IEA Bioenergy Technology Collaboration Programme

🌱 🛫 Task 39 (Biofuels to Decarbonize Transport) has completed a research on the potential of biofuels in emerging markets of Africa and Asia. In this study, the authors conducted a harmonized life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) of ethanol and biodiesel across China, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and Thailand. This is work that builds on previous work on Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Guatemala.    🔍 Key Findings: ✅ A 25% biofuel blend can reduce GHG emissions of transport by 17%, contributing to climate goals of developing countries. Care should be taken to avoid that agricultural activity is expanded into high carbon stock areas which could cause direct or indirect land use change effects. ✅ Biofuels are cost-effective: biofuel blending does not lead to higher fuel cost in several of the analyzed countries. The economic competitiveness varies by country, influenced by feedstock cost and fossil fuel subsidies. ✅ The required land footprint for biofuels production to replace 25% of fossil transport fuels is below 5% of the agricultural area for five out of the seven analyzed countries. ✅ International trade of biofuels can provide biofuels to countries with low land availability. ✅ Overseas transport from the Americas to Asia adds only 6 to 10 gCO2e/MJ to the carbon footprint of biofuels. Read more our our website 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dB3qAgtc

IEA Bioenergy Task 37 (Energy from Biogas) developed a case history showing the evolution of an integrated biorefinery complex in Varennes, Québec, Canada. Since 2007, Greenfield Québec Inc. has been transforming locally grown grain corn into fuel-grade ethanol at its Varennes plant. Over the years, the site has evolved into an integrated biorefinery complex, with the SÉMECS - Société d'Économie Mixte de l'Est de la Couronne Sud (SÉMECS) inc. centre (commissioned in 2018) using anaerobic digestion to process organic waste and produce biogas. In 2024, its capacity expanded to 120,000 tonnes per year, further reducing the carbon intensity of ethanol production. By 2027, the plant aims to eliminate fossil fuel use entirely. With upcoming plans to use biogenic CO₂ for methanol production, this project highlights how industrial innovation can create jobs, reduce emissions, and maximize resource recovery. Read more on our website 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dt-8j9sk Authors: Maria Wellisch, Sylvain Trépanier

🌱 COUNTRY REPORT: Implementation of bioenergy in Belgium 🇧🇪 – 2024 update   ▶️ Belgium’s renewable energy share in final energy consumption was 14% in 2022, with around 60% of renewable energy produced from biomass. ▶️ Belgium is a small, densely populated country with high energy demand from industry. Primary domestic biomass resources are limited, so an important share of the feedstocks comes from residues and waste, as well as imports. For its fossil fuel consumption (oil, gas and coal), Belgium is fully reliant on imports. In contrast, for biomass, biofuels and waste import dependency is in the order of 20%. ▶️ Electricity production in 2022 was dominated by nuclear (50%) and gas (25%), but with several nuclear reactors set to close between 2023 and 2025, Belgium faces a major shift. Some new natural gas plants are announced to fill part of the gap. Bioelectricity was the major source of renewable electricity initially. In the past decade, the level of bioelectricity has stabilized, while the role of wind and solar power is growing. ▶️ Heat provision and transport are still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Natural gas and heating oil dominate heat provision, with biomass providing 9%, still the main source of renewable heat. ▶️ In transport, biofuels accounted for 9% of energy consumption in 2022, with biodiesel and HVO in dieseland bioethanol (E10) in gasoline being the primary alternatives. Electricity (28% renewable) represented 2.1% of total transport energy use in 2022, mostly still in rail. ▶️ Renewable energy policies are largely regional, with green certificates and tenders supporting renewable power, while federal policies regulate biofuels through supplier obligations.   Belgium’s energy landscape is evolving — what will be the role of renewables? Access the full Country Report 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d_9WGp5H Edited by: Luc Pelkmans Country Contributions: Laurence Polain Service public de Wallonie, Thibaut Masy CRA-W Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques, Luc Pelkmans Caprea Sustainable Solutions

Task 37 (Energy from Biogas) has developed a case history on Limeco Regiowerk's biological Power-to-Gas (P2G) plant in Dietikon, Switzerland. It is the first industrial, full-scale P2G facility in the country, representing a significant milestone. A maximum of 90 Nm³/h of CO₂ can be converted to 90 Nm³/h methane, which is additional to the 150 Nm³/hr methane directly coming from the biogas plant. Overall, the plant can produce up to 18 GWh of renewable methane annually. Leveraging synergies from biogas, sewage sludge, and waste-to-energy, the plant ensures flexible, CO₂-neutral energy. This distinctive approach fosters innovative integration, whilst unlocking potential for a more cohesive and adaptable energy production model. A model for sustainable energy! 🌱⚡ Read more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dXGAwAAr Authors: Hajo Nägele, Wolfgang Merkle, Thomas Di Lorenzo & Niclas Gündel

Task 39 (Biofuels to Decarbonize Transport) published a new policy brief exploring two case studies on CO2 utilization in bioethanol production. The first looks at Brazil, where CO2 from sugar-to-ethanol fermentation can produce ethanol with negative emissions (-8.5 gCO2e/MJ) using BECCS, though challenges in hydrogen production remain. The second case focuses on China’s steel industry, where exhaust gases (CO2, CO, H2) are used to create bioethanol. An optimized process significantly reduces carbon emissions, but high energy consumption remains a key hurdle. The challenges listed for the two case studies of this report highlight the need for continued research and technological advancements to enhance the energy efficiency and economic viability of ethanol production via industrial exhaust gas. The brief recommends the creation of incentives for BECCS in ethanol production, particularly given the high purity of CO2 from sugar-to-ethanol fermentation, which lowers CCS costs associated with the capture process. Read more and download the full document 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dhQXXain

🌱 COUNTRY REPORT: Implementation of bioenergy in Austria 🇦🇹 – 2024 update   • Renewables represent 34% of Austria’s final energy consumption in 2022. Around 55% of renewable energy in Austria is generated from biomass. • For its fossil fuel consumption (oil, coal and gas), Austria is 90 to 100% reliant on imports. In contrast, for bioenergy carriers and waste import dependency varied between -2% and 8% in the past decade, so it makes a major contribution to energy security. • The main application of bioenergy is in renewable heat, both in direct heating (residential, and industry) and in district heating. Over half of district heating is produced from biomass. • Electricity generation from renewable energies in Austria sum up to 78% in 2022 and 87% in 2023 (number 3 within EU). The Austrian government aims to reach 100% by 2030. • Transport is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly diesel. The role of biofuels in transport has been relatively stable around 5%.  • Since 2012, there has been no major increase of renewable energy in Austria. To achieve its 2030 targets, major steps will need to be taken.   Access the full Country Report here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/deJifH3d   Edited by: Luc Pelkmans   Country Contributions: Hannes Bauer, Austrian Federal Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology; Dina Bacovsky, Christoph Strasser and Andrea Sonnleitner, BEST - Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH.

The SAF market is growing rapidly and, due to its inherent international character, it is subject to various (inter)national policy frameworks related to sustainability claims, in particular the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). Biofuels policy frameworks exhibit a diversity of underlying rules and methodologies for calculating and accounting for GHG emissions and differ in the degree of stringency and robustness. Policies use verification/certification for the implementation of these rules. IEA Bioenergy Task 39 (Biofuels to Decarbonize Transport) published a report to identify opportunities for policy makers to increase the robustness of GHG related verification/certification aspects in international biofuel supply chains, especially for SAF. Key takeouts: - Policy differences create a challenge for international SAF supply chains as feedstocks and SAF batches need to fulfill all the sustainability requirements set out in any policy where they may be used. - There is a risk regarding double counting of GHG savings. This could lead to higher reported total GHG savings than actually achieved in practice. - An opportunity to increase the robustness of SAF policy frameworks is to ensure a level playing field and harmonized implementation rules to the greatest extent possible. Read more and download the full report 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d6j2ZFr2

Decarbonizing transport is key to meeting global climate goals! 🚆✈️🚢 Advanced biofuels play a crucial role in reducing emissions and integrating renewable energy into the sector. 📊 IEA Bioenergy Task 39 (Biofuels to Decarbonize Transport) set up a database that, as of the November 2024 update, comprises 258 facilities producing advanced biofuels using technologies such as hydrotreatment, fermentation, gasification, and pyrolysis. 💡 Key Takeaways: ✅ Advantages of advanced biofuels: Advanced biofuels pose many advantages like the variety of technologies and feedstocks/residues that can be used, the possible integration in existing fleets and infrastructure and their high energy density and storability. ✅ Need for commercialization: For commercialization of advanced biofuels it is necessary to demonstrate and scale-up, as well as building up capacity and production volumes. The reduction of costs and financial risks is essential and long-term policies and comprehensive strategies are needed to lead the way to commercialization. ✅ Promising opportunities and developments: The promising opportunities and positive developments for advanced biofuels are the increasing demand and production in emerging economies and the defossilization in long-distance transport, like in the aviation, maritime and heavy-duty sector. 👉 Scaling up biofuels is a global challenge, but with the right strategies, they can revolutionize transport sustainability. Read more on our website and download the full report 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d6GVzkzb

📧 Don't miss IEA Bioenergy News, the newsletter of IEA Bioenergy. 👉 This issue covers the ExCo94 meeting held on 21-22 October 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil. It also features a Task Focus by Task 36, the Notice board, and recent publications and upcoming events. Download available here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/df33nYfa

🌱 COUNTRY REPORT: Implementation of bioenergy in Australia 🇦🇺 – 2024 update   - Fossil fuels still dominate Australia’s energy mix, with oil, coal, and gas leading the supply. In 2022, the share of renewables in final energy consumption reached nearly 15%. Biomass accounts for about one-third of renewable energy, primarily used for industrial heat. - Australia is a major coal and natural gas exporter, but relies on imports for 50% of its oil consumption. Meanwhile, all bioenergy is sourced domestically, highlighting an opportunity for greater energy independence. - Despite its large land area and low population density, Australia's bioenergy potential remains largely untapped. More progress is possible in expanding the use of solid biomass, liquid biofuels, biogas, and waste-to-energy solutions. - Electricity generation remains dependent on fossil fuels, with coal providing 50% and gas 20% of total power. Wind and solar power are growing, bioelectricity plays only a minor role. - Transport is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil fuels (98%), with biofuels contributing less than 0.5%. Diesel consumption is on the rise, while gasoline, LPG, and aviation fuel use have declined in recent years. Biofuel mandates exist in two states but are not enforced. - A major milestone for the industry is the imminent release of the National Bioenergy Roadmap by the Commonwealth Government. This roadmap will define bioenergy’s role in Australia’s clean energy transition, helping to unlock its full potential.   👉 With the right policies and investments, Australia has a significant opportunity to scale up bioenergy and drive a more sustainable energy future.   Access the full Country Report here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dtTtrxpw Edited by: Luc Pelkmans Country Contributions:  Mark Brown, University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), Australia