Project aim

The project aims to increase the rate of bioenergy provision within NW Europe through facilitating the implementation of local, small scale bioenergy plants (typically < 10 MW total energy). This will be done by the establishment of Bioenergy Support Centers (BSCs) which are supposed to provide information and support to local stakeholders, e.g. from local governments, industrial and financial organizations, and industry, by locally demonstrating suitable technologies and by creating a network of support centers.

Key tasks

1. Establishment and operation of bioenergy support centers as local catalysts to the development of bioenergy projects.
2. Demonstrating the combined operation of anaerobic digestion and intermediate pyrolysis to ensure the broadest range of biomass types maybe used as feedstocks.
3. Building a "Decision Support Tool" – DST to support the establishment of bioenergy projects in European regions
4. Engaging with key actors and stakeholders to promote conditions whereby bioenergy projects can be implemented.

Key activities of ITAS

The main contribution from ITAS is the development of the spatial element of the decision support tool (DST) using a Geographical Information System (GIS). Therefore, a method and a model are being developed for the assessment of sustainable potentials and the corresponding spatial distribution of all relevant organic residues (agricultural residues, forest biomass, urban waste) in specific European regions. Besides to statistical data, spatial data (digital maps) e.g. on soil properties, land use, cropping patterns, livestock distribution, and protected areas are being processed. Within the DST, the modelling results are used for the identification of suitable technologies, locations and residue types at an early stage of project development.

The DST and parts of its functionality can be seen here: http://ixion.bcu.ac.uk/bioen/dst#/

Project structure

The project currently comprises five regions, one in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK, where the project concepts will be applied and optimized. A Bioenergy Support Centre (BSC) will be created in each region where the project activities are concentrated and which acts as a catalyst to the development of bioenergy projects in the respective region. Direct links will be created to networks in other regions of NW Europe aiming at the foundation of further bioenergy support centers and for the dissemination of the project outcomes.

Project website: bioenergy-nw.eu

Tel.: +49 721 608-22704
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