Mobilisation of woody biomass – INFRES Conference

19 May, 2015 - 19 May, 2015
Location: FAO Headquarters, Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy
Contact: Raffaele Spinelli
Email: Send email
Website: http://www.infres.eu/en/final-conference/
Regular

Mobilisation of woody biomass for energy and industrial use  – Smart logistics for forest residues, prunings and dedicated plantations

BIOMASS FEEDSTOCKS

Biomass could account for two-thirds of the targeted European Union renewable energy production in 2020 (20% share in the energy mix). For this to become reality biomass use will roughly have to double between 2010 and 2020. Forests can be used more intensively to produce the required biomass, whereas the agricultural sector is another key source to expand biomass supply sustainably. Purposely grown energy crops can also contribute substantially. Improved logistics to harvest, store and transport biomass feedstocks will help create a market for biomass feedstocks such as forestry residues, agricultural wood prunings, and energy crops.

 

EUROPEAN RESEARCH     

Since mid-2012, more than 60 organisations and companies, including many small and medium sized enterprises, collaborate in three EU-supported research projects INFRES, LogistEC and EuroPrunning (combined budget €15 million; EU contribution €10 million) to develop such smart logistics. They field-demonstrate practical solutions implemented in rural communities to harvest, store and transport lignocellulosic biomass for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials. Besides developing technologies and adapting machines, the projects also assess the environmental, economic and social sustainability of the proposed supply chains, as well as the barriers to innovation.

 

A UNIQUE ONE-STOP COMMUNICATION EVENT ORGANISED BY THREE R&D PROJECTS AND SUPPORTED BY LEADING INTERNATIONAL BIOMASS MOBILIZATION STAKEHOLDERS

 

SHOWCASING KEY RESULTS                                       

Three years after their start the European projects will have reached significant, or even final, results. It is timely to communicate these results and discuss their wider implications for improved biomass mobilisation. At a targeted 1-day conference each project will present its key findings, explaining their meaning and novelty. Emphasis on practical solutions will be key. A dedicated conference session will address perspectives on woody biomass supply for energy and industrial use, including sustainability aspects, in North America and developing countries.