4biomass Country Study Austria 2009

4Biomass - Fostering the Sustainable Usage of Renewable Energy Sources in Central Europe – Putting Biomass into Action!

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WP 4.2.2 Austria

Country Study on Political Framework and Availability of Biomass

Published by: Austrian Energy Agency Authors: Kerstin Schilcher Johannes Schmidl November 2009

Table of contents

1 Country Indicators Austria .............................................................................1

1.1 Primary Energy Demand in Austria ..........................................................2 1.2 Renewable Energy Sources in Austria ....................................................2

2 Policy Assessment in the Partner Countries ............................................3

2.1 National Bioenergy Policy for Heating/Cooling, Electricity and Transport....................................................................................................3

2.2 Renewables Besides Bioenergy .................................................................3 2.2.1 (Small scale) Hydroelectric power ...................................................................3 2.2.2 Wind .......................................................................................................................3 2.2.3 Solar energy .........................................................................................................3 2.3 Bio-energy ..........................................................................................................3 2.3.1 Biogas, Biofuels....................................................................................................4 2.3.2 Heat from bioenergy (low- and high temperature) .....................................5 2.3.3 District Heat and Electricity from Biomass ....................................................5 2.4 Nuclear energy .................................................................................................6 2.5 Competence-Centres for Biomass: ...........................................................7 2.6 National bioenergy strategies, targets and action plans ................8 2.7 Support schemes for the promotion of the use of energy

from biomass...................................................................................................10 2.7.1 Financial mechanisms for renewables ..........................................................10 2.7.2.1 The Kyoto Target and the Austrian Climate Strategy ..........................11 2.7.2.2 Renewable energy targets based on EU-Directives and the

programme of the Austrian Federal Government .................................12 2.7.3.1 General information about Austrian legislation .....................................13 2.7.3.2 Support instruments on a national level .................................................13 2.7.3.3 Support instruments on a regional level .................................................17 2.7.3.4 Support instruments on a local level .......................................................19 2.7.3.5 Others support instruments .......................................................................20 2.7.3.6 Soft support measures ................................................................................21 2.7.3.7 Spatial planning measures .........................................................................23 2.7.3.8 Policy coherence ...........................................................................................23

3 Sustainability criteria...................................................................................... 24

4 Certification ........................................................................................................ 25

5 Assessment of available biomass resources .......................................... 26

5.1 Heating/cooling, electricity and transport .........................................26

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6 Conflicts on utilization of biomass ............................................................. 29

7 Land use change ............................................................................................... 30

8 Cross country cooperation agreements ................................................... 31

9 List of figures ..................................................................................................... 32

10 List of tables ....................................................................................................... 33

11 Bibliography ....................................................................................................... 34

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1 Country Indicators Austria

Size of country

• Total land area: 83,871 km2 (land: 82,445 km2, water: 1,426 km2)

• Utilised agricultural area: 3,268,000 ha, of which arable land: 1,377,000 ha (16.4 %)

• Forest area (utilised): 3,960,000 ha (3,371,000 ha) 47.2 % (40.2 %)

• Nature protection area: 8 different categories (landscape protection, European protected areas, natural parks, nature conservation areas, protected landscape elements, national parks, nature landscape conservation areas, others), together 27,468 km2 (32.8 %)

Population indicators

• Inhabitants: 8,210,281 (July 2009 est.) (total) • Inhabitants per km2: 97.9

Economic indicators

• GDP: bn € 281.87 (2008) • GDP per capita: € 33.810 (2008)

Energy indicators

• Gross inland consumption: 1,421 PJ (2007), of which 1,299 PJ for energetic uses (the remaining for non-energy-uses)

• Total inland production of primary energy: 458.9 PJ • thereof renewable energy: 350.4 PJ or 76 % of energetic

uses (excl. imports, incl. stock-exchanges) • Primary production of renewable energy: 358.9 PJ or 27.7

% of energetic uses (thereof biomass and waste: 213.1 PJ or 59.3%)

• Final energy consumption: 1,082.6 PJ • RES (biomass) shares of final energy consumption: 152.9

PJ or 15.8% • Electricity from RES: 60,4 % (2007); (RES-E Target 2010:

78,1 %) • Energy imports: 1,246 PJ (268 PJ exports, 15.9 PJ stock) • CO2 emissions per capita: 8,04 tCO2 (2007)

Availability of biomass ressources

• Theoretical potential: 7.54 Mio. ha • Technical potential: 368.3 PJ/a

Source:CIA – The Word Factbook, Federal Austrian Ministry of Environment, ÖROK, Statistics Austria

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1.1 Primary Energy Demand in Austria

Renewables; 358.9

Coal, non energy use; 34.0

Coal; 128.7

Gas, non energy use;10.1

Gas; 285.0 Oil, non energy use;

78.0

Oil; 502.5

electric energy; 23.8

Figure 1: Primary Energy Demand in Austria in PJ, as of 2007

Source: Statistics Austria

1.2 Renewable Energy Sources in Austria

Gross-consumption of renewables in Austria 2007 (2008) in PJ: total ca. 359 PJ

Hydropower; 129,6

Combustible waste; 30,3Logwood; 64,5

Biogenous fuels; 118,3

PV; 0,1Solar thermal; 4,8

Wind; 7,6Heat Pump; 4,4

Figure 2: Renewable energy sources in Austria – gross consumption in 2007 (2008 for

solar thermal, PV heat pumps, wind); total 358.9 PJ;

Source: Statistics Austria


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2 Policy Assessment in the Partner Countries

2.1 National Bioenergy Policy for Heating/Cooling, Electricity and Transport

Objectives of the BAP are to increase the share of renewables from 23% in 2004 to 45% in 2020 (currently, this goal has been adjusted to 34%, according to 2009/28/EC, a related energy strategy is under preparation). Objectives of national policy are security of supply, increase of renewable energies to reduce dependence from fossil fuels-imports and foreign supply, to minimize GHG emissions, and providing employment opportunities and added value in rural regions.

2.2 Renewables Besides Bioenergy

2.2.1 (Small scale) Hydroelectric power

In 2007, about 10.0 % of Austria’s energy needs resp. 58% of its electricity demand, which accounts for 129.6 PJ (36 TWh), were produced by hydroelectric power plants. Large scale plants (above 10 MW) produced about 30.5 TWh electric energy annually, small scale plants (below 10 MW), produced an additional 5.5 TWh. The Austrian Eco-Electricity Act of 2002 has set strong incentives for the refurbishment of old small hydro power plants and the construction of new ones.

2.2.2 Wind

The electricity produced annually from wind, based on installed capacity as of 2009, will amount to about 2.1 TWh or some 2.9 % of Austrian gross electricity consumption.

2.2.3 Solar energy

Thermal energy: At the end of 2008, 4 million m2 collectors were installed in Austria, producing some 4.8 PJ of useful heat energy per year. Electrical energy: Some 32 MW of solar electricity were installed in Austria at the end of 2008, 4 MW of it in island mode, the remainder connected to the grid. The production amounted to about 29 GWh of electricity.

2.3 Bio-energy

Bio-energy accounts for some 213.1 PJ of annual production, which is 16.4 % of primary energy demand (if non-energy uses are disregarded). Logwood still dominates. The highest growth rates can be seen for pellets.

There is a common consensus regarding an increased use of bioenergy in the future. There is a working-group installed, which shall develop a strategy to reach 34% of renewable energy by 2020; results gained by this group will be published in 2010.


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Table 1: Sources of bioenergy, as used in Austria in 2007; in PJ. (Sources: AEA, Austrian Biomass

Association, Landwirtschaftskammer Niederösterreich, Statistik Austria, Propellets Austria)

Source PJ/year (2007)

Logwood 64.4

Waste wood from Industry and other biogenous sources, woodchips

63,2

Wood pellets, wood- and bark-briquettes 8.6

Straw 2.0

Biodiesel, ethanol 14.8

Bio-, sewage-, landfill gas 5.0

Waste lyes from paper- and pulp industry 25.0

Combustible waste 30.3

Total 213.1

2.3.1 Biogas, Biofuels

In 2008, 340 biogas plants were in operation throughout the country with a total capacity of 91.4 MW, producing about 503 GWh of electricity in addition to heat.

Total traffic-fuel demand in Austria amounts to some 9 Mio. tons. At the end of 2008, the production-capacity of biodiesel plants was about 578,000 tons, which is enough to meet the demand of 5.75% of biodiesel in traffic fuels according to EU-Directive 2003/30/EG. The production-capacity of bioethanol amounts to 240,000 tons per year in one plant alone, which is situated at Pischelsdorf, Lower Austria.

Figure 3: Production sites for biodiesel and ethanol in Austria, 2008 Source: Austrian Biomass Association, 2009


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2.3.2 Heat from bioenergy (low- and high temperature)

The low-temperature heat market has traditionally been, and remains by far the most important market for biomass in Austria. Small scale heating systems are fuelled by logwood, briquettes, woodchips or pellets, district heating systems are fuelled by woodchips from forestry, from wood-processing industry, and by bark.

The most popular domestic heating systems are tiled stoves, approximately 450,000 are in operation throughout the country : 100,000 are used as main heating system, the rest as support for the central heating system. Biomass heating is especially well developed in rural areas where firewood has been the main source of energy for heating for centuries.

While the share of coal-heated households is disappearing fast and the number of oil- and gas-heated households remains stagnant at high levels, about 20% of Austrian households are heated by biomass. As shown in Table 2, their number increased in the last years. The increase is mainly due to automatic systems such as pellet heating systems.

There are more than 60 enterprises working in the production and the installation of biomass systems.

Table 2: Heating of households in Austria by used heating system and fuel

2004 2007 % in 2007

Wood, Pellets, Woodchips, wood-briquettes

590.119 740.245 20,73

coal, coke 63.934 37.137 1,04 oil 876.304 822.376 23,03 Electricity 254.550 249.248 6,98 nat. gas 955.098 915.933 25,65 solar, heating pump 26.830 55.706 1,56 District Heat 662.883 750.244 21,01 Total 3.429.719 3.570.88

9 100,00

High-temperature- and process heat is being used in wood-processing industry and in pulp- and paper industry for industrial purposes.

2.3.3 District Heat and Electricity from Biomass

There are about 1,100 biomass district heating plants in operation in Austria with an installed power of about 1,300 MW in 2008. They convert about 10 PJ of biomass (mostly forest based, a few are fuelled by straw) to heat for heating and for the provision of hot water.

Their power ranges from very small plants (50 kW to 200 kW) for the supply of a group of houses or single big buildings to medium scale plants (200 kW to 2 MW) for the supply


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of villages, parts of small towns, industrial- and big buildings to big plants in the range of 2 to 20 MW for the supply of towns and cities, or for providing process heat for the wood processing industry.

Figure 4: Location of biomass-CHPs in Austria (red circles; as of 2007; green dots= biomass

district heating plants).

Some of the big plants are additionally equipped with a CHP (combined heat and power supply system) which produces electricity. Technically, the ORC process is applied for medium scale plants, big plants usually have a steam process (turbine or engine). Financially, CHP is feasible when the electricity is used in industrial processes to substitute for purchased electricity, or when it is supported by special feed-in-tariffs or other incentives, as is the case in Austria and Germany, for example.

Mid 2008, 519,6 MWel based on biomass were connected to the Austrian grid, of that 91.4 from biogas, 26.2 from liquid biofuels, the remaining 402 MW from solid biomass. Electricity-production amounted to 1.9 TWh from solid biomass (incl. waste), 503 GWh from biogases, 36 GWh from liquid biofuels. Additional to that, the paper and pulp-industry produced about 25 PJ of heat and electricity, mainly for their production processes.

Thanks to a high share of hydropower, 71.5% of Austrian production of electricity were based on renewables, the rest on fossil fuels.

2.4 Nuclear energy

Austria does not operate nuclear power plants. A ready-to-run plant in Zwentendorf did not start operation due to the result of a referendum in 1978 (50.5 % against operation). In the aftermath of the referendum, a law was adopted by the Austrian Parliament which


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practically stopped the construction and operation of nuclear power plants based on nuclear fission for the future.

There is a general agreement among the Austrian society that the country should not operate nuclear power plants and, on the contrary, should support the non-fossil alternatives to nuclear power, which are practically energy saving and renewable energy sources. This opposition to nuclear power since 1978 has been a strong argument for the support of renewable energy sources.

2.5 Competence-Centres for Biomass:

There are many competence-centers for bioenergy in Austria, ranging from research-institutes both at University level extra-faculty, lobbying institutes, competence centers for practical application, the Agricultural chambers of the nine federated states to public relations-centers aiming at awareness raising for the society at large. There is no need for the establishment of further competence-centers in Austria.

A lot of plumbers received special training-courses, organized and carried out by the Austrian Biomass Association, which provided them the competence (expertise) to install biomass heating systems properly.

Besides that, many companies and workshops produce heating systems both small- and big scale, others offer planning services for district heating systems and others. In the following the most important competence-centers are presented:

• Ministries:

o Federal Minstry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management www.lebensministerium.at

o Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology, www.bmvit.gv.at

o Federal Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth, www.bmwfj.gv.at

• Raw material, resources

o "Österreichische Bundesforste AG-Austrian Federal Forest AG": biggest forest-owner in the country www.bundesforste.at

• Universities, Research Institutes

o “University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences” www.boku.ac.at

o “Technical Universities of Vienna”: Institute of Chemical engineering (Fluidized Bed gasification of biomass) http://www.vt.tuwien.ac.at/

o “Graz University of Technology”: Institute of Chemical engineering, http://portal.tugraz.at/portal/page/portal/TU_Graz

o "Joaneum Research, Institute for Energy Research": (Stirling-engine, combustion-research,…): www.joanneum.at

o BLT Josephinum: testing-site for small scale heating systems: http://blt.josephinum.at/ .


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http://www.lebensministerium.at/

http://www.bmvit.gv.at/

http://www.bmwfj.gv.at/

http://www.bundesforste.at/

http://www.boku.ac.at/

http://www.vt.tuwien.ac.at/

http://portal.tugraz.at/portal/page/portal/TU_Graz

http://www.joanneum.at/

http://blt.josephinum.at/

o Bioenergy 2020+: this is a Merger of RENET and Austrian Bioenergy Centre. It will bundle the key research activities of bioenergy in Austria, the above mentioned institutions will be partners; it started in Feb. 2009, a website will follow soon. Key areas of research: Combustion (Small-, medium and industrial scale), Gasification (Thermal and biological; Power, heat and transport fuel), Modeling & Simulation. Total staff appr. 60, Turnover: ~6 Mio €/a.

o Applied research is furthermore being carried out at the sites of 10 to 20 manufacturers of automatic heating systems, at the Austrian Tile Stove Association – Research Center of the Austrian Stove Fitters: http://www.kachelofenverband.at.

• Advice, technical support

o Agrar Plus: advice and technical support for farmers and operators of district heating plants http://www.agrarplus.at (focused on lower Austria)

• Lobbying, interest organizations

o “Austrian Biomass Association”: Lobbying, information work, training courses for installers: www.biomasseverband.at

o Agricultural chambers in Austria: 9 regional chambers for the 9 Federal States, one central chamber: policy recommendations, lobbying, support for farmers: http://www.agrarnet.info/

o Pro-pellets: Lobbying and information-work for the introduction of pellets in the market. www.propellets.at

2.6 National bioenergy strategies, targets and action plans

A national Austrian biomass strategy is in preparation; it will be part of a new national energy strategy and is supposed to be issued in early 2010. This strategy will be elaborated according to 2009/28/EC. A National Biomass Action Plan has been developed as suggested by the EU Commission in 2005, it is in force, however, it will be revised and be part of the new energy strategy.

There is a Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development in place, which was issued in 2002: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and water Management (2002): Austrian Strategy for Sustainable Development. In 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, indicator-reports were issued which explain how different indicators meet the goals of the strategy. The Strategy specifies 52 Indicators in four action fields, and includes 20 key objectives with quantified time-bound goals:


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http://www.agrarplus.at/

http://www.biomasseverband.at/

http://www.agrarnet.info/

http://www.propellets.at/

Figure 5: Source: www.nachhaltigkeit.at

In 1994 Austria ratified the convention on biological diversity, which became legally binding (BGBL. 213/1995). Legal responsibility concerning biological diversity is divided between the state and the nine Federal States. A commission, headed by the Federal


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Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and water Management is acting on the implementation of the act.

Concerning sustainability-criteria, the most important instrument is the Austrian Forest Law, where sustainability is legally stipulated: forests have to remain forests, limit to harvested amount is fixed etc.

Furthermore, a lot of papers have been produced concerning sustainability, however, their status is mainly recommending, not binding as a law. Sustainability-criteria have “to be taken into consideration” when new laws are being implemented by all the social actors in their decision-making.

2.7 Support schemes for the promotion of the use of energy from biomass

2.7.1 Financial mechanisms for renewables

The nine Federal (or Federated) States (Länder) of Austria have different support schemes for construction of newly built houses and refurbishment of old ones (support-scheme of the residential building sector). All of the schemes support the use of renewable energy sources like solar thermal energy and bioenergy in one or the other way .

The Ministry of the Environment supports measures in companies that increase energy efficiency or make use of renewable energy resources. A lot of different systems, applicable for a lot of different types of companies, can be applied. They are implemented by Kommunalkredit AG, see http://www.kommunalkredit.at/ .

The Eco-Electricity Act encourages production via feed-in tariffs and via investment subsidies; a new scheme was being prepared in 2009 and should become law by September 2009, however, its implementation was stopped by the EU due to an unclear role of indirect support for industry.

Austria’s energy policy is simultaneously conducted at several, the federal and the regional level. The federal Constitution allocates responsibilities either to the federal level or to the regional level. Furthermore energy policy is formulated and implemented in close co-operation with the social partner organisations, which represent important groups of society (employers, employees, agriculture), and in dialogue with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public at large.

The most important Austrian energy policy making institutions at the federal level are:

Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour: the main government institution responsible for energy matters at the federal level

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management: responsible for environmental protection, including climate change and emissions from combustion.

Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology: responsible for transport policy and energy R&D


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http://www.kommunalkredit.at/

Federal Ministry of Finance: responsible of setting energy taxes

The above mentioned ministries and the federal states have to co-operate in the one or the other way when new laws are prepared and passed.

At the regional level, the governments of the nine federal states also have responsibility for policy making, setting subsidy levels, and implementing regulatory control of energy companies.

At a local level, municipalities or cities also have some possibilities for implementing energy measures. Examples are land-use planning activities, measures concerning energy supply, mobility and internal organisation. Further, cities have a big responsibility regarding awareness raising. They can for example start information campaigns, organise special energy events or publish brochures to inform their inhabitants.

2.7.2 Renewable energy targets


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2.7.2.1 The Kyoto Target and the Austrian Climate Strategy

The main environmental challenge facing Austria is the achievement of its Kyoto commitment. Austria has to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 13 % until the period of 2008-2012 compared to 1990. The Austrian Climate Strategy, published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, includes a long list of cost-efficient climate protection measures necessary for reaching the Kyoto target. These measures include:

Regulatory measures

Fiscal measures

Subsidization and public investments

Flexible mechanism such as Joint Implementation projects, Clean Development measures and EU emissions trading

According to the 2009 Report on Climate Change Mitigation in Austria in 2007 greenhouse gas emissions in Austria amounted to 88 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 equivalents), 11,3% above the levels of 1990. This means emissions in 2007 were 19,2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents above the annual mean value of the Kyoto target stipulated for 2008-2012. When considering emission trading as well as Joint Implementation and Clean Development Mechanism (JI/CDM) projects and the afforestation/deforestation balance, the deviation from the target is still around 8,1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents.

The main sources of GHG emissions in 2007 were the sectors industry (29,2%), transport (27,6%), energy supply (15,9%) and energy demand (residential and commercial) (12,6%). In the sectors industry and energy supply around 80% of the emissions are caused by plants participating in emission trading (Kranzl et al, 2009).

Renewable energy sources do also have an important role for reaching the climate targets. Further on the Austrian government has established the klima:aktiv programme to support the achievement of the targets in the strategy. This is a commendable programme addressing all sectors of the economy and supporting energy efficiency and renewables at the same time.

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2.7.2.2 Renewable energy targets based on EU-Directives and the programme of the Austrian Federal Government

Since Austria’s entry to the European Union in 1995, renewable energy policy has been driven to some extent by EU policies. In line with the Communication of the European Commission on a Biomass Action Plan (Doc. 15741/05) and the Commission Communication on an EU Strategy for Biofuels (Doc. 6153/06), Austria’s energy policy is putting a strong focus on increasing the use of biomass as an energy source. The Austrian government sees increased use of renewables in general and biomass in particular as contributing to the three main objectives of energy policy by:

Enhancing security of supply through the diversification of energy supply sources and the reduction of dependence on external energy sources.

Enhancing competitiveness through the development of new and efficient technologies and providing economic growth and employment opportunities in rural areas.

Promoting environmental sustainability through the reduction of GHG emissions and an increase of the share of renewable energy sources, while respecting other environmental policy objectives.

Austria adopted or reaffirmed targets for renewables in 2006, which were set as follows:

To raise the share of renewables in primary energy demand, and in particular to raise biomass utilisation, but without setting a numerical share.

To raise the share of renewables in electricity production from 70 % (1997) to 78,1 % (2010) according to the EU Directive 2001/77/EC.

To reach a share of renewables in the transport sector of 5.75 % by 2008 according to the EU Biofuels Directive.

According to the Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RES Directive), Austria`s national objective is a share of 34 % renewables and at the same time decrease the GHG – emissions in those sectors which are not part of the ETS until 2020 by 16%. In addition, the European target of 10% RES share in the transport sector also applies to Austria.

In order to reach the 2020 targets the Austrian federal ministry of economy, family and youth and the ministry of agriculture, forestry, environment and water management initiated the policy process "Energy Strategy Austria" in June 2009. The aim of this process is the development of a sustainable energy system that guarantees the supply of energy services to private households and enterprises and at the same time is fulfilling the EU 2020 targets. Energy supply security, environmental compatibility, cost efficiency, energy efficiency, social compatibility and competitiveness are the framework conditions for the work within this process. The process "Energy Strategy Austria" is supposed to come up with concrete measures for fulfilling these targets. For this purpose, nine topical working groups have been established. These working groups were cooperating until autumn 2009 and three official meetings were scheduled for each of them. After the results of these working groups are completed, a clearer picture about technology specific and in particular bioenergy specific targets might be available. Up to now, there is only a preliminary study for a bioenergy

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action plan (BMLFUW, 2006) which however has not been adopted formally. In June 2010 the national renewable action plan (nREAP) for Austria has to be presented to the European Commission, including sector and technology specific targets. The “Energy Strategy Austria” will form the basis for the nREAP

In 2005 21.3 % of Austria’s primary energy supply was covered from renewables. In 2006 that share increased to 22.4 %.The most important renewable energy sources in Austria are large-scale hydro for electricity production and biomass for electricity and heat production.

2.7.3 Overview of existing support instruments for RES-H


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2.7.3.1

2.7.3.2

General information about Austrian legislation

Austria’s energy policy is simultaneously conducted at two levels, the federal and the regional level. The federal Constitution allocates responsibilities either to the federal level or to the regional level. Further more energy policy is formulated and implemented in close co-operation with the social partner organisations, which represent important groups of society (employers, employees, agriculture), and in dialogue with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the public.

The most important Austrian energy policy making institutions at the federal level are:

Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour: the main government institution responsible for energy matters at the federal level

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management: responsible for environmental protection, including climate change and emissions from combustion.

Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology: responsible for transport policy and energy R&D

Federal Ministry of Finance: responsible of setting energy taxes

At the regional level, the governments of the nine provinces also have responsibility for policy making, setting subsidy levels, and implementing regulatory control of energy companies.

At a local level, municipalities or cities also have some possibilities for implementing energy measures. Examples are land-use planning activities, measures concerning energy supply, mobility and internal organisation. Further, cities have a big responsibility regarding awareness raising. They can for example start information campaigns, organise special energy events or publish brochures to inform their inhabitants.

Support instruments on a national level

Name of policy Environmental Support Scheme for Austrian Enterprises

Year of

implementation 2001

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Current Status in force

Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. biomass, geothermal, solar

Policy Type financial incentive

Target Group companies

Funding in 2006: € 75.7 million; in 2007: € 92.2 million

Responsible

Institution

Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management

URL www.public-consulting.at

Description In the frame of the Environmental Support Act the Environmental Support Scheme for Austrian Enterprises offers subsidies to companies. Companies can obtain subsidies for the use of renewable energies (precondition: standards of heating and cooling equipment have to be met), for the enhancement of energy efficiency and for other climate related measures.

In the field of renewable energies the fund supports:

• biomass (individual plants, local heat, CHP)

• heat distribution

• geothermal installations

• energy recovery from organic waste

• solarthermal systems

• electricity producing plants

The fund is managed by Kommunalkredit Public Consulting GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management.

In 2006 2,333 projects with a total investment volume of € 437.6 million and a total funding of € 75.7 million were supported.

Name of policy Federal Promotion of Extraordinary Efficiency in Residential Buildings (according to Art. 15a of the Federal Constitution)

Year of

implementation 2006


Policy Type regulatory instrument

Target Group households

Responsible

Institution Regional Governments

URL www.presse.lebensministerium.at/artiche/articleview/43042/

Description The programme to reduce the climate impacts of housing was announced by Austria´s federal and regional governments. Under the deal, residential buildings must clearly exceed regulatory standards to qualify for the Support Scheme for Residential Buildings. The agreement includes an initial insulation standard of 65 kWh per square metre, falling to 25-45 kWh/m² by 2010. It also introduces new incentives for using renewable heating systems.

Name of policy klima:aktiv


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http://www.public-consulting.at/

Year of

implementation 2004


Policy Target support in achieving the Kyoto target

Policy Type awareness raising

Target Group all different kinds of actors

Funding The government provides about 5 million € per year to the klima:aktiv programmes.

Responsible

Institution


URL http://www.klimaaktiv.at/article/archive/13182/

Description In 2004 the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management launched an eight-year initiative programme for active climate protection. klima:aktiv is an innovative add-on to common instruments of the Austrian Climate Strategy, introducing target-group oriented programmes in the areas energy efficiency & buildings, mobility, communities and renewable energy sources. In the area of renewable energy sources the programmes of today are:

• heating pumps

• solar thermal

• biomass heating plants

• biogas

• heat from wood

• energy wood

klima:aktiv combines various market-constituent measures and effectuates target-oriented implementation, by providing easier access to target groups and resources for attaining the commonly set targets, by enhanced know how-transfer with support in vocational training and networking of important actors, by the organisation and development of quality assurance and standards as well as by target group-specific information and marketing. The overall objective is to reduce energy consumption and to enforce CO2-neutral usage of energy. klima:aktiv seeks to bring about a breakthrough in the use of climate-friendly technologies and services in the field of energy-efficiency and renewable energy. Furthermore klima:aktiv wants to accrue their market shares in different areas.

The initiative aims at enhancing quality and accelerating the introduction of climate friendly technologies and services, which shall become common alternatives for companies and for private end-users as soon as possible. Networking will help to activate all relevant actors so that the business location of Austria will be strengthened in a sustainable and innovative way. Klima:aktiv programmes educate investors in climate-relevant areas (e.g. promoters of residential housing projects, companies, and home builders) by developing expertise of the providers of respective services (master builders, architects) and by promoting experienced workers in their relevant markets.

Name of policy Tax Incentives for Investment in Residential Renewable Generation and Residential Efficiency


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Policy Target solar thermal and heat pumps



Responsible

Institution Ministry of Finance

URL http://www.solarwaerme.at/EFH/Foerderungen/

Description The personal income tax law specifies a variety of special expenses, such as the purchase of solar or heat pump technologies for residences that can be deducted from the income. This is capped at € 2 920 per year for ordinary tax payers. An additional deduction of € 2 920 for single income households, and € 1 460 is granted if there are at least three children living in the household. Only 25 % of the amount may be deducted from the income.

Name of policy Subsidy Campaign for Biomass Heating Plants for Residential Use

Year of

implementation 2008 (valid between April 8th and Feb. 28th 2009)


Policy Target small biomass heating plants (< 50 kW)



Funding 9 Million € for the period of validity

Responsible

Institution Climate and Energy Fund

URL http://www.public-consulting.at/de/portal/umweltfrderungen/klimaundenergiefonds/frderaktionholzheizungen/

Description All persons who buy a biomass heating plant for private use only can obtain a subsidy of € 800,- (pellets) or of € 400,- (other biomass).

Name of policy Financial Incentives for Rural Biomass Energy Generation


Policy Target rural biomass energy projects (e.g. biogas, solid biomass)


Target Group agricultural companies

Responsible Institution


Description Rural biomass energy projects such as district heating from wood chips and biogas CHPs receive an investment grant.


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http://www.public-consulting.at/de/portal/umweltfrderungen/


www.4biomass.eu

2.7.3.3 Support instruments on a regional level

Name of policy Support Scheme for Residential Buildings


Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. biomass, solar thermal,




Regional Government

Description Through the Subsidy Scheme for Residential Buildings measures on renewable energy and energy efficiency are financed. These subsidies are granted for newly built houses as well as for the renovation of existing houses. While the initial purpose of these subsidies goes back to social thoughts, renewable energies and energy efficiency have become a more and more important criteria for the eligibility of these funds. Minimum standards on the building’s energy consumption are nowadays a prerequisite for receiving these subsidies. Measures financed through these subsidies are for instance:

• Insulation of buildings (e.g. thermal insulation of windows, exterior walls, roofs, etc.)

• Heating systems based on renewable energies or district heating (from renewables or CHP): e.g. solar thermal installations, heat pumps, biomass heating, etc.

• Ecological building material

• High-density housing: possible reduction of urban sprawl and transport intensity

The Subsidy Scheme for Residential Buildings is subject to regional law (“provinces”). Therefore there are different subsidy schemes in each of the 9 provinces. Approximately 2.5 bill. € (20 % for renovation and 80 % for new buildings) are granted every year in the context of this subsidy scheme (not exclusively for energy measures).

The financial support allocated to the Subsidy Scheme for Residential Buildings is guaranteed by the Financial Distribution Act (allocating federal tax revenues to executive bodies on federal, provincial and municipal level).

Name of policy Direct or loophole subsidies


Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. biomass, solar thermal,

Policy Type financial Incentive



Regional Governments

Description In case that no Support Scheme for Residential Buildings is offered, some provinces offer a “loophole” subsidy. This kind of subsidy is for all plants which do not meet the minimum investment volume requested by the Support Scheme for Residential Buildings.

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Name of policy Subsidies for Biomass District Heating Plants


Policy Target biomass district heating


Target Group companies or agricultural cooperative societies



Description An investment grant is offered to companies or agricultural cooperative societies that produce district heat from biomass.

Name of policy Subsidies for Private Companies


Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. biomass, solar thermal)


Target Group private companies



Description In some provinces companies which invest in renewable energy sources for heating are supported by investment grants.

Name of policy Subsidies for sports complexes


Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. solar thermal, heat pumps)


Target Group owner of sports complexes


Regional Government

Description In the frame of the building or renovation of sports complexes Austrian provinces offer investment grants for renewable energy plants.


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Name of policy Programme for Municipalities


Policy Target the use of renewable energy sources

Policy Type awareness raising financial incentive

Target Group Municipalities


Regional Government (Upper Austria)

Description Upper Austria supports their municipalities in realising activities regarding energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and energy concepts. The subsidy is limited with 20,000 €. Subsidies are for example granted for the realisation of energy concepts. Subsidies are not offered for investments in energy plants or labour costs.

Name of policy Energy Consulting Service

Policy Type awareness raising

Target Group households, companies, municipalities,…



Description All Austrian provinces offer energy consulting services.

2.7.3.4 Support instruments on a local level

Name of policy Support for Renewable Energy Plants

Policy Target multiple renewable energy sources (e.g. solar thermal, heat pumps,


Target Group households, companies, others


municipalities

Description In addition to the federal and the regional support instruments, a lot of Austrian municipalities do offer investment grants for the use of renewable energy sources (e.g. solar thermal, heat pumps) for heating.


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www.4biomass.eu

2.7.3.5 Others support instruments

Name of policy Subsidies granted by energy supplying companies

Policy Target heat pumps


Target Group clients of the energy supplying companies


Energy supplying company

Description Some Austrian energy supplying companies do offer subsidies for

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2.7.3.6 Soft support measures

In 2004 the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management launched an eight-year initiative programme for active climate protection. klima:aktiv is an innovative add-on to common instruments of the Austrian Climate Strategy, introducing target-group oriented programmes in the areas energy efficiency & buildings, mobility, communities and renewable energy sources. In the area of renewable energy sources the programmes of today are:

heating pumps

solar thermal

biomass heating plants

biogas

heat from wood

energy wood

klima:aktiv combines various market-constituent measures and effectuates target-oriented implementation, by providing easier access to target groups and resources for attaining the commonly set targets, by enhanced know how-transfer with support in vocational training and networking of important actors, by the organisation and development of quality assurance and standards as well as by target group-specific information and marketing.

The overall objective is to reduce energy consumption and to enforce CO2-neutral usage of energy. klima:aktiv seeks to bring about a breakthrough in the use of climate-friendly technologies and services in the field of energy-efficiency and renewable energy. Furthermore klima:aktiv wants to accrue their market shares in different areas.

The initiative aims at enhancing quality and accelerating the introduction of climate friendly technologies and services, which shall become common alternatives for companies and for private end-users as soon as possible. Networking will help to activate all relevant actors so that the business location of Austria will be strengthened in a sustainable and innovative way. Klima:aktiv programmes educate investors in climate-relevant areas (e.g. promotors of residential housing projects, companies, and home builders) by developing expertise of the providers of respective services (master builders, architects) and by promoting experienced workers in their relevant markets.

Networking The specialist journal ‘energy’, which has been published in colour since 2005, and is printed in an edition of 1,600 copies is distributed among the key stakeholders and energy experts in Austria. The journal focuses particularly on the future of climate protection, on a common energy policy in Europe, an Austrian energy strategy, the possibilities and limits of promoting energy efficiency at the municipal level, and many other important issues related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. Another instrument for networking is the website of Austrian Energy Agency, www.energyagency.at

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http://www.energyagency.at/

Awareness raising, awareness campaigns, knowledge dissemination by authorities, networking activities and similar activities are mainly carried out by the Austrian Biomass Association (ABA). ABA also issues a quarterly magazine called “Ökoenergie” which is the main instrument of communication within the biomass-community. The Austrian Biomass Association also organizes the “Austrian Biomass Day” (annually) and other conferences, and it decorates the “bioenergy-plumber of the year”.

Specific measures for mobilisation of new biomass potential

From the 83.871 km2of Austria, 47% are covered by forest. Wood from the steep alpine regions is not easy to gather. Annual cut amounts to 22 million m³, the additional potential is about 7.6 million m³ of forest biomass. 13.7 million m³ are imported, 9.9 million m³ are exported. Despite these figures, there is a shortage of resources. Rising prices for energy and rising energy-consumption make the mobilisation of timber in the forests necessary.

Within the klima:aktiv program, there is a sub-program aiming at the mobilisation of additional biomass resources: the klima:aktiv program „timber for energetic use“ with seven working-packages (WPs):

WP1: building and strengthen networks

WP2: Improvement of transparency on the market

WP3: Improvement of services

WP4: Steps for increasing energy efficiency

WP5: Improvement of education

WP6: Strengthen R&D activities

WP7: political lobbying

Figure 6: development of demand for forest based biomass over time. (FM/a=solid m3 per year;

KWK=CHP, HW=heating plant, Brennholz=fuelwood)


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2.7.3.7

2.7.3.8

Spatial planning measures

Spatial planning is legal issue of the Federal States. With respect to the type of energy it takes mainly place in some cities, where district heat or natural gas are enforced in some areas (mainly due to reasons of emission reductions).

Spatial planning with respect to the utilization of forests is mainly regulated by the Austrian forest law.

Policy coherence

There is a coordination between policy-actors of different administrative levels and sectors. The usual way of legal measures into force is from EU to national and further (if necessary) to the Federal States. Usually, there are contradictory ideas between actors on the same administrative level, but with different backgrounds: for example (to raise a stereotype) between the ministries of finance (wants to keep spending low), of agriculture and forestry (wants to support measures with significant amounts) and economy (wants to keep industry out of financial and other commitments).

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3 Sustainability criteria The most important instrument to keep sustainability in forestry is the Austrian Forest Law, which, in its roots, dates back to 1848. It was reformed several times since. The present Austrian Forest Law dates back to 1975, and was last amended in 2002. Natural protection is a topic where the nine federal states produce most of the laws. So they differ from one federal state to the other. For example, there are eight different categories of nature protection area: (landscape protection, European protected areas, natural parks, nature conservation areas, protected landscape elements, national parks, nature landscape conservation areas, others), together 27,468 km2 or 32.8 % of Austrian Forests. Most of the other sustainability-criteria are mainly considered being “soft indicators” for the development of legal acts. They are more and more taken into consideration.


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4 Certification Austria respects the above mentioned schemes. About 2 Mio. hectares of forest participate in PEFC with a certification-standard (Aug. 2009) adjusted to the Austrian conditions (http://www.pefc.at/). The Austrian PEFC-certification-standard is under adjustment in Sept. 2009. An additional 5,086 ha of forests participate in FSC-certification standards (as of June 2009). Source: Katharina Lohr, PEFC Austria.

Concerning the certification of agricultural biomass in Austria, there is currently no system legally enforced. However, such a system is currently under preparation. Source: Elisabeth Süßenbacher, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Sept. 3rd, 2009.


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http://www.pefc.at/

5 Assessment of available biomass resources

5.1 Heating/cooling, electricity and transport

In the following figure, the import and export of fuelwood in tonnes and in the year 2007 is portrait (export: green arrows; import: yellow arrows).

Figure 7: International trade of biomass with respect to Austria (2007). Source: Kranzl &

Diesenreiter, 2009, TU Wien, Energy Economics Group

Table 3: Forests and their utilization in Austria 2007 (sm3: solid cubic meter)

Austria

Forested area 3,924,000 ha

Wood stored in the forests/ha 294.7 Sm3/ha

Total amount of wood stored in forests

988 Msm3

Growth relative 6.9 Sm3/ha/a

Growth absolute 27 Msm3/a

Annual cut 20 Msm3/a

Forest biomass in energy supply 141.4 PJ/a


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Figure 8 (next page): Woodflow of Austria


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A realistic potential for the annual production of forest-biomass in Austria is 25 to 28 Msm3 in 2020. This would mean an increase of 40 to 55%, as compared to the last years, or 30 to 56 PJ/year of additional primary energy, if all of it would be used for energy purposes.

According to a study issued by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management, (www.lebensministerium.at) the total potential of forest biomass in 2020 will be within a bandwidth of 23.9 to 31.1 sm3 per year, mainly depending on the frame-conditions like price for wood, infrastructure for harvesting, etc.

To realise this potential, further support like

• production of plans for the utilization of forests,

• construction of forest roads,

• procurement of equipment etc.

is being supported by 100 Mio. € until 2013.


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http://www.lebensministerium.at/

6 Conflicts on utilization of biomass These topics are subject of discussion in the political arena and in the public. However, mainly with respect to imported biofuels and their respective ecological “rucksack” (backpack). There are some conflicts ongoing concerning the following issues:

• Public support for bioenergy systems (especially district heating systems). Actors: Austrian Biomass-Association and agricultural interest organizations versus the Institute for Economic Oil Heating Systems (IWO) and “pure” economists.

• Weighting of the role of emissions, especially of CO2 versus classical hazardous emissions (CxHy, CO, NOx, dust). Actors: Austrian Biomass-Association and agricultural interest organisations versus the Institute for Economic Oil Heating Systems (IWO) and other lobbies for fossil fuels.

• Further implementation of biofuels for traffic versus keeping prices low for traffic fuels. Actors: agricultural interest organizations, some environmentalist versus other environmentalists and interest organizations of consumers, which want low fuel prices. Environmentalists are split about this issue. The question is to be seen against the background of the extent to which sustainability is simply to be identified with renewability.


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7 Land use change Land use change has been a topic on the agenda and has been discussed by political actors. However, this topic is not considered being of burning issue with respect to the utilisation of bioenergy in Austria. It is rather discussed in relation to a general structural change in Austrian agriculture, and the covering of soil due to urbanisation and infrastructure construction.

Application of fertilisers and pesticides has been widely discussed with respect to imported bioenergy-sources, especially to palm-oil and similar energy carriers. Using of fertilizers and pesticides for the cultivation of oilseeds (rape) within the country has been criticised by environmentalists. Both discussions are ongoing.

Another ongoing discussion concerns the overgrowing of high alpine pastures with trees and forests due to reduced high-alpine farming (alpine pastures can only be pastured during a few summer-months, which is more and more economically un-feasible).


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8 Cross country cooperation agreements Currently, there are no cross-border regulations with neighbouring countries existing. Environmental Impact Assessment has a cross-border-relevance which means, that Austria and/or federal states of Austria gain status as a party in certain There is, however, export and import of bioenergy of and from neighbouring countries (see also Figure 8).


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9 List of figures

Figure 1: Primary Energy Demand in Austria in PJ, as of 2007 Source: Statistics Austria..................................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2: Renewable energy sources in Austria – gross consumption in 2007 (2008 for solar thermal, PV heat pumps, wind); total 358.9 PJ; Source: Statistics Austria................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 3: Production sites for biodiesel and ethanol in Austria, 2008 Source: Austrian Biomass Association, 2009...................................................................................................... 4

Figure 4: Location of biomass-CHPs in Austria (red circles; as of 2007; green dots= biomass district heating plants)............................................................................ 6

Figure 5: Source: www.nachhaltigkeit.at ....................................................................... 9

Figure 6: development of demand for forest based biomass over time. (FM/a=solid m3 per year; KWK=CHP, HW=heating plant, Brennholz=fuelwood)22

Figure 7: International trade of biomass with respect to Austria (2007). Source: Kranzl & Diesenreiter, 2009, TU Wien, Energy Economics Group ........................... 26

Figure 8 (next page): Woodflow of Austria .................................................................. 27


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10 List of tables

Table 1: Sources of bioenergy, as used in Austria in 2007; in PJ. (Sources: AEA, Austrian Biomass Association, Landwirtschaftskammer Niederösterreich, Statistik Austria, Propellets Austria) ................................................................................................ 4

Table 2: Heating of households in Austria by used heating system and fuel ......... 5

Table 3: Forests and their utilization in Austria 2007 (sm3: solid cubic meter)... 26


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Bibliography

11 Bibliography

AUSTRIAN BIOMASS ASSOCIATION, 2009

CIA, The World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, ENVIRONMENT AND WATER MANAGEMENT

(edt.) (2007): Facts and Figures 2007

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY, ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

MANAGEMENT, www.nachhaltigkeit.at

KOMMUNALKREDIT AG, http://www.kommunalkredit.at/ . KRANZL, DIESENREITER UND KALT, 2009, Country Report Austria 2009, IEA Bioenergy Task 40, Energy Economics Group

LOHR, KATHARINA, PEFC Austria

ÖROK (2009): Energie und Raumentwicklung - Räumliche Potentiale erneuerbarer Energieträger

STATISTIK AUSTRIA (2009), Annual Data, http://www.statistik.at/web_en/statistics/national_accounts/gross_domestic_product/annual_data/index.html

SÜßENBACHER, ELISABETH, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management, Sept. 3rd, 2009


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https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/au.html

http://www.nachhaltigkeit.at/

http://www.kommunalkredit.at/

http://www.statistik.at/web_en/statistics/national_accounts/gross_domestic_product/annual_data/index.html

http://www.statistik.at/web_en/statistics/national_accounts/gross_domestic_product/annual_data/index.html

4biomass Country Study Austria 2009

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