DCTI - Bioenergie V.2

115© DCTI 2010 | Studienband 3 - Bioenergie KAPITELXI Using wood to create carbon-neutral energy has a positive effect on the environment because it replaces fossil fuels. If grown sustainably, it is available in almost unlimited amounts. Furthermore, we can also strengthen the local economy, create jobs and offer a secure income source for farmers and foresters. We are convinced that bio-energy, par- ticularly energy centres using biomass for energy generation, will be even more impor- tant in the future. 3. Where do you see synergies in the various fields of clean technologies? In the area of renewable energies, synergies can come from delivering electricity, cold and heat at the same time using biomass cogeneration plants and trigeneration. As a result of competition with other methods of sustainable energy production, higher-effi- ciency energy centres will be supported. This will get the ball rolling for further develop- ment efforts to improve the performance of individual technologies. But synergies can also result from collaboration between several industries. The Kölleda biomass cogene- rations plants are a prime example. Daimler AG builds efficient, environmentally friendly motors at this location and the biomass cogeneration plants have been supplying them with heat since 2002. Wood chips sourced from local forests in eastern Germany are used for a completely carbon-neutral heat production, so two very different industries are working together to achieve the common goal of environmentally friendly production methods. 4. What is your strategy of growth for the area of clean technologies? AGO AG Energie + Anlagen will continue to rely on biomass cogeneration plants and fo- cus on building them in those areas where there are government incentives for investing in renewable energies and local energy generation can still be optimised. The Eco-Plus climate protection program is intended to allow AGO Group to take advantage of exis- ting and future potentials in the area of climate protection measures and the trade in emissions certificates. One goal Eco-Plus aims to achieve is switching from using fossil to renewable energy sources in energy centres while also increasing energy efficiency. This way AGO Group can reduce emissions in those plants not affected by the EU emissions trade and increase cost effectiveness with the production of emissions certificates, which can in turn be sold.