Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EUCANwin (European – Canadian partnership for climate-positive heat and power generation through improved biomass feedstock supply and innovative conversion technologies)
Período documentado: 2021-04-01 hasta 2025-03-31
Climate change is recognised as one of the most significant challenge facing humanity today, with a strong push needed for uptake of renewable energy. Bioenergy will play an essential role in the energy mix, being one of the few renewables that is not intermittent, but further work is needed in sustainable resource evaluation and cost-efficient mobilisation. Further, to meet our climate obligations, biomass energy with improved conversion efficiency and carbon capture are needed.
The EUCANWin! project aims to contribute to tackling these challenges by improving forestry biomass harvesting and developing more efficient conversion technologies in combination with CO2 capture. The project is enabled by co-operation between five European countries (Sweden, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Hungary) and Canada. Specifically, this co-operation will:
• Support the knowledge transfer of biomass availability information (Forest Biomass Atlas) to Canada, as an open service to support the bioeconomy;
• Investigate opportunities to transfer tree-length harvesting expertise from Canada to Europe;
• Develop a prototype On-Board Intelligent Biomass Analyser, including artificial intelligence and self-learning capabilities, to improve logistics and allocation;
• Double the efficiency of electrical conversion via the Biomass-fired Top Cycle (BTC) concept;
• Determine the most effective Bio-CO2 capture technology for the BTC process;
• Provide an economic and environmental assessment of the biomass supply chain;
• Carry out a social impact assessment of the proposed technologies to support a fair and equitable low-carbon transition.
EUCANWin! will provide benefits on both sides of the Atlantic and give valuable inputs into the policy-making process. It will provide data and results on sustainable and cost-efficient value chains to inform Research & Development and Energy Policies, in support of the European Green Deal and the Canada’s Climate Plan. The project takes place in the frame of Mission Innovation, a global initiative of twenty-four countries and the European Commission, which seeks to double public investment in clean energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RDD) by engaging with the private sector and fostering international collaboration.
The EUCANWin! project aims to contribute to tackling these challenges by improving forestry biomass harvesting and developing more efficient conversion technologies in combination with CO2 capture. The project is enabled by co-operation between five European countries (Sweden, Finland, Spain, Belgium, Hungary) and Canada. Specifically, this co-operation will:
• Support the knowledge transfer of biomass availability information (Forest Biomass Atlas) to Canada, as an open service to support the bioeconomy;
• Investigate opportunities to transfer tree-length harvesting expertise from Canada to Europe;
• Develop a prototype On-Board Intelligent Biomass Analyser, including artificial intelligence and self-learning capabilities, to improve logistics and allocation;
• Double the efficiency of electrical conversion via the Biomass-fired Top Cycle (BTC) concept;
• Determine the most effective Bio-CO2 capture technology for the BTC process;
• Provide an economic and environmental assessment of the biomass supply chain;
• Carry out a social impact assessment of the proposed technologies to support a fair and equitable low-carbon transition.
EUCANWin! will provide benefits on both sides of the Atlantic and give valuable inputs into the policy-making process. It will provide data and results on sustainable and cost-efficient value chains to inform Research & Development and Energy Policies, in support of the European Green Deal and the Canada’s Climate Plan. The project takes place in the frame of Mission Innovation, a global initiative of twenty-four countries and the European Commission, which seeks to double public investment in clean energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RDD) by engaging with the private sector and fostering international collaboration.
The EU–Canada Horizon 2020 project EUCANwin! aimed to improve the sustainability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of biomass-to-bioenergy value chains through an integrated approach covering biomass supply chains, advanced conversion technologies, carbon capture options, techno-economic assessment, and social and environmental aspects.
From project start until Month 16, the consortium implemented the planned activities across all work packages and established effective transatlantic collaboration. The following main results were achieved:
Development of a Forest Biomass Atlas prototype and a biomass supply chain simulation framework.
Initial testing of an on-board biomass quality measurement concept.
Preparatory design and modelling of a high-efficiency biomass conversion system, with a focus on reduced NOx emissions.
Completion of an overview and comparative assessment of CO2 capture technologies, including relevant performance indicators.
Progress in techno-economic analysis supporting system evaluation.
Implementation of communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities, including identification of experimental communities in Europe and Canada and delivery of a stakeholder engagement plan.
Project implementation was affected by COVID-19-related restrictions and site-specific constraints linked to the planned 500 kW system. The project was suspended in Month 16 to allow the consortium to assess alternative mitigation measures. Differences in the interpretation of the applicable technology readiness level were identified during this process. Despite extensive internal work, the consideration of multiple mitigation options, and continued constructive exchanges with CINEA during the suspension period, no solution meeting the required conditions could ultimately be agreed, and the project was therefore formally terminated by the Commission.
Despite early termination, the project delivered exploitable methodological and analytical results, including tools, models, and assessments related to biomass supply chains, conversion technologies, and CO2 capture options. These results remain relevant for future research and innovation actions and can support continued EU–Canada cooperation in sustainable bioenergy.
From project start until Month 16, the consortium implemented the planned activities across all work packages and established effective transatlantic collaboration. The following main results were achieved:
Development of a Forest Biomass Atlas prototype and a biomass supply chain simulation framework.
Initial testing of an on-board biomass quality measurement concept.
Preparatory design and modelling of a high-efficiency biomass conversion system, with a focus on reduced NOx emissions.
Completion of an overview and comparative assessment of CO2 capture technologies, including relevant performance indicators.
Progress in techno-economic analysis supporting system evaluation.
Implementation of communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities, including identification of experimental communities in Europe and Canada and delivery of a stakeholder engagement plan.
Project implementation was affected by COVID-19-related restrictions and site-specific constraints linked to the planned 500 kW system. The project was suspended in Month 16 to allow the consortium to assess alternative mitigation measures. Differences in the interpretation of the applicable technology readiness level were identified during this process. Despite extensive internal work, the consideration of multiple mitigation options, and continued constructive exchanges with CINEA during the suspension period, no solution meeting the required conditions could ultimately be agreed, and the project was therefore formally terminated by the Commission.
Despite early termination, the project delivered exploitable methodological and analytical results, including tools, models, and assessments related to biomass supply chains, conversion technologies, and CO2 capture options. These results remain relevant for future research and innovation actions and can support continued EU–Canada cooperation in sustainable bioenergy.
Although the EUCANwin! project was terminated before full implementation, the activities carried out during the reporting period demonstrated potential progress beyond the state of the art in several elements of the biomass-to-bioenergy value chain.
The project developed and applied an integrated EU–Canada research approach combining digital biomass resource assessment, sensor-based biomass quality measurement concepts, advanced biomass conversion system design, and sustainability assessment. This integration of supply chain modelling, conversion technology development, and techno-economic and social impact analysis goes beyond fragmented approaches typically applied in the sector and supports more systemic optimisation of biomass-to-bioenergy pathways.
Progress beyond the state of the art was demonstrated in particular through:
The development of a Forest Biomass Atlas prototype and a biomass supply chain simulation framework, enabling more data-driven planning and optimisation of sustainable biomass utilisation.
Early testing of an on-board biomass quality measurement (OBIBA) concept, supporting improved feedstock characterisation and operational decision-making.
Preparatory design, modelling and experimental work related to a high-efficiency biomass conversion system, including investigations of fuel-bound nitrogen chemistry aimed at reducing NOx emissions.
The development of a social impact assessment framework and the identification of experimental communities in Europe and Canada, supporting structured stakeholder engagement and societal acceptance of bioenergy solutions.
Due to the early termination of the project, the expected results by the end of the action could not be fully realised. However, the methodological approaches, analytical tools and preliminary technical results generated provide a sound basis for future research, innovation and demonstration activities.
The potential impacts of the project include contributions to the development of cost-efficient, low-carbon and socially acceptable bioenergy systems, improved sustainability of biomass supply chains, and strengthened EU–Canada cooperation in the bioenergy domain. The results achieved to date also support wider societal objectives by promoting resource-efficient biomass use, reduced emissions in heat and power generation, and inclusive innovation processes that integrate social and environmental considerations from an early stage.
The project developed and applied an integrated EU–Canada research approach combining digital biomass resource assessment, sensor-based biomass quality measurement concepts, advanced biomass conversion system design, and sustainability assessment. This integration of supply chain modelling, conversion technology development, and techno-economic and social impact analysis goes beyond fragmented approaches typically applied in the sector and supports more systemic optimisation of biomass-to-bioenergy pathways.
Progress beyond the state of the art was demonstrated in particular through:
The development of a Forest Biomass Atlas prototype and a biomass supply chain simulation framework, enabling more data-driven planning and optimisation of sustainable biomass utilisation.
Early testing of an on-board biomass quality measurement (OBIBA) concept, supporting improved feedstock characterisation and operational decision-making.
Preparatory design, modelling and experimental work related to a high-efficiency biomass conversion system, including investigations of fuel-bound nitrogen chemistry aimed at reducing NOx emissions.
The development of a social impact assessment framework and the identification of experimental communities in Europe and Canada, supporting structured stakeholder engagement and societal acceptance of bioenergy solutions.
Due to the early termination of the project, the expected results by the end of the action could not be fully realised. However, the methodological approaches, analytical tools and preliminary technical results generated provide a sound basis for future research, innovation and demonstration activities.
The potential impacts of the project include contributions to the development of cost-efficient, low-carbon and socially acceptable bioenergy systems, improved sustainability of biomass supply chains, and strengthened EU–Canada cooperation in the bioenergy domain. The results achieved to date also support wider societal objectives by promoting resource-efficient biomass use, reduced emissions in heat and power generation, and inclusive innovation processes that integrate social and environmental considerations from an early stage.