Press release - 17 September 2020
Bioenergy Retrofits for Europe’s Industry – First Case Study accomplished
BIOFIT (www.biofit-h2020.eu) is an EU project that aims to facilitate the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in Europe’s industry. A core activity is the development of concrete proposals for bioenergy retrofits. The first, out of ten, Case Studies has now been accomplished. The consortium experts in collaboration with the Swedish Case Study company, Sölvesborg Energi, have analyzed the conversion of feed-stock, from fossil to biofuel, for district heating deliveries.
Retrofitting is one of the fastest ways to increase Europe’s renewable energy share by making the energy production of existing industries more sustainable. Compared to completely new ‘greenfield’ installations, retrofitting could have the advantage of lower capital costs, shorter lead times, faster implementation, less production time losses and lower risks. The BIOFIT project facilitates the introduction of bioenergy retrofitting in five specific industries, namely first-generation biofuels, pulp and paper, fossil refineries, fossil firing power and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Core actions in BIOFIT are highlighting existing bioenergy retrofits. A total of ten concrete proposals, covering all mentioned industries are under development. For each concrete proposal industrial parties collaborate closely with consortium partners to help develop the proposals, to maximise the implementation potential.
The first Case, out of the ten, has been accomplished. The final Case Study team meeting was conducted in September 2020. Together with project partner Energikontor Sydost, the utilization of bio-oil in the existing central heating boilers of Sölvesborgs Energi in Sölvesborg, Sweden, has been investigated. The main objective for this Case Study is to investigate the possibilities and prerequisites for converting from fossil oil to light or heavy bio-oil in the existing boilers at the case study company. The Case Study Company has gained knowledge and received a basis for their decision on the investment, based on assessments for supply chain, techno-economy and environment conducted by consortium experts. Discussions on risks, identified barriers and market uptake strategy, in addition, foster the company and widen their understanding.
EU-funded BIOFIT project will facilitate bioenergy production by retrofitting Europe’s industries.
Contact details (Case Studies in general)
Dina Bacovsky, BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH, Phone: +43 (0)5 02378-9435, dina.bacovsky@best-research.eu, www.best-research.eu
Contact details (Case Study Sölvesborg Energi)
Göran Gustavsson, Energikontor Sydost, Phone: +46 (0)709 21 60 54, goran.gustavsson@energikontorsydost.se, www.energikontorsydost.se