BioFuEl
Biofuels and Bioelectricity
-A Network of Excellence providing the future energy supply of Europe
Claus Felby Center for Biomas and Plant Fiber Technology Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University Denmark
Energy sources, world 2000-2050
2000 Total energy Contribution in % Biomass new PV Wind Water, nucleair Fossile Remaining 350 EJ 2020 2050 ~1000 EJ
3 15 71 11 100%
7 2 14 66 11 100%
13 14 7 14 40 12 100%
Source Shell/ECN 2001
Biomass based energy
Plant oils –Biodiesel Solid biomass –Heat and electricity Fermentable sugars –Starch and cellulose for ethanol production
Background for the network
Why use biomass as an energy source?
Oil is a scarce resource Europe is becomming more and more dependent on oil i.e. oil import from non-EU countries are increasing Greenhouse effects –Kyoto protocol calls for reduction of CO2 emission The ”biobased” economy must be established in the 21’st century Biomass can provide a substantial part of our energy supply On a short term biomass is the only possibility for substitution of fossile fuels for transportation
Electricity from Biomass
CO2 neutral Low energy density compared to fossile fuels Wood
Good combustion efficiency, little or no corrosion Contineous supply Medium priced Poor combustion efficiency due to corrosive alkaline salts Batch supply (one harvest period only) Low priced
Agricultural residues
Green electricity is already an established energy source in several EU-countries
Europe’s supply of liquid fuels
The problem Petrochemicals
Scarce resource CO2 pollution Strategic and political weapon Low security of supply Cheap
The solution Biomass (ethanol and diesel)
Renewable CO2 neutral Can be grown and exploited anywhere High security of supply Expensive (yet) Processing to gasoline or diesel can be combined with use as solid fuel
Biomass –Supply and process chain
Forest and agriculture crops & residues Municipal & Industrial waste
Collection & storage
Pre-treatment
Solid biofuels
Combustion for heat and Electricity
Liquid Biofuels Ethanol
(hydrolysis and fermentation)
Biochemicals
Fermentation (Thermochemical (pyrolysis, HTU, syngas)
Bio-diesel
(extraction/purification/modification)
biomass in environment and society
Food Harvest Food production Food consumption
land for feed
land for food
co2
Cattle
Feed Harvest
land for quality of life
land for energy
Energycrops harvest
energy transformation
Energy consumption
Produce
land for materials
Raw materials harvest logistics/ pretreatment
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, building materials
Use of products and materials End use
h2 o
opslag
produce
Europe on the biomass world map
European science and industry are leading within a number of core technologies for biomass exploitation. Fuel ethanol is already an established and growing industry in the US. Large research programs focused on biofuels are running in the US. European research is mainly done on a national basis with little coordination between countries. Europe is about to loose its advantage, if not….
Concept of the network
An energy supply based on biomass must be a multidisciplinary effort The logistics needed are a challenge. Biomass has volume and is degradable An attractive possibility is to establish e.g. ethanol production units close to existing power plants already using biomass. The structure of the network combining the knowledge and expertise within biomass for both fuel and electricity maximises the potential synergy within the area. The network will assemble a critical mass of the highest qualified European researchers and industry within exploitation of plant biomass.
Purpose
The Network of Excellence will adress issues needed for providing Europe with a technical and an economical feasible supply of biomass energy. The network will combine all areas dealing with energy from biomass. Focus will be on short to medium term development of a biomass based supply of green electricity and liquid biofuels.
Network Organisation
Member
Brussels
Activities
Symposia PhD program Research schools Exchange Etc.
Member
Coordinator
Management team
Member
Member
Network: Working environment
• Development and dissemination of novel concepts are interdisciplinary activities
development
Network activities
Three
major areas
Scientific
Organisational
Educational
Scientific
Identify bottlenecks and critical areas Setup selected short and medium term goals
Pre-treatment of biomass for combustion and hydrolysis Biomass-supply: Agricultural infrastructure, live-cycleanalysis Fermentation: New microorganisms, new enzymes The Biobased economy: economical and sociological aspects.
Organisational
Build the best possible forum of researchers within the area, an open and active network –key issue is synergy Adapt research strategies Coordination of technical facilities Conduct symposia, workshops and conferences Setup one or more internet sites for dissemination of knowledge and servicing academia and industry
Educational
Exchange of scientists –inside and outside network PhD programmes Research schools Internet based forum linking participants e.g. the virtual laboratory.
Partners
Universities and research centers
Microbiology Agri- and Silvi-culture Chemistry Physics Engineering Economy Ecology
Biotech Biofuel producing companies Power companies
Industry