Status Conference Bioenergy presents diverse research contributions to the energy transition

At the recent Status Conference Bioenergyin Leipzig, more than 150 scientists from the Bioenergy Research Network met with representatives from industry and politics to discuss the exciting potential of biogenic residues and waste materials for the energy transition. In over forty talks, five workshops and a poster session, researchers and companies presented innovative research achievements and current scientific topics. The conclusion of the three-day conference: Bioenergy is a valuable piece of the puzzle towards a flexible and resilient energy system of the future and at the same time makes a substantial contribution to the circular economy.

Energy from biogenic resources is an essential building block for the energy transition. As a supplement to weather-dependent solar or wind energy, it has great potential, especially due to its storage capacity and flexibility. For example, it can cover the high-temperature heat requirements of industrial processes. Bioenergy can be obtained from the most amazing sources such as sewage sludge, green waste or waste from food production. Through innovative technologies, it is also possible to gain products such as biochar, CO₂ and nutrients for a sustainable bioeconomy in addition to energy use.

These research approaches are bundled in the "Biomass to Energy" funding area of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and were presented at the three-day Status Conference Bioenergy 2023. The spectrum of topics at the status conference ranged from "Efficient Sewage Sludge Utilisation" to "Bio-based Hydrogen" and "Emission Reduction of Biomass Firing Systems". In his keynote speech, Timo Haase, Energy Research Funding Officer of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), described the energetic use of biogenic residues and waste materials as a valuable piece of the puzzle for a resilient energy system and thanked the members of the Bioenergy Research Network for their important input. The results also flowed into the new energy research programme of the BMWK, which is currently being worked on. In the future, meeting the high-temperature heat requirements of industrial processes will be an important development task. Therefore, the funding of research and development projects in the field of bioenergy will continue at the usual level, Haase said.

In her summary, Prof. Dr Daniela Thrän (UFZ/DBFZ/University of Leipzig), a scientist from Leipzig, drew a positive conclusion to the event and the work done so far in the funding area: "Our aim with this year's 11^th status conference was to evaluate research results, bring together different perspectives, develop ideas and jointly shape the future of bioenergy in the energy transition. The basis for this is provided by technologies and concepts for biogenic residues and waste materials that have been developed over the past decades in the funding area of the BMWK and are not only being intensively discussed in the Bioenergy Research Network, but are also receiving actual support for rapid market introduction. With events like the status conference, we have created an excellent platform for this and, in my view, achieved very good results." The next Status Conference Bioenergy is expected to take place in autumn 2025.