Model Integration for Sustainable Bioenergy Supply

Bioenergy is considered an important option in making future global energy supply more sustainable. However, many questions are being raised with respect to the sustainability of a bioenergy and the bio-based economy. For example, what is the net contribution bio-based options can make to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for impacts of land use change and agricultural intensification? How can large-scale biomass production and supply be organized over time so that unsustainable price impacts on food markets or undesired land use change can be avoided? Comprehensive answers to these and other questions are not yet available, while the current methodologies and modeling frameworks have insufficient capabilities to answer them. Thus, an improved modeling toolbox is needed that 1) closely integrates economic models, energy models, and biophysical land use models and 2) is fed by detailed technical information. A much improved and more integrated modeling framework is vital for showing how a bio-based economy can be done right and for defining necessary preconditions. Such assessments can then deliver more concrete input for developing proper policy strategies.

The aim of this workshop is to bring together leading researchers from the different modeling approaches (i.e. economic modeling, biophysical modeling, land use modeling, energy modeling and bottom-up analysis) and to discuss the current status and limitations, and future possibilities and opportunities of model integration for better assessing biomass supplies and impacts.