Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Bioenergy Country Notes

Austria

Municipal solid waste
quantity of raw material available	1.7	million tonnes
electricity generation	9 675	TJ
direct use from combustion	10 615	TJ
total energy production	20 290	TJ
Wood
quantity of raw material available	4.4	million tonnes
electricity generation	54	TJ
direct use from combustion	64 737	TJ
total energy production	64 790	TJ
Other biomass
quantity of raw material available	8.9	million tonnes
biodiesel capacity *	6 000	TJ/yr
direct use from combustion	42 093	TJ
total energy production	85 147	TJ

* Data refer to 2006

Being well-endowed with forests and therefore wood,

Austria opted for energy produced from bioenergy, such as straw, rape and corn, in the early 1980s. This dominance of bioenergy- generated power is the result of a targeted research and development policy. Figures from the energy recycling agency show that for the past two decades, investment in this area has been higher than in other renewable energy sources.

Austria ’s long years of research and development have led E.V.A. (Austrian Energy Authority) experts to pronounce the country a world leader in biomass firing. Biomass furnaces, particularly when fuelled by new pellets, have successfully shown themselves to be the most environmentally friendly heating system on the market. This technological lead in wood-firing has created a rapidly growing export sector in Austria .