ABSTRACT
The energy and environment discussion in Germany is governed by the negative consequences of the greenhouse effect and its mitigation. Among the large number of conceivable options, renewable energies are often regarded as major “sources of hope”. If, however, the level of current utilization is taken as an indicator of the relative proximity to the market there only remain biomass, hydro and wind power from among the multitude of renewable energy options. The state of the art of the methods suitable for a utilization of residues of organic origin and of energy crops, respectively, is very different. The concepts for biomass supply from energy crop growing are largely at the stage of research and development. This applies to cultivation and harvesting techniques as well as to storage and, in part, to the respective energy utilization technologies. Biomass produced in plantations can, in principle, also be converted into secondary or useful energy with conversion technologies other than combustion.
