Domestic and International Market Opportunities for Biomass Power, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

This report examined the domestic and international markets for biopower. Domestic and foreign markets present fundamentally different challenges to private power developers. The domestic market's operation is relatively transparent and well understood. Volume I of the report outlined the current state of the U.S. biomass industry, discussed policies affecting biomass development, described some demonstration projects currently underway, and discussed the future direction of the industry. It then explored the relationship between biopower, the impending restructuring of the electric power industry, and discussed various technical applications of biopower.

The international market offers greater opportunities due to its rapid growth, so Volume II first discussed world electricity demand and estimated future biopower potential. Volume II focused on India, China, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines. Since the biggest hurdles facing international developers are the in-country policies and investment climate, this volume focused on specific financing issues, policy climate, business incentives, and barriers to biopower development. The volume concluded with a discussion of potential biopower technology applications and a list of potential financing sources.