(Task 39 Newsletter) General introduction – A fossil free energy supply by 2050 — In 2012, the Danish parliament decided on a new climate act, which calls for an energy supply totally free of fossil fuels by 2050. This goal has brought forward long term policies on both energy infrastructure and energy research. The backbone of the renewable energy supply will be wind, biomass and solar. In 2014, the share of renewable energy was 27% of which biomass accounted for approximately 66%. Currently biomass is used to replace coal, but as the wind energy sector is expanded more biomass can be allocated to the transport sector. Electric vehicles will be part of the transport sector, but it is generally recognised that liquid fuels will be needed. There are no specific national policies or regulations on advanced biofuels, as a general EU policy on advanced biofuels is still in the making. The Danish energy sector recently implemented their own set of biomass sustainability criteria. The principles in the Danish rules are close to the UK legislation on a sustainable biomass supply.
All gasoline and diesel sold at filling stations are blends of 5.75% ethanol or biodiesel. The major part of the ethanol is imported from Brazil, but for biodiesel it is difficult to get precise information about the sourcing. The EU target of 10% renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020 will only to a limited degree be covered by electric vehicles, and the amount of biofuel consumption is expected to increase.
The national target for a fully renewable energy supply keeps biofuels on the research agenda, but there has been a shift towards Biorefining, with lignin processing and alternative protein supply gaining increased interest. The food versus fuel debate has caused a political preference for advanced biofuels, but further national action, e.g., a specific mandate for cellulosic ethanol or similar, is awaiting the long delayed EU policy on advanced biofuels.
The outlook for biofuels in Denmark is positive. The country has a large biotech industry and several companies dedicated to advanced biofuels. However, the development of a national advanced biofuels industry is delayed by the lack of a coordinated set of EU policies. READ MORE