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In April 2020, eleven members from across the EU formed a consortium for the launch of BioSFerA Project. The project’s mission is to reduce the impact aviation and marine transport have on global greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, by developing innovative and high performing biofuels.
The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research program and will continue until March 2024. BioSFerA aims to address climate change policy targets and develop flexible, cost-effective solutions for profitable investments in Europe.
Since the launch of BioSFerA, the project has been able to establish the key performance indicators for each conversion step in the waste to biofuel technology pathway. An in-depth evaluation of economic feasibility and sustainability has identified different regions in Europe where an investment could be profitable. Most recently the project moved forward with four case studies, evaluating type and cost of feedstock in ideal plant locations in Greece, Italy, Spain, and Finland. Preliminary lab testing confirmed that all feedstock types (forest residue, bark, straw, sunflower & olive pruning) may be used in the forthcoming piloting phase.
SFW plays an important role in upscaling of novel technologies in the BioSFerA project to industrial levels. SFW’s expertise in the design, development, and delivery of commercial-scale bio-residue and waste-fed fluidized bed systems provides critical support to raise technology readiness level (TRL). SFW will participate in planned piloting activities for the gasification and syngas cleaning units at VTT Bioruukki facility, along with supporting CERTH’s effort in development of dynamic modelling tools for the process. Findings from the activities will bring BioSFerA and SFW closer to delivering the conceptual design of a first-of-a-kind commercial plant at the project’s conclusion.
BioSFerA project allows continuous development of SFW’s dual fluidized bed (DFB) solutions. The DFB gasifier allows for flexible operation, facilitating wider access to low cost and challenging fuels. SFW’s R&D activities aim to deliver BioSFerA’s target to reduce gasifier specific costs by 30% compared to state of art for chemical synthesis applications, while improving the environmental performance of the process.
SFW looks forward to further development of the project and is proud to be working with fellow consortium members: Centre for Research & Technology Hellas (CERTH), VTT, CARTIF, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant, CSIC, RINA, GoodFuels, Laboratory for Maritime Transport, NTUA, Environment Park, Kuwait Petroleum Research and Technology B.V. for the development of cleaner fuels.
Additional information and project details available here: BioSFerA H2020, first year project results – Biosfera (biosfera-project.eu)