by Mona-Maria Brinker & Roger Coombs (Waste Management World) Rising prices, continued conflict in producing regions and the spectre of peak oil have highlighted uncertainties about the future of fossil transport fuels in Europe. Mona-Maria Brinker and Roger Coombs examine how the European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative is helping to enable advanced biofuels to cover up to 4% of EU transportation energy needs by 2020.
The Green House Gas (GHG) reducing credentials of biofuels – particularly first generation biofuels produced from oil or grain crops – has been the subject of much debate. However, emissions reduction is only part of the picture. Assuming a medium-term reduction in the availability of cheap oil, there is arguably no viable alternative to liquid transport fuels, for long distance freight and aviation. Hence there is a technical requirement for fuels that are derived from biomass feedstock such as wastes.
…The EIBI (European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative) is based on seven generic value chains covering a range of bioenergy production potential, with each having a specific combination of feedstock, processing technologies and marketable end products.
Value Chain 1: Fuels from Gasification …
Value Chain 2: Biomethane …
Value Chain 3: Biomass Gasification …
Value Chain 4: Biocrude …
Value Chain 5: Ethanol and higher alcohols …
Value Chain 6: Hydrocarbons from sugars …
Value Chain 7: Bioenergy carriers …
A first step towards executing the vision of the EIBI is a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from potential participants. Each Expression of Interest will consist of a short description of the potential project and its technology options and requirements.
Entry requirements
A set of criteria which will define the eligibility of a project for EIBI participation is also being developed. The eligibility and selection criteria are mainly based on seven key principles, in particular, the projects should have an EU dimension, with three EU or associated countries involved. The technology being employed in the plants should be advanced enough that upgrading to a commercial plant would be the next step.
The plants’ main output (at least 70 %) should be bioenergy and it should demonstrate innovative technology. This means that at least one technology brick should not have been used at such an advanced stage before, but should present a first-of its kind use at that size of production. READ MORE