The overall objective of Residue2Heat is to enable the utilization of sustainable, ash rich biomass and residues in residential heating applications (20-200 kWth) to provide sustainable heat at a competitive price. In this concept, various 2nd generation agricultural, and forestry residue streams are converted into a liquid energy carrier near the biomass origin at an economic viable scale of 15-30 MWth using the fast pyrolysis process. Subsequently, the fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) is distributed to a large number of residential end-users. The FPBO should fulfill at least the draft CEN-specification for replacement of domestic heating oil and comply with REACH regulation. Additional quality control aspects for this application include the removal of extractives and solids from the FPBO. Ash is recovered from the fast pyrolysis process as a separate stream, and recycling and/or re-use will be evaluated in detail. Existing high efficient, condensing boilers are used as starting point in the project, as well as a proven, low emission blue-flame type burner. Within Residue2Heat technical development work is performed on the modification of such systems to enable FPBO as fuel. The emission control and energy efficiency of the heating systems are optimized by dedicated modeling of FPBO atomization and combustion kinetics, supported by single droplet combustion tests and spray characterization. This route benefits from the flexible nature of the fast pyrolysis process, allowing the use of various lignocellulosic biomass streams, but also by using modified residential heating systems for which manufacturing capabilities, market development and product distribution are already in place. Dedicated tasks are included to assess the environmental and social impacts, risks analysis and public acceptance. Additionally, business and market assessment activities are performed including specific issues on health and safety relevant to FPBO-fuelled residential boilers.

WASTE2ROAD will develop a new generation of cost-effective biofuels from a selected, well-defined range of low cost and abundant biogenic residues and waste fractions. Through optimisation of European waste recycling logistics and development of efficient low-risk conversion pathways, high overall carbon yields > 45% can be obtained while reducing greenhouse gases emissions > 80%. The established consortium covers the full value chain, from a) waste management and pre-treatment based on designated streams from households; b) the subsequent transformation of waste to bio-liquids through fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction, c) production of advanced biofuels through intermediate refining processes combined with existing downstream refinery co-processing technologies deploying sustainable hydrogen production, and d) assessment of the end-use compatibility of the obtained biofuels for road transport applications. Correlations will be established between the quality and properties of diverse waste fractions, the relevant process parameters and final properties of the biofuel's: aiming to provide a unique understanding of the technical aspects related the whole value chain, as well as to assess and optimize the environmental, economic and social benefits. Throughout the whole value chain development, emphasis will be on risk-mitigation pathways to maximize further exploitation of the results in industrial implementation. Specific attention will be paid to risk management, while establishing connections with stakeholders and relevant standardisation bodies to secure the future exploitation of the project’s results.

Among solutions to reach an EU net zero emissions economy by 2050, advanced biofuels have the potential to save several gigatons of CO2 emission per year. However, their development is hampered by a complex feedstock to be processed, the massive investments needed for each new refinery unit, the lack of certification for market adoption and above all, social acceptance of the biofuel production itself. REFOLUTION will tackle these limitations by delivering a cost-effective production (reduction of CAPEX by 50% and OPEX by 45%) of advanced biofuels for the aviation and marine sectors via a process that can be implemented in existing European refineries. REFOLUTION will demonstrate the transformation of bio-oils produced from fast pyrolysis (FP) into advanced biofuels, through intermediate process steps (stabilisation, fractionation) combined with downstream co-processing technologies at different levels of severities (temperature, hydrogen consumption, carbon yield) for targeting different applications: Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) co-processing for aviation (TRL7) and marine sectors, and hydrotreating for marine (TRL6). REFOLUTION is gathering 14 leading EU entities covering the full biofuel value chain to deploy risk-mitigation pathways for successful implementation into existing refineries. The project will deliver a comprehensive toolbox of models, standards, social assessment and exploitation pathways for interfacing with current refinery models and available documentation for further replication in other existing refineries, from a dozen in 2030 several hundred pyrolysis units delivering bio-feedstocks to the 90+ refineries in 2050.

Intermediate bioenergy carriers (IBC) are formed when biomass is processed to energetically denser, storable and transportable intermediary products analogous to coal, oil and gaseous fossil energy carriers. IBCs can be used directly for heat or power generation or further refined to final bioenergy or bio-based products. MUSIC aims to facilitate further market uptake of three types of IBC (pyrolysis oil, torrefied biomass and microbial oil) by developing feedstock mobilisation strategies, improving logistics and development of IBC trade centres. First an evaluation is made of framework conditions to identify barriers and enablers. This will constitute the basis for core project actions i.e. development of (a) regional feedstock mobilisation strategies (b) tools for mobilising biomass and optimising size and location of trade centres, (c) industry-driven advanced and strategic case studies (one each per region; eight in total) yielding (d) optimised, cost-effective solutions for logistics along the entire IBC value chain. Two dedicated work packages targeting (i) regional stakeholders and (ii) industrial market actors, from the primary sector, industry and beyond, will build platforms for regional discourse and industry dialogue in the four target regions (Greece, Italy, Sweden/Finland and International). Project results are to include – besides direct market uptake due to the case studies, practical guidance to market actors and advice to policy makers serving as input for more informed policy, market support and financial frameworks, . The MUSIC consortium is characterised by strong industrial involvement, broad coverage across Europe, and top-level experience developing logistics for IBC. It comprises Europe’s leading technology developers for the three IBC types targeted. MUSIC consortium partners have wide networks in industry and industry platforms, ensuring relevance and transferability of all results.