Farm and laboratory size biochar and heat coproduction in reducing atmosphere compact autothermal pyrolysis reactor

Local production of the biochar (BC) at the farm level remains unresolved regarding technology and operation/business model. A new patented technical solution of coproduction BC and heat in a Reducing Atmosphere (BC&H-RA) [1] as a compact autothermal pyrolysis reactor/boiler enters the market. The device covers a niche market of smaller size (5-50 kg/h of BC) [2, 4] production units offering fully automatic all day (24 h) operation with all ecological features of flue/exhaust gases. Fully automatic operation provides BC acc. to EBC quality standard from standard wood chips (BS-EN-ISO 17225) of wide particle sizes up to 45 mm of diameter. Under presented conditions, farm size reactor/boiler use 20 kg/h of BM (wood chips) or 1.7 m3 per day and produce 5 kg/h of BC or approx. 0.8 m3 per day at 26 kW continuous thermal output. A possible implementation of alternative biomasses (BM) needs to be tested to assure BC - EBC quality with some corrections of process parameters. Compact pyrolysis unit can be installed as a domestic boiler producing hot water (max 90/70 ºC regime) and BC in big bags. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract

Will climate mitigation ambitions lead to carbon neutrality? An analysis of the local-level plans of 327 cities in the EU

Cities across the globe recognise their role in climate mitigation and are acting to reduce carbon emissions. Knowing whether cities set ambitious climate and energy targets is critical for determining their contribution towards the global 1.5 °C target, partly because it helps to identify areas where further action is necessary. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the mitigation targets of 327 European cities, as declared in their local climate plans. The sample encompasses over 25% of the EU population and includes cities of all sizes across all Member States, plus the UK. The study analyses whether the type of plan, city size, membership of climate networks, and its regional location are associated with different levels of mitigation ambition. Results reveal that 78% of the cities have a GHG emissions reduction target. However, with an average target of 47%, European cities are not on track to reach the Paris Agreement: they need to roughly double their ambitions and efforts. Some cities are ambitious, e.g. 25% of our sample (81) aim to reach carbon neutrality, with the earliest target date being 2020.90% of these cities are members of the Climate Alliance and 75% of the Covenant of Mayors. City size is the strongest predictor for carbon neutrality, whilst climate network(s) membership, combining adaptation and mitigation into a single strategy, and local motivation also play a role. The methods, data, results and analysis of this study can serve as a reference and baseline for tracking climate mitigation ambitions across European and global cities

Degradation of lignocellulosic biomass by fungi Pleurotus ostreatus before the solid state anaerobic digestion

Omejeni viri, visoke cene in okoljski vpliv fosilnih goriv narekujejo razvoj alternativnih virov energije, med katere spada tudi proizvodnja energije iz lignocelulozne biomase. Lignocelulozna biomasa (LB) kmetijskih, vrtnih in gozdarskih ostankov se v veliki količini kopiči na regionalnem zbirnem centru za ravnanje z odpadki, kjer jo uporabijo v procesu kompostiranja. Z našo nalogo smo raziskali možnosti proizvodnje bioplina iz lokalno zbrane LB. S tem namenom smo optimirali in nadgradili proces anaerobne fermentacije LB za pridobitev biometana, obnovljivega vira energije. Izdelali smo pilotni sistem šaržnih reaktorjev s strnjenim slojem in križnim pretakanjem izcedne vode, z namenom simulacije procesa na ustrezni velikosti glede na vstopno biomaso. Pri izvedbi eksperimentov v reaktorjih na pilotnem merilu, smo glavni poudarek namenili študiji vpliva pretakanja izcedne vode med reaktorji na proizvodnjo bioplina. Rezultati tovrstnih poskusov so pokazali, da je pretakanje izcedne vode med reaktorji ključnega pomena za stabilnost procesa in povečano proizvodnjo bioplina. Raziskave kažejo, da je proizvodnjo bioplina iz LB možno povečati z učinkovito predobdelavo. Nadgradnjo procesa anaerobne fermentacije smo izvedli z biološko predobdelavo LB. In sicer smo glivo P.ostreatus gojili direktno na LB, v nadaljevanju smo za razgradnjo LB uporabili le encime glive. V laboratorijskem sistemu AMPTS smo določili biometanski potencial LB in LB preraščeni z glivo. Postopek predobdelave LB, pri katerem smo glivo gojili direktno na vzorcih LB, se je izkazal za neučinkovitega, saj je bil biometanski potencial vzorcev preraščenih z glivo mnogo nižji od biometanskega potenciala LB, ki ni bil izpostavljen nobeni predobdelavi. Naše raziskave smo nato nadaljevali v smeri gojenja glive na trdnem gojišču, sestavljenem iz pšeničnih otrobov in lignocelulozne biomase, in nato pridobivanja hidrolitičnih in oksidativnih encimov. Iz rezultatov encimskih aktivnosti smo ugotovili, da je gliva P. ostreatus, proizvedla celulitične encime v manjših količinah, medtem ko so bile lakaze, ki razgrajujejo ligninske komponente, proizvedene v velikih količinah. Glede na to, da veljajo lakaze tudi za širše industrijsko zanimive encime, smo z optimizacijo po Taguchi metodi raziskovali vpliv sestave gojišča na produktivnost lakaz. Optimizacija gojišča s Taguchi ortogonalno matriko L18 (21 × 37) se je izkazala za uspešno metodo, s katero smo pridobili podatke za sestavo gojišča na katerem izloči gliva P. ostreatus največ lakaz. Za primerjavo učinkovitosti razgradnje LB z encimskim ekstraktom, pridobljenim iz gojišč P. ostreatus, smo uporabili dva komercialna encima. Rezultati so pokazali, da je bil encimski ekstrakt učinkovit pri razgradnji LB, kakor tudi pri razgradnji trdnega ostanka po fermentaciji.The limited resources, high cost and the environmental impact of fossil fuels require the development of alternative energy sources, which include energy production from lignocellulosic biomass (LB). LB from agricultural, garden and forestry residues has been accumulated in large quantities at a regional collection centre for waste management, where it is used in the composting process. In our study, we discussed the possibility of biogas production from locally collected LB. In this purpose, we optimized and upgraded the anaerobic digestion process of LB for biomethane production, a renewable energy source. We have made our system of batch reactors with fluidized bed and leachate recirculating system, and we followed the principle of cost effectiveness production of reactors system. In carrying out the experiments in the reactors system on a pilot scale, the emphasis has been given to the study of leachate recirculation impact between reactors on the biogas production. The results of these experiments showed the crucial importance of leachate recirculation between reactors on the process stability and increased biogas production. Researchers have shown that the production of biogas from the LB can be enhanced by an effective pre-treatment. We have upgraded our anaerobic digestion process with LB biological pre-treatment. Biological pre-treatment has been carried out with P. ostreatus cultivation directly on LB samples and in the continuation of pre-treatment study only the enzymes from P. ostreatus have been used. Biomethane potential has been determined by laboratory AMPTS system for LB and pretreated LB, respectively. Pre-treatment process with direct fungi cultivation on LB has been proved as ineffective since the biomethane potential of these samples has been much lower than the biomethane potential of LB, which has not been treated with any pre-treatment. We continued our research in the field of fungi cultivation on solid state culture medium composed of wheat bran and LB with the aim of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes production. From the results of enzyme activities, we found out that P. ostreatus has been, in our case, poor cellulolytic enzymes producer, but on the contrary lacases, known as enzymes for lignin degradation, have been produced in large quantities. According to the possibility of laccase application at industrial scale, we have been carried out optimization of culture medium for laccase production with Taguchi method. Optimization of culture medium with Taguchi orthogonal array L18 (21 × 37) has been proved as a successful method for obtaining the data of culture medium composition, which served as medium for maximum laccase production of P. ostreatus. To compare the efficiency of LB degradation of enzyme extract obtained from P. ostreatus cultivation, we have been used two commercial enzymes. The results showed an efficiency of enzyme extract in the LB and digestate degradation, respectively

Climate mitigation in the Mediterranean Europe: An assessment of regional and city-level plans

International audienceIn Europe, regions in the Mediterranean area share common characteristics in terms of high sensitivity to climate change impacts. Does this translate into specificities regarding climate action that could arise from these Mediterranean characteristics? This paper sheds light on regional and local climate mitigation actions of the Mediterranean Europe, focusing on the plans to reduce greenhouse gases emissions in a representative sample of 51 regions and 73 cities across 9 Mediterranean countries (Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain). The study investigates: (i) the availability of local and regional mitigation plans, (ii) their goals in term of greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets on the short and medium-long term, and (iii) the impact of transnational climate networks on such local and regional climate mitigation planning. Results of this study indicate an uneven and fragmented planning, that shows a Mediterranean West-East divide, and a link with population size. However, overall, both regional and city action seem insufficiently ambitious with regards to meeting the Paris Agreement, at least at city level. While national frameworks are currently weak in influencing regional and local actions, transnational networks seem to be engaging factors for commitment (at city level) and ambitiousness (at regional level). The uneven and fragmented progress revealed by this study, does not align with the characteristics shared by investigated regions and cities in terms of environmental, socio-political, climatic and economic conditions. The results support the call of a common green deal at the Mediterranean level to further address specific Mediterranean challenges and related needs. This will allow to capitalise on available resources, generate local-specific knowledge, build capacities, and support Mediterranean regions and cities in preparing the next generation of more ambitious mitigation plans

State of play of local adaptation planning in the Mediterranean Europe

ABSTRACT: European cities across the Mediterranean region face common climatic threats. Urbanised areas are highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, including climate variability and climate extremes. Cities concentrate population and assets, and losses and damages as a result of climate change impacts such as heat waves, droughts, wildfires, landslides, coastal hazards are likely. So far, however, there is no systematic understanding how cities in the Mediterranean Europe are preparing to adapt to these impacts, nor of how they aim to increase their resilience and adaptive capacity. Understanding how cities plan to manage climatic risks will help to identify action gaps, allocate resources and provides better-informed climate policy, at local, regional national and international scale. This research gathered and analysed adaptation planning documents in a representative sample of 73 cities across 9 Mediterranean European countries (France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta) in the context of their national policies. The results and this paper shed important light on the progress of adaptation planning, by focusing on identified impacts and proposed adaptation measures.N/

Adaptation to climate change in cities of Mediterranean Europe

ABSTRACT: Cities across Mediterranean Europe face common climatic threats. They are highly vulnerable and very likely to suffer losses and damages due to heat waves, droughts, wildfires, landslides, and extreme coastal events. To this date, however, there is no systematic understanding of how cities in Mediterranean Europe are preparing to adapt to these impacts. To address this question, we analyse local adaptation plans in 73 cities located in 51 regions across 9 European countries along the Mediterranean Sea (France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Portugal, Croatia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta). We also investigate upper levels of planning to understand the influence of policy environments. Across the sample, 67 % of regions have adopted a plan, but only 30 % of the cities. The most common climate-related hazards these cities prepare for are extreme temperatures and rainfall, followed by drought and water scarcity, as well as floods and landslides. Without legal obligations, neither regional nor national adaptation policy frameworks seem to influence the development of urban plans. In some cases, cities are ahead of national policy. This paper sheds light on the progress of local adaptation planning in Mediterranean Europe and paves the way for further research in this climate-threatened geographical area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Will climate mitigation ambitions lead to carbon neutrality? An analysis of the local-level plans of 327 cities in the EU

ABSTRACT: Cities across the globe recognise their role in climate mitigation and are acting to reduce carbon emissions. Knowing whether cities set ambitious climate and energy targets is critical for determining their contribution towards the global 1.5 °C target, partly because it helps to identify areas where further action is necessary. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the mitigation targets of 327 European cities, as declared in their local climate plans. The sample encompasses over 25% of the EU population and includes cities of all sizes across all Member States, plus the UK. The study analyses whether the type of plan, city size, membership of climate networks, and its regional location are associated with different levels of mitigation ambition. Results reveal that 78% of the cities have a GHG emissions reduction target. However, with an average target of 47%, European cities are not on track to reach the Paris Agreement: they need to roughly double their ambitions and efforts. Some cities are ambitious, e.g. 25% of our sample (81) aim to reach carbon neutrality, with the earliest target date being 2020.90% of these cities are members of the Climate Alliance and 75% of the Covenant of Mayors. City size is the strongest predictor for carbon neutrality, whilst climate network(s) membership, combining adaptation and mitigation into a single strategy, and local motivation also play a role. The methods, data, results and analysis of this study can serve as a reference and baseline for tracking climate mitigation ambitions across European and global cities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Data for: Climate mitigation ambition towards carbon neutrality? An analysis of local-level plans of 327 cities in the EU

This dataset provides data on a sample of 327 core cities within the EU-28, covered by the Cities Statistics database of the European Statistics Office (Eurostat), formerly known as “Urban Audit” (UA). It is organized in three spreadsheets containing, respectively, the following data: 1. List of the analyzed plans: Country / City, City population, Climate change mitigation strategy name (in national languages / in English), Year of adoption of the strategy/plan, Type of Mitigation Local Climate Plan (M-LCP), Integrated Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, Carbon neutrality, target year carbon neutrality, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), Climate Alliance (CA), C40, CNCA (Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance) 2. GHG emission targets for UA cities with a plan, by country: Country / City with a plan, Type of M-LCP, CO2 emission target (% / baseline year / target year), GHG emission target (CO2eq) (% / baseline year / target year), Geographical location (Northern/Southern Europe) 3. Key data summary on the sample: Country, Total number (No.) of cities in the sample, M-LCPs by type, Total No. of M-LCP Cities without a plan, Cities with a plan, Integrated M&A LCPs, Total population, Population in our city sample, Population representativeness in the sampl