Biofuels in the European Union : A vision for 2030 and beyond. Final draft report of the Biofuels Research Advisory council. - (:unkn) unknown
The EU transport sector accounts for more than 30 percent of the total energy consumption in the community. It is 98 percent dependent on fossil fuels with a high share of imports and thus extremely vulnerable to any market disturbance. The growing transport sector is considered to be one of the main reasons for the EU failing to meet the Kyoto targets. It is expected that 90 percent of the increase of cO2 emissions between 1990 and 2010 will be attributable to transport. The current production of liquid biofuels in the EU 25 is about 2 Mtoe, which is less than 1 percent of the market. Although there have been marked increases in production and use in recent years, the market share is to be significantly below the EU policy target for 2010 of 18 Mtoe used in the transport sector. The EU has a significant potential for the production of biofuels. It is estimated that between 4 and 13 percent of the total agricultural land in the EU would be needed to produce the amount of biofuels to reach the level of liquid fossil fuel replacement required for the transport sector in the Directive 2003/30/Ec. Furthermore, biofuels can contribute to the EU's objectives of securing the EU fuel supply while improving the greenhouse gas balance and fostering the development of a competitive European (biofuels and other) industry. There is a need for a well-co-ordinated strategy for the production of biofuels. As an important step, the recent commission communication on Biofuels describes seven policy axes which will regroup the measures the commission will take to promote the production and use of biofuels. The proposed European Technology Platform for Biofuels should provide and help implement a strategy for biofuels, particularly in the transport sector. By so doing, and by making best use of EU knowledge and scientific excellence, the Technology Platform will contribute to the establishment and growth of a world-class, cost competitive European industry. The purpose of the present document is to address all relevant issues and provide a vision and outline strategy, with emphasis on RTD and D, to increase, markedly, biofuels production and use in the EU. An ambitious and realistic vision for 2030 is that up to one-fourth of the EU's transport fuel needs could be met by clean and cO2-efficient biofuels. A substantial part is to be provided by a competitive European industry, using a wide range of biomass resources, based on sustainable and innovative technologies. Biofuel development will create opportunities for biomass providers, biofuel producers and the automotive industry. Also, the European technology will be used in 2030 in many countries exporting biofuels to Europe. Diversification of primary energy does not necessarily mean a different kind of fuel. It will be beneficial if the new fuels are similar to, or at least compatible with, today's fuel types and specifications. Ability to mix fuels from alternative sources with current, conventional fuels without jeopardising the standard fuel specification is a very effective means for the implementation of these fuels. As there is no serious replacement available on the engine technology side, the majority of powertrains available in 2030 will require liquid fuels, although their carbon and hydrogen ratios and molecular composition might have evolved from todays fuels. Biofuels will mostly be used in gasoline and diesel internal combustion engines. However it is possible that specialised engines will be used in certain applications or in dedicated fleets. Thus, the challenge is to increase substantially the production of biofuels by using innovative processes and technologies, which are commercially viable. To achieve this, it will be necessary, while supporting the implementation of currently available biofuels, to promote the transition towards second generation biofuels, which will be produced from a wider range of feedstock and which will help to reduce costs of "saved" cO2. It will also be necessary to transform into biofuels biomass fractions that are presently discarded and to make the best use of the whole plant. The expected growth of the biofuels market and the development of new transformation pathways, such as gasification, make it timely to investigate new integrated refining schemes. The co-production of fuels and co-products in integrated biorefineries will enhance the overall economy and competitiveness of biofuels. The biorefineries will be characterised by an efficient integration of various steps, from handling and processing of biomass, fermentation in bioreactors, chemical processing, to final recovery and purification of the product. For supply of the biomass feedstock, sustainable land strategies must be created that are compatible with the climatic, environmental and socio-economic conditions prevailing in each region. The production and use of both the primary and residual forms from agricultural, forestry and industrial operations should be promoted. Research on improving crop yields, energy input/ output as well as key quality characteristics using advanced technologies should be taken carefully into account. A full deployment of biofuels can be expected by 2030. To achieve this, a phased development is envisaged based on short-term improvement of existing technologies, RTD and D and commercial production of 2nd generation biofuels (from lignocellulosic biomass) and RTD and D and implementation of full-scale integrated biorefineries. A good co-ordination between major European actors will be essential and would be facilitated by large joint research and innovation programmes and joint operation of large experimental facilities. The Biofuels Technology Platform also will provide the scenarios and strategic guidance for decision makers to set up the proper policy framework.
A vision for biofuels
Actual situation
Annex: supply and demand estimates
Keywords: Biocombustibles; Biomasa