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European Biofuels Technology Platform (EBTP) - an Overview

EBTP Overview contents

The need for sustainable biofuels

The European Union is strongly dependent on fossil fuels for its transport needs and is a net importer of crude oil. At the same time, concerns are increasing about climate change and the potential economic and political impact of peak oil production. To address these issues and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels the EU has adopted measures to encourage the production and use of sustainable biofuels.

 

EU policy and strategy on biofuels

In February 2009, the European Parliament resolution “2050: The future begins today – Recommendations for the EU's future integrated policy on climate change” (2008/2105(INI)) set out a range of measures that should be taken in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25-40% by 2020 and a reduction of at least 80% by 2050.

Among other measures, the resolution advocates that EU Member States should invest in research on sustainable advanced biofuels.

The European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) (January 2007) aims to match the most appropriate set of policy instruments to the needs of different technologies at different stages of the development and deployment cycle. It addresses the entire innovation process from basic research to market uptake for bioenergy, including biofuels.

In October 2009, the EC published a proposal on Investing in the Development of Low Carbon Technologies (SET PLan), calling for an additional €50bn investment in low carbon technologies, including €9bn for bioenenergy (advanced biofuels and efficient CHP).

The proposal states that the EU "has to bring to commercial maturity the most promising technologies, in order to permit large-scale, sustainable production of advanced biofuels and highly efficient combined heat and power from biomass.

Different bio-energy pathways are at various stages of maturity. For many, the most pressing need is to demonstrate the technology at the appropriate scale – pilot plants, pre-commercial demonstration or full industrial scale. Up to 30 such plants will be needed across Europe to take full account of differing geographical and climate conditions and logistical constraints. A longer term research programme will support the development of a sustainable bio-energy industry beyond 2020."

The proposal on development of low-carbon energy technologies indicates that the total public and private investment needed in Europe [for sustainable bioenergy demonstration] over the next 10 years is estimated as €9 bn. By 2020, the contribution to the EU energy mix from cost-competitive bio-energy used in accordance with the sustainability criteria of the new RES directive could be at least 14%. More than 200 000 local jobs could be created (see European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative below).

The SET Plan builds upon the major proposals outlined in the Vision Report (April 2006) of The Biofuels Research Advisory Council (BIOFRAC) (April 2006), which presented a long-term view on how to overcome the technical and non-technical barriers for biofuel deployment in the European Union and worldwide.

 

Mission of the European Biofuels Technology Platform

In 2007, 7.7. Mtoe of biofuels were consumed in the EU27, accounting for 2.6% of road transport fuels. Production needs to increase rapidly if Member States are to achieve the target of 5.75% by 2010, as set in the European Biofuels Directive (2003). In 2008, public concerns about the impact of some first generation biofuels caused several Member States to reduce these targets pending further research on sustainability issues and the wider availability of advanced biofuels.

To help address these concerns and enable the EU27 to increase their market share of biofuels to 10% by 2020, the European Biofuels Technolgy Platform (EBTP) aims to contribute to the development of cost-competitive world-class biofuels value chains and the creation of a healthy biofuels industry, and to accelerate the sustainable deployment of biofuels in the European Union, through a process of guidance, prioritisation and promotion of research, technology development and demonstration.

 

Structure of the European Biofuels Technology Platform

Established in 2006, the EBTP brings together the knowledge and expertise of stakeholders from industry, biomass resources providers, research & technology development organisations and NGOs in a public private partnership.

It is managed by a steering committee and supported by a secretariat, the European Commission being an active observer. Stakeholders can register and share access to key contacts, internal and external reports, events, opinions and expertise on biofuels RD&D. The main activities are carried out through six working groups covering biomass resources, conversion, end use, sustainability, marketing and prioritisation.

 

The EBTP Strategic Research Agenda and EU Directives

The initial focus of the EBTP during 2007 was to produce a Strategic Research Agenda and Strategy Deployment Document SRA/SDD identifying key RD&D working lines for the next decades, as necessary to achieve the Vision 2030. The SRA/SDD, which was launched at the First Stakeholder Plenary Meeting in Brussels on 31st January 2008, also aimed to provide a reliable source of information and opinion on the development of biofuels for transport in the EU.

Subsequently, the Renewable Energy Directive (COM (2008) 19) and the updated Fuel Quality Directive adopted by Council and the European Parliament have set the framework conditions and resulting challenges to be overcome by economic actors of current and future biofuel value chains.

In light of this new legislation and ongoing consultations on the availability and sustainability of feedstocks, as well as the acceleration of novel feedstocks (e.g. algae), 2G conversion technologies, and emerging markets (e.g. aviation, shipping), an update to the EBTP SRA/SDD is currently being drafted for publication in early 2010.

 

European Industrial Bioenergy Initiative (EIBI)

To help meet biofuels R&D&D objectives within the Sustainable Energy Technology (SET PLan), the EBTP has drafted proposals for a European Industrial BioEnergy Initiative (EIBI) to prioritise pre-commercial demonstration of advanced biofuel value chains. These cover gasification (syngas), Fischer-Tropsch, methanol/DME, cellulosic ethanol, pyrolysis oils, algal oils, and catalysis of plant sugars. The EIBI also covers CHP and the availability of sustainable feedstocks.

 

EBTP cooperation with related ETPs within the KBBE

As part of Knowledge Based Bio-Economy (KBBE) initiatives, the EBTP works closely with related European Technology Patforms (ETPs) involved in Sustainable Chemistry, Plant Biotechnology, Agriculture and Transport to identify gaps and synergies in biorefinery R&DD. Specifically, the EBTP particpates in the BeCoTeps and STAR-Colibri projects, as well as liaising with ERA-NET Bioenergy and ESFRI EWG. It also contributes extensively to consultations on the availability and certification of sustainable bioenergy feedstocks, including lignocellulosic materials and novel biomass resources, such as algae.

 

From sustainable feedstocks to conversion and end use

To produce sustainable feedstocks for biofuels, availability-cost curves for different sources of biomass and geographical locations are required, as well as new high-yield and low-input agricultural and forest systems with optimised breeding and efficient harvesting, collection and storage systems.

To convert a diverse range of feedstocks into sustainable biofuels requires maximisation of energy and carbon efficiency of current and new processes, optimisation of the valorisation of the feedstocks (integrated biorefining) and development and demonstration of reliability and feedstock flexibility, at pilot and industrial scale.

To facilitate the wider use of biofuels in road transport, biofuels and blends need to become increasingly compatible with existing logistics as well as current and future power trains. Vehicle modifications for neat biofuels and high blends are required, based on engine-fleet test data and sound quality standards, and an in-depth understanding of the relationship between biofuels quality and engine performance.

 

Ensuring overall system sustainability

Ensuring overall system sustainability now and in the future, will require specific efforts to develop and improve relevant methodology and indicators to assess economic, environmental and social sustainability issues. In turn, this depends on the collection of reliable data for the assessment of existing and new production chains.

On the economic and political side, non-technological factors will also play a decisive role, with a need for a coherent, long term and harmonised market and political framework to secure investment in new technology, This can be achieved by joint public/private financing for R&D&D of newpathways, applicable quality standards based on sound science, and a global certification system to ensure sustainability and increased social awareness and acceptance.

The winning options (combining land use, feedstock, conversion and end products) will be those best addressing strategic and sustainability targets, including a high level of GHG reduction with sound management of key environmental issues (biodiversity, water use, local emissions), security and diversification of energy supply for road transport, economic competitiveness and social acceptance.

 

First steps towards the EBTP and ToR

Further background information on the aims, objectives, origins and terms of reference of the Biofuels TP are provided in the following PDF files.

First steps towards the European Technology Platform for Biofuels >> 121 KB

Terms of Reference >> 187 KB

 

European measures in Support of Biofuels for Transport

EU measures to encourage the use of biofuels

The  Biofuels Directive (2003/30/EC)

The Biomass Action Plan (COM(2005) 628)

A Strategy for Biofuels >> (COM(2006) 34) - 120 KB PDF

Priority is to be given to biofuels research in the Seventh RTD Framework Programme (FP7)

European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan)

 

Research Advisory Council (BIOFRAC)

A high-level Advisory Council (The Biofuels Research Advisory Council - BIOFRAC) was established by the European Commission to establish the need for and prepare the groundwork for the Technology Platform. BIOFRAC consists of members who represent a balance of the major European biofuels stakeholders, including the agricultural and forestry sectors, food industry, biofuels industry, oil companies and fuel distributors, car manufacturers and research institutes. This met several times in 2005.

The initial mission of BIOFRAC was to develop a Vision Report that  addressed all the issues that are relevant to ensure a breakthrough in biofuels technology and increase their deployment in the EU, with an emphasis on research, development and demonstration. The report is intended as a reference document for all stakeholders including policy-makers and will also support  the development and implementation of the 7th Framework Programme for research (FP7), as well as providing guidence for the development of the BiofuelsTP Strategic Research Agenda.

 

Vision Report

Download vision report >> 1.42 MB

The Final Vision Report outlines the current situation of biofuels and presents a long-term view on how to overcome the technical and non-technical barriers for biofuel deployment in the European Union and worldwide. In early 2006 it was made open to public consultation to April 2006.