Life cycle assessment
Life cycle assessment LCA methodology and comparison with fossil fuels Introduction The importance of sustainability and environmental impact is currently increasing, and methods to identify and classify these characteristics are becoming more prevalent as a result. One such method is Life-Cycle Assessment. What is an LCA? Life-Cycle Assessment, or LCA, is a powerful method of examining a product’s entire environmental impact, from the extraction of raw materials to its disposal or recycling. Often referred to as a ‘cradle-to-grave’ analysis, LCA enables us to see how our products affect the planet throughout their entire lifespan. Whether you are looking at a physical product or the service it provides, LCA breaks things down into three essential steps: Measuring what goes in and comes out: This includes tracking energy use, raw material consumption, emissions and waste. Evaluating the impact: What kind of environmental footprint do those inputs and outputs leave behind? Exploring better alternatives: How can we reduce harm and make smarter, more sustainable choices? LCAs help businesses and individuals to boost resource efficiency, cut environmental liabilities and move closer to truly sustainable design and decision-making. [1] How is it done? LCA is defined by ISO 14040. To execute an LCA tools such as the ILCD Handbook and the Environmental Footprint methods have been developed to support its practical application, especially in the EU. The LCA process is divided into four main phases. The first phase involves defining the goal and scope. This phase establishes the purpose, audience, functional unit and system boundaries. Next is the Life Cycle Inventory phase, which involves collecting data on energy, materials, emissions and waste inputs and outputs throughout the product system. Once the inventory is complete, the Life Cycle Impact Assessment begins, linking the data collected in the inventory to environmental impact categories using standardised models. This phase includes four sub-steps: Classification: inventory inputs and outputs are assigned to relevant impact categories. Characterisation: their contribution to each category is quantified using substance-specific factors. Normalisation: the results are scaled relative to a reference unit to show the significance of impacts. Weighting: impact categories are ranked by importance and an overall environmental score is generated. While normalisation and weighting are optional under ISO 14040, they are mandatory in the EU’s Environmental Footprint methods. Finally, the interpretation analyses the results for consistency and reliability, aligning them with the original study objectives. [2] Comparison between a fossil fuel and SEMPRE BIO’s LCA Using the LCA methodology to compare gasoline and SEMPRE-BIO’s biomethane reveals significant differences in environmental performance across key impact categories. The life cycle of gasoline is characterised by a high global warming potential (GWP), primarily due to direct CO₂ emissions during combustion and the extraction and refining of fossil fuels. Its environmental profile also includes elevated impacts related to fossil resource depletion and human toxicity, and there are no mechanisms in place to offset emissions. In contrast, the LCA of SEMPRE-BIO’s biomethane, which is produced from waste biomass and upgraded using renewable hydrogen, demonstrates markedly lower lifecycle emissions. With over 80% CO₂ conversion efficiency, SEMPRE-BIO minimises GWP and actively reduces net emissions through CO₂ valorisation. This process converts captured carbon into valuable products such as biopolymers and proteins, which improves its environmental footprint further. Compared with other biofuels such as bioethanol, which despite having a lower GWP can contribute to acidification and eutrophication due to fertiliser-intensive feedstocks, the use of waste streams and closed nutrient loops in SEMPRE-BIO‘s production process is advantageous. By mitigating these environmental trade-offs and aligning with the EU’s Environmental Footprint methodology, where normalisation and weighting enhance comparability, SEMPRE-BIO offers a comprehensive and robust sustainability profile. Ultimately, by integrating circular economy principles and aligning with EU climate and energy objectives, SEMPRE-BIO is positioned as a forward-looking model for decarbonised transport solutions. [3] Fonts: [1] https://www.eea.europa.eu/help/glossary/eea-glossary/life-cycle-assessment [2] https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/lifecycleassessment.html [3] https://re.public.polimi.it/retrieve/e0c31c12-6bf8-4599-e0531705fe0aef77/ Nobili_2020_Comparative LCA.pdf Author: Sofiia Savchenko Editorial: Lucía Salinas and Laia Mencia Date: July, 2025 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
European Cities Leading the Biomethane Public Transport
European Cities Leading the Biomethane Public Transport From Pamplona to Tallinn, how are municipalities decarbonizing public transport? Introduction Municipalities are actively seeking cleaner alternatives to decarbonize the way we move around. In this context, biomethane has emerged as one of the most promising solutions, as it causes fewer CO₂ emissions than petrol. Moreover, since biomethane is a purified version of biogas, its higher calorific value translates into greater efficiency when powering engines. That’s why, in this blog, we want to highlight successful case studies across Europe—soon to be joined by two new biomethane-powered buses that will circulate through the streets of Barcelona, thanks to SEMPRE-BIO and its Case Study 1. Paris, France The public transport company RATP has committed to converting part of its diesel fleet to BIOGNV (renewable natural gas for vehicles). So far, it has adapted 13 of its bus depots to operate with biomethane, and by 2025, it plans for 25% of its buses to run on biomethane—significantly reducing CO₂ emissions and local pollution. Moreover, part of the biomethane used is sourced from organic waste collected in the Île-de-France region, effectively closing the loop locally. Nottingham, United Kingdom Nottingham City Transport operates the world’s largest fleet of double-decker buses powered by biomethane. By 2022, the fleet had grown to 143 Enviro400 CBG vehicles, acquired in several phases since 2017. Sweden Linköping This Swedish city began transitioning its fleet in the 1990s and is now one of the first in the world to operate a bus network entirely powered by biogas. Today, all urban buses in Linköping run on biomethane produced from agricultural waste and sewage sludge. The success of this model has also led to its adoption in taxis, trucks, and municipal vehicles. Malmö Malmö uses biomethane produced from urban organic waste, including leftovers from supermarkets and households. Its biomethane-powered bus fleet has significantly reduced emissions from the transport sector. Additionally, the digestate from the process is returned to the fields as fertilizer, promoting a circular agri-food model. Stockholm Stockholm has been a pioneer in adopting biomethane-powered buses as part of the Baltic Biogas Bus project. This initiative, led by Stockholm’s public transport authority, aims to increase the use of biogas in urban transport across the Baltic region. Pamplona, Spain In 2022, Pamplona became the first city in Spain to operate a 100% renewable gas-powered urban fleet. The biomethane used is produced from sewage sludge and organic waste, and it powers more than 140 buses. This results in a 90% reduction in emissions compared to diesel. Bologna, Italy In Bologna, four urban buses and twenty taxis run on locally produced biomethane derived from organic and pruning waste. The project involves the public transport company TPER and the taxi operator CO.TA.BO. Tallinn, Estonia Tallinn has introduced new buses powered by biomethane and plans to continue using this fuel beyond 2030, even as other EU countries shift toward electric buses. It is worth highlighting the case of Sweden, where since 2008 the Public Transport Agreement Committee has been working toward a shared vision of sustainable mobility. Today, the country’s public coach fleet is almost entirely fossil fuel-free. Anna Grönlund, Deputy Director of the Swedish Bus and Coach Federation, attributes this success to the ability to align public procurement requirements with their own standards and recommendations for the tendering process. At SEMPRE-BIO, we believe that examples like Sweden’s can help pave the way and contribute their successes to a more sustainable global mobility future. Fonts: Biomethane in the Paris region to power RATP buses | natrangroupe.com Nottingham City Transport – Wikipedia Biogas – the natural choice for city buses Green project in Bologna: 4 city buses – Sustainable Bus Estonia wants to continue using biomethane in buses after 2030 | News | ERR Biokaasu & GoO ET:n kaasumarkkinatoimikunnan tapaaminen 2.12.2019 Susanna Pflüger Sweden’s buses are now nearly 100% fossil-free | IRU | World Road Transport Organisation Moventis TCC Pamplona adquiere 13 buses Scania propulsados por biometano | Scania España Author: Oria Pardo Editorial: Lucía Salinas and Laia Mencia Date: June, 2025 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
SEMPRE-BIO’s 5th General Assembly
SEMPRE-BIO’s 5th General Assembly An up-to-date overview from Spring 2025 The SEMPRE-BIO consortium met online for our 5th General Assembly on Thursday, May 22. This online meeting sought to check our progress and better coordinate the future of our work on turning residue into biomethane. Since our last meeting in Denmark back November 2024, quite a bit has happened. So where are we on moving from building to producing? The simple answer is we’re almost there but still need a few steps. We’ve worked through some problems with permit delays, equipment supply issues and construction hiccups. But what matters is we’ve worked through these matters and every pilot plant will be operational by July. Keep reading to understand what’s going on in each front. Where each site stands CS1 is still in build mode. They’ve redesigned the plant for better performance and started construction, but they’re waiting for final components to arrive. CS2 has made strong progress. After redesigning their reactors to improve flow and simplify the process, they’ve installed the pyrolysis equipment and plan to start operations in June. Now, they’re moving on to commissioning the biomethanation component and a few final installations to bring everything together by July. CS3 is the furthest along. Their plant is fully built and they’ve already completed their first tests using pure methane. They’re now transitioning to actual biomethane production. Next steps include verifying all production stages, calibrating the system, checking the quality of both the biomethane and captured CO2, and wrapping up with team training once testing is complete. Beyond plants While the pilot plants grab most attention, our CO2 valorisation work is quietly making progress: Biobased materials from CO2: The team has scaled up fermentation systems that convert CO2 and hydrogen into useful biochemicals and biopolymers. Early tests led to a lab-scale System that now produces PHA – a biodegradable plastic – from the bacteria Cupriavidus necator. CO2 to protein: We’re exploring how photosynthetic organisms can turn captured CO2 into alternative proteins. Outdoor trials with Parachlorella kessleri, a green microalga, have shown strong results, particularly in essential amino acid content. Early lab tests are also underway with purple bacteria, adding another potential pathway for turning captured CO2 into valuable biomass. What’s next Our eyes are set on July. That’s when construction ends and production begins across all sites. After months of planning and building, we’ll finally see residue becoming clean biomethane through our pilot operations, and captured CO2 used to produce bioplastics and proteins. Author: Lucía Salinas Date: May, 2025 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
Advancing Biomethane: Current State and Future Prospects in Europe
Advancing Biomethane: Current State and Future Prospects in Europe A Comprehensive Analysis of Biomethane Regulation, Production, and Technological Innovations Introduction The previous blog Breaking Barriers for the Future of Biomethane was about the annual analysis of the legal framework for biomethane in Europe. This latest joint report State of play of biogas & biomethane in Europe, led by HYFUELUP in collaboration with BIOMETHAVERSE, METHAREN and SEMPRE-BIO’s team, addresses the topics detailed below. This report updates biomethane regulation and sustainability data, starting with its role as a cornerstone of Europe’s energy transition. Updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) from EU Member States project biogas and biomethane production reaching 30-32 billion cubic meters (bcm) by 2030. Yet, this falls short of the 35 bcm REPowerEU target. A critical hurdle is the lack of regulatory harmonization across countries. By analyzing the 12 EU nations with specific biomethane targets in their NECPs, this report seeks to align policies, drive investment and dismantle sector barriers. Latest measures to promote biomethane production in the EU In 2023, only four countries submitted their national energy planning updates on time. This highlights the lack of priority given by various national governments, despite the European Commission’s push for Member States to ramp up efforts to meet climate goals. This report scrutinizes new national biomethane targets against the ones identified in prior studies, spotlighting gaps between ambitions and achievable outputs and underscoring the urgency for stronger policies to scale production. Regulatory and Market Gaps with Country-Specific Recommendations Each EU country faces distinct regulatory and market challenges. This report provides individual analyses for Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, detailing their strategies, policy gaps and recommendations. For instance, Denmark has made significant progress in injecting biomethane into the grid, while other countries lag due to legal obstacles. In Spain, regional strategies are being developed to promote biomethane production, such as the Catalan Biogas Strategy 2024-2030, which sets ambitious targets for biogas generation and supports the construction of new plants. Additionally, the report proposes policy recommendations to overcome these barriers, such as setting higher biomethane targets, streamlining administrative procedures or harmonizing rules for Guarantees of Origin (GOs). Regarding this last topic, the report delves into the need for harmonized systems for biomethane certification, including Proof of Sustainability (PoS) and Guarantees of Origin (GOs), which are crucial for ensuring the traceability and marketability of biomethane across Europe. It discusses the challenges in cross-border biomethane trade, such as the lack of harmonization in GO registries and the need for clearer statistics and regulatory stability. Additionally, the report highlights the importance of capturing and utilizing biogenic CO₂ as part of the broader decarbonization strategy. Innovative Biomethane Technologies Finally, the document also examines in detail emerging technologies in biomethane production, including gasification and methanation, and their potential to diversify the sources of production for this key solution to Europe’s energy independence. It suggests that while anaerobic digestion remains the predominant technology in biomethane production, gasification is expected to play a more significant role in the coming decades. According to Matteo Gilardi partner of the project, gasification is projected to account for between 9% and 30% of biomethane production by 2040, indicating a diversification in the technologies used. This shift highlights the growing importance of innovative approaches to enhance Europe’s energy resilience and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To bring it all together The document concludes that biomethane is a key solution for the decarbonization of the EU, but it emphasizes the need for more coherent regulation, stable financial incentives, and cross-border collaboration strategies to meet the EU’s biomethane targets. Additionally, social acceptance and sustainability in the implementation of these technologies are of great importance, which is identified as an interesting area of study for the proper development and implementation of the strategies needed to achieve the set biomethane production goals. If you would like to explore the details of this latest report in greater depth, you can access it directly through this link. Additionally, you have the option to watch the recording of the presentation webinar, which took place on February 26th. Author: Oria Pardo Editorial: Lucía Salinas and Laia Mencia Date: March, 2025 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 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Breaking Barriers for the Future of Biomethane
Breaking Barriers for the Future of Biomethane Legal Insights, Market Trends, and Cutting-Edge Technologies in Biomethane Production Introduction SEMPRE-BIO, along with other Horizon Europe-funded projects focused on biomethane production, is conducting an yearly analysis of the legal framework conditions of biomethane production and its market uptake. This includes guidelines and recommendations for policymakers, an overview of legislation related to biomethane production, its injection into the grid, the production and use of bio-LNG and bio-CO2, and certification requirements. In this blog, you can find the barriers identified by these projects, along with the challenges and perspectives of innovative biomethane technologies within SEMPRE-BIO. Framework Europe has numerous regulations supporting renewable energy. However, the biogas or biomethane sector is heavily influenced by how European legal norms are applied into national legislation. For this reason, this analysis takes a broad approach, considering various national regulations associated with different projects. Key issues identified: Absence of a Clear Legal Framework: Significant instability in project development due to many key aspects not being covered by existing legislation. This lack of clarity means that, at any moment, a project could fall outside the established legal framework. Long Permitting Process: Complicated and slow bureaucratic procedures cause significant delays and increased costs for implementing plants, as projects remain on hold for extended periods. This inefficiency in authorization processes creates uncertainty, which can discourage investors and slow down the transition to more rapid and effective biomethane production. Delivery Times and Bottlenecks: Unpredictable availability of critical materials and equipment leads to delays. Lack of Skilled Workers: Shortage of qualified professionals slows down project development and affects operational efficiency. Inadequate Infrastructure: Gas grids, grid injection capabilities and the number (or lack) of CNG and LNG filling stations cannot meet the growing demand. Limited grid injection points, insufficient filling stations and outdated pipelines pose major challenges to the sector’s expansion. Cost Increases: Rising costs across various aspects of biomethane production such as raw materials, labor, and infrastructure development, can significantly affect the financial feasibility of projects. These increases often result from supply chain disruptions, inflation, and the need for advanced technologies to improve efficiency. Higher costs can make it more difficult to secure funding and may reduce the profitability of projects. Feedstock supply Biogas and biomethane can be produced from various organic biomass sources, including agricultural residues, manure, organic waste, sewage sludge, and forest biomass. The focus has shifted away from production based on energy crops, as seen in Germany and Austria, to the use of residual and waste materials, in line with environmental and political objectives. The Climate Action Plan 2050 emphasizes bioenergy production from waste to avoid land-use competition, using agricultural residues like straw and manure to cut emissions, improve resource efficiency, and provide a stable renewable energy source. In line with this shift toward waste-based bioenergy, additional measures can further enhance sustainability. One approach is to allow the use of wild plants from conservation areas for biogas production. Another key strategy is to optimize manure digestion by incorporating complementary crops such as field grass and clover. Cost effectiveness of biomethane production Once comprehensive data has been gathered, the EU biomethane clusters will conduct a detailed analysis of efficiency improvements, emission reductions and cost evaluations of innovative processes compared to conventional biomethane pathways. This information will help identify which business models for biomethane can be developed in the future, considering changing framework conditions, such as increased CO2 utilization through biogas upgrading processes, advanced gasification methods, advanced anaerobic digestion processes, the use of alternative substrates, and challenges related to different types of waste and residues. Cross-border trading in biomethane Although this is the final point we will address, it remains one of the most important. While biogas production has grown at a steady pace in many countries, this has largely been due to national-level developments. A key piece is still missing: an efficient and fully recognized system for cross-border trade. The completed European project REGATRACE has demonstrated that this could lead to a significant additional production and generate greenhouse gas (GHG) savings. The first step for cross-border trading is documentation such as Guarantees of Origin (GoO) or Proof of Sustainability (PoS). These are essential for tracking gases from production to consumption and allow consumers to assign additional value when consuming these renewable energy sources. This value is transferred to the products, increasing the economic viability of producing these fuels. Conclusion Biomethane is a key pillar of Europe’s renewable energy strategy, but its growth is constrained by regulatory uncertainty, infrastructure gaps, and complex certification systems. Overcoming these barriers is key to expanding production and integration into the energy system. The political goal is clear: to double biomethane production by 2030, reaching at least 35 billion cubic metres (bcm) of annual production by that year. To meet this target, it is essential to address the challenges faced by ongoing projects. Effective legislation must be developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders, who, after all, are the ones most familiar with these barriers and the realities of long-term, sustainable implementation. If you want to learn more about the topics covered in this blog, you can access the full deliverable here. Author: Oria Pardo Editorial: Lucía Salinas and Laia Mencia Date: February, 2025 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
SEMPRE-BIO’s 4th General Assembly
SEMPRE-BIO’s 4th General Assembly Two Days of Discussions in Denmark Kongens Lyngby, Denmark, November 21st-22nd, 2024 SEMPRE-BIO is a collaborative project focused on improving biomethane production through innovative approaches and waste utilization. It brings together 16 organizations from six European countries and it aims to develop practical and cost-effective solutions that support the transition to renewable energy. Over the past two years, SEMPRE-BIO has made significant progress in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of biomethane as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. The 4th General Assembly of SEMPRE-BIO took place on November 21 and 22, 2024, at DTU in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. The event began with a series of case study presentations and discussions, followed by updates on the project’s work packages. Day one concluded with a summary session and a networking dinner. On the second day, participants explored additional work package presentations, finalized conclusions, and visited DTU’s Bio Conversions lab to see new waste-to-bioproduct technologies in action. The assembly provided project partners with a platform to share results, address challenges, and align on the next steps for advancing biomethane production. Author: Lucía Salinas Date: November, 2024 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
BIo-Impact Webinar Recap
Webinar Recap: “BIo-Impact, 2 Years of Innovation in Biomethane Production with SEMPRE-BIO” Latest Advances in Biomethane Production On Wednesday, November 6th, SEMPRE-BIO hosted a very interesting webinar titled “BIo-Impact: 2 Years of Innovation in Biomethane Production with SEMPRE-BIO.” This event gathered around 50 participants from various sectors including sustainability, energy, wastewater treatment, chemical industry, biotechnology, and agriculture. Attendees included professors, students, researchers, directors, engineers, project managers, and procurement managers, among others. About SEMPRE-BIO SEMPRE-BIO is dedicated to advancing biomethane production through innovative research and collaboration. Over the past two years, the project has made significant strides in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of biomethane production processes. This webinar is designed to share aimed these advancements with a wider audience, showcasing the collaborative efforts and expertise of the consortium members and the advancement on new biomethane production technologies. Webinar Highlights The webinar featured a series of short presentations, each delivered by a consortium member with expertise in their areas: Project Presentation: Alejandra Córdova, SEMPRE-BIO’s project coordinator, from Cetaqua, opened the webinar with an overview of the project’s goals, achievements, and future directions. She discussed the potential to scale-up biomethane production, and the main feedstocks used in anaerobic digestion and the thermal gasification. With over 50% of the project duration complete, it’s now time to put into practice what has been designed and tested at lab scale. Case Study 1: David Checa from Cetaqua highlighted the importance of the power-to-gas concept and how it applies to this case study. He updated the audience on the progress in designing the technology and the constructing the demo plant. With the detailed engineering of the plant taking place and the PEMEL (electrolyser) construction ongoing, the plant is expected to start operations in February 2025. Case Study 2: David Checa, presenting on behalf of Arthur Lacaine from TerraWatt, detailed advancements in the various biomethanation process and showed a 3D model of the demo plant, which is currently under construction. He talked about the type of feedstock and their requirements (shredded biomass free of rocks and metals) and offered a brief description of the pyrolysis process using a rotatory kiln without air and external heating. He also mentioned TerraWatt’s collaboration with DTU to assess the best configuration of the biological methanation reactor. Case Study 3: Çagri Akyol from Ghent University and Andrea Munaretto discussed the significance of adapting a biogas upgrading solution to produce bio-LNG and liquid CO2 at farm-scale. They talked about feedstock testing, and how it was decided that manure was a better option for biomethane production. For this reason, the demo plant will be installed in a Belgian dairy farm. They also discussed the test bench used to evaluate the cryogenic capture of CO2 in a biomethane stream already running. With the plant design done, their next steps include the installation of equipment and start of the pilot. CO2 Valorisation: Georgina Del Puerto Tañá from BETA-UVIC and Marcella Fernandes de Souza from Ghent University explored the potential of CO2 valorisation to produce biopolymers, biochemicals and microalgae as an alternative protein source. They reported on the results of testing different microbial strains with different substrates (synthetic and digestate from CS3) in different conditions, and how they are now running a pilot with a hybrid fermenter. Similarly, after testing several strains and digestates for microalgae, now two pilot-scale photobioreactor are taking place. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JITObuli6bo The session concluded with a discussion on the importance industrial symbiosis to successfully integrate algae in a dairy farm, creating sustainable microalgae plant. The webinar ended with a short Q&A session, where a couple of attendees raised interesting questions. We encourage you to watch this, along with the full presentation, for a more complete understanding. You can access the full recording here and the presentation here. Author: Laia Mencia Date: November, 2024 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
CO2 microalgae from biogas plants
CO2 microalgae from biogas plants A project of the BETA Center of the UVic-UCC seeks how to valorize carbon dioxide and use the result for animal feed Originally published on July, 15 2024. That biogas plants must contribute positively to the management of the surplus of livestock manure or waste from the agri-food industry and sewage sludge is no longer disputed by anyone in the scientific field. Gradually, progress was also made in its implementation. However, once the biomethane has been extracted from the digestate, the residue still exists and within the framework of the European research project SEMPRE-BIO, the BETA Technological Center of the UVic-UCC is studying CO2 outputs. One of these outlets is to use it in the cultivation of microalgae. And this is what Georgina del Puerto, a PhD student from Roda de Ter, graduated in Biotechnology at the UdG and who has also done a master’s degree in Applied Microbiology at the UAB, is working on. “We are researching ways to valorize CO2” and one option is microalgae as an alternative source of protein, explains Del Puerto. That is why in the last few weeks they have installed a photobioreactor for their cultivation outside the BETA Center facilities in Can Baumann. They work with CO2and other nutrients from the digestate coming out of the biogas plants. The project is in the research phase. The aim is to demonstrate that the resulting microalgae can be used for animal feed. ”What we want is to generate the scientific and technical evidence to break down the legal barrier” that now prevents making food products from by-products such as digestate, according to Lídia Paredes, researcher in Environmental Technologies at CT BETA. Diary: El 9 Nou Author: Isaac Moreno Link: https://el9nou.cat/osona-ripolles/actualitat/microalgues-co2-plantes-biogas/ Date: October, 2024 This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON-CL5-2021-D3-03-16 program under grant agreement No 101084297. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. Follow us Facebook Twitter Linkedin Contact us info@sempre-bio.com Cookies Policy Privacy policy ©2023 Semprebio | All Rights Reserved | Powered by Scienseed
Innovations and Technologies for Transforming Waste
Exploring sustainable fuel alternatives for transportation SEMPRE-BIO’s Advances in Sustainable Biogas Production Introduction Waste accounts for 26% of human-made methane emissions worldwide [1]. But what exactly is waste and how is it classified? Waste is defined as unwanted or unusable materials, any substance discarded after primary use, or something that is worthless, defective and of no use. One way to classify it is based on how it is managed: controlled waste, which is collected and then either recycled or disposed of in a controlled facility, or uncontrolled waste, which is either not collected and thus dumped or burned in the open by the waste generator or collected and then dumped or burned at its destination. What is being done with the waste right now? As can be seen in the following chart detailing the global municipal solid waste destinations in 2020, 62% of the global municipal solid waste (MSW) is controlled. [2] According to the same document, the degree to which MSW is managed in a controlled manner varies significantly across regions. The lowest levels of MSW management are in Sub-Saharan Africa and Central and South Asia, whereas in North America and Western Europe, almost all this waste is managed in controlled destinations. Other differences include the fact that North America relies predominantly on sanitary landfill disposal, while in Western Europe, recycling rates are higher, and waste-to-energy is the dominant method of MSW disposal. In this blog, we will focus on the concept of Waste-to-Energy (WtE), which involves the production of energy in the form of electricity, heat or fuel. How do we get energy from waste? There are various methods for obtaining energy from waste, but it is important to recognize that not all of these options are equally sustainable. Considering that municipal solid waste generation is predicted to grow from 2.3 billion tonnes in 2023 to 3.8 billion tonnes by 2050, it is vital that if we want to control the emissions we produce, we must start managing the waste we produce in a more sustainable manner. As cited in the latest United Nations report, the world must move beyond the waste area and turn rubbish into a resource. [3] Some of the technologies currently being used to convert waste into energy are: Incineration: This entails the direct burning of solid waste at temperatures between 750 and 1,100°C. It requires the presence of oxygen and produces steam for electricity or heat generation. Gasification: This process involves the partial oxidation of waste between 800 and 1200°C, facilitated by a controlled amount of oxygen. This allows for partial combustion, breaking down waste into simple molecules and producing synthetic gas for further combustion or conversion to chemical feedstock. Pyrolysis: This involves the thermal degradation of waste between 300 and 1300°C in the absence of oxygen, producing liquid fuel for further combustion or conversion to chemical feedstock. Anaerobic digestion: This processes readily degradable organic wastes using microorganisms in the absence of oxygen. The digestion process produces biogas and digestate. Biogas can be used as fuel for power generation, while digestate can be composted for use as a soil conditioner or dewatered and used as a low calorific value refuse-derived fuel. But, why is this important? As we have mentioned, the issue of waste management has significant repercussions and will have even more in the future. Over two billion metric tons of unsustainable, human-generated waste are thrown away globally every year, entering our environment and polluting every ecosystem around the world [4]. Human health is also being deeply impacted by the lack of environmental accountability and awareness about waste management. Improper waste management generates a wide range of airborne pollutants, including unintentional persistent organic pollutants and other chemicals of concern for public health (Pathak et al., 2023). [5] Based on the previous projections, it is shown that a circular economy model, where waste generation and economic growth are decoupled by adopting waste avoidance, sustainable business practices and comprehensive waste management, could in fact lead to a net gain of EUR 9740 million per year. [6] How does it relate to SEMPRE-BIO? SEMPRE-BIO takes the biological route (as opposed to chemical catalysts) to convert waste into biogas through a process called methanation. This process involves the conversion of carbon-based materials, present in waste, into methane. The project works on two main areas: 1) retrofitting of vintage AD plants, and 2) developing new methanation processes. These processes include: methanation of CO2 with H2, and methanation of CO in syngas without H2. Through this work, SEMPRE-BIO advances in the understanding of bioreactors and how to optimise them for efficient waste-to-biogas conversion. Case Study 1 takes place at the El Prat de Llobregat wastewater treatment plant in Barcelona, Spain. Its primary focus is upgrading biogas to high-quality biomethane while reducing costs using the sludge produced at the plant as feedstock. This refined biomethane is then utilized in two buses operating in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. In Case Study 2, SEMPRE-BIO tackles a key element in waste-to-energy, the transformation of non-fermentable waste into biogas through pyro-gasification, as opposed to the usual approach which is the use of fermentable biomass. This Case, taking place in Bourges (France), will demonstrate pyro-gasification of non-fermentable waste such as woody biomass from Bourges, in a pyrolyzer without any air intake producing a syngas without Nitrogen where Carbon and Hydrogen can then be converted into biogas. This biogas will be injected into the grid. In the Case Study 3, taking place in Adinkerke (Belgium), liquified biomethane will be produced by cryogenic separation of biogas from a dairy farm anaerobic digestors. Manure from a 1,500-cow dairy farm will be used as feedstock for producing biogas for local storage and a pure CO₂ stream with food-grade quality. This remaining CO2 will be liquified and converted into polymers and bioplastics. SEMPRE-BIO aims to drive innovations across all stages of the value chain to produce cheaper and more sustainable biomethane. This includes the use of novel types of feedstocks, breakthrough biomethane production technologies,
Biomethane technologies on a smaller scale
Innovative biomethane technologies on a smaller scale: a feasible case Biogas-E Case Study 3 Interview Originally published on June 25, 2024. The Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) supports innovation through regulatory sandboxes that allow net-zero technologies to be tested in a controlled environment before being marketed. This instrument improves the learning process in terms of regulations and possible upscaling, and fits seamlessly with the SEMPRE-BIO case studies that investigate sustainable innovative biomethane technologies. One of these case studies is located on the dairy farm De Zwanebloem in Adinkerke and aims to transform organic waste into bio-LNG and liquid CO2 on a smaller scale. De Zwanebloem’s main role is the biogas supply. Cryo Inox is responsible for the implementation and operation of the cryogenic installation. Ghent University coordinates the Flemish demo site and is thus in charge of general management and monitoring. They are in close contact with Innolab and Biogas-E. Ghent University is also involved in the valorization of by-products, such as digestate and CO2. Biogas-E interviewed Wannes Masscheleyn, managing director of De Zwanebloem and Çağrı Akyol, postdoctoral project manager and researcher at Ghent University. Hello Wannes, can you tell us more about your farm in Adinkerke? Wannes: De Zwanebloem is a family business in dairy farming. We currently milk 900 cows. In addition to milk, the cows also produce about 35,000 tonnes of manure per year. Until recently, manure was applied to our own and neighboring fields. We have two anaerobic digesters, one mesophilic and one thermophilic, in which we can process 25,000 tonnes of manure and 5,000 tonnes of co-substrates (e.g. Corn Cob Mix) annually. These digesters are now one month operational. A CHP with a capacity of 435 kWe valorizes the produced biogas into green electricity and heat that we can use ourselves. Within the SEMPRE-BIO project, the biogas will temporarily be used for the production of bio-LNG and liquid CO2 via cryogenic separation. Why did you choose for anaerobic digestion? Wannes: We are obliged to process 15,000 tonnes of manure every year. When we heard that digestate resulting from thermophilic digestion may be transported to France, this seemed like a good opportunity given our location near the border. Moreover, through anaerobic digestion we can reduce our electricity costs and obtain certificates, which is economically more beneficial than sending manure to biological processing. What is innovative about the technology being researched within SEMPRE-BIO? Çağrı: On the one hand, cryogenic separation is not that common for biogas upgrading. On the other hand, biogas upgrading mainly takes place on a larger scale in other countries. Therefore, the reduction in scale of this technology is innovative. What were/are the bottlenecks when installing the digesters and the upgrading installation? Wannes: The biggest challenge is obtaining the permit, mainly because of the nitrogen problem in Flanders. The safety aspects linked to bio-LNG production may also cause some challenges. The permit application for the biomethane upgrading facility is currently being finalized. The application for digestate transport to France is ongoing. “The biggest challenge is obtaining the permit, mainly because of the nitrogen problem in Flanders.” Was this in line with your expectations and can we learn something from this for the future? Wannes: Before the start of the project, we already had discussions with the delegation in Bruges. They were quite positive as the number of cattle remains unchanged in the permit and therefore there is no effect on the company’s general nitrogen emissions. At first, it seemed that a notification would be sufficient. Ultimately however, a permit application turned out to be necessary. More frequent use of such or similar technologies could simplify the permitting process, although there are of course many company-specific factors to take into account. Furthermore, the legislation applicable in the future plays a major role. Allowing everything to take its course may result in a natural decline in livestock numbers, but it must be realized that this will no longer result in an influx of new farmers and could possibly lead to shortages of our basic products in the near future. Can NZIA provide a boost? Wannes: It is positive that European legislation exists to simplify the application of innovative technologies. However, practice shows that translation of European legislations to Member State level is often difficult and that there is too little standardization. In fact, border policy in general is a bottleneck that needs to be addressed first. Border policy between Flanders and Wallonia is already quite a challenge. Çağrı: We are often still very dependent on countries outside Europe. Much of the renewable energy equipment, also for biogas and biomethane production, is imported from China. This can have several disadvantages, including production problems, quality control issues, or unexpected costs. The positive thing is that local and regional production is increasingly stimulated, partly by the NZIA. “We are often still very dependent on countries outside Europe.” What about the future of innovative biogas and biomethane production technologies? Çağrı: Interest in biogas, biomethane and associated technologies is growing. Biogas and biomethane are very versatile and can be used in a flexible way. One of the main reasons for the increasing interest is the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which clearly showed how dependent Europe is on Russian natural gas. If this trend continues, the biomethane target set by the EU in the REPowerEU plan certainly seems feasible, provided that the challenges linked to the application of digestate (products) are also addressed. Wannes: Our milk collection trucks currently run on LNG. In an ideal circular scenario, bio-LNG could be used in these trucks and also in our tractors. The application of bio-LNG in heavy transport is currently still very rare in Flanders. This makes it more difficult to take the (first) step. Are there any other innovations planned? Wannes: The next step is to find a way to remove the nitrogen from the air in the stables. There are many interesting innovations, but these are often not profitable on a smaller scale
