EUBIONET II

Context

The AFB-NET network (Agro-Forestry Biomass Network) is made of organizations of researches and development of the biomass utilization at energy ends. Those are spread out in 14 countries of the European Union. Its main objectives are : the detection and development of business opportunities, the exchange of experience and the cooperation and coordination between the national centres working in the biomass as well as the setting up of a strategy. The network has been created in 1995 on the English Agency’s initiative (ETSU). Since its start in 1995, the Belbiom (Belgian Biomass Association which became ValBiom in 2002) is member of the AFB-NET network. It has subcontracted the two first phases to the ECOP laboratory (UCL). The Belbiom has chosen ERBE, based at the CRA (Gembloux), to take care of the carrying out of the third and fourth phases (1997). The first phase (1995) aimed at creating a network of information and staff exchanges at European level. It also aimed at identifying the barriers to the development of solid biomass at energy ends. This phase has lead to phase II (1996), which, while maintaining the continuity of the network, aimed at setting up a development strategy of the biomass. Phase III aimed at creating or developing some business opportunities. In order to do so, ERBE has informed national manufacturers on the biomass energy projects susceptible of being interesting for them in the European Community and conversely, ERBE has informed the people responsible of setting up projects at national level on the technologies and manufacturers existing in the rest of Europe.Phase IV aimed at taking up a strategic marketting approach of the biomass-energy market. ERBE, as coordinator of the activities, has organized a fair on small wood heating systems. Furthermore, as national coordinator, ERBE has organized two thematic workshops directed at well targeted public. It has gone on taking care of the information spreading. Phase V started on 1st March 1999, under the direction of the Energy Finnish Agency (VTT). ERBE has intervened as national coordinator, by organizing , among other things, 2 workshops. The first one was about the conditions applied to the combustion of biomass, the other one, on gasification.
EUBIONET (European Bioenergy Networks) includes 3 networks : AFB-NET (solid biomass), Biogas (waste for energy) and NTB (liquid biofuels).

Objectives

EUBIONET goes on with the objectives initiated in 1995 with independent networks (AFB-NET, Biogas, NTB) and consolidates the set up communication system. The main objective is therefore to share experiences and knowledge, to spread information, to transfer practical knowledge in the bioenergy area, to identify the obstacles and to define strategies to get over them while promoting contacts between operators, project leaders and public organizations.

Description of tasks

The main activities are divided into 3 categories :
- the transfer of knowledge, including the spreading of targeted information ;the cooperation and coordination between national organisms working in the biomass area ;
- the detection and promotion of new commercial opportunities.

The activities in the « solid biofuels » sector (previously AFB-NET) mainly focussed on surveys on the situation of solid biofuels in the different countries taking part in the EUBIONET network. Moreover, some reports by country and a synthetic report were published.

Expected results

A study day called « wood pellets, a new
fuel ? » was organised together with ERBE and ValBiom in March 2003 in Saint-Hubert.
This day allowed to make people aware about pellets (or wood pellets) and their potential market.
Besides, the surveys about solid biofuels made it possible to update the data available for the Walloon Region.

Results obtained

Contribution

None

Partners

ETSU (UK), ART (A), FNR (D), ITABIA (I), TEAGASC (IRL), CBE (P), FNR (D), VTT (FIN), ADEME (F), DTI (DK), NUTEK (S), NOVEM (NL), CIEMAT (E), CRES (GR)

CRAW off coordinator

Ir. Eija ALAKANGASVTT
Technical Research Centre of Finland
Koivurannantie, 1
P. O. Box 1603
FIN-40101 Jyväskylä (Finland)
Tél. : +358 14 672 550
Fax : +358 14 672 598
Email : eija.alakangas@vtt.fi