Fuels Of The Future 2021: Sustainable biofuels - Biomass potentials between wish and reality

Session 8 + 9

Session 8: Sustainable Biofuels - The Potential of Biomass between Dream and Reality  

The recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) limits the share of biofuels from cultivated biomass in the fuel mix from 2022 on the basis of the biofuel volumes consumed in 2020. As a function of this figure, the Member States will determine a cap and are authorised to increase this share by one percentage point or reduce it to 0 percent. Germany is utilising this option within the framework of international implementation, in keeping with current draft legislation, to reduce the level at which the cap is set to 3.2 percent from 2022, to 3.0 percent from 2024 and to 2.7 percent from 2027. At the same time, both the European Commission and the German Environment Ministry support the option of promoting biofuels made from residues in accordance with Annex IX Part A of RED II. With a view to climate change mitigation in the transport sector, this gives rise to a contradictory situation: the quantities of an existing, sustainably certified, expandable feedstock option are cut, while simultaneously what are known as advanced biofuels from residues are utilised to make up the shortfall. From the perspective of climate policy, the challenge is that biofuels from residues are de facto only available in a handful of Member States and it will not be possible to compensate for the loss of substances from cultivated biomass. In this equation, it is climate protection in the transport sector that loses out. Or will under-fulfilment of quotas lead to imports from third countries?

The speakers in the session on “The potential of biomass between dream and reality” will shed light on the possible potential of residues, specifically in the light of the European Commission’s extension of the feedstocks list in Annex IX Part A. The state of play in the consultation process initiated by the Commission will be presented, along with a global comparison of available crop volumes for biofuels from cultivated biomass already on the market. Internationally, the European Union is the only region to pursue this form of “biomass strategy”. In contrast, the world’s major agricultural nations rely on rising quotas stipulated for biofuels from cultivated biomass, largely with a view to improving income prospects in the agricultural sector and meeting targets for climate change mitigation under the Paris Convention. Against this backdrop, the organisers look forward to an interesting discussion with participants in this session.

The presentations:

•   Biomass potentials of biogenic residues, by-products and wastes in Germany - What we know and what we do not know; André Brosowski, German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ)
•   Consultation process on RED II Annex IX; Sébastien Haye, E4tech
•   Latest developments in global harvests and markets; Wienke von Schenck, AMI Akademie
•  Prospects for European biofuel and feedstock markets in the context of RED II, Sophie Barthel, Argus Media

Moderation: Dr. Birger Kerckow, Birger Kerckow, Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V. (FNR)
 

Session 9: Biofuels from Waste and Residues

Sales of waste-based biofuels have risen steadily in recent years. That is thanks to their outstanding performance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions: over its entire life cycle, over 90 percent lower greenhouse gas emissions are achieved with biodiesel made from used cooking oil than with fossil fuels. The challenges facing producers and the risks they see for the future will be discussed in Session 9 “Biofuels from Waste and Residues” at the 18th International Conference for Renewable Mobility. The conference will be held from 18th-22nd January 2021 - for the first time in its history digitally, as an online event.

Waste-based biodiesel is now a mainstay in efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions from road transport. For existing vehicles with combustion engines, which will continue to account for the largest share of the fleet in Germany until 2030, biodiesel from used cooking oil is a particularly climate-friendly alternative. That holds true not only for Germany but also for other European countries.

The thematic section on “Biofuels from Waste and Residues” will analyse national implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II) from the perspective of waste-based biofuels and present a comprehensive overview of the European market during the Covid-19 crisis. Does national implementation of RED II pose any risks for firms producing biodiesel from used cooking oil?

In addition, there will be an in-depth exploration of the areas in which used cooking oils can be used most efficiently in the transport sector to protect the climate and consumers. And, last but not least, a flagship project from Portugal, aimed at boosting sales of B15, will also be presented. That project could pave the way for comprehensive availability of B10 across Europe – ensuring improved climate-change mitigation for the road transport sector.

Food for thought for the discussion will come inter alia from the presentations:
National transposition of RED II and the Federal Climate Protection Act in terms of waste-based biofuels, Michael Fiedler-Panajotopoulos, Waste-Based Fuels Association (MVaK)

Waste-to-fuel: A case study of Europe’s pioneer in the circular economy, Matt Stone, PRIMA Markets

B15 in Portugal. For a greater contribution by the road transport sector to climate change mitigation, Luís Manuel Ventura Serrano, Politecnico de Leiria

Moderation: Detlef Evers, Waste-Based Fuels Association (MVaK)

The complete programme, information on registration and the exhibitor forum can be found at www.fuels-of-the-future.com.