to about 9 PJ in 2010.
Conclusions presented in this paper show that this dynamic development in some CEE countries
could result in new challenges regarding the transboundary biomass trade. Currently, in Czech
Republic about 8% of total inland solid biomass production (incl. pulp extracts) is exported to abroad.
Firewood was the most important part of export (44%), dominant receiving countries were Austria
(67%) and Germany (17%). At least for some biomass fractions this trade of biofuels could increase in
the future. This of course will strongly be influenced by the development in different CEE countries,
how biomass markets and prices develop and how biomass policies will be balanced between these
countries.