Overview
The energy dependency of the Alpine region further increases its vulnerability to climate change and the loss of biodiversity. Biochar and green carbon from biomass residues can make a significant contribution to reduce this dependency. The project Alps4GreenC contributes to the conditions for energy sufficiency and climate protection of the region by setting the scene for a transnational utilisation of biomass residues. Through policy recommendations and the pilot production of green carbon, the project investigates the opportunities for biomass conversion and proposes transnational biochar-based value chains. This first transnational collaboration for the establishment of biochar-production value chain will enable to identify and upgrade the appropriate technologies for biomass conversion and to fully realise the shift to green, post-carbon approaches .
Factsheet
- 2021 – 2027
- Carbon neutral and resource sensitive Alpine region
- SO 2.2 - Promoting the transition to a circular and resource efficient economy
-
- AG9 Energy efficiency and renewable energy
- 09/2022
- 02/2024
- 740.866 EUR
- 555.650 EUR
Description
The Alps4GreenC project is focused on setting-the-scene for transnational utilization of biomass residues through investigation of biomass conversion opportunities in project partner countries and proposal of transnational biochar-based value chains. As such, we are tackling the challenges of the Alpine area pertaining to adverse effects of energy dependency and high energy prices, biodiversity losses and high vulnerability to climate change, while offering solutions for the use of greatly available biomass in the region. By proposing the necessary supportive measures through policy recommendations and practical testing and pilot production of green carbon to evaluate the potential of its utilisation for steel and agriculture industry, we will contribute towards creating the conditions for energy sufficiency and climate-protection of the region showcasing the innovation and resource potentials already present, but currently disconnected. The advantages of this transnational collaboration will be primarily experienced by those directly involved in the value chain (residue producers, tech providers and end users, hence large enterprises and SMEs), however other stakeholders in the ecosystem, such as national/regional public authorities, sectoral agencies and higher education and research organisations, will also benefit from comprehensive framework creation. The framework we propose includes mapping of stakeholders & resources, implementation of crowdsourcing campaign to collect biomass residues and raise awareness, testing and piloting of biochar and context & gap analysis of biomass conversion opportunities for green carbon supply. Without a transnational approach to this issue, appropriate technologies for biomass conversion will not be identified and upgraded, therefore the shift to green, post-carbon approaches might not be fully realised. It is the first time, transnational collaboration for the establishment of biochar production value chain is foreseen.
Partners
- Lead partner
- Slovenia
- Zahodna Slovenija (SI04)
- Ljubljana
- Blaž Likozar
- blaz.likozar@ki.si
- Slovenia
- Vzhodna Slovenija (SI03)
- Maribor
- Nina Meglič
- nina.meglic@stajerskagz.si
- Austria
- Steiermark (AT22)
- Graz
- Manuel Schwabl
- manuel.schwabl@best-research.eu
- Italy
- Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen (ITH1)
- Bolzano
- Marco Baratieri
- marco.baratieri@unibz.it
- Austria
- Niederösterreich (AT12)
- St. Pölten
- Thomas Timmel
- thomas.timmel@biobase.at
- Italy
- Veneto (ITH3)
- Legnaro
- Diego Rossi
- rossi.aiel@cia.it
- 46.04286695000000414.493045191407113
- 46.556820715.6511151
- 47.05826765000000515.46359123464252
- 46.4983248511.350104387045558
- 48.202933415.6312028
- 45.34425711.9574906
Outcomes
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Biochar pilots
DownloadDuring the implementation of the project Alps4GreenC, the biomass residues obtained as part of the crowdsourcing campaign were analysed for their suitability for the production of biochar. Transnational test were carried out on a lab and pilot scale using gasification or pyrolysis processes to produce green carbon production were performed. On the basis of recearch results a library of 12 biochar samples was created. Suitability for applications in the steel industry and agriculture was assessed to provide the know-how on operating conditions required to find the best available technologies. The analysis revealed that some of the produced biochars might have considerable issues for application in the steel industry due to their high ash and low energy content. However, the application of biochar in agriculture, either as a soil amendment or as a feed additive, is a promising option for all biochars produced. The performance of the produced biochars produced is presented on an open platform repository Alps4GreenC Map. -
Alps4GreenC Policy recommendations
DownloadThe Alps4GreenC Policy recommendations propose a favourable environment for improving and increasing the supply of green carbon in the Alpine Space region. By shifting production to bio-based materials, the Alpine region can benefit in terms of energy and climate resilience. The document analyses the framework conditions for the conversion of biomass for green carbon supply in Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The following aspects are considered: legal framework and policy, socio-economic factors, environmental concerns, political landscape, economic conditions, geographical and logistical factors. Based on the analysis, policy recommendations were developed (creating a regulatory framework, supporting research and development initiatives, promoting public awareness, incentivising carbon sequestration, integrating biochar into agriculture and promoting cross-border collaboration). 15 different organisations (from ministries to companies) in Slovenia, Austria and Italy signed the Letter of Interest and support the policy recommendations of Alps4GreenC to increase their efforts in the field of biochar production and use.