CeBiTec Distinguished Lecture
Monday, January 13, 2020, 17 c.t.
Plenary Hall, ZiF building
Prof. em. Dr. Bärbel Friedrich
Humboldt University, Berlin
Contribution of bioenergy to the supply of CO2 neutral energy sources
A sustainable, climate-friendly supply of energy is crucial for the anticipated energy transition replacing fossil energy carriers by renewables until 2050. Of the total amount of primary energy consumption in Germany, 16.6 % (2018) is derived from renewable resources, consisting of about two thirds of products generated from biomass, followed by usage of wind energy and photovoltaic. The potential of biomass is going to be discussed with regard to its availability, land use efficiency, greenhouse gas emission and its impact on biodiversity. Possibilities and limits of bioenergy from biomass will be depicted in more detail. Based on a Leopoldina study [1], it is concluded that contribution of bioenergy from conventional biomass cannot be extended significantly in Germany. However, molecular studies of biological and artificial photosynthesis open new paths for the CO2 neutral production of solar powered fuels such as hydrogen and precursors for “green” chemical syntheses [2]. This promising route may contribute to future sustainable, climate friendly energy concepts.
[1] Bioenergy: Chances and limits. Leopoldina, National Academy of Sciences, 2012.
[2] Artificial Photosynthesis. Leopoldina, acatech and Union of German Academies, 2018.
Host: Prof. Dr. Olaf Kruse