Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/s13705-023-00416-1
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Plating the hot potato: how to make intermediate bioenergy carriers an accelerator to a climate-neutral Europe
Author Siegfried, K.; Blümel, L.; Riedel, F.; Moosmann, D.; Cyffka, K.-F.; Richters, M.; Reumerman, P.; Vos, J.; Matisons, M.; Thrän, D.
Source Titel Energy, Sustainability and Society
Year 2023
Department BIOENERGIE
Volume 13
Page From art. 37
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Intermediate bioenergy carriers; Advanced biofuel; Bioenergy market uptake; Fast pyrolysis bio-oil; REDII; PESTEL
Abstract Background
With sustainable bioenergy in the European energy mix, intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) become of growing importance, as they can ensure a more efficient utilisation of biomass feedstocks from agricultural and forest residues. A high potential for market uptake is foreseen for fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO), one of several IBCs. While facing the chicken and egg problem in market entry, the aim of this study was the development of adequate strategies to support market implementation. The case study findings and methodological approach can provide policymakers, industry, and a broader audience with a vision for addressing similar challenges in market adoption of innovations in the bioeconomy and beyond. Therefore, we tested a new PESTEL + I approach and its practical applicability to an IBC value chain.
Results
With an adopted PESTEL method, we analysed a promising value chain in which FPBO is produced from sawdust in Sweden and Finland, transported to the Netherlands and upgraded and marketed as a marine biofuel. Our results show that the market uptake of IBCs such as FPBO and subsequently produced biofuels is above all driven by the European Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II). In Annex IX Part A, sawdust is listed as a feedstock for advanced biofuels, which can be double counted towards the 14% renewable energy share goal in the transport sector in 2030. To support the use of advanced biofuels in the maritime and aviation sector, the proposal for revision of RED II 2021 contains a new multiplier (1.2x) for fuels delivered to these sectors, while all other multipliers are deleted. These legal European obligations and implementation into national law of member states create strong incentives for many downstream market actors to use advanced biofuel. However, technological challenges for FPBO use still hamper fast market introduction.
Conclusions
Overcoming technology challenges and the creation of long-term validity of guidelines and regulatory framework will create stable market conditions, investment security and finally stimulate long-term offtake agreements between feedstock providers, technology developers and downstream customers. The approach and findings can provide a vision to overcome similar challenges in other bioeconomy innovations’ market uptake and beyond.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28325
Siegfried, K., Blümel, L., Riedel, F., Moosmann, D., Cyffka, K.-F., Richters, M., Reumerman, P., Vos, J., Matisons, M., Thrän, D. (2023):
Plating the hot potato: how to make intermediate bioenergy carriers an accelerator to a climate-neutral Europe
Energy Sustain. Soc. 13 , art. 37 10.1186/s13705-023-00416-1