There is almost no limit to how much domestic green energy Denmark can produce by growing and producing biomass.

There are sources enough to choose between if Denmark wants to do more with regard to using green energy. Whether to choose slurry, grass, algae, beets or something completely different depends on several different factors. What is the best bet for reducing emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses? What gives the most efficient energy production? What is most cost-effective? What benefits the environment most? And what is practically possible?

Scientists from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Aarhus are working on shedding light on these and related questions.

- There is no absolute limit to how much of the Danish energy consumption can be covered by biomass. Even if Danish agriculture increased the production of biomass for energy to five times the present consumption of straw and biogas, this would not change the primary role of Danish agriculture as a food producer, says senior scientist Uffe Jørgensen

In Denmark, approximately 12 percent of the total energy consumption comes from biomass, while in the EU as a whole the level is four percent. Denmark is thus at the forefront with regard to using biomass, but its use can be increased. According to the scientists, use of biomass from agriculture in Denmark can increase from the present level of about 27 petajoules (PJ) to about 120 PJ, corresponding to a 4-5-fold increase.

An increased use of biomass for energy can help Denmark fulfil its obligations in the Kyoto-agreement on the reduction of CO2 emissions, can increase our independence of fossil fuels, remove unwanted nutrients from the aquatic environment, reduce odour problems and contribute to landscape cultivation.

Increasing the energy production from biomass can be carried out through the increased utilisation of straw and animal manure, by using some of the present agricultural production for energy (grass, cereals, rapeseed or sugar beets) or by growing dedicated energy crops on some of the land at present occupied by cereals.

In addition to agricultural land, there are also grazing pastures and conservation areas, where land management (clearing) practices that are necessary to maintain the light, open areas can be combined with energy utilization. Finally, aquatic biomass such as sea algae can potentially be used.

Text and photo: Janne Hansen

For further information please contact: Senior scientist Uffe Jørgensen, Department of Agroecology and Environment, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Aarhus, telephone: +45 8999 1762, e-mail: Uffe.Jorgensen@agrsci.dk