Comparative analysis of the diffusion and commercialization of bioenergy: lessons for new entrants

Abstract

Diffusion and development of renewable energy utilization is one of the main energy policies of the today governments. Among different renewable energy sources, biomass has important capacities for utilization. While some countries are successful in exploiting biomass resources for bio-energy production, many other countries are still in the early stages of development or have not had successful results in their policies. Therefore, understanding policies and successful strategies of the early adopters can help new entrants to formulate and implement the effective development plans. The purpose of this study is to analyze the policies and strategies for the diffusion and commercialization of bioenergy in successful case countries. According to the statistics, Netherlands, Argentina, and Portugal, which have had the most and successful growth in bioenergy production in the last 10 years. Therefore, we focused on mentioned cases and analyzed their commercialization process and diffusion of bioenergy technologies. Our results show that diversification of bioenergy sources and geographical conditions, development of high-tech conversion plants, formulation and implementation of appropriate policies and plans, and the development of users’ and technology developers’ knowledge are the most important factors for success in the utilization and commercialization of bioenergy technologies.

Keywords:

• Renewable energy
• bioenergy
• formulation and implementation of policies
• commercialization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge the University of Tehran for financial supports of the research.

Notes

1 Renewable Energy Directive: The Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC is a European Union directive that mandates the level of renewable energy in the EU. This directive was issued on 23 April 2009, and revises and abolishes the 2001 Renewable Energy Renewables Regulations 2001/77/EC. The directive requires that 20% of the energy consumed in the European Union be made from renewable sources.

2 Feed-in premium: A kind of feed policy, in which renewable energy companies sell electricity at market prices, and insurance cost is added to market prices to offset high costs and thus reduce the financial risks of renewable energy production. The scheme is known in the Netherlands as SDE (Stimuleringsregeling Duurzame Energieproductie). The law requires fuel suppliers to ship fuel to the Dutch market to sell a certain share of biofuels in the market based on energy content that will increase in the coming years.

3 Green deals: This approach in the Netherlands is an accessible way for companies, organizations, local and regional governments, and other stakeholders to work with the central government on green growth and social issues. The goal of this plan is to eliminate barriers and accelerate the implementation of a sustainable government. The central government plays a key role in this regard.

4 Syngas is a kind of gas that combines hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Syngas can be used as a source of hydrogen to produce ammonia, methanol and hydrogen in refining operations, and even as a fuel and lubricant in the Fischer–Tropsch process. Syngas is obtained from natural gas, naphtha, biomass and coal.

5 Proyecto de Energia Renovable en el Mercado Electrico Rural