Enabling the biocarbon value chain for energy

The overall objective of BioCarb+ is development of new strategies for use of low-grade biomass, pulpwood and energy wood resources for biocarbon production for raw material for industrial applications (reduction agent / metallurgical coke) and conversion for energy purposes, through: - New or improved biomass harvesting and logistics solutions, with special attention to forest residues, but also pulpwood and energy wood (including hardwood), and their properties - New or improved biocarbon production solutions through development or improvement of biomass pretreatment methods, biocarbon production processes and applications and biocarbon logistics solutions - New or improved biocarbon conversion solutions through development or improvement of biocarbon conversion applications with focus on high energy efficiency and low emissions, and biocarbon properties for industrial applications - Efficient utilisation of by-products from the biocarbon production process to improve overall economy and improve sustainability (CO2-footprint) of biocarbon production and utilisation - Education of highly skilled candidates within this area and training of industry partners - Monitoring of activities and state-of-the-art within this area and dissemination of knowledge to the industry partners, and other interested parties where applicable In 2014 focus has been on startup of the project and the planned activities and deliverables for 2014. Various studies have been started connected to the resource base and costs of these, fuel properties, feeding solutions, carbonization technologies and biocarbon conversion applications. The PhD position on modelling of biocarbon production has also been announced, and filled. In 2015 focus was on further work connected to the resource base, biocarbon production and logistics, as well as biocarbon end use properties. Results connected to biocarbon production and conversion were presented at 23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition and BioCarb+ was invited to present the project and results both at Energiforskningskonferansen and Bioenergidagene. The results show the influence of different parameters on the biocarbon yield and quality as well as its conversion properties. In 2016 focus was on further studies connected to the resource base, carbonisation experiments under different conditions, biocarbon combustion and techno-economic studies connected to biocarbon production and use. This is in sum extensive studies that contributes with significantly increased knowledge regarding how Norwegian biomass resources can be utilised in an optimum manner in the biocarbon value chain. In 2017, the last year of the project, focus has been on selected specific studies and concluding and summarising studies connected to the resource base and biocarbon production, properties and end use, also in a value chain perspective.

Three central documents are defining the current national bioenergy strategy: Klimameldingen, Energi21 and Strategy for increased expansion of bioenergy - 2008. The latter states that the Norwegian energy policy shall work towards producing 14 new TWh bio energy by 2020. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, Energi21, Norway's national strategy initiative for energy, has set three priorities for bioenergy R&D: 1) logistics (harvesting, transport), 2) novel fuels and 3) efficient conversion. This project addresses these by contributing to the enablement of the biocarbon (BC) value chain to produce clean energy efficiently from biomass residues. Producing BC, a renewable solid fuel with superior properties, from low-grade biomass resources will have a two fold effect: it will (1) remove the challenges associated with their handling and combustion and (2) give an energy product with high added value from cheap and largely unexploited biomass resources. A very interesting candidate is GROT (branches and tree tops), with up to 5 TWh/yr available, which cause significant challenges if used as is in combustion applications. The whole value chain, from the resources to the end-use applications and environmental aspects, is included in the project. The target is BC for cost-effective, small-scale and environmental and climate friendly energy use. Through utilisation of low-grade biomass resources to produce BC, several TWh/yr increased bioenergy use is possible within a moderate timeframe. Research is needed thro ugh the whole BC chain; reducing harvesting and logistics costs for low-grade biomass resources, maximising the BC yield (approaching the theoretical fix-C yield) and quality (including for Si production) in the BC production and maximising the energy eff iciency and minimising the emissions in the BC end-use applications. The project consortium covers all the necessary aspects, from resources to end-use, and includes large and central industrial players.