SNAPSHOT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE EU-28 Volume 2

This report presents a snapshot of the current state of renewable energy development in the European Union and the progress expected by 2020, as forecasted in the Member States’ national renewable energy action plans. The report compares the progress achieved between 2005 and 2012 as that reported by EU Member States in their bi- annual progress reports with the expected results, as set out in their action plans and . It goes on to describe in details each Member State’s overall contribution to the development of renewable energy since 2005. The findings draw on the Member States’ bi-annual progress reports, the progress each country has made in the use of each renewable energy source and the contribution of renewable energy in each Member State to the heating/cooling, electricity and transport sectors are summarized in standardized tables and graphs allowing quick comparison among different countries and for EU as a whole.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

Energy use in the EU food sector: State of play and opportunities for improvement

The amount of energy necessary to cultivate, process, pack and bring the food to European citizens tables accounts for the 17 % of the EU's gross energy consumption, equivalent to about 26 % of the EU's final energy consumption in 2013. Challenges and solutions for decreasing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy in the European food sector are presented and discussed.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

Support for biogas in the EU electricity sector - A comparative analysis

This paper aims to present a comparative analysis of biogas electricity deployment in EU countries over the period of 2010–2017. The analysis shows that the deployment of biogas electricity is mainly linked to the moment of the shift in the support framework, the maturity of tenders and the feasibility of long-term objectives. With 200 incentives in place the EU has created favourable conditions to support biogas electricity. Manure and waste are the main feedstocks of biogas electricity in the EU that receive the highest incentives. However, the recent shift towards capacity market mechanism has had an adverse effect in the deployment of biogas electricity. The way in which the biogas is currently valorised, has not been very effective in some EU countries. We found that the EU average growth rate of biogas electricity over 2016–2017 dropped 4 times compared with 2014–2016. Plans/targets have been very supportive in the fast deployment of biogas electricity. Nevertheless, a clear post 2020 picture for renewables is still missing in several EU countries that are risking lagging in biogas electricity deployment. The future of biogas is been seen promising on the upgrade to biomethane as a sustainable input for environment and economy

Bioenergy production and use in Italy: Recent developments, perspectives and potential

The renewable energy policies in the European Union have already leaded to a significant progress; the energy mix should furthermore change until 2020. Italy is planning to meet the 2020 targets on renewable energies also thanks to a relevant paradigm shift in renewable energy exploitation. Indeed, in 2005 the sector where RES were more present in Italy was electricity production with 203 PJ of renewable origin, while in the heating and cooling sector renewable energy penetration was limited to 80 PJ. On the contrary, in 2020 heating and cooling is expected to absorb the highest amount of renewable energy (438 PJ) with renewable electricity expected to count for 356 PJ. Bioenergy, a renewable energy resource particularly suitable for electricity, heating & cooling and in transport, will be at the core of this sectorial shift in renewable energy production and uses and is expected to become the dominant form of RES before 2020. The paper makes a detailed analysis of the recent developments and expected evolution of the Italian energy mix in next decade. It provides an overview of the Italian bioenergy sector in comparison with other Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and with leading countries in the European Union with a special focus on the production, exploitation and potentials on the basis of the analysis of the Italian National Renewable Action Plan.JRC.F.7-Renewable Energ

Renewable energy in European Union for climate change mitigation: Greenhouse gas emission savings due to renewable energy (2009-12)

The report provides an overview of greenhouse gas emission savings in the European Union due to the use of renewable energy in three sectors: electricity, heating/cooling and transport. The assessment is based on data reported by EU Member States in their 2011 and 2013 bi-annual progress reports, as required under Article 22(1)(k) of Directive 2009/28/EC on renewable energy. The report assesses all 28 Member States of the European Union and covers the period 2009-12.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

Biomass for bioenergy in the EU – the support framework

This paper aims to produce a quantitative approach on the overall measures and on public support framework for biomass for energy, based on the EU countries reports under RED and existing literature. The way in which the support for biomass is implemented in the EU energy sector is not similar across EU countries. Feed-in tariffs and feed-in-premiums are still the dominant support schemes for the deployment of bioelectricity, whereas subsidies remain the main support for bioheat. Furthermore, a vast number of EU countries apply mandatory blending quotas for biofuels for transport. The paper shows that biomass for energy has a key role within the EU policy support for RES, in which targets are the main drivers, together with overarching biomass guidelines to anticipate any environmental constraints. Stable support showed the highest effectiveness in the past and remains the key factor for biomass deployment beyond 2020. The renewed targets need to be accompanied by long-term support measures and a commonly shared policy vision. A further harmonization of public bioenergy support towards a single EU cleaner energy market is recommended. This implies four policy actions for all EU countries: in-depth efficiency review, integration with RED-2, compatible sustainability guidelines and local impact assessments

Biomass for energy in the EU – The support framework

This paper aims to produce a quantitative approach on the overall measures and on public support framework for biomass for energy, based on the EU countries reports under RED and existing literature. The way in which the support for biomass is implemented in the EU energy sector is not similar across EU countries. Feed-in tariffs and feed-in-premiums are still the dominant support schemes for the deployment of bioelectricity, whereas subsidies remain the main support for bioheat. Furthermore, a vast number of EU countries apply mandatory blending quotas for biofuels for transport. The paper shows that biomass for energy has a key role within the EU policy support for RES, in which targets are the main drivers, together with overarching biomass guidelines to anticipate any environmental constraints. Stable support showed the highest effectiveness in the past and remains the key factor for biomass deployment beyond 2020. The renewed targets need to be accompanied by long-term support measures and a commonly shared policy vision. A further harmonization of public bioenergy support towards a single EU cleaner energy market is recommended. This implies four policy actions for all EU countries: in-depth efficiency review, integration with RED-2, compatible sustainability guidelines and local impact assessments.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

A spatial analysis of biogas potential from manure in Europe

Anaerobic digestion is increasingly used worldwide to generate energy from biogas, bringing significant economic and environmental benefits. In particular, in the European Union (EU), biogas can contribute significantly in several countries to reach the renewable energy targets. This study provides an assessment of the spatial distribution of the biogas potential of farm manure from livestock and poultry in Europe, which is a key issue for the location and economic performances of a bioenergy plant. Biogas estimates provided in this study are computed through a spatial analysis algorithm that uses data of livestock and poultry, manure production and collection, leading to the evaluation of the spatial distribution of biogas potential at 1 km spatial resolution. Following this analysis, the theoretical biogas potential of manure was estimated at 26 billion m3 biomethane in Europe (23 billion m3 biomethane in the EU) and the realistic biogas potential, counting on collectible manure, was assessed at 18 billion m3 biomethane in Europe (16 billion m3 biomethane in the EU). Several maps provide the suitable locations and capacity of manure-based biogas plants in two different scenarios. Between 13,866 and 19,482 biogas plants could be built in Europe, with a total installed capacity between 6144 MWe and 7145 MWe, and an average capacity between 315 kWe and 515 kWe.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Evaluation of energy potential of Municipal Solid Waste from African urban areas

Energy is a critical issue for Africa, where large number of people does not have access to energy and often rely on the traditional use of biomass. Energy recovery from waste can play a role in minimizing the impact of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) on the environment with the additional benefit of providing a local source of energy. This study was carried out to assess, at the African level, the role which waste could play in providing energy to citizens and provides an estimate of the total potential of energy from waste incineration and from landfills methane for each African country. The results show an energy potential of all waste generated in Africa of 1125 PJ in 2012 and 2199 PJ in 2025. For comparison, the overall primary energy supply was 29,308 PJ in 2010. On the contrary, if actual or projected waste collection rates are considered, the energy potential was estimated at 613 PJ in 2012 and 1508 PJ in 2025. Nevertheless, if energy recovery through landfill gas is considered, about 283 PJ could be recovered in 2012 and 530 PJ in 2025 in case of full waste collection. These estimates decrease to about 155 PJ in 2012 and 363 PJ in 2025 if waste actually collected, or projected to be collected, is considered. The electricity generation could reach 62.5 TWh in 2012 and 122.2 TWh in 2025, in case of full waste collection, to be compared with electricity consumption in Africa of 661.5 TWh in 2010. If waste actually collected is considered, these estimates decrease respectively to 34.1 TWh in 2012 and 83.8 TWh in 2025. The share of electricity production from all waste in electricity supply varies from 9.4% in 2012 to 13.3% in 2025 for waste incineration to 4.2% in 2012 to 5.6% in 2025 if LFG is used to generate electricity. The share of electricity from actually collected waste 5.1% in 2012 to 9.1% in 2025 for waste incineration to 1.9% in 2012 to 3.3% in 2025, if LFG is used. Apart continental estimates, the study provides detailed information at the country level and a vision of the spatial distribution of energy from waste based on the city population in major African cities.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc

Renewable energy policy framework and bioenergy contribution in the European Union – An overview from National Renewable Energy Action Plans and first Progress Reports

The use of renewable energy is projected to increase substantially in the European Union to reach a share of 20%in final energy consumption and 10% renewable energy in transport by 2020.The renewable energy contribution is further expected to increase to 55%–75% of gross final energy consumption in 2050. According to the latest reports, the European Union has made significant progress since2005and is on track to reach its 2020 renewable energy targets. This paper provides a review of the policy framework for renewable energy in the European Union and analysis of the progress made by the use of renewable energy as well as the expected developments until 2020 and beyond. It focusses on the contribution of bioenergy, the major source among renewables in the European Union. As biomass availability is a critical issue for the bioenergy production, this paper provides an analysis of the biomass demand for reaching the 2020 targets, in relation with the expected domestic supply and biomass potential.JRC.F.7-Renewables and Energy Efficienc