|
Dear Bio4Fuels Supporters
In this newsletter, among other news, we'll give you some words from our management team as well as a reminder to sign up for our next webinar 8 November âFueling change: the importance of citizen involvement in the discussion on biofuelsâ. Further, we have great news regarding funding of a new infrastructure project in Norway, SUPRA.NO. Please also check out the latest updates from our sub-projects.
Thank you to all our partners and supporters for your contributions. We wish you a lovely autumn đ
|
|
|---|
|
|
From Bio4Fuels Management
Within a few weeks, the world will be taking stock of the status and results of climate actions in the 29th meeting of COP, United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Unfortunately, the recent Emissions Gap Report from UNEP, UN Environment Program, urges â
No more hot air ⊠please!â. It also finds that nations must deliver dramatically stronger ambition and action in the next round of Nationally Determined Contributions, or all chances of meeting climate goals will be gone within a few years. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Though we are in the final phase of Bio4Fuels, we all still have an important responsibility to continue to highlight the importance of alternative sustainable fuels as the only means of meeting climate obligations for key parts of the transport sector.
Norway would like to take a leading role in this area. However, as indicated by all involved in the recent historic test flight coordinated between Norwegian airline and the Norwegian Defense authority, see link below, we must achieve local production in Norway.
For this to happen, technology companies such as Silva Green Fuel, Biozin and others should be given all the support that is needed for them to make the transition to commercial scale.
|
|
|---|
|
Annual Report 2024
It is soon time for the annual report to The Research Council of Norway. The deadline for the report is 7 January.
An e-mail will be sent out to partners with information about the reporting in the beginning of December. Please remember that in-kind is not just when you are in contact with anyone at Bio4Fuels, but it is all activities that can be related to the project.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Senior Advisor Ann-Solveig Hofseth at ann-solveig.hofseth@nmbu.no.
|
|
|
|
|
Feature article
Give the Norwegian Armed Forces biofuel
In a feature article in Nationen 4 October, centre manager Duncan Akporiaye and senior researcher Brynjar Arnfinnsson at the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) write about the role Norwegian-produced sustainable biofuel can play in the future in terms of sustainability, preparedness and quality.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Webinar
Fueling change: the importance of citizen involvement in the discussion on biofuels
Bio4Fuels is co-hosting this webinar Friday 8 November 10am together with the EU-project REFOLUTION and ETIP Bioenergy, European Technology and Innovation Platform. |
|
|
|
|
Accelerating Sustainable Innovation in Norway
The SUPRA.NO proposal led by SINTEF Industry has received funding from the Research Council of Norway.
SUPRA.NO is about creating infrastructure to allow a holistic value chain approach to the sustainable production of fuels, platform chemicals and feed ingredients from underutilized renewable carbon sources.
|
|
|
|
|
It is a collaborative national initiative with participants from key research groups at SINTEF Industry, SINTEF Energy, NTNU, NIBIO, NMBU, and RISE PFI. |
|
|---|
|
Lithuanian delegation visiting SmartForest4.0 and Bio4Fuels
A delegation from the Lithuanian Ministry of Education, Science and Sports and the Lithuanian Research Council visited the Norwegian Research Council. They specifically asked to visit the two research centres SmartForest4.0 and FME Bio4Fuels. |
|
|
|
|
|
Webinar
Climate benefits of sustainable biofuels
presented by Eirik O. JĂ„stad, NMBU, Matteo Gilardi, SINTEF, and Vedant Ballal, NTNU, 19 September.
As asserted by Kjell Moljord from Equinor: "The presentations given were excellent and relevant. The common challenge is to bring those findings and competence into business development and commercialization. In my opinion the business side would not exist if it was not for the strong technical competence needed to see the opportunities, balance the risks and make the right decisions!"
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
Webinar
Without biomass, no bioenergy
Presented by Ignacio Sevillano, NIBIO, and Antti Asikainen, LUKE, 17 October.
Climate change may turn boreal forests from carbon sinks to sources due to disturbances like drought and wildfires. Increased biomass from salvage logging offers opportunities for biofuel production, as shown by studies from NIBIO. Despite success in Sweden and Finland, Norway's market for low-value forest biomass remains untapped.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
SP1 Bio-resources, Environment and Climate
Optimizing forest-based bioenergy profitability:
The role of timber harvesting and transport costs
Timber harvesting and logistic costs greatly impact the profitability of forest-based bioenergy. The transport costs play a significant role in this equation. A useful tool for shedding light on this complex issue is the tree bucking simulation software, with the possibility of setting the value of the timber assortment in relation to the distance from the processing plant to the harvesting site.
|
|
|---|
|
In the simulations, it was found logically that the higher the value of a product from a raw material fragment, the longer the distance that can be covered while still maintaining a profitable value chain. These tools and findings can be used not only for evaluating current raw material streams but also for supporting decision-making in planning value chains. |
|
|
|
|
SP2 Liquefaction Processes
Summer Student Research Activity: Extraction of Organic Compounds from Process Water
This summer, with the help of our summer student researcher, IngebjĂžrg Neraas, we investigated conditions for extraction of organic compounds from process water. The aim of the activity was to investigate the effect of using liquid-liquid extraction to separate organics from water produced from bio-oil production. Variables tested include different solvents, solvent to feedstock ratios, and changes in pH.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SP3 Biochemical Processes
Biological Conversion of CO2 to CH4 and the Impact of Impurities
PhD student Getachew Birhanu Abera at Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NMBU, presented work on âBiological Conversion of CO2 to CH4 and the Impact of Impuritiesâ to Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Cluster Conference on âDream Reactions of CO2 - Capture, Conversion and Beyondâ in Denmark this September.
|
|
|
|
|
SP3 Biochemical Processes
Shaping the portfolio of MSc and PhD-level courses
This autumn, the BIO335 course on Applied Biocatalysis and Biorefining at NMBU has kicked in for the 8th time, offering MSc and PhD students in-depth engagement with the latest advances in sustainable biocatalysis. Building on cutting-edge research from recent and on-going projects, including Bio4Fuels, students are learning directly from real-world research findings.
|
|
|
|
|
In a class led by AnikĂł VĂĄrnai, leader of SP3 Biochemical processes, students explored recent advancements in enzyme research and bio-based product development, deepening their understanding of modern challenges in biorefining. |
|
|---|
|
|
SP3 Biochemical Processes
Upgrading biogas to methane
WP3.4 Anaerobic Digestion has studied biological upgrading of biogas to methane. They are excited to announce their latest publication in Bioresource Technology: "Bioaugmentation by Enriched Hydrogenotrophic Methanogens into Trickle Bed Reactors for Hâ/COâ Conversion." This study showed that biofilm-based processes in trickle bed reactors could upgrade biogas to more than 96% methane. |
|
|
|
|
SP3 Biochemical Processes
Enhanced Eco-Friendly Materials from Organosolv and Kraft Fibers
In January, WP3.3 Fermentation published an article in Polymers titled âSustainable materials from organosolv fibers and lignin, kraft fibers and their blends".
|
|
|
|
|
SP4 Gasification Processes
Further proof of the robustness of the Entrained flow concept
SP4 has published several articles on their research recent months. |
|
|---|
|
|
SP4 Gasification Processes
Optimizing Lignin Gasification: Effects of Temperature, Steam, and Oxygen
In April, SP4 published an article in Fuel titled âExperimental and simulation studies of oxygen-blown, steam-injected, entrained flow gasification of ligninâ.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
SP4 Gasification Processes
Gasification of Lignin: Enhancing Syngas Production with Steam and CO2
In October, SP4 published an article in Thermal Science and Engineering Progress titled âNumerical simulation of lignin gasification: The role of gasifying agents in entrained-flow reactorsâ.
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
SP4 Gasification Processes
Optimizing Sewage Sludge Gasification: Enhancing Conversion with Wood Powder
SP4 is shortly submitting an article titled âEntrained flow gasification of sewage sludge digestate: experimental and simulation studyâ.
|
|
|
|
|
SP5 Process Design and End Use
Invitation to the CAPE-OPEN 2024 Annual Meeting
Filippo Bisotti from SINTEF was invited to present the modelling activities using COFE as CAPE-OPEN tool 8 October in Berlin.
The presentation showed the potential of the CAPE-OPEN for the modelling of a biorefinery with a specific focus on the approach used in the flowsheet development and integration with techno-economic assessments.
The audience, mainly developers from the industry and academia, reacted positively to the short presentation from an end-user perspective. They showed a true interest in the Bio4Fuels case study and the outcomes of SINTEF activities. The participants particularly appreciated that CAPE-OPEN tools are integrated into the process design and technology assessment of biofuels production and carbon mitigation research.
|
|
|---|
|
|
| |
|
Enjoying our newsletter? Share the enthusiasm and forward it to a colleague! |
|
|---|
|
|
|
Visit our website to find our news, project information, and upcoming events. |
|
|---|
|
|
|
|---|
|
|
Follow us on LinkedIn!
FME Bio4Fuels |
|
|---|
|
| | |
|
|
|
