BIO-EN-AREA Project Sub-projects recommendations for BAPs Technical workshop Kozani, 20 November 2012
SUB PROJECTS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BAPs Introduction The sub projects ran as a mini programme under the Bio En Area project. They ran in parallel with the main project but had had their own course and project aims and outcomes throughout the project timeframe. The same methodology was applied to the sub projects as the main Bio En Area project and common dissemination events enabled strong overall project delivery and results. The sub projects enabled inter and intra regional co operation, study visits and exchanges, relevant publications and networking opportunities and dissemination events. One such dissemination event was a workshop held in Kozani, Western Macedonia. This event was very successful as it disseminated the objectives, targets and results arising from each subproject. More importantly, it provided an opportunity to introduce the results of the subprojects to the Regional BAPs. The presentations delivered by the sub project participants showed results which were in line with BAP objectives and the discussion that followed laid the ground for the introduction of the sub projects recommendations into the Regional BAPs. Thus the event in Kozani succeeded in initiating this procedure and further enriched it through the panel of experts involved and the results, practices and policies demonstrated. The following pages contain these recommendations as presented by each sub project. 1
BaN. Biogas and Networks Objective The project is a base for the creation of regional biogas networks that could be set up in each region. The regional networks can use the knowledge gained regarding the potential of future biogas production and the expertise gathered in the created networks to shape regional action plans for implementation in each region. Recommendations 1. There is an increasing need for more financing on biogas treatment actions in the regions. 2. The increasing interest in biomass treatment and biogas possibilities should be managed properly and according to local needs. 3. Biogas production should overcome or find solutions to anticipate permits and barriers, in order to connect to the grid. 4. Structural problems must be adequately faced and ultimately solved, in order to allow smaller initiatives that could be innovative in the field of biogas treatment to flourish. 5. The exploitation of organic waste should be upscaled and considered on a larger geographical base. 2
BIOPATH. Biomass and solid biofuels certification and traceability control system The project aims at a holistic management approach of solid fuels chain focusing on indicating parameters of quality, quantity and sustainability and designing a quality control system, a traceability system and a certification system for solid biofuels. 1. A medium to long term approach should be adopted. 2. Priority support should be attributed to the entire solid fuel chain with a global vision. 3. Support should be balanced and based on specific chain element conditions and constraints. 4. The proper conditions for short biomass chains should be systematically created. 5. The business opportunities among local stakeholders must be extended, in order to increase the solid biofuels availability. 6. A proper target dimension of the market must be defined, taking into account a sustainable availability of biomass, the range of sustainable transport, a sustainable market size, the respect for the use of biomass for other market sectors and various environmental issues, such as emissions, etc. 7. There must be a definition of the maximum extractable resource from woods, as well as the change in ownership and in conditions of biomass. 8. There must be a definition of the different processes for energy conversion from biomass and solid fuel diffusing in market technologies that requires a wide assessment in a comparative analysis. 9. The different local, national and European standards (CEN) must be integrated and regulated within the policy framework. 10. A valorization of different solid fuels versus traceable characteristics must take place. 11. There are different qualities and values of solid fuels that must be assessed and properly regulated. 12. A proper policy framework should indicate the way for a sustainable and verifiable system of certification through all the value chain, from production to final energy utilization. 13. A common and sustainable method of collection of biomass should be agreed together with local agencies, associations and institutions, in order to avoid problems regarding soil erosion, sensible alteration of wood coverage and other environmental impacts. 14. Institutions should act in defining a sustainable way of using biomass, in relation to the conversion processes and transport, on the basis of a lifecycle analysis at the regional level. 3
BIOREF. Potential of integral use of the energy crops analysis and its importance within biomass action plans. The project shows how renewable energies and the use of biomass can contribute to build the sustainable development expected. As biomass is associated with rural zones, its use as an energy source can strengthen these zones, which face serious survival problems. In this way, it will be possible to incorporate new economic activities that suppose an improvement of these zones for the future. 1. The production of biomass energy crops, wood etc. must be encouraged. 2. An improvement of the logistic chain for biomass must take place. 3. Incentives should be provided for the purchase of equipment such as boilers, collection biomass etc. 4. Dissemination actions must incorporate the biorefinery concept. 5. Demonstrate and encourage future possibilities as producers of raw materials, or as biobased and bioenergy manufacturers. Regions should also show potential markets. 6. The use of new types of biomass material like algae and lignocellulosic have to be investigated. 7. More efficient conversion routes of biomass like thermochemical and biological routes into products have to be applied. 8. An understanding of which end products are of most interest from the market s point of view must be established. 9. The technology capacities of a country/region and the environment must be determined. 10. An analysis of the most sustainable applications for the available bioresources according to the economical benefit and LCA of biomass should take place. 11. Encouragement of the use of byproducts by the creation of logistic chains among industries. 12. Financial support for the transformation of bioethanol, biodiesel and paper pulps industries in biorefineries. 13. Establishment of biorefineries in rural zones, nearby the resources. 4
BISYPLAN. The bioenergy system planners handbook. Τhe overall aim of the project is to produce a handbook for those responsible for planning and decision making about regional and/or local energy infrastructure. It is expected that the handbook will increase the quality of biomass system commissioning and procurement so that more planned projects will be implemented. The handbook includes fundamental aspects as well as application examples from the different regions represented by the project partners. In other words, the handbook aims to explain the underlying logics and properties that make biomass based energy systems different from fossil fuel based energy systems; to remove some of the most common misunderstandings still prevailing among people that have no knowledge of biomass to energy and to promote the installation of new biomass based energy installations worldwide. 1. Training should be enhanced and delivered,, leading to the success of a bioenergy project from design, to fuel sourcing and plant operation. 2. Regional policies should strive to emulate best practices in Europe adapted for local needs and conditions. 3. The BISYPLAN Handbook does not provide solutions to every design problem, but it is an excellent basis for training and dissemination material and sets the ground for a better understanding of how bio energy should be incorporated in a regional framework. 5
EBIMUN. Evaluation of biomass resources for municipalities. The project aims to increase knowledge in evaluating organic waste potential. Many Local Authorities generate significant volumes of organic waste such as sewerage sludge, horticultural thinning, food waste etc. The project is specifically targeted at rural LA s in assessing and/or implementing the most cost effective energy producing mechanism when dealing with organic waste. The main outputs/tools are the preparation of different protocols intended for improving local municipalities strategies and action plans related to residual biomass management considering livestock, industrial, urban and crop wastes. These guidelines will identify the most suitable development paths in rural municipalities, small towns and large towns. 1. It is necessary to have information and/or awareness raising amongst local people, enterprises and local authorities about the potential use of existing bio fuel resources in their own context. 2. Networks consisting of involving staff from the participating regions must be formulated in order to contribute to further extend cooperation within the field of bioenergy. 3. The local strategies and action plans must be implemented in order to contribute to local development in a positive way and create new jobs in the regions 6
POLIBIOMASS. Development of local policies among local governments that encourage the use of biomass. The project aims to promote concrete, measurable and achievable policies across Microlocal Action Plans for biomass in local areas. For this it is essential to have the support and encouragement of government, especially local government. One of the advantages associated with biomass energy use is the possibility of transforming an organic residue into a resource. 1. Local authorities should play a key role in overcoming local barriers in the development of Biomass. 2. Local authorities should promote measures to facilitate the use and exploitation of the resource, such as: promotion of financing, streamlining procedures, evaluate positively the use of biomass in tenders, tax cuts etc. 3. Local authorities must also act as exemplary organizations to revitalize the market and to generate models based on their experience of using biomass. 4. Developing awareness and consciousness among local stakeholders, citizens and municipalities is a key issue for the mobilization of local resources. 7
RBBD. Regional bioenergy business development The project aims to support biomass business development in the South East Region, Ireland; South East Region, Sweden, Voru Region, Estonia and Trento, Italy through support and development of enterprises along the bioenergy supply chain. 1. The biomass boiler database created by the sub project should be continuously updated. 2. Work should be done with lending agencies to make low cost finance available to businesses converting to bio energy systems. 3. Producer groups were set up as part of RBBD and meetings held. Support for supply chains needs to be continued to sustain the groups. 4. It was difficult to get potential to attend Seminars/marketing events and it is recommended that future events be held in parallel with sector specific events, such as hospitality events. It is also recommended that more dissemination events be held to raise awareness of biomass. 8