Mapping of biomass potential is a critical issue. A recent study commissioned by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund about the development of renewable energy potentials in Austria for the years 2030 and 2040 – Gustav Resch, et al., Studie Erneuerbare Energie-Potenziale in Österreich für 2030 und 2040, (Vorläufiger) Endbericht, Wien, 2025 in the following referred to as “RES-AT-2040” also presents approaches for the estimation and mapping of RES. The approach for biomass presented below is based on the approach applied in the Austrian study.
According to RES-AT-2040, in the past already different analyses to obtain biomass potentials were carried out – from local energy agencies to biomass associations and also on European level, for example for the ENSPRESO-database, and in the EU projects BioSustain and Care for Paris. The diverse data sources can be used in a multi-layered, spatially explicit approach that integrates technological assumptions and scenario modelling for the assessment of the biomass potential. The mapping can distinguish between biogas/biomethane and solid and liquid biomass resources, considering both technical and realisable potentials.
For biogas and biomethane, the mapping aggregates the available substrate potential at municipal level, focusing on residue streams with low competition such as straw, manure, intermediate crops, and organic waste. The spatial distribution of these substrates can be derived from official datasets. For the example of Austria, the following datasets were use: INVEKOS and VIS (for agricultural residues and manure production), BEV land-use data, Statistics Austria (for population and settlement data), and IPPC registers (for locations of industrial biogenic waste sources). Additional input was obtained from the Compost and Biogas Association (existing and potential biomethane plants), the Federal Waste Management Plan (substrate quantities), and reference values from the Bavarian State Institute for Agriculture (biomethane yields per substrate type).
Based on these data, technical potentials are estimated by evaluating substrate availability, technology performance, and yield coefficients. The realisable potentials are derived by applying geographical and infrastructural constraints, such as the proximity to the natural gas and electricity grids and limitations from land-use conflicts or competing applications. The modelling further considered the impact of regulatory developments and evolving market conditions.
For solid and liquid biomass, the methodology includes the integration of forestry, agricultural, and waste-based resource streams, as well as the estimation of mobilizable feedstock volumes from existing and additional sources (e.g. imported wood, landscape maintenance residues). These are evaluated using national statistical data and sectoral studies, ensuring consistency with parallel modelling of wood-based material flows and climate scenarios.
Overall, the methodology combines GIS-based spatial analysis, technological yield models, and scenario-based assessments to provide a harmonized, transparent, and reproducible mapping of bioenergy potential.
In some target countries the focus was on solid biomass/wood potentials. These potentials are crucial as for the planning of biomass utilisation in specific plants, it is essential to understand the amount of biomass that is actually locally available also on the long-term from local foresters or traders. It is highly recommended to negotiate suitable framework agreements for local biomass supply already at the beginning of a biomass project.
