The Biomass Institute at the HSWT
The Biomass Institute is a joint establishment of the Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) and the Ansbach University of Applied Sciences (HSA). Its foundation in March 2016 was part of the North Bavaria Initiative. The institute's headquarters address the Triesdorf campus of the HSWT in the western region of Middle Franconia. A second location is at the University campus of applied sciences in Ansbach, about 20 km away. At the same time, it is one of four institutes at the Centre for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of applied sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf.
Under the umbrella of the Biomass Institute, both universities are working confidently towards the common strategic goal of continuously advancing the use of biomass as a material and an energy source. As a joint knowledge and technology transfer center, the institute links to research and business. It intensifies the numerous activities in the field of biomass in the West Middle Franconia region and beyond. The Biomass Institute thus contributes to regional development and strengthens rural areas.
Research areas at the Biomass Institute
Focus on biomass production
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Biomass production & resource efficiency
The field of Biomass Production and Resource Efficiency deals with the feasibility of utilisation concepts and strategies. It observes the ecological and economic effects of biomass production. These concepts are evaluated directly at the Triesdorf site on trial fields.
Interesting questions are
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site-specific fertilisation to improve yields while reducing fertiliser inputs
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intercropping
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efficient water use
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optimised use of plant protection products
An important aspect is the sustainable production of biomass. The use of Renewable Resources should be as CO2-neutral as possible: In other words, 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 harvest waste.
Further information on the topic of resource efficiency in biomass production
Further information on resource efficiency in biomass production
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Digitalisation of biomass production
Digitisation is currently a fast-growing sector in Agriculture, due to the rapid development of data processing and sensor technology. This allows economic and ecological advantages to be achieved through resource efficiency for agriculture businesses of all sizes. In addition to the collection of measurement data and its evaluation, our projects deal with the establishment of adapted methods in agricultural enterprises.
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Biodiversity
Biodiversity comprises 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 conservation and promotion of our cultural landscape. It is therefore important to maintain species richness in agricultural and cultivated landscapes. High biodiversity has many advantages for organic agriculture enterprises: On species-rich land, the influence of drought on biomass production is lower than on pure crops. A high species richness thus acts as a buffer for weather extremes, which are becoming more distinct due to climate change.
Focus on biomass use
Research and transfer at the Biomass Institute ought to show ways for a prosperous economy with biomass, which is decoupled from the consumption of finite resources through innovations and meets the goals of our society in terms of environmental and climate protection. The research work on biomass usage takes place consistently along the value chain. They involve all actors and include success factors such as acceptance, feasibility, and the compatibility of economy and ecology right from the start.
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Material cycles
A sustainable economy oriented towards natural material cycles is currently one of the most urgent tasks for industry, agriculture, the public sector, and private households. The Biomass Institute researches innovative processes and product ideas for the use of biogenic raw and residual materials like materials from wood waste and grain husks. In addition, it creates life cycle analyses, concepts, and prototypes for recyclable industrial products and transfers the associated knowledge to the economy and society.
Further information on material cycles in biomass production
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Digitalisation of the bioenergy industry
You can use it in a targeted manner to absorb demand peaks in the energy grid and overcome phases of dark slack. That requires new solutions for controlling the entire process, from biogas production to integrating the energy into the grid. The tools include virtual sensors, predictive models as well as machine learning methods (artificial intelligence).
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Sector integration with bioenergy
Renewable energies already cover more than one third of electricity consumption, but only one seventh of final energy consumption in Germany. The energy transition must also be driven forward for heating and cooling supply as well as in transport. To this end, the Biomass Institute is developing solutions for the efficient use of biogas and bioethanol as well as for cross-sectoral 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 Biomass Institute wants to identify the necessary course settings in legislation and politics and show ways for a functioning combination of economic and societal goals.
