SEMPRE-BIO aims to demonstrate novel and cost-effective biomethane production solutions and pathways, deemed essential to achieve the European Green Deal and climate and energy targets for 2030 and the net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and to increase the market up-take of biomethane related technologies.
To that extent, SEMPRE-BIO will set up three European Biomethane Innovation Ecosystems (EBIEs), based in Baix Llobregat (ES), Bourges (FR) and Adinkerke (BE), which are representative of the different baseline situations for biomethane production across Europe. Those initial EBIEs will facilitate long-term replication, by creating an active flow of information and resources for ideas to transform into reality. Through the EBIEs, SEMPRE-BIO will facilitate long-term replication, creating an active flow of information and this information will create future investment opportunities. In particular, five innovative technologies will be tested, which will contribute to diversifying the conversion technology base for biomethane production, and their replication in other plants will be encouraged. On the other hand, a comprehensive technological and economic assessment will be carried out to show the benefits of these solutions compared to fossil gas and conventional biogas upgrading technologies, overcoming existing barriers to their mass adoption. Such assessment will mainly focus on aspects related to the improvement of biomethane production efficiency and cost reduction, but will also have a strong focus on the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions, aiming at increasing sustainability and fostering circular economy models.
By implementing the proposed solutions, the project expects to foster circular economy initiatives at the local level and reduce reliance on imports of natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). On a larger scale, SEMPRE-BIO aims to promote the use of biomethane as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in transportation and the natural gas grid. This transition is estimated to result in a reduction of approximately 213 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2050.
Overall, the challenge is to decrease investment and operational costs, to optimize feedstock supply, use, identify alternative feedstock as well as reduce their costs, to improve plant efficiency and operations, to factor in the carbon savings and to increase and monetize co-benefits, such as from the commercialization of the digestate or the valorization of residual gas streams.
