Challenge 8E. Valorization of biomass as energy source

Abstract

27 páginasThe transport sector is the second largest energy consumer in EU being responsible for 33% of the total energy consumption and for about 25% of the total greenhouse gas emissions, and relies on crude oils for 95% of its energy needs. Decarbonizing the transport sector to support climate and energy goals is recognized as a major challenge in the Energy Roadmap 2050). The development of biofuels from sustainable biomass feedstocks can play an important role in this regard, supporting fuel security and the EU objective of having at least 32% of transport fuels derived from renewable sources by 2030, according to the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001. Plant biomass is the main source of renewable materials in Earth and represents a potential source of renewable energy and biobased products. Biomass is available in high amounts at very low cost (as forest, agricultural or industrial lignocellulosic wastes and cultures) and could be a widely available and inexpensive source for energy, transportation (bio)fuels and (bio)products. Using biomass as energy source can lower EU’s external energy dependence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this regard, R&I need to focus on the efficient production of advanced biofuels from renewable sources. This chapter covers the main challenges that need to be addressed in the near future for using biomass as a safe and clean source of energy. Different technologies are reviewed for the production of energy from biomass, including thermochemical, biochemical and chemical processing technologies. The biomass can be burned, transformed into a fuel gas through partial combustion, into a biogas through fermentation, into bioethanol through biochemical processes, into biodiesel, into a bio-oil or into a syngas from which chemicals and liquid fuels can be synthesized. Moreover, it is being increasingly recognized that the overall cost-effectiveness of biomass-to-biofuels pathways can increase significantly through co-production of higher-added-value chemicals, and therefore, the concept of an integrated biorefinery for the production of energy, as well as chemicals, materials and commodities is also discussed here. Biorefineries will definitively help improving and maximizing resource efficiency while improving sustainability in the sense of the Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001Peer reviewe