Bioenergy in Switzerland: Assessing the domestic sustainable biomass potential

This paper analyzes the sustainable domestic biomass potential for bioenergy in Switzerland. Relevant biomass resources were selected based on expert interviews and literature analyses. A definition of technical and sustainable biomass potentials was developed. The technical and sustainable biomass potentials were then assessed based on technical and sustainability constraints. The sustainable potentials were further subdivided into the already energetically-used potential and the remaining biomass potential. Data was collected from the literature and supplementary interviews with field experts. Finally, the primary energy potential from biomass was calculated and compared to the current Swiss energy demand.We show that there is currently no sustainable potential for agricultural biomass, such as energy crops, crop residues and grass. On the other hand, there is a substantial potential from woody biomass, manure and waste biomass. The main constraints that limit the sustainable biomass potential are competing material utilizations, economic factors as well as the Swiss biofuels policy. Currently, 3.6% of Switzerland's energy demand is met by biomass resources, whereas the remaining potential could provide an additional 3.3%. Hence, with respect to a sustainable energy supply, bioenergy in Switzerland could cover a total share of 7%.