www.BioPAD.eu
Spring 2014
Introduction The BioPAD project is promoting the wider use of bioenergy and developing applications targeting the whole process from supplying fuel to producing energy. By using bioenergy we can unlock the potential of our local natural resources, provide jobs and stimulate our local economies, make ourselves fuel secure and reduce CO2 emissions. The project will help the development of bioenergy and improve our understanding of the links between supply and demand by looking at supply chains for a variety of bioenergy fuels, and different ways of converting these fuels into sustainable energy. Understanding the way in which bioenergy moves from fuel sources to energy provision will help to establish robust and efficient supply services which can match local demand. If you would like to learn more about any of the initiatives highlighted in this edition, or if you would like further information on the BioPAD project, please visit www.BioPAD.eu
Northern Periphery Programme Regions
E-Zine
Spring 2014
in Finland Study tour of North Karelia In February 2014 the BioPAD partners visited the North Karelia region of Finland. The visit and learning event was coordinated by project partners Metla (the Finnish Forest Research Institute) and was jointly held with REMOTE, another NPP project, and PKBEV a project whose mission is to facilitate the development of bioenergy business in Pielinen Karelia region. The visit included study tours of bioenergy sites in the region, and associated meetings and discussions on the development of bioenergy in the partner regions. BioPAD project partners brought participants from their regions to Finland, These participants have an interest in bioenergy development to see the variety of bioenergy projects and enterprise possibilities in North Karelia and to gain an understanding of how the region of has developed a significant bioenergy economy. The first study sites were in the Pielinen Karelia region, with the tour beginning with Kuittila Farm, which has been producing its own electricity and heat since using a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit since winter 2012. Following a visit to a woodfuel harvesting site, the group proceeded to the Nurmes district heating plant where participants learned about the development and management of district heating and gained an understanding of the benefits of this biomass fuelled system. On the second day of the tour BioPAD visited the Tulikivi company which produces high quality, high value soap-stone fireplaces for the global market. Soapstone has considerable heat retention properties making it a useful material for fireplaces and stoves. The final visit of the tour was to the Fortum Pyrolysis oil plant, a component of the Joensuu Fortum CHP district heating plant. Large-scale pyrolysis oil production is the biggest technological advancement in bioenergy for Finland in the last decade. The factory is producing bio-oil from woody biomass to substitute fossil oils in heat production.
in Finland Conference and workshops A key part of the Finland visit was two dissemination events, which took the form of a conference and workshop on bioenergy development socio economic benefits of bioenergy use in the North Karelia, and an event focusing on the BioPAD project and the ongoing Supply Chain analysis. To start the dissemination event a workshop was held to inform participants (many of whom were from Finland) about the BioPAD project and the ongoing Supply Chain analysis. The BISCUIT (BioPAD Supply Chain Unique Integrated Tool) was demonstrated.
The next day we started with a workshop on bioenergy development in North Karelia and the socio economic benefits of bioenergy use in this rural region. There was lively discussion of the issues faced by partner countries in seeking to emulate the bioenergy development which has taken place in Finland. Presentations from the events are available to access here: http://www.biopad.eu/presentations-finland-study-tour-learningevent/ The BioPAD visit to Finland enabled participants to see practical examples of bioenergy in action, have the opportunity to learn about bioenergy policy in a successful bioenergy region, and engage in discussions with other stakeholders in the bioenergy network.
Marine bioenergy in the Northern Periphery region Across Northern Europe some biomass types such as wood products are more commonly used and have better developed supply chains than biomass such as marine macroalgae (seaweed), the use of which is still in its infancy. The newly released BioPAD macroalgae report provides an overview of the current status of the use of macroalgae as a renewable energy source within the BioPAD par tner regions of Scotland, Finland, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland, indicating the future potential and key barriers to the development of this sector.
Although the BioPAD partner regions all have coastlines capable of significant macroalgal biomass production, large scale cultivation of macroalgae for use as a bioenergy fuel source is at least a decade away, with other bioenergy fuels currently better placed to fulfil short to medium term energy and heat demands. Across Northern Europe, key issues surrounding environmental impacts, financial viability, and cultivation feasibility need to be addressed before macroalgae can significantly contribute to the mix of bioenergy fuels. The issues are summarized in the report which also highlights differences between regions. For instance, in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland, concerns remain regarding the removal of beachcast macroalgae, and the potential nutrient depletion and detrimental effects on biodiversity. However in Finland macroalgae removal is welcomed as a way of removing nutrients from the Baltic Sea, which has become eutrophic from human activities. The BioPAD Marine bioenergy overview: the use of macroalgae (seaweed) can be accessed here: http://www.biopad.eu/wp-content/uploads/BioPAD-MarineBiomass-Report-March-2014.pdf