Suchergebnisse

The aim of this study is to evaluate economic support measures based on current EU policies a ecting the pro tability of large-scale deployment of biochar for sun ower cultivation in dry marginal lands in Italy, paving the way to large scale carbon sequestration in the EU Mediterranean region. Two cases were considered: i) straight biochar use and ii) biochar in combination with compost (COMBI: 20% biochar and 80% compost mass fraction), at application rates of 5 and 10Mgha−1 respectively. Based on realistic estimations of achievable crop-yield performances by biochar and COMBI addition to dry soils, the e ect of current policies on the eco- nomic viability of biochar deployment and farmers' income has been investigated. Using a cost-model we identi ed the required levels of support, in the form of (i) area subsidies for crop cultivation, (ii) tradable carbon certi cates (credits), and (iii) REDII-compliant biofuel support for Aviation and Maritime, so to make biochar and sun ower cultivation in EU MED dry marginal lands competitive for sustainable crop-based biofuels. Results show that, by employing existing policy instruments, su cient income can be generated for famers to recover marginal land, sequester large amount of carbon by BECCS at costs (∼82 € Mg−1 of CO2) falling at or below the typical range of CCS measures, as well as o er additional environmental and socio-economic positive bene ts. The combination of currently operational economic mechanisms from the Common Agricultural Policy, the Climate Policy, and the Renewable Energy Directive II can: i) maintain domestic farming activities, ii) support the implementation of biochar projects at local level, iii) contribute to achieve EU and national biofuel targets without generating ILUC impacts and iv) achieve unprecedent potential for carbon sequestration. However, prior to large-scale deployment, targeted on-site R&D actions aimed at validating biochar e ects under local condi- tions (soil, climate, crops) are recommended, together with training and ...

Advanced biofuels produced from lignocellulosic biomass offer an exciting opportunity to produce renewable liquid transportation fuels, biochemicals, and electricity from locally available agriculture and forest residues. The growing interest in biofuels from lignocellulosic feedstock in the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) can provide a path forward toward replacing petroleum-based fuels with sustainable biofuels which have the potential to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The selection of biomass conversion technologies along with feedstock development plays a crucial role in the commercialization of next-generation biofuels. There has been synergy and, even with similar basic process routes, diversity in the conversion technologies chosen for commercialization in the EU and the US. The conversion technologies for lignocellulosic biomass to advanced biofuels can be broadly classified in three major categories: biochemical, thermochemical, and hybrid conversions. The objective of this review is to discuss the US and EU biofuel initiatives, feedstock availability, and the state-of-art conversion technologies that are potentially ready or are already being deployed for large-scale applications. The review covers and compares the developments in these areas in the EU and the USA and provides a comprehensive list of the most relevant ongoing development, demonstration, and commercialization activities in various companies, along with the different processing strategies adopted by these projects.

The first EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) served as an effective push for world-wide research efforts on biofuels and bioliquids, i.e. liquid fuels for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity, heating, and cooling, which are produced from biomass. In December 2018 the new RED II was published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Therefore, it is now the right time to provide a comprehensive overview of achievements and practices that were developed within the current perspective. To comply with this objective, the present study focuses on a comprehensive and systematic technical evaluation of all key aspects of the different distributed energy generation pathways using bioliquids in reciprocating engines and micro gas turbines that were overseen by these EU actions. Methodologically, the study originates from the analyses of feedstock and fuel processing technologies, which decisively influence fuel properties. The study systematically and holistically highlights the utilisation of these bioliquids in terms of fuel property specific challenges, required engine adaptations, and equipment durability, culminating in analyses of engine performance and emissions. In addition, innovative proposals and future opportunities for further technical improvements in the whole production-consumption cycle are presented, thus serving as a guideline for upcoming research and development activities in the fast-growing area of bioliquids. Additionally, the paper systematically addresses opportunities for the utilisation of waste streams, emerging from the ever increasing circular use of materials and resources. With this, the present review provides the sorely needed link between past efforts, oriented towards the exploitation of bio-based resources for power generation, and the very recent zero-waste oriented society that will require a realistic exploitation plan for residuals originating from intensive material looping.