Improving logistics for bioenergy in Europe
The EU-funded MUSIC project aims to facilitate the use of renewable energy by developing logistics of biomass-based energy carriers.
Enschede – Biomass, like forest residues or straw, is bulky and difficult to transport and use as such. Producing intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBCs) like pyrolysis oil, torrefied biomass and microbial oil, increases the energy density of the material. This makes it easier to transport, store and use. Facilitating the market uptake of IBCs will thus increase the availability and use of bioenergy in Europe.
MUSIC1 (www.music-h2020.eu) is an EU project that aims to facilitate market uptake of IBCs by developing feedstock mobilisation strategies, improved logistics and IBC trade centres. The project is coordinated by John Vos of BTG Biomass Technology Group.
The three-year MUSIC project will develop strategies to mobilise the use of non-food biomass, determine the most cost-effective logistics and facilitate the trade of IBCs. Converting biomass (e.g. forest residues, straw) to IBCs makes the material denser in energy, more homogeneous and thus easier to transport, store and use. Technologies for the biomass conversion, like fast pyrolysis or torrefaction, are rapidly developing. To achieve the full potential offered by IBCs this technology development needs to be accompanied by the implementation of appropriate logistics.
A core action in MUSIC is the elaboration of 4 case studies across Europe, in co-operation with both large industries (e.g. steel producer Arcelor Mittal, oil company ENI) and SMEs (e.g. technology developers BTG-BTL and Torr-Coal), to determine the most cost-effective routes for biomass and IBC mobilisation.Furthermore, improving the trade of intermediate bioenergy carriers both on regional and EU level is targeted. MUSIC will also involve, engage and support regional stakeholders for the establishment of IBC value chains. Supporting bioenergy is crucial, John Vos – coordinator of MUSIC - explains: “We need to fully understand the challenges and opportunities of IBC logistics in Europe in order to discover new ways in bringing together providers and users of biomass/IBC.”
The MUSIC consortium consists of sixteen partners from seven European countries: Belgium, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Sweden and The Netherlands. The consortium brings together energy advisors, academic/research partners, industrial parties and their member organisations.
Contact
John Vos (coordinator)
BTG Biomass Technology Group BV
Phone: +31 53 486 1186
Email:Vos@btgworld.com
1 Full title: Market Uptake Support for Intermediate Bioenergy Carriers