BIO-EN-AREA Sub-projects Local partnerships for an improved utilization of Biomasses

Transcription

1 Local partnerships for an improved utilization of Biomasses OF SUB-PROJECTS New approaches, strategies and methodologies for the exploitation of biomasses for the production of energy and for the improvement of local policies

2 INTRODUCTION Local partnerships for an improved utilization of biomasses In the face of Europe s increasing dependency on fossil fuels, using biomass is one of the key ways of ensuring the security of supply and sustainable energy in Europe. This communication sets out a series of Community actions aimed in particular at increasing the demand for biomass, improving supply, overcoming technical barriers and developing research. Communication from the Commission of 7 December Biomass Action Plan The BIO-EN-AREA project s main objective is to share innovative solutions among European regions in the field of bio-energies, which should not be seen exclusively as alternative energy sources, but also as catalysts for local development. The project, which is coordinated by the Spanish region of Castilla y Leon, includes five more partners from Ireland, Sweden, Estonia, Greece and Italy. The project aims to exchange good practices and experiences among the participating regions and areas involved in the project, in order to reach a common definition of a Provincial Action Plan for Biomasses. Moreover, one of the fundamental activities of the project is to find, in the partner regions, disadvantaged areas to be utilized as pioneer areas in the sustainable exploitation of bio-resources in the energy field in order to promote sound social and economic development in these areas. To that end, the project has created several area sub-projects in the BIO-EN-AREA partner regions. Each sub-project involves at least three regions that are partners in the project, and includes one or more levels of cooperation commitment through a series of activities with the aim of reaching results that can be transferred on to other regions so that they can benefit from them. More specifically, the seven financed sub-projects have investigated issues that go from the production and utilization of biogas, to the implementation of a solid fuel certification system; from the preparation of manuals and methodologies for the improvement of bio-energy local policies, to the study of energy crops in the partner regions; from the development of district heating to the creation of good local supply chains. The seven participants have cooperated to transfer new approaches, tools, methodologies and projects. The results will be considered as inputs coming from local stakeholders and will be able to influence local and regional policies to create a favourable environment for bioenergy development. For this reason, the results of the sub-projects will be included in their respective Action Plans for the Biomasses, the main target within the BIO-EN-AREAS project. BIO-EN-AREA SUB-PROJECTS BaN BIOPATH BIOREF BISYPLAN EBIMUN POLI-BIOMASS RBBD

3 BaN Biogas and Networks BIOPATH Biomass and Solid Biofules Certification and Traceability Control System The main objectives of the sub-project are: - to create and support stakeholders networks within the biogas area in the participating regions; - to Increase knowledge of biogas potential and biogas utilisation in these regions; - to exchange the extensive knowledge gathered from all partners. The establishment of biogas networks in the regions will make it possible for stakeholders to meet and discuss the possibility of expanding biogas utilisation, which is an invaluable form of sustainable energy. The project consortium has written a report summarising the current use of biogas and its future potential in each region to be used use as a source of inspiration by all the partners. Seminars and workshops have been organised to discuss the best ways to utilise the lessons learned and the best practices that have been identified by the project. At the local level, the project participants have helped to produce or improve local and regional strategies geared towards an increased use of biogas. Experience from the past shows that local networks engaging in active cooperation, knowledge exchange and development within their bioenergy areas have been very successful. If an active organisation with a wide variety of stakholders as members can cooperate at local and regional levels, the municipalities and regions therein will have a greater opportunity to develop their biogas activities. The creation and expansion of activities and research within the bioenergy field will present an opportunity for local improvement both in terms of new green companies and new jobs, and it will also be an important step in reducing the emissions of CO 2 in line with the European goals. The results from the BaN-project with a local focus, and also a regional and international connection with knowledge transfer and new inspirations, show that it is important to think globally and to act locally when dealing with climate change. By using successful ideas and approaches from other regions and adapting those to the local conditions, common mistakes can be avoided and smart and innovative ideas can be found and implemented locally. BIOPATH main objectives are: - to propose a sustainable method for traceability on solid fuels; - to propose a method for certification of the quality parameters related energy, environment and economic value; - to increase the awareness and knowledge in public policy makers and market operators and stakeholders. BIOPATH is achieving results in proposing and promoting the public awareness and stakeholders interest in the quality of solid fuels and biomass. In parallel, and at scientific level, partners are defining the specific proposed method partly validated through experimental field activity. BIOPATH contributes in providing input elements for new Regional policies focused on biomass and solid fuels value chains, both on feed in tariff and on regulation sides. BIOPATH is proposing a series of local initiatives for the validation of the proposed method, which is, in part, to be demonstrated. At the European level, and through the direct link with TC CEN 335, BIOPATH is outlining a proposed solution in line with first steps of European next future policy and legal frameworks. BIOPATH project is finalizing the design of the traceability and certification method, confident of a potential real benefit for the whole solid fuel value chain. The most important element is the coherent application of the method by market stakeholders and operators, in which case the instrument may be of benefit from all economic, energetic and environmental aspects. To obtain such a result, partners are proposing / promoting new activities in order to validate in the real environment and at a real scale of application the full method in field. Output indicators Type Planned Nr. Actual/ Planned Integrated control system for solid bio-fuels tools 1 June 2012 Sales representatives informed about traceability and control system newsletter 100 June 2012 Number of proceedings in Congresses oral contribution 3 2 Number of papers in Journals paper 3 0 Number of questionnaire to direct users questionnaire 1 1 Number of questionnaire to indirect users questionnaire 1 1 Workshops, regional context event 3 3 (1 per Region) Participants objective per event people 100 ok Invited speakers for seminars international experts Trento 4 - Ptolemaida Handbook publication 1 1 under prep. Technical report for European Commission report - english 1 August 2012 Technical report for local authorities report - multil. 1 August 2012 Target groups objective people 100 about 50 Press release in newspapers in total press release 6 several Website interactive tool multimedia 1 1 Dissemination tools, leaflet, poster, logo multil. tool 4 June ORIGIN: paper indicating the origin of a specific feedstock production transport/ distribution 2. TRANSPORT: short value chain, <70 km Quality Check points Environment Energy Sustainability 4. MODEL ESCO: Energy Service Companies suppliers of small scale plants and guarantors for quality of the fuel and quality of the converting technology big distribution small users industrial plants 3. SUPPLY: moisture content as an indicator for quality of the fuel ENERGY: net calorific value ENVIRONMENTAL: quality of the fuel, maintenance on burners ECONOMIC: business model for supplier - customer mutual benefit ENERGY AGENCY FOR SOUTHEAST SWEDEN Erik Blomgren Energikontor Sydost Erik.Blomgren@energikontorsydost.se phone: +46 (0) Total budget Euro 216,350 ESS - Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden (Sweden) IRENA - Institute of Natural Resources. University of Leòn (Spain) Comunità della Valle di Non (Italy) Institute of Technology. Estonian University of Life Science (Estonia) AEMVA - Valladolid Energy Agency (Spain) City of Tartu (Estonia) DIADYMA - Waste Management of Western Macedonia (Greece) FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER Luigi Crema FBK-REET unit crema@fbk.eu phone: Total budget Euro 186,000 FBK - Bruno Kessler Foundation (Italy) CERTH/ISFTA - Centre for Research & Technology Hellas / Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applications (Greece) CESEFOR - Cesefor Foundation (Spain)

4 BIOREF Potential of Integral Use of Energy Crops Analysis and its Importance within Biomass Action Plans BISYPLAN The Bioenergy System Planners Handbook Sub-project main objectives: - to encourage the increase of energy crops in the participating regions; - to increase knowledge of the integral use of biomass in biomass producers, industries and planners; - to transfer good practices between the regions involved. The BIOREF subproject aims to disseminate the potential of biomass in order to generate multiple value added products (bioenergy, biomaterials, chemical) and introduce the concept of biorefineries in participant regions since these facilities will form the base of the future economy and will contribute to solving issues regarding food security, climate change and energy security. Methodology used - Following the determination of the current bioenergy situation in each region concerning energy crops, industrial facilities and required technological development, the most suitable type of biorefinery has been determined by each participating region as result of the subproject. Participants - CARTIF (Spain), APEA (Spain), CERTH- ISFTA (Greece), EULS (Estonia). BIOREF s activities have led to: - the identification of energy crops and their high added value in each region; - the definition of the methods to obtain active principles; - the establishment of sustainable production of by-product crops for energy use; - the analysis of the economic feasibility of the starting-up of a biorefinery facility: a case of an integral production process. The project also contributed to the development of two main outputs: - Biorefineries: A business opportunity for manufacturing industry and rural zones alike ; - An implementation guide for the participating regions. Three training courses and three workshops were organised in the participant regions during the life of the project. As it is anticipated that, in the near future, biomass will have to satisfy society s high demand for materials, chemicals and energy, biorefineries appear to be the right solution for municipalities, due to the high potential of this renewable resource. The Bioref subproject has intended to present the biorefinery concept to farmers, enterprises, research facilities and public entities, and to promote the development of strategies that can contribute to convert biomass into a wide range of products. The exchange of experiences and knowledge about bioenergy among three European regions has successfully matched regions that were less experienced in certain fields with more advanced regions. A biobased economy can contribute to the modernisation and increased competitiveness of the regions. To achieve EU s expectations in this field, though, will require not only substantial technological advances but also that farmers, enterprises, research facilities and public entities of regions initiate joint collaborative strategies for raw materials to become optimally utilised, and also the establishment of a variety of value-creating chains. Sub-project main objective: - to produce a user-friendly but comprehensive handbook for energy planners and other stakeholders. The development seen in Sweden over the last four decades proves that local, small-to-medium scale bioenergy system solutions are available, trustworthy, mature and economically viable. Hence, the obstacles encountered in other countries must be partly due to a lack of knowledge and, probably, social the so-called NIMBY-syndrome. The overall aim of the project was to produce a handbook for those responsible for planning and deciding about regional and/or local energy infrastructure. The handbook is available on-line. The main results obtained by the sub-project is the multi-lingual (English, Estonian, Greek and Italian) handbook and is now available on-line at The 25-chapter, 300-page handbook, covering most aspects of Bioenergy Technology can also be downloaded as PDF. European added value Experiences and examples brought up for discussion have been included in the handbook because they were found to be representative of different climatic regions in Europe, and were found to well illustrate how successful technologies could be adapted and used in other areas as well. Many chapters include a section headed Planning aspects where concrete advice and check-lists for new projects can be found. This table is intended to be used as a picture in the brochure and the italic text below the two pictures are the captions: Fundamental properties 01- Resource aspects 02- Supply chains 03- Suitable processes 04- Economic aspects 05- Introductions -00: Ligno-Cellulose -01: Herbaceous -02: Putrescibles -03: Others -04: The handbook is structured so as to make ie easy to find the relevant information for different types of biomasses and different processes. Stages in the handling of putrescible biomass FOUNDACIÓN CARTIF Ana Quijano Pedrosa Fundación CARTIF. Biofuels Area Total budget Euro 170,250 CARTIF - Cartif Foundation (Spain) APEA - Ávila Province Energy Agency (Spain) CERTH/ISFTA - Centre for Research & Technology Hellas / Institute for Solid Fuels Technology and Applicatons (Greece) EULS - Institute of Technology. Estonian University of Life Science (Estonia) LINNÆUS UNIVERSITY Björn Zethræus Bioenergy Technology. School of Engineering. Linnæus University bjorn.zethaeus@lnu.se phone: +46 (0) Total budget Euro 216,944 Linnæus University (Sweden) CERTH/ISFTA - Centre for Research & Technology Hellas / Institute for Solid FuelsTechnology and Applications (Greece) IVALSA/CNR - Trees and Timber Research Institute/ National Research Council (Italy) Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia) Tipperary Energy Agency (Ireland)

5 EBIMUN Evaluation of Biomass Resources for Municipalities POLI-BIOMASS Development of Local Policies by Local Governments to Encourage the Use of Biomass The main objectives of the sub-project: - evaluation of residual biomass potential in targeted areas; - joint development of a common methodology for biomass resource planning and optimization for bioenergy investments; - cost reduction deriving from biomass residue utilisation to produce energy instead of being disposed of in landfills. The sub-project was intended to improve the capacity of regional policies to promote bio-energies in the framework of municipalities for the improvement of regional policies. It is necessary to share information and create awareness amongst local people, enterprises and local authorities about the potential use of existing bio-fuel resources in their own area. The overall aim of this sub-project is to prepare different protocols intended for the improvement of local municipal strategies and action plans concerning residual biomass management by utilising livestock, industrial, urban and crop wastes. Main results obtained by the sub-project Three different protocols developed for three cases: 1 rural municipalities can be assisted in the decision whether to set up small local or centralised plants 2 small towns can join their rural areas to set up their own plant 3 large towns can implement protocols for the best techniques available for the management of the biomass produced in the green areas of urban environments The problems that will be addressed are: how to help municipalities in taking decisions regarding local energy-plans, how to make information regarding the combination of different sources of energy available to individuals, families, enterprises, local communities and territories as a whole, and how to extend knowledge and experience about biomass resources. Local strategies and action plans will contribute to positive local development and to the creation of new jobs in the regions. POLI-BIOMASS works on developing, promoting and supporting local policies that promote the use of biomass to ensure direct and immediate benefits. The POLI-BIOMASS project was born with a main objective: to promote concrete, measurable and achievable policies through MICRO-LOCAL ACTION PLANS FOR BIOMASS IN LOCAL AREAS. The cross-cutting objectives are: - promoting financing lines and subsidies (fees, taxes,...); - encouraging local authorities to consider positively the use of biomass in new tenders; - raising awareness among local stakeholders - training local technicians in the field of biomass; - building a network of virtuous municipalities using biomass. POLI-BIOMASS is committed to the idea that to make biomass competitive in the energy market, the support and encouragement of governments, especially local governments, is essential. This measure is included at the European level in the Biomass Action Plan Main results obtained by the sub-project - 1 survey of the local policies carried out to boost the use of biomass in Europe. At the moment, 500 municipalities had access to this survey. - 1 international exchange visit to Spain and 9 national exchange visits; people had access to the brochure with biomass information to implement Micro-Local Action Plans for Biomass ; - 10 municipalities will develop the Micro-Local Action Plan for Biomass ; people will have access to the brochure showing successful development examples. Results portability (highlighting the local level, interest for Regions, municipalities,...) and European added value POLI-BIOMASS will concentrate on local levels, but it is anticipated that they in turn will generate great interest towards the use of biomass in nearby regions. The European level will be reached using the network of exemplary municipalities. These results will be in line with the main objective of the BIO-EN-AREA project exchanging and transferring experiences among participants in order to increase their capacities to favour and optimize the use of bio-energy and to improve regional policies for bio-energy, and help participants to draft or implement their Regional Biomass Action Plan, as the main expected result and operational objective. POLI-BIOMASS has been the first step for some municipalities. This project will have a long term impact because the Micro Local Actions Plans are strategic programming documents to define exactly how good practices will be implemented, and show the participating regions interest in the implementation of biomass programs in the long-term. INSTITUTE OF NATURAL RESOURCES. UNIVERSITY OF LEÓN Antonio Morán/Julio Fierro IRENA. University of León amorp@unileon.es phone: Total budget Euro 209,500 IRENA - Institute of natural resources. University of León (Spain) DIADYMA - Waste Management of Western Macedonia (Greece) AEMVA - Valladolid Energy Agency (Spain) Comunità di Valle di Primiero (Italy) PEA - Borderland Energy Development Agency (Estonia) Waterford County Council (Ireland) BURGOS PROVINCIAL ENERGY AGENCY Ricardo Pizarro Villanueva Burgos Provincial Energy Agency info@agenbur.com phone: Total budget Euro 189,785 AGENBUR - Burgos Provincial Energy Agency (Spain) ESS - Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden (Sweden) PDC - Polvamaa Development Center (Estonia) Tipperary Energy Agency (Ireland) COMUNITÀ DI VALLE DI PRIMIERO TRENTO PEA Piiri rne Energiaarendus Borderland Energy Development

6 RBBD Regional Bioenergy Business Development The main objectives of the sub-project: - support and develop wood fuel producer groups in each region - support and develop wood fuel equipment, installers and suppliers in each region - review identifying a district heating project in each region worth supporting in a future project Main activities - Producers Groups: Supported owners of biomass resources (mainly private forestry owners) by creating new or assist to develop existing, forestry producer groups. Installers/Clients: By ensuring that quality biomass systems are available within the regional markets and that potential clients have confidence in these systems biomass targets can be reached. District Heating: Review of existing feasibility reports and project supported to next phase completed per region. - Vertical Action (VA) 1 : Producer Group Supports : 1 producer group established or supported in each region. - VA 2: International database produced detailing all numerous manufacturers, installers and resellers of Biomass fuelled heating plant. (Available on website) - VA 3: Regional review incorporating forward plan of one District Heating Study in terms of finance, payback and barriers per region. - Project Management: 4 international partner meetings tied into 4 regional exchange visits specific under each Vertical Action. - Dissemination : 4 interregional exchange visits, blogs, you tube,website & links: Results portability - A number of feasibility studies, from which biomass boilers heat plant to be installed and further plants are in the development stage. Each region has benefited at a local level from the core activities. Some good examples are: - VA 1: Production of producer group s guidelines which assisted a South East Ireland Producer Group be set up in September Exchange visit to Trento in June VA 2: A number of biomass heating feasibilities studies were completed in each region. (9 Ireland, 5 Sweden, 3 Estonia and 1 in Italy). Exchange visit to Estonia in April Database with more than 300 boilers listed covering key information like fuel type, efficiency, dimension and certification. - VA 3: Exchange visit to Växjo in Sweden in October Irish DH study in Carlow taken to point of preparation to tender. Support given to two potential DH developments in Sweden. The project has delivered connectivity across the partners and learning in all areas of the project. Actual boilers installed; and wood fuel producer groups were set up that are now aware of the business case for quality biomass fuels. The reporting will detail the specific activities and good practice of which they are many. The Irish partners have utilised this project on a local level to deliver boilers, at regional level to deliver a focussed fuel producer group, and internationally with many participants availing of exchange visits to partner countries. ESS has utilised the RBBD project to strengthen the already well developed bioenergy sector in southeast Sweden. MCF has utilized the RBBD project to enter the initial phase and development of producer groups, and to improve the visibility to the local market with seminars and disclosure activities. The main outcome in the project is that there is a need for consistency in government policy and incentives across the EU as there are distinct barriers that have been identified in each region for action by policy and strategy at national level TIPPERARY ENERGY AGENCY Seamus Hoyne Tipperary Energy Agency shoyne@tea.ie phone: Total budget Euro 199,960 Tipperary Energy Agency (Ireland) Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency (Ireland) Waterford County Council (Ireland) Wexford County Council (Ireland) ESS - Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden (Sweden) PEA - Borderland Energy Development Agency (Estonia) Magnifica Comunità di Fiemme (Italy) COMUNITÀ DI FIEMME PEA Piiri rne Energiaarendus Borderland Energy Development

7 PARTNERS of the Project Lead Partner Castilla y León, Spain Regional Energy Entity of Castilla y León Rafael Ayuste - Santiago Díez tel diecassa@jcyl.es Partners Western Macedonia, Greece Western Macedonia Region tel gengr@pdm.gr Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy Autonomous Province of Trento Giacomo Carlino tel giacomo.carlino@provincia.tn.it South-East Region, Ireland South-East Regional Authority Sheevaun Thompson tel Sheevaun.thompson@southtippcoco.ie South East Region, Sweden Energy Agency for Southeast Sweden ia Hans Gulliksson/Mia Stavert tel hans.gulliksson@energikontorsydost.se Tartu Region, Estonia Tartu Regional Energy Agency Martin Kikas tel: martin.kikas@trea.ee