Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LIGNOFLAG (Commercial flagship plant for bioethanol production involving a bio-based value chain built on lignocellulosic feedstock)

Teaser

The LIGNOFLAG consortium aims to confirm the technical, ecological and economic benefits of the large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues in Europe, by using an innovative technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to cellulosic...

Summary

The LIGNOFLAG consortium aims to confirm the technical, ecological and economic benefits of the large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residues in Europe, by using an innovative technology for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to cellulosic ethanol. This, in turn, will significantly contribute to a more sustainable energy system in Europe, drive progress towards a low-carbon economy, reduce Europe’s dependence on energy imports and create new opportunities for growth and jobs. The LIGNOFLAG project reflects the vision of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Europe leading the transition from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based, circular economy, while decoupling economic growth from resource depletion and environmental impact.

Already today the world is facing tremendous societal challenges such as climate change, environmental protection, energy efficiency and resource conservation. With a constantly growing global population these challenges become even more pressing in the medium to long term. Competitive and innovative solutions are needed to address these challenges in a sustainable manner. For Europe it is crucial to understand the main technological and innovation challenges and to quickly build up sustainable and competitive bio-based industries in order to achieve its climate and energy targets for 2030 as well as for 2050. The 2030 climate and energy framework sets three key targets for Europe for the year 2030: At least 40 % cuts in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels, at least 27 % share for renewable energy and at least 27% improvement in energy efficiency.
The transport sector consumes about half of the world´s increasingly scarce oil resources, while at the same time, transport generated CO2 emissions are also regarded as one of the primary causes of global warming. Over the next years, this sector will register the largest growth in demand for liquid energy sources. In June 2018, negotiators from the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed on a binding renewable energy target of 32 % for the EU for 2030. The agreement also sets a target of 14 % for renewables in the transport sector by 2030. As the EU has recognised the significant role of advanced biofuels in decarbonising transportation and meeting the goals set by the Paris Agreement, RED II sets targets for advanced biofuels. It defines a contribution by advanced biofuels for all EU Member States starting at 0.2 % in 2022, increasing to 1 % in 2025 and up to 3.5 % in 2030. These targets set an ambitious target for investments in advanced biofuel production within the EU.

Cellulosic ethanol, an advanced biofuel made from agricultural residues such as wheat straw, corn stover, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse can make a substantial contribution to achieve the EU’s objectives. Tapping into the full potential of plants, advanced bioethanol contributes to optimizing the efficiency and sustainability of biofuels. The next step to allow broad implementation of this innovative sunliquid® technology is commercial scale production.

Work performed

The following main objectives have been covered and main results achieved within the Work Packages (WP) of the LIGNOFLAG project:
• Successful evaluation, technical assessment and acquisition of the production site in Podari, south west Romania (WP1)
• Finished Basic Engineering for the site in Podari (WP1)
• Start of Detailed Engineering activities for the site in Podari (WP1)
• Site preparation and demolition works finished (WP1)
• Groundbreaking ceremony (WP1)
• Established distribution system of the product cellulosic ethanol by contracting off-taker with expertise in trading fuel and established European infrastructure (WP3)
• Established valorization of the co-product lignin by contracting the company GETEC, who will build, own, operate and maintain a sustainable energy generation plant that uses the lignin as fuel and provides the cellulosic ethanol plant with steam and green electricity (WP4)
• Field trials using the summer crops maize and sunflowers proofed the fertilizer effect of the co-product vinasse and the good environmental sustainability (WP4)
• Evaluation and development of additional valorisation possibilities for vinasse, like usage of vinasse in a biogas plant (WP4)
• Development of a methodology for conducting the socio-economic assessment (WP5)
• Set-up and maintenance of a project website including a newsletter subscription service (WP6)
• Creation of LIGNOFLAG project flyers, roll-ups and a press release on the groundbreaking event (WP6)
• Update dissemination and communication plan (WP6)
• Organization of meetings as well as general administrative and financial management (WP8)

Final results

The LIGNOFLAG project will have the following socio-economic as well as environmental impacts:
• Realisation of a cellulosic ethanol market in Europe through construction and operation of a flagship cellulosic ethanol plant and thus …
• Realizing the objectives of Horizon 2020 and other EU policies, by accelerating the implementation and deployment of cellulosic ethanol production plants in Europe
• Sustainable production of cellulosic ethanol which leads to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2) of up to 95 % compared to fossil-based alternatives
• Reduced energy consumption and thus minimum input of fossil-based energy by an integrated energy production using the co-product lignin
• Biofuels enhances sustainable urbanization, as particle count emissions are improved through advanced biofuels compared to fossil fuels
• Usage of agricultural residues leads to an improved use of existing arable land
• Support of the transformation from a fossil-based economy to a bio-based, circular economy
• Reduce dependence on fossil oil/resources/imports by using agricultural residues for the production of cellulosic ethanol, a liquid energy carrier that substitutes fossil gasoline
• Creation of a sustainable and competitive source of domestic renewable energy for the EU
• Reindustrialization of an abandoned industrial sites in Podari
• Mobilization of local resources by usage of so far underutilized agricultural residues like wheat straw
• Primary producers like farmers can sell their straw and therefore diversify and increase their income
• Creation of green jobs in rural areas in the agricultural, logistic, energy, biotechnology and chemical sectors as well as for the construction of the cellulosic ethanol production plant
• Training and education of local workforce to enable them to operate the production plant
• Awareness and understanding of the bio-based economy in the society by dissemination and communication activities within the project
• Scientific boost and knowledge creation through implementation of a new and sustainable process for the production of cellulosic ethanol using innovative biochemistry and biotechnology
• Increased cooperation across regions and countries through a project consortium consisting of beneficiaries from Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania
• Increased cooperation between industry and academia with Clariant as the industrial technology provider and Energieinstitut Linz as the academic institute performing LCA and GHG saving calculations
• Increased competitiveness of European companies by production and promotion of cellulosic ethanol for biofuel application from renewable sources in the EU

Website & more info

More info: http://www.lignoflag-project.eu.