NETBIOCOF
FP6-SUSTDEV, Coordination Action. Partner.
Context
Biomass co-firing represents, compared to other renewable sources, a technically feasible option with the potential of contributing to the EU energy supply meanwhile ensuring sustainable development. Co-firing of biomass with coal offers several advantages, such as the utilisation of large quantities at low combustion rates in the current combustion systems, lower investments and higher conversion efficiencies compared to systems fired exclusively with biomass. In spite of numerous successful experiences achieved in Europe, this technology still deserves attention in order to find solutions for technical problems as well as to improve efficiency, reduce costs and emissions levels. Today, the accession of the New Member States to the EU-27 brings a new opportunity for the development of biomass co-firing, due to the coal combustion infrastructure already installed, the land availability for energy crops and the current dependency on imported fossil fuels. Objectives
NetBioCof is a Coordination Action project co-funded by the European Commission under the 6th Framework Programme. research. The primary aim of NetBioCof is to promote European co-operation between research organisations devoted to biomass co-firing, fostering the uptake of innovative technologies to expand the use of biomass co-firing in new and existing power plants, with emphasis on the New Member States. A biomass co-firing coordination platform has been established, with the aim of coordinating on-going research and strategic activities: the objective is to identify best practices and to propose strategies of implementation and directions for future Description of tasks
Work package 1 (Evaluation of current state-of-the-art and identification of best practices) aimed at collecting relevant information about current state-of-the-art, successful experiences and applications of biomass co-firing, in the different relevant areas (biomass production, pre-treatment and supply, thermal conversion and energy use). Work package 2 (Assessment of on-going research and identification of gaps in knowledge) has mapped the current activities that are being performed in the partner countries, and in particular in the Central and East European countries. This work package also identified scientific and technological needs for the extended application of biomass co-firing, as well as gaps in knowledge. Work package 3 (Identification of barriers for implementation) has processed the information gathered in previous steps (WP1 and 2) to evaluate the current situation of biomass co-firing in a laboratory and practical level, in order to identify technical and non technical barriers for its extended application on the European level. Work package 4 (Coordination of research and development) has identified and shaped European research clusters in biomass co-firing, made recommendations for the future research and development, created and managed a database platform and organised staff secondments. Work package 5 (Proposal of strategies for implementation) has established a list of scientific, technological, legal, socio-economic and cooperation strategies to promote the use of biomass co-firing. Work package 6 (Dissemination and exploitation) is responsible for establishing joint strategies and foundations to ensure future collaboration and the continuity and self-funding of the network after the project time. Results obtained
The main results achieved, derived from the tasks carried out along the project are the following: • Evaluation of the current state-of-the-art and identification of successful experiences in Europe and best practices; • Assessment of on-going research and identification of gaps in knowledge (mapping current research, identification of barriers for cooperation in research as well as scientific and technological needs); • Identification of barriers for implementation (legal survey and identification of technical and non-technical barriers); • Coordination of research and development (creation of a biomass co-firing database, coordination of current and future research and recommendations); • Development of scientific and technological strategies as well as socioeconomic and legal strategies for widening biomass co-firing applications; •Project web-page establishment, holding of local seminars about biomass co-firing, participation in external conferences; •Organisation of the first Conference of the European Co-firing Network, held in Budapest, Hungary, from July 2th to 4th 2007. Workshops and seminars in the field of biomass co-firing have been gathered in the conference, promoting the awareness of this practice as an excellent way to decrease our dependency towards fossil fuels. Partners
TTZ – Germany EUBIA – Europe SLU – Sweden EAU – Estonia ICHPW – Poland BIOAZUL – Spain VTT – Finland UPT – Romania BMP – Germany KEMA – Netherlands LK-STMK – Austria ISJ – Slovenia Funding
