System Analysis of the BioEconomy (SABE)

Research Group

Team:

Alberto Bezama

Dr. Malgorzata Borchers

M.Eng. Walther Zeug

M.Sc. Christina Zinke

Dr. Daniela Siedschlag

M.Sc. Nir Reshef

Matthias Welker

Background

The goal of a “bioeconomy” is 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 (BE), the efficient and sustainable use of biomass resources focuses on trans- and interdisciplinary research between agriculture, forestry and conversion and production technologies for the efficient coupling of biological and chemical synthesis processes for the production of energy and raw materials, with a particular focus on raw materials (e.g. plastics or petroleum substitutes). To strive for gains in technological efficiency it is absolutely necessary to develop further the BE, but alone it is not sufficient.

A societal and economic transformation entailing the BE is necessary. However, the increasing demands on biomass and land will require appropriate assessments in order to support well informed decision making and planning, both at regional (where biomass resources occur) and national (where major policies are decided), to ensure the most efficient and sustainable use of biomass resources, as well as to promote synergies with other renewable resources. Furthermore, institutional, legal and social determinants influence the development and outcome of the BE by consolidating path dependencies or on the contrary by triggering change and therefore are part of the system analysis.

In this context, the working group “System Analysis of the Bioeconomy” (SABE) at the Department of Bioenergy intends to support this transition towards a bio-based economy by understanding and evaluating the BE system under a life cycle perspective. The work is done at various geographical scales (global, national, regional), in order to evaluate the potential social, economic and ecological impacts of new strategies and technologies when implemented on a region, thus providing a sound information basis for regional and national decision makers.

The SABE group

The SABE group was founded in 2015, stemming from initiatives within the Department of Bioenergy to advance life cycle assessment and management. Initially, our focus was on developing a regionalized life cycle assessment model to better understand the environmental impacts of sectors related to bioenergy and later, the broader bioeconomy. This effort led to the creation of the RELCA model.

Additionally, we concentrated on crafting life cycle-based management tools. SUMINISTRO emerged as a multi-criteria decision support tool tailored for regional planners, particularly addressing the needs of Central Germany. RESPONSA aimed to pinpoint socio-economic hotspots and opportunities within the region when implementing bio-based technologies. Subsequently, both SUMINISTRO and RESPONSA served as the foundation for HILCSA, a novel life cycle sustainability assessment model. HILCSA offers a comprehensive analysis, considering sustainability's holistic and integrated dimensions, shedding light on synergies, trade-offs, and production/consumption hotspots in the bioeconomy.

Our uniqueness lies on our focus on regional life cycle oriented approaches, using and developing complementary models with different scopes, and levels of detail (i.e. a LCM toolbox) to deliver a systematic analysis of the bioeconomy.

SABE group - aspects

Our goals:

understanding and evaluating the bioeconomy system under a life cycle perspective
evaluate the potential social, economic and ecological impacts of new strategies and technologies
providing a sound information basis for regional and national decision makers
discuss concepts of (circular) bioeconomy with a view to sustainability as a rule for (regional) decisions
providing effective modelling tools to conduct environmental or social life cycle assessment under the regional context
knowledge sharing and transfering with stakehoders for sustainable bioeconomy management

News

BfN-Schriften 683 - Monitoring der Naturverträglichkeit des Ausbaus der erneuerbaren Energien im Strombereich („EEMonReport“)

The publication of the research project EEMonReport includes a detailed description of the web application EE-Monitor, which describes relevant aspects of the expansion of renewable energies over time. One example is the distance of wind turbines from protected areas. The BfN report documents the data basis as well as the technical development and structure of the web application. In particular, the functionalities and corresponding representations are explained in detail in the form of a handbook.

Download BfN-Schrift 683 (only in German)

EE-Monitor - Monitoring for a nature-friendly energy transition

The EE-Monitor ("Renewable Energy Monitor") provides a scientifically sound basis for the social debate on the nature-compatible expansion of renewable energies in Germany. The EE-Monitor supports the identification of both undesirable developments and positive trends in the nature-friendly expansion of renewable energies.

EE-Monitor Website

InPositiv - How renewable energies can have a positive effect on nature and biodiversity.

Renewable energies are a key technology for climate protection. But what does this mean in concrete terms for nature and the landscape - beyond known negative consequences? The research project InPositiv addresses this question and looks specifically at positive effects of renewables. InPositiv is a project of nature conservation associations, universities and specialist offices and is aimed at everyone who asks how an energy transition that is compatible with nature can succeed.

InPositiv Website

Publication of the results report of the first phase of the Helmholtz-Climate-Initiative (HI-CAM): HI-CAM Publications - "Final Report Phase 1"

Task 44: Flexible Bioenergy and System Integration

Release of the discussion paper: "Five cornerstones to unlock the potential of flexible bioenergy". The paper and further publications can be downloaded here:

IEA Publications

alpha ARD Bildungskanal - "Can it go away or is it bioeconomy?" with Daniela Thrän

Sustainable economic activity is only possible if the complex bioeconomy system of biological processes, products, services and knowledge works. Bioeconomist Daniela Thrän from the Helmholtz Association's UFZ explains what role cities play in this.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniela Thrän appointed Chair of the Bioeconomy Council

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) appointed the members of the new Bioeconomy Council. With Daniela Thrän and Iris Lewandowski, the council has now selected two female scientists from among its ranks to serve on its chair for the next three years.

UFZ press release 03/2021

Bioeconomy Council

DLF - Wissenschaft im Brennpunkt: "The promise of the bioeconomy - the same in green?" with Daniela Thrän and Harald Wedwitschka

The concept sounds good: coal, crude oil, natural gas, but also plastic, synthetic fibers or cosmetics will be replaced - by substances that nature provides us with. But how great is the potential of the bioeconomy really? Can consumption and growth continue as before, only in green?

Daniela Thrän on "Wissenschaft kontrovers": "Sustainability barriers in the energy industry" (YouTube)

Why is the bioeconomy so complicated? At #WissenschaftKontrovers on 25.11.2020, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Berg (TU Clausthal), Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert (German Institute for Economic Research) and Prof. Dr. Daniela Thrän (UFZ, DBFZ) discussed the topic of "Sustainability & Bioenergy"

Contact

Department Head:
Prof. Dr-Ing. Daniela Thrän
Department Bioenergy
daniela.thraen@ufz.de

Assistance:
Caroline Lichtmann
caroline.lichtmann@ufz.de
Tel.: 0341 6025 1267

Postal Address:
Postfach 500 136 | 04301 Leipzig

Visitor Address:
Permoserstr. 15 | 04318 Leipzig

Research Group