National and International Bioenergy Use & Policy Sarah Ashton, Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Outline Define bioenergy Explain the role bioenergy plays in US energy production Describe the the role bioenergy plays in global energy production Government programs to support bioenergy production and use at home and abroad

Bioenergy Benefits Reduced fossil fuel use Renewable source Improved energy security

What is Bioenergy? Energy produced from biomass including woody biomass, agricultural biomass, and other biological materials Includes electricity, heat, and transportation fuels

Availability of Biomass OECD – commercial, industry-led Asia and Latin America – modern, commercial Africa – harvested informally Source: IEA Renewables Information. Paris

Utilization of Biomass Biomass is the most important renewable energy source in the world today 10.6% world total energy supply % total renewable energy supply Source: IEA Renewables Information. Paris

Biomass in the United States Domestic energy production 9% renewable: 47% biomass: 72% wood-based 2% Wind 45% Hydroelectric 5% Geothermal 47% Biomass 1% Solar Source: Energy Information Administration 2004

Forest Residues and Ethanol Potential Source: Mabee et al. 2006

Agricultural Residues and Ethanol Potential Source: Mabee et al. 2006

Biomass & Forest Products Forest products industry is largest user of forest biomass –70% of energy in-house –Generated from by-products

Energy Policy Act 2005 Passed in Summer 2005 Renewable Fuel Standard--7.5 billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel in the nation’s fuel supply by 2012 Extended tax credit for electricity production from renewable sources

DOE Loans and Grants “DOE offers $30 million to launch bioenergy research centers” “DOE offers up to $33.8 million to support cellulosic biofuel processes research” “DOE offers $18 million for biomass research” “DOE awards $23 million to five cellulosic ethanol projects”

Proposed Energy Title of the 2007 Farm Bill $500 million for a bioenergy and biobased product research initiative $500 million for a renewable energy systems and improvements grants program $210 million to support and estimated 2.1billion in loan guarantees for cellulosic ethanol projects in rural areas

Renewable Portfolio Standards Policy that requires energy suppliers to include a specified amount of renewable energy as a part of its portfolio of generating fuels. 27 States have enacted RPSs 2 have voluntary standards

Renewable Portfolio Standards Created by Danskin 2007

European Energy Policy Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 True internal energy market Increase in production and use of biofuels by 10% by 2020 An increase in 20% energy efficiency by 2020

Encyclopedia of Southern Bioenergy (Version 3)

Trainer’s Curriculum Notebook Materials found in several places –Forest Bioenergy web portal – –US Forest Service’s Interface South website –

Example PowerPoint Slides

The Forest Bioenergy Web Portal Designed for Educators Site owned by SFRP Contains: –News –Calendar of Events –Links –Presentations –Images –Glossary –Training Materials

The National Learning Center for Private Forest and Range Landowners 6 interactive modules (modules 1 & 2 were combined) Same branding Features: –Flash animation –Post tests –Videos –Image enlargement /index.asp

Wood to Energy Set of outreach materials aimed at –Increasing community awareness –Enhancing community discussions About using wood for power and heat

Wood to Energy Materials include: –Ambassador’s Guide –Fact Sheets –Case Studies –Community Economic Profiles –Presentation –Resources Available at: