BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT97-3952 - Standardisation of solid biofuels in Europe

FAIR-CT97-3952
Standardisation of solid biofuels in Europe

Contacts
Website: www.biomasse-info.net
Further Information

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
FAIR Area 1.1 - Biomass and Bioenergy Chain : Solid Biofuels : Straw : Thermochemical Conversion : Wood (Lignocellulose)

	Type of Project	Concerted Action
	Contract No	FAIR-CT97-3952
	Total Cost	438,050 ECU
	EC Contribution	350,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/12/1998
	Duration	30 Months

Background

Solid biofuels vary widely in quality, reflecting differences in chemical composition and physical properties. They meet the required quality, biofuel suppliers and users need to agree on standardised fuel properties. Standardisation on a European level (through CEN) will be essential for the development of bioenergy markets.

Objectives

The overall objective of this Concerted Action is to collect and analyse information that can be used to support the formulation of European Standards for solid biofuels.

Technical Approach

The first step of this activity will be to discuss terminology and relevant properties of solid biofuels as well as analyse and evaluate methods used to determine those properties and classifications that are already in use within various European countries. In a second step existing national standardisation approaches applicable to other European countries and recommendations on further approaches for consistent European solid biofuel specifications will be elaborated with regard to methods for determination of solid biofuel properties and classifications. This will form a basis for a common European solid biofuel standard in the future.

The specific work programme for this Concerted Action is to:

agree upon terminology (i.e. definition and translation of the most relevant terms in this field)
identify relevant solid biofuel properties that characterise and determine fuel and combustion qualities of solid biofuels
analyse current frame conditions in Europe concerning standardization of solid biofuels (i.e. standardization committees, standardization procedures, standardization proceedings)
analyse state-of-the-art of solid biofuel standardization within Europe concerning

laboratory and in-field methods for determination of the properties of solid biofuels
current classification approaches (e.g. fuel particle size distribution for wood chips)

evaluate existing standardization approaches in Europe based on the experiences of the project partners gained with these standards (i.e. advantages, disadvantages, relevance for practical use)
establish applicability of determination methods and classification approaches which already exist in some EC member states to their use in other European countries, taking local conditions into consideration
elaborate recommendations for a common European approach to a solid biofuel standard which is acceptable throughout Europe
list relevant institutions, research centres, universities and other groups working in this field.

Contacts

Coordinator

Martin KALTSCHMITT / University of Stuttgart, Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy (IER) / GERMANY

Participant