ABSTRACT

In 2007 the European Council mandated that the proportion of renewable energy in electricity production should increase to 20% in the European Union by 2020 to reduce CO2 emissions and lessen the effects of climate change. In Germany, after an intense public debate, the targeted percentage has been established at a minimum of 35%, out of which 8% should be met by bioenergy (and 27% from other renewable energy sources) (BMELV & BMU, 2010; BMU, 2012). Already, 92% of the heat production in Germany that is generated from renewable energy is gained from biomass, most of which is wood (BMU, 2012).