EERA Bioenergy Joint Programme held on 31st October 2023 an on-site meeting for its five Subprogrammes in Crete, Greece.

In this uncommon face-to-face encounter between subprogrammes (SP1. Sustainable production of biomass, coordinated by Dr. Wolter Elbersen; SP2. Thermochemical Platform, coordinated by Berend Vreugdenhil; SP3. Biochemical Platform, coordinated by Dr. Marcelo E. Domine; SP4. Stationary bioenergy, coordinated by Berend Vreugdenhil; and SP5. Sustainability / techno-economic analysis / public acceptance, coordinated by Raquel S. Jorge) the discussion mainly revolved around R&D gaps in bioenergy research and identifying key issues in need of further research.

The event, conducted by Raquel S. Jorge and Berend Vreugdenhil, was also attended by the European Commission Senior Expert Maria Georgiadou, who provided updates in R&I policy context for renewable fuels and bioenergy and guided on upcoming EU funding opportunities.

In addition to these topics, the meeting was an opportunity for members of EERA Bioenergy JP to present several ongoing European projects and research initiatives: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) overviewed the research activities on bio-based systems and sustainability at IndECol (Industrial Ecology Programme); Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (LNEG) and Laboratório Colaborativo para as Biorrefinarias (BIORREF) introduced the HYFUELUP project which aims to demonstrate hybrid biomethane production from biomass; Instituto de Tecnología Química (UPV-CSIC) presented the HIGHFLY and IDEALFUEL projects, that are working on the conversion of biomass into biofuel for sectors difficult to electrify, such as maritime transport or aviation. After that, WIP Renewable Energies discussed the BioTheRos project which looks to develop a holistic methodolgy that will boost the scale-up of sustainable biofuels via thermochemical conversion technologies. Finally, Center for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) introduced the ICARUS project which aims to develop best practices and concepts along entire value chains for accelerating the scale-up of sustainable aviation biofuels production worldwide.

The whole meeting was a unique opportunity to bring together multiple researchers focused on similar topics, which resulted in a most enriching dialogue and exchange of ideas.

Learn more about EERA Bioenergy Subprogrammes here.