Significance of Woody Biomass in Austria Other than as Renewable Energy Source

Abstract

Recently, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre published a report which states that it is incorrect to consider biomass energy to be carbon neutral. In Austria, woody biomass has already been gaining certain significance, other than as a renewable energy source. In Austria, over 50% of the renewable energy production comes from biomass. Of which, about 80% comes from woody biomass. The woody biomass energy is mainly used as a heat source. The utilization of woody biomass is therefore not based on any governmental policy that provides support to the sale of generated electricity. In addition to fossil fuels, woody biomass has been occupying a place in the energy supply area in Austria as a price-competitive fuel. This paper reviews the development of Austria’s woody biomass utilization as an energy source based on the on-site interviews the author conducted and the materials the author gathered locally, and elucidates significance of woody biomass, other than as a renewable energy source, from the viewpoints of forestry and lumber production industries and the energy consumption structure of the country.