BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT97-3832 - Bioenergy for Europe: which ones fit best? A comparative analysis for the community

FAIR-CT97-3832
Bioenergy for Europe: which ones fit best? A comparative analysis for the community

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Agricultural Residues : FAIR Area 1.1 - Biomass and Bioenergy Chain : Liquid Biofuels and Biogas : Solid Biofuels : Straw : Vegetable Oil/Fat : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT97-3832
	Total Cost	1,669,000 ECU
	EC Contribution	887,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/09/1998
	Duration	24 Months

Bioenergy for Europe: which ones fit best? A comparative analysis for the community

Background

A considerable amount of work has been carried out concerning the environmental impacts of biofuels in a number of EU countries. However, these studies differ, to varying degrees, concerning the nature of the biofuels discussed and the methods used. These are often similar, based on life cycle assessment, which should make the results comparable. However, this is true only to a limited degree.

In some cases results concerning important environmental impacts are lacking. In other studies the system boundaries differ. The areas in which information was defficient were identified in detail by the Concerted Action 'Environmental aspects of biomass production and routes for European energy supply' ( AIR3-CT94-2455). This project summarised needs and recommended completion of a thorough study on the ecological impacts of all biofuels and for all countries in the EU.

Objectives

The objective of the shared cost project is to produce a high quality overall environmental related decision base concerning the promotion of biofuels in the EU.

Technical Approach

Of all non-food uses of crops, biofuels have the highest potential for saving fossile energy, mitigating CO₂ emissions and providing other environmental benefits. Hence, the project focusses on all types of biofuels, on the basis that to make reasonable decisions in the sphere of environment requires a considerable amount of highly detailed information.

The proposed project will meet this need by:

analysing all relevant biofuels
covering the entire life cycle for each type of biofuel
providing environmental data for countries from all parts of the Union, as well as considering social, economic, political, and legal aspects

These investigations will provide accurate scientific information that will indicate which types of biofuels are the best for the different regions in terms of environmental impact. The study will include socio-economic implications. It will provide the high quality environmental related decision base which is needed for a rational promotion of biofuels throughout the European Union.

Partners from eight countries representing all regions of the EU will work together on different aspects of production and use of biofuels. This will assure the development of a high quality database concerning environmental impacts, as well as covering a wide range of different viewpoints and situations. The methods developed and the application of instruments of environmental assessments in agriculture as well as the mutual understanding of different problems in each region of the Community will be greatly facilitated by this work. The inclusion of social, economic, and legal aspects this project is beneficial from both the environmental and economic viewpoint.

Contacts

Coordinator

Guido REINHARDT / IFEU Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg / GERMANY

Participant