Institute for Biomass Research
With biomass as an energy source, the green circular economy is a significant step closer to realisation. The Institute for Biomass Research at HSWT in Triesdorf is conducting research into this.
The Institute for Biomass Research at the HSWT
The Institute for Biomass Research was founded as part of the Northern Bavaria Initiative in March 2016 and is located in western Middle Franconia on the Triesdorf campus of the HSWT. It is also one of four institutes at the Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer at Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences.
The Institute for Biomass Research is dedicated to the strategic goal of continuously advancing the material and energetic utilisation of biomass. As a knowledge and technology transfer centre, the institute links research and industry. It intensifies the numerous activities in the field of biomass in the West Middle Franconia region and beyond. The Institute for Biomass Research thus contributes to regional development and the strengthening of rural areas.
Research areas at the Institute for Biomass Research
Focus on biomass production
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Biomass production & resource efficiency
The Biomass Production and Resource Efficiency research area is concerned with the feasibility of utilisation concepts and strategies. It analyses the ecological and economic effects of biomass production. These concepts are evaluated directly at the Triesdorf site on test fields.
Interesting questions are
- Site-specific fertilisation to improve the yield while reducing the amount of fertiliser required
- intercropping
- efficient water utilisation
- the optimised use of plant protection products
An important aspect is the sustainable production of biomass. The utilisation of renewable resources should be as CO2-neutral as possible: This means that only as much carbon dioxide should be released during the conversion of biomass as is absorbed from the atmosphere during the cultivation of energy crops, wood or crop waste.
More on the topic of resource efficiency in biomass production
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Digitalisation of biomass production
Digitalisation is currently a fast-growing sector in Agriculture due to the rapid development of data processing and sensor technology. As a result, economic and ecological benefits can be achieved through resource efficiency for Agriculture businesses of all sizes. In addition to recording and analysing measurement data, our projects also focus on establishing adapted methods on farms.
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Biodiversity
Biodiversity encompasses three areas. Species diversity, i.e. the number of species in a population, genetic diversity within a species and habitat diversity, i.e. the occurrence of different habitats and ecosystems. Biodiversity is considered to be of great importance for the preservation and promotion of our cultural landscape. It is therefore important to maintain species richness in agricultural and cultivated landscapes. A high level of biodiversity has many advantages for organic Agriculture: On species-rich areas, the impact of drought on biomass production is lower than with pure crops. A high species richness therefore acts as a buffer against extreme weather conditions, which are becoming more and more pronounced due to climate change.
Focus on biomass utilisation
Research and transfer at the Institute for Biomass Research are intended to show ways for a successful economy with biomass, which is decoupled from the consumption of finite resources through innovations and fulfils the environmental and climate protection goals of our society. The research work on biomass utilisation takes place consistently along the value chain. They involve all stakeholders and take into account success factors such as acceptance, feasibility and compatibility of economy and ecology from the outset.
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Material cycles
A sustainable economy based on natural material cycles is currently one of the most urgent tasks for industry, Agriculture, the public sector and private households. The Institute for Biomass Research is researching innovative processes and product ideas for utilising biogenic raw and residual materials such as materials made from wood waste and grain husks. In addition, life cycle analyses, concepts and prototypes for recyclable industrial products are created and the associated knowledge is transferred to the economy and society.
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Digitalisation of the bioenergy industry
Bioenergy can be produced and stored flexibly over time. It can be used in a targeted manner to cover peaks in demand in the energy grid and to bridge phases of „dark doldrums“. This requires new solutions for controlling the entire process, from biogas production to the integration of the energy into the energy grid. The tools include virtual sensors, prediction models and machine learning methods (artificial intelligence).
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Sector integration with bioenergy
Renewable energies already cover more than a third of electricity consumption, but only a seventh of final energy consumption in Germany. The energy transition must also be driven forward for the supply of heating and cooling as well as in transport. To this end, the Institute for Biomass Research is developing solutions for the efficient utilisation of biogas and bioethanol as well as for cross-sector concepts such as power-to-X technologies. Decentralised solutions such as the „energy self-sufficient company“ are also being researched.
Focus on legal, social & economic aspects
The transformation towards a resource and environmentally-friendly economy with renewable resources („bioeconomy“) requires a rethink in all economic sectors in society and politics. In line with the cross-sectional research topic "Legal, societal and economic aspects" the Institute for Biomass Research wants to identify the necessary course settings in legislation and politics and show ways for a functioning combination of economic and societal goals.
