Bellona Europe, a non-profit environmental organization, has urged the European Commission to support marine biomass for heat and electricity, as well as biofuels. The organization made the request in its answer to the European Commission’s study on a sustainable bioenergy strategy after 2020.

Bellona Europe stated in a remark that while micro algae have prospered from increased attention and development, the biofuel capacity of seaweed is not yet fully recognized but may be substantial. Seaweeds are especially applicable to existing wet fuel conversion technologies due to their great water content of 85-90 percent.

Because of their high carbohydrate level, seaweeds are also ideal for bioethanol as well as biobutanol synthesis, where the carbohydrates are processed. Meanwhile, the low lignin concentration overcomes many of the issues that wood-based bioethanol companies are now facing.

In addition, the advisory board suggested that the EU implement a cap to regulate the use of land-based biofuel generation to rates that can be maintained sustainably.

According to studies, the EU is already approaching the limitations of available timber and land resources to meet the diverse expanding needs of various areas, including policy-driven electricity consumption.

Furthermore, the EU should assess the long-term capability of land-based local biomass production for energy use, taking into account conflicting applications in other areas and nature conservation, and cap land-based biomass use for electricity correspondingly.

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