Research at the Department of Bioenergy
The Department of Bioenergy investigates the sustainable use of renewable resources for energetic and material use, placing emphasis on two major topics:1) Renewable Energy and 2) Bioeconomy/Biomass Resources. In order to understand both the environmental and socio-economic implications of such uses we have developed models to simulate best future supply options for different renewables, assessment approaches for more complex supply networks (i.e. industrial clusters) and adapted Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approaches towards assessing spatial and social aspects. All modelling approaches follow transparent and modular concepts and intend to provide solution oriented information for stakeholder.
Lectures on the methods and approaches are also given at University of Leipzig, chair Bioenergy Systems.
Working Group Renewable Energies
The working group Renewable Energies works on two main topics: systems modelling of biomass usage as well as spatial analyses of all renewable energies. We cover all renewables and energy sectors, including also some parts of the wider bioeconomy, such as chemistry. We perform monitoring of the current state as well as modelling of future scenarios.
Renewable Energies
Working Group Bioeconomy
The goal of the “bioeconomy” is to use available biological resources more effectively, in order to advance the transition from an economy mainly using fossil-based raw materials, to an economy based on the efficient and sustainable integration of various renewable resources (e.g. wind, water, solar, biomass). Under the scope of the bioeconomy, the efficient and sustainable use of biomass resources, either through biological and/or chemical synthesis processes to produce raw materials (e.g. plastics or petroleum substitutes) and/or energy are envisioned. However, with the foreseen increasing demands on biomass and thus land, appropriate assessments are needed to support well informed decision making and planning, both at regional (where biomass resources occur) and national (where major policies are decided). In this way the most efficient and sustainable use of biomass resources can be assured, along with the enhancement of synergies with other renewable resources. The working group Bioeconomy focuses on the broad diversity of research questions relating to the transition towards a biobased economy.
WG Bioeconomy (site under construction)
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