The Importance of Bioenergy in Achieving the European Energy Transition ETIP Bioenergy Working Group 3 Distribution & End-use / 2020 Orientation Paper and Action Plan ETIP Bioenergy Position Statement on the Consultation “CO2 Emissions for Cars and Vans Revision of Performance Standards” Survey on Good Practices in Agriculture and Forest Related Research SET4BIO Innovation Challenge Latest Workshops and Events

THE IMPORTANCE OF BIOENERGY IN ACHIEVING THE EUROPEAN ENERGY TRANSITION

The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 – meaning an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement.

ETIP Bioenergy believes that sustainable bioenergy has a key role to play in reducing GHG emissions in the EU energy mix, while at the same time decreasing fossil fuel dependence. The promotion of bioenergy in the EU should be based on sound sustainability criteria, including the requirement to reduce GHG emissions significantly.

Biomass is an essential renewable energy source and is a key factor in reaching the current European climate targets set for 2020 and towards 2030, in which year 32% of the energy consumption within the EU is foreseen to originate from renewable energy sources. The EU Member States follow distinctive paths to meet these obligations, which are defined in national action plans referenced to the respective energy markets and available resources. In 2018, the amount of renewable energy utilised within the EU amounted to 18.9% of total gross energy consumption. With a share of almost 60% of all renewable energy, biomass constitutes the main renewable energy source within the EU.

As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission emphasised in the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration, which was presented on 8 July 2020, that biofuels will have an important role in transport subsectors where electrification is not feasible and which are thus difficult to decarbonise by other means, such as aviation, maritime or heavy-duty transportation. Renewable fuels, and especially biofuels, are key to reducing the carbon footprint in transport segments that will continue to rely on internal combustion engines and are complementary to new mobility modes that are expected to make a significant market impact.

Read the full report & watch our latest video.


ETIP BIOENERGY WORKING GROUP 3 DISTRIBUTION & END-USE / 2020 ORIENTATION PAPER AND ACTION PLAN

ETIP Bioenergy WG3 has recenlty published an orientation paper and action plan on end-use and distribution of biofuels in Europe, for road transport, air, rail and shipping.

The paper includes a focus on EU regulations on CO2 emissions in road transport (Well-to-Tank, Tank-to-Wheel), on fuels regulations (Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources-RED II and Fuel Quality Directive) as well as on vehicle regulations. It also discusses the common themes, issues and challenges presented by light duty vehicles and the related use of petrol LDV and diesel LDV, and the ones presented by heavy duty vehicles.

The challenges and features of air transport, in particular of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology portfolio offer and of the maritime transport sector are also shared and presented.

Read the full orientation paper and action plan here




ETIP BIOENERGY POSITION STATEMENT ON THE CONSULTATION “CO2 EMISSIONS FOR CARS AND VANS REVISION OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS”

ETIP Bioenergy has recently submitted a position statement on the European Commission’s consultation “CO2 emissions for cars and vans – revision of performance standards”.

The platform confirms the position that biofuels have the potential to contribute significantly to the energy transition, in order to achieve a reduction of CO2 emissions from cars and vans costeffectively, in line with the European Green Deal and in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement.

An integrated bio-based technology development strategy can help to stay on track to reach climate and energy targets in time. In addition, the standardisation of novel fuels plays a major role to ensure a swift reduction of the carbon footprint of the transport sector and harmonisation ensures a common European basis of transport options.

An integrated approach of strong policy measures, research, innovation and improved financing solutions is necessary.

The EU should encourage Member States (MS) to take an overall harmonised approach and to strive for the highest share possible (within the 7% limit) of sustainable conventional biofuels. In addition, the EU should be encouraged to increase the 14% target in line with the 2030 Climate Target Plan impact assessment. All alternative energies are needed to reduce emissions in the transport sector in line with the Paris Agreement.

Read the full position statement here


SURVEY ON GOOD PRACTICES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RELATED RESEARCH

ETIP Bioenergy Working Group 1 on Biomass Supply is launching a survey on good practices in agriculture and forest related research with relevance to the future development of the sustainable biomass supply for the bioenergy sector.

The aim of the survey is to understand which good practices have been applied so far in EU funded national and industrial research initiatives, what are their main results for broadening sustainable biomass supply for bioenergy and what are the major research gaps identified during the course of the work.

The results of the survey will be compiled in a review paper, which will provide an overview of current good practices in research for biomass supply, analyse the gaps and provide recommendations for future research priorities that can pave the way to zero-carbon European economy by 2050.

Take part in the survey here


SET4BIO INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Do you want to contribute to renewable fuels and bioenergy?
Do you have an innovative solution for producing renewable fuels or bioenergy?

Take the chance to participate in the one-year SET4BIO Innovation Challenge  to get support for the development of your solution, to meet stakeholders in the sector, and to get the opportunity to be matched with suitable funding opportunities.

To selected innovators, the SET4BIO Innovation Challenge will provide the following major opportunities:

• Engaging innovators in developing innovative proposals for solutions that stimulate and increase the possibility of producing and using bioenergy and renewable fuels by also implementing the EU Green Deal Vision.
  
  
• Accelerating the development of their solution via 5 virtual events
  
  
• Assessing the solution with a final demonstration day
  
  
• Matching innovators with innovative solutions with potential funding opportunities.