Bio-energy economics in the EU: Evidence from Case Studies

The development of the bio-energy supply chain depends on many factors. This paper focuses on the system factors, which are defined as: social and cultural environment, institutional and policy framework, economic factors, technical factors. The effect of the system factors has been analysed through a case study methodology, based on a system approach, which allows for an holistic understanding of the complexity of the system. Eight cases have beed studied at regional level in Europe. Three among them are reported in the paper, namely: the production of bio-ethanol in Champagne-Ardennes (France), the production of gasiform, liquid and solid combustibles in Nieder-Sachsen (Germany), and the production of bio-gas in Karnten (Austria). Results allow concluding about the importance of the legal framework for the formation of rational expectations among the investors, and the effectiveness of the supply chain organisation and it's adaptation to the characteristics of the supply chain.