LONG-TERM BIOENERGY-SCENARIOS FOR AUSTRIA: IDENTIFYING EFFICIENT PATHS AND A CORRESPONDING ACTION PLAN

ABSTRACT: The paper provides insight into the long-term perspectives of the Austrian bioenergy sector. First the methodology is described with a focus on the dynamic simulation model Green-XBio-Austria and its input parameters. Second, four simulations of scenarios of the Austrian bioenergy sector up to 2050 are presented. They give an impression of the achievable contribution of bioenergy to the Austrian energy supply in the sectors heat, electricity and mobility, the achievable GHG saving and the costs related to it. The scenarios are based on different bioenergy policies and provide a basis for conclusions on how the efficiency of the bioenergy sector can be maximized. Cost-efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction are considered as the main criteria. Finally, recommendations for policy measures are derived and current policies (especially in the field of liquid biofuels) reviewed critically. The model results indicate that ambitious biofuel quotas are not reasonable for Austria. A bioenergy strategy should instead focus on promoting heat and – to some extent – combined heat and power generation