The objective of Record Biomap is to build up a knowledge transfer platform aiming to foster the use of research outcomes. In focus were technology solutions for cost efficient biomethane production at small to medium scale, which are not yet economically competitive compared to large scale applications. Transnational technology developments along the biomethane supply chain (substrate pre-treatment, digestion, biogas upgrading), especially for those technologies which are yet in the first phases of their development, are monitored and supported through dissemination activities.
The goal is to accelerate innovation in this sector and therefore shorten the time to market of the most promising technology solutions, which make production of biomethane cost efficient and market competitive. To bridge the gap between research and market, Record Biomap established the “Biomethane Map”, an online interactive map, which presents SME and research institutions in Europe who investigate in above mentioned technologies to reach a cost and energy efficient biomethane production at plants with a production capacity of < 200 Nm³/h raw biogas. The map includes their profiles and detailed technology descriptions to give an insight into their innovative developments. This platform supports knowledge transfer of different R&D actions and connects the end user with the technology provider to accelerate market implementation or to develop further project concepts. To support this, one objective was to identify new sources of public/private funding for the further development of those technologies. Relevant calls in different national/international funding programs are available on the project website. Some possible project concepts were developed.
Conclusion:
Record Biomap built up a biomethane network for especially small to medium scale biomethane production technologies. It connected many stakeholders from industry and research as well as end users and informed decision makers through the website, workshops, conferences, publications and other dissemination+communications measures. For the first time a comprehensive overview and multi indicator assessment of present (2016 - 2018) European small-scale, innovative technologies for the production of biomethane has been made, which is an absolute novelty. Technical, economic and ecological indicators for small-scale biomethane technologies (with low TRL) were defined, applied, and compared to larger scale references.
However, policies, i.e. a supporting framework around biomethane are still missing in many EU countries and need to be adapted in order to support market introduction of decentralized and small to medium scale biomethane production and supply (see D2.1/2.2). Only if the political framework offers opportunities to small scale biomethane production, spatially distributed potentials of organic wastes or residues in the agricultural sector could be used in the long term.