Under current plans, the EU aims to be climateneutral
by 2050. However, its industrial sector –
which makes up nearly a quarter of its total energy
consumption – still faces significant technical and
institutional barriers to decarbonization.
This study uses Greece as a case study to investigate
the role of biomass and biomass-derived fuels in
achieving a future carbon-neutral industrial sector in
line with EU targets. This study uses IndustryPLAN
and a methodology which includes interviews and a
literature review to create different scenarios
regarding the future industrial fuel mix in Greece.
These scenarios specify the demand that can be
covered by biomass fuels or electricity, depending
on the required process temperatures.
The results of this investigation are integrated into
the EnergyPLAN, and the final evaluation of the
future scenarios considers the remaining sections of
the Greek energy system.
The evaluation shows that high electrification alone
does not reduce biomass consumption in contrast to
hydrogen use; higher use of dry biomass leads to
better economic results. The preferable scenario
investigated in this study is one that combines
electrification, dry biomass, and gaseous biomass
combustion. It is the preferable scenario because it
offers fuel flexibility and limits biomass
consumption and overall costs.
In contrast, scenarios which use gaseous
electrofuels as an alternative to biomass can
decrease biomass consumption but increase system
costs.
The study concludes that there are feasible
alternatives to decarbonize the Greek industrial
sector while keeping biomass consumption at a
sustainable level.