Quality management targets biofuels
As the price of fossil fuels fluctuates wildly, biofuels are gaining increased attention and could meet more than a quarter of the world's demand to power transportation by 2050. The EU-funded project Bionorm aimed to create a European standardisation process and quality assurance system for solid biofuels. The project was based on sampling and testing to upgrade current procedures and yield higher quality biofuel, and thus also improve consumer confidence in the product. The project tested fuel characteristics such as moisture content, density and chemical properties to create a quality assurance system that covers the whole supply chain. It developed best practices and standards to further the standardisation process and stimulate bioenergy markets throughout Europe, including traders, producers and consumers of biofuels. In addition, Bionorm called for streamlining combustion and gasification equipment required to produce solid biofuels. Looking forward to the future, the project determined that more research is needed in terms of fuel classification, sampling and testing. Other future requirements include improving test methods, fine-tuning relevant legislation and ensuring harmonious development of standards. Progress in this area will be particularly beneficial for the EU's New Member States and Associated States which are starting to produce their own biofuels, thus requiring new standards and guidance. Many outcomes and findings have emerged from the project that are destined to improve the evolving European standardisation process for solid biofuels. This includes biofuel terminology and specifications, ideal sampling and testing methods, and company-specific quality management systems. The project's results will help encourage the biofuel market in Europe and contribute to a healthier environment.