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FAIR-CT97-3952
Standardisation of solid biofuels in Europe |
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Contract No: | FAIR-CT97-3952 |
| Date Prepared: | May 2001 | |
| Source: | Progress Report |
Objectives
The overall objective of the project is to collect and analyse information to support the formulation of European Standards for Solid Biofuels. The output of the project will be used by CEN to fulfil a Programming and Standardisation Mandate from the European Commission. The main focus of the work to be carried out during this project should be realised during the Programming Mandate (i.e., the preparation of an acceptable Work Programme for a CEN Technical Committee to be founded after the transition of the Programming Mandate into a Standardisation Mandate).
At the end of the Programming Mandate, if the transition to a Standardisation Mandate is agreed, the co-ordinator will continue to provide technical support (such as collection of data, preparation of draft standards, managing of working groups etc.) to the CEN Technical Committee within the time and resource constraints of the contracts.
The work foreseen for the second project year was as follows:
Task 0 Project Management:
Task I Definitions, classification and terminology:
Task 2 Review of existing standards and specifications:
Task 3 Identification of relevant fuel characteristics:
Task 4 Review of sampling and testing methods:
Task 5 Technical support for the production of draft standards:
Task 6 Testing
Task 7: Provision of technical support to CEN Technical Committee
Activities
These objectives were met by the following work accomplished during the last year:
Task 0: Project management
As a member of the Technical Co-ordination Group CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels the FAIR co-ordinator participated in the technical co-ordination meetings. Participants were Martin Kaltschmitt (FAIR co-ordinator), Andy Limbrick (THERMIE co-ordinator), Lars Sj6berg (STG, secretary of the CEN/BVWG 108 Solid Biofuels), Christian Lenander (Sydkraft Fuel, Sweden, Chairman of the CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels). During the second year, the fifth Technical Co-ordination Meeting - CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels took place in Malmo Sweden. The meeting aimed to prepare for the meeting with CEN/BT/WG 108, December 1999 in Brussels/Belgium and to discuss the work to be carried out in the meantime.
The FAIR co-ordinators assisted the CEN Secretariat CEN/BT/WG 108 (settled at STG, Sweden) in organising and participated the third Joint Meeting of the FAIR/THERMIE Consortia (International Conference) on 8th February 2000 in Brussels/Belgium. According to the Technical Annex, the third meeting in February 2000 was originally supposed to be set up as an International Conference. It was foreseen to discuss the findings of the FAIR and THERMIE project with a wider audience (therefore the term International Conference). However, only the delegates of the CEN workshop discuss the Work Programme. The national standardisation bodies appoint these delegates. Therefore, this idea originally documented within the Technical Annex of the contract between the FAIR/Thermie Consortia and the European Commission is no longer valid and makes no sense anyway. Therefore the Consortia (IER and GLR) proposed to organise the meeting in February 2000 like the Stuttgart or Stockholm Meeting which has anyway a clearly international character due the fact that representatives from all European countries has been invited. Therefore the delegates of this meeting are quite international and the conference character was given. Hitherto there would be no conflict with the statements made in the Technical Annex because this conference was of clearly international character. During the meeting the representatives of the European Commission (DG Research and DG TRFN) shared this view. On this background it was decided that the third workshop should take place at Brussels/Belgium on February 2000 at CEN headquarters organised and assisted by the FAIR/THERMIE Consortia (IER and GLR). Delegates from all national standardisation bodies from Europe and also experts from abroad (USA, Norway) will take part.
During this conference the Chairman (Christian Leander) of CEN/BT/WG 108 made a brief review of what has happened concerning the scope of the standardisation work since the second Joint Meeting in Stockholm. The third meeting ended with a strong recommendation from the Commission, represented by Dr. Maniatis from DG TREN, that the scope of work should not to include solid recovered fuels in the mandate.
The Commission clarified that the scope of the Work Programme must be restricted to the scope of the proposed mandate. This includes biofuels which are excluded from the draft Waste Incineration Directive. Waste-derived fuels are going to be dealt separately probably by a separate BT/WG. Peat was not included in the scope as discussed already at the first meeting of the CEN/BT/WG 108. The delegates to WG 108 agreed by voting (11 countries yes and 4 countries abstained) to let the Decision Committee propose a decision for the scope of a Work Programme based on the scope in the proposed mandate and some statements made by the Commission's representatives during the meeting (decision 11).
The FAIR co-ordinator prepared a summary of the work made by the FAIR- partners aiming at the investigation of the existing standards, manuals and guidelines in their home country. The result of their work are the so-called Country Reports presented at the Stockholm meeting in September 1999 (see last year report; the reports are available tinder www.biomasse-info.net as defined within the Technical Annex). As a conclusion this summary is a good background for the work to be carried out within the Technical Committee.
The THERMIE co-ordinator (Andy Limbrick) reported from finalising the draft Work Programme and the changes since the Stockholm meeting. For example solid recovered fuels, peat and process ashes are excluded. Five fields of work have been identified and agreed among the participants: terminology, fuel specifications, sampling and sample preparation, physical and mechanical tests, chemical tests. The THERMIE co-ordinator presented a report on "Priorities for methods of sampling and testing in the context of preparing European Standards for Solid Biofuels" (GLR 1249/1 0), which proposed a way for a Technical Committee to work. In the report GLR proposes that methods and procedures for sampling and sample preparation, a test for moisture content, ash content and particle size distribution are developed. THERMIE partners are willing to participate in working groups for sampling and precision, physical and mechanical tests and chemical tests.
The THERMIE co-ordinator made a brief summary of additional research requirements. There are some gaps in the knowledge of standards needed for precision of sampling and testing, quality assurance systems for fuel suppliers and the characteristics of the Solid Biofuels currently used. 0.6. The FAIR co-ordinator and the THERMIE co-ordinator drafted a final Work Programme which was sent to CEN Technical Board together with a proposal to create a Technical Committee on solid biofuels based on the Work Programme (N96).
The work of the FAIR partners was co-ordinated and guided by the FAIR co-ordinator.
The Technical Committee CEN/TC 335 Solid Biofuels was established by May 2000 in Stockholm. The FAIR co-ordinator participated in all CEN TC 335 Solid Biofuels meetings. Participants were Guido de Jongh (CEN headquarter Brussels) Martin Kaltschmitt (FAIR co-ordinator), Andy Limbrick (THERMIE co-ordinator), Kjell Lundstrum (head of STG), Lars Sjoberg, (STG, secretary of the CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels) and representatives from the European Commission.
The first Plenary Meeting of CEN/TC335 meeting took place on the 30,h May 2000 in Stockholm. The second Plenary Meeting of CEN/TC335 meeting took place on the 1st December 2000 in Copenhagen. The FAIR co-ordinator supported the production of draft standards (see task 5).
As a member of the of the Chairman's Advisory Group of CEN/TC 335 - former Steering Committee CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels - the FAIR co-ordinator participated in different meetings of the Chairman's Advisory Group. The Steering Committee was established to guide and co-ordinate the activities within the FAIR project, the THERMIE project and CEN. The FAIR co-ordinator participated in all Steering Committee CEN/BT/WG 108 Solid Biofuels meetings. During the second year the fourth meeting of the Chairman's Advisory Group (CAG) /former Steering Committee CEN/BT/WG 108 took place in December 2000 at CEN Headquarters in Brussels/Belgium. At the meeting a proposal for an application for an EU-supporting project was developed. After the first meetings of the Working Groups it was obvious that most of the research need was found within WG 3, WG 4 and WG 5. Therefore the proposal is based on items from these groups. The results are the basic for the development of a Quality Management System.
The results of the different meetings have been distributed by the secretariat by means of official CEN minutes.
Task 1: Definitions
The results of Task I are given in the first annual report from December 1999. The strategy paper Definition, classification and terminology (Report 1) is available (Annex, A).
Task 2: Review of existing standards and specifications
The FAIR co-ordinator superintended the finishing and review of the report on standardisation of Solid Biofuels produced by each FAIR partner.
By the FAIR co-ordinator the country reports are provided as electronic version in PDF- format within the Internet connected to the website of the German biomass information centre organised also by the IER, University of Stuttgart (see www.biomasse-info.net).
The FAIR co-ordinator wrote two summary report about the results presented in the Country Reports: Paper 1: Terms and definitions of Solid biofuels in Europe (Annex B),
Paper 2: Specification and classification of solid biofuels in Europe (Annex C).
Task 3: Identification of relevant fuel characteristics
The FAIR co-ordinator participated and assisted in the production and revision of the summary report (Report II) Biofuel Characteristics (Annex D).
The FAIR co-ordinator identified and analysed the need for future R & D in order to support the process of standardisation of Solid Biofuels.
Task 4: Review of sampling and testing methods
The FAIR co-ordinators participated and assisted in the production and revision of the summary report (Report III) Sampling and Testing of Solid Biofuels (Annex E).
Task 5: Technical support for the production of draft standards
The FAIR co-ordinator assist the THERMIE co-ordinator in drafting, presenting, discussing and revising a preliminary Work Programme for the production of standards in the area of Solid Biofuels.
The FAIR co-ordinator acts as the secretary of CEN/TC 335 WG 1. The first meeting of WG I took place in Brussels on 3 d October 2000. The scope of WG I is to elaborate one standard: Solid Biofuels: Terminology, definitions and description. The FAIR co-ordinator collected available terms and definitions from different standards. The partners submitted more than 400 terms. The FAIR co-ordinator developed a first draft to be discussed at the next meeting in February 200 1. A second draft was then developed with the final draft is planned to be presented at the third WG 1 meeting in September 2001. The FAIR co-ordinator realised external liaisons with IEA, UN-FAO and ASTM.
The first meeting of CEN/FC 335 WG 2 took place in Helsinki on 25 th October 2000. The scope of WG 2 is to elaborate two standards: Solid Biofuels: fuel specifications and classes and Solid Biofuels: Fuel quality assurance. WG 2 planned three meetings for 2001, January, April and June. 2001. At each meeting a new draft on Fuel specifications and classes was developed and the final draft planned for the meeting in September 2001. The work on Fuel quality assurance will start at the latest at the third meeting.
The first meeting of CEN/TC 335 WG 3 took place in London on September 2000. The scope of WO 3 is to elaborate two standards: Solid Biofuels: Sampling and Solid Biofuels: Sample reduction. A draft has been distributed and the deadline for comments was set to December 2000. A new draft based on the received comments will be discussed at the second meeting in February 2001. The final draft is planned by the WG in May 2001.
The first meeting of CEN/TC 335 WG 4 took place in October 2000. The scope of WG 4 is to elaborate standards for physical and mechanical test methods such as determination of moisture content, ash content, ash melting behaviour, particle dimension and particle size distribution and density for pellets and briquettes. The timetable set by the WG at its first meeting was very much depending on the results of research, which is not started yet. TC 335 therefore asked the WG to review its timetable to set earlier deadlines.
The first meeting of CEN/TC 335 WG 5 took place in November 2000. The scope of WG 5 is to elaborate 6 standards for chemical test methods such as determination of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen content, sulphur content, chlorine content, and content of minor and major elements. A timetable for the work has not yet been prepared by the WG as there are still uncertainties about financial resources.
Task 6: Testing
The FAIR co-ordinators participated and assisted in the production and revision of a European list of laboratories that perform physical/mechanical and chemical tests on solid biofuels which is being updated now and will be presented within the next report.
Task 7: Provision of technical support to CEN Technical Committee
As a member of CEN/TC 335 Solid Biofuels the FAIR co-ordinator participated in all meetings of the Technical Committee.
The first Plenary Meeting of CEN/TC335 meeting took place in May 2000 in Stockholm. The Secretary read subclause 2.3.3 of the CEN Internal Regulations - Part 2 (Annex C). Then the nominated Chairman, Ms Birgit Bodlund, was presented by the Secretary to the TC. Finally TC 335 Solid Biofuels decided to appoint Ms Bodlund as the Chairman of CEN/TC 335 for a period of 3 years starting on 2000-05-30. (Resolution 1) The FAIR co-ordinator (Martin Kaltschmitt), the THERMIE co-ordinator (Andrew Limbrick), Mr Philippe Julienne and Mr Lars Sj6berg, the Secretary, were elected as Resolution Committee.
Mr de Jongh presented the CEN System and the essential regulations of the CEN. He showed the Organisation of a Technical Committee: Chairman, secretary, Working Groups (WG) and Sub Committees (SC).
CEN/TC 335 decided that the final title and scope of CEN/TC 335 shall be as follows:
Final title: Solid Biofuels
Final scope: Drafting of standards for solid biofuels originating from:
It is noted that peat is not included within the scope for the time being. (Resolution 2)
Mr Kris Wijnendaele, Belgium presented a proposal for a draft directive oh the pro- motion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market. This proposal contains a definition of biomass, which is not coherent with other draft EU Directives (e. g. on the incineration of waste). TC 335 therefore asked its Chairman to contact the European authorities urging them to adopt a consistent policy on solid biofuels. (Resolution 4) CEN/TC 335 decided to adopt Appendix I of document BT/WG 108 N 96 as its Work Programme. (Resolution 5)
The allocation of the Working Group secretariats was decided by closed voting among the present CEN Member Countries. The result of this voting was (Resolutions 7 - IO):
WG I Terminology: Secretariat: Germany; Convenor: FAIR co-ordinator (Martin Kaltschmitt)
WG 2 Fuel specifications, classes and quality assurance: New voting between Finland and Denmark. This would be performed by correspondence.
WG 3 Sampling and sample reduction: Secretary: United Kingdom; Convenor: THERMIE co-ordinator (Andy Limbrick)
WG 4 Physical and mechanical test methods: Secretary: Sweden; Convenor: Nina Haglund
WG 5 Chemical test methods: Secretary: Netherlands; Convenor: unknown
CEN/TC 335 decided to agree to a liaison between CEN/TC 292 Characterisation of waste, CEN/BT/TF 118 Solid recovered fuels, IEA/Bioenergy agreement task 28 and AEBIOM for a period of three years. (Resolution 6)
The FAIR co-ordinator participated and assisted in the production and revision of a Draft Work Programme and in setting priorities. As it has become clear that it is necessary to make a lot of research and development within the different fields like sampling and physical and chemical test methods it may be a good idea to make a common application for a EU-supporting project. The TC 335 Chairman and the convenors of the Working Groups are co-ordinating the project.
The second Plenary Meeting of CEN/TC335 meeting took place in December 2000 in Copenhagen. The Secretary presented a second draft Business Plan. The Work Programmes of the Working Groups are updated according to their first meetings. In the chapter Market, Environment and Objectives of the TC 335 more text will added to describe the Market Situation, Market Environment and Economic, as well as social and legal factors. The Working group convenors (Martin Kaltschmitt, Jan Erik Levlin, Andy Limbrick, Nina Haglund and Ludger Dinkelbach) presented the results of the work done so far by WG 1 to 5.
The THERMIE co-ordinator (Andy Limbrick) and Kent Nystr6m, reported from existing liaisons with AEBIOM, CEN/BT/TF II 8 Solid Recovered Fuels and IEA. IEA is integrated in all the Working Groups of TC 335. Two new applications for liaisons were discussed: C.E.F.A.C.D., the European Committee of the Manufacturers of Domestic Heating Appliances and Domestic Cooking Appliances, and CITPA, the International Confederation of Paper and Board Converters in Europe.
The FAIR co-ordinator supported the FAIR partners in the foundations of the national mirror committees.
Progress
The project has been running for the second year now. So far, the objectives and mile- stones have been met in time and in conformity of the Technical Annex. There were some time delays in the establishment of the CEN Technical Committee caused by political problems between the different standardisation bodies and other involved parties on the one side and problems about the definition of the scope and the mandate of the Technical Committee on the other side. Due to this problems the original timetable has been delayed by approximately half a year. These different problems are outside the responsibility of the project co-ordinators. Therefore it is necessary for the execution of task 7 to prolong the project by half a year.
Achievements
Future activities
In the next reporting period (from December 2000 on), within the remaining resource constraints of the FAIR contract, the FAIR co-ordinator will provide technical support to CEN Technical Committee Solid Biofuels (Task 7). The overall objective of this activity is to speed up the standardisation process as much as possible. One way to achieve this goal is to manage the process of standard development within the Working Groups and to contribute in proposing and discussing draft standards. Caused by some time delays in the establishment of the CEN Technical Committee it became necessary for the execution of task 7 to prolong the project by half a year. This extension does not affect the resource constraint given in the FAIR contract.
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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