Renewable energy in Denmark
Renewable energy accounts for app. 17 per cent of the total Danish energy consumption. Biomass is by far the most important source of renewable energy comprising 81.7 PJ out of a total production of renewable energy of 121.5 PJ. Wood including woodchips etcetera accounts for 41.2 PJ, straw for 15.4, biodegradable waste 23.5 PJ. Biogas and biodiesel accounts each for 3 to 4 PJ.
There is a huge potential for increasing the production of bioenergy in Denmark. Only 10 per cent of the biogas potential is utilised. And it is possible to increase the use of straw with at least 60 to 70 per cent. In addition to the use of waste and by-products from agriculture, industry and households there is potential for production of bioenergy from energy crops, management of natural habitats and aquatic biomass. The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries has estimated that the production of bioenergy could be increased with a factor 3 to 5 without compromising the food production.
There are huge potentials for synergies between the use of biomass for energy and other environmental challenges.
When livestock manure and organic residues from households and industry is utilised in biogas plants there is a production of renewable energy, there emission of greenhouse gases from both the energy sector and agriculture is reduced. In addition the bad smell of manure is reduced thus improving the life quality of the people living in the countryside. Finally phosphorus and other scarce minerals are recirculated.
In addition growing of willow or other perennial crops along environmentally sensitive habitats can contribute to protect the aquatic environment from leaching of nitrates while at the same time contributing to carbon sequestration in the soil and production of renewable energy.
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