Biomass is emerging as a focal point in discussions about the future energy system. While some hail it as essential to the green transition, others raise concerns about its impact on biodiversity when forest residuals are used for energy.
Two researchers at RISE, Sweden’s research institute, are offering a nuanced perspective on the issue.
According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, sustainably produced biofuels will play a crucial role in Sweden’s pathway to net zero emissions. Karin Pettersson, an energy systems researcher at RISE, emphasizes that biomass from forest residues remains an important source of renewable energy, especially within the EU, where it accounts for a significant share of renewable energy use.
"But we must find better and more efficient ways to use these residual products," she notes. Innovations such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (bio-CCS), or converting biomass into fuels and chemicals through hydrogen integration, are key strategies for maximizing biomass’s climate benefits.
Strategic Sectors for Biomass
The European Green Deal assigns biomass a range of roles, from enhancing energy security to supporting climate mitigation. However, biomass remains a limited resource, making efficient use and strategic prioritization essential. Pettersson highlights sectors where biomass will be critical long term, particularly aviation and shipping—industries where electrification can only address a fraction of emissions.
Other key areas include the chemical industry, where sustainable carbon atoms from biomass serve as building blocks for new materials. Additionally, achieving net zero—and eventually net negative emissions to meet Paris Agreement targets—will require capturing and storing biogenic carbon.
Long-Term Value of Biomass
Markus Millinger, an energy system analyst at RISE, stresses that the value of biomass lies less in its immediate energy contribution and more in the long-term role of carbon atoms. In a study published in Nature Energy, he found that where biomass is used matters less than ensuring its carbon is captured and reused.
“We will need green carbon atoms in hard-to-abate sectors and for generating negative emissions,” Millinger says. “The more sustainable biomass we can agree to use, the less difficult the energy transition will be. But achieving this will require new regulations and policies at national and European levels.”
A Multifaceted Approach
At RISE, researchers tackle the biomass question from multiple angles, from long-term energy system modeling to technology development and demonstration. The institute also supports companies scaling up technologies that convert biomass and captured carbon dioxide into climate-beneficial products like fuels, chemicals, and materials.
“Biomass is a multifaceted topic that often stirs strong emotions,” Millinger notes. “As researchers, it’s our role to remain objective and ensure that decision-makers at all levels have access to clear, evidence-based insights about biomass’s role in the energy transition.”
About RISE:
RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden) is Sweden’s state-owned research institute and innovation partner. With a mission to support sustainable growth and competitiveness in industry and society, RISE conducts applied research and innovation across a wide range of sectors, including energy, bioeconomy, materials, and digital systems. Through collaboration with academia, industry, and the public sector, RISE develops, tests, and scales solutions that contribute to a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.ri.se.
