Capture and Reuse Of biogenic gases for Negative-emission - sustainable biofUelS

Project Information

CRONUS

Grant agreement ID: 101084405

DOI

10.3030/101084405

EC signature date 21 October 2022

Start date 1 December 2022

End date 31 August 2026

Funded under

• Climate, Energy and Mobility

Total cost

€ 4 390 895,00

EU contribution

€ 4 390 894,50

Coordinated by

ETHNICON METSOVION POLYTECHNION
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CRONUS (Capture and Reuse Of biogenic gases for Negative-emission - sustainable biofUelS)

Reporting period: 2022-12-01 to 2024-02-29

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The CRONUS project addresses the rising challenges in the biofuels market by accelerating the transition to sustainable bioenergy production. It integrates Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) techniques into the biofuels value chain to mitigate the environmental impact of biogenic effluent gases. This initiative aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European Union strategies towards climate neutrality and decarbonization of the economy.
Key objectives of CRONUS include detailed analysis of biogenic gases generation, stakeholder engagement through Communities of Practice (CoPs), technological solutions development encompassing various CCUS technologies, environmental and socio-economic impact assessment, guidelines for industrialization and application, bridging the gap between scientists and policymakers, and dissemination of objectives and results to diverse stakeholders.
CRONUS seeks to validate a spectrum of biogenic gases CCUS technologies, optimizing processes for efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability. The technological processes include:
The enzymatic capture of CO2 coupled with autotrophic algae cultivation;
The biological CO2 hydrogenation for biomethane production;
The syngas biomethanation;
The in-situ biomethanation supported by bioelectrochemical processes;
The carbon storage as biochar.
CRONUS aims to deliver increased bioenergy efficiency, sustainable biomass resource utilization, and negative emissions from biofuel production. By leveraging comprehensive carbon CUS technologies and fostering stakeholder engagement, CRONUS aims to establish Bioenergy with CUS as a commercially viable, socially acceptable, and environmentally efficient solution, ultimately becoming a staple in the bioenergy value chain.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During project CRONUS, investigation into opportunities and challenges for biogenic gases in carbon-negative biofuels production is ongoing. An inventory database for biogenic gases production in Europe's biofuel sector has been developed and uploaded to the project website. Additionally, an open-access catalogue listing biogenic gases valorization solutions and good practice examples has been published.
A stakeholder engagement strategy has been devised, focusing on establishing and managing 5 Communities of Practice (CoPs), each corresponding to a CRONUS Functional Prototype (FP). Over 120 stakeholders relevant to CRONUS FPs, spanning industry, academia, civil society, and business sectors, have been identified and engaged. Key stakeholders and FP operators were interviewed to identify social values and tensions regarding biogenic CO2 capture, utilization, storage, and CRONUS technology advancement, as well as to pinpoint technological, logistical, regulatory, and cultural obstacles. Reports on these findings contribute to policy recommendations for sustainable biofuels and assessing societal acceptance of carbon-negative biofuel innovations.
Scientifically, all experimental apparatus and configurations necessary for each biogenic gas valorization technology have been set up. Protocols for raw material and product analysis enable technology performance monitoring. Ongoing experimental trials aim to optimize CRONUS technology conditions. Simultaneously, a preliminary assessment evaluates safety, sustainability, and circularity aspects, identifying areas for improving economic, social, and environmental processes, preparing them for Functional Prototype scaling.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The results of the project encompass several key components aimed at advancing biogenic gas valorisation and fostering sustainable biofuel supply chains in Europe. The results achieved so far and the related impact are described below.
An open-access database has been developed to assess biogenic emissions management in Europe's biofuel sector, serving as a starting point for evaluation. Currently, 4000 plants across all EU countries are identified and assessed, covering various processes like biomass gasification, combustion, fermentation, anaerobic digestion, and biomass pyrolysis. This resource aids stakeholders in informed decision-making, collaboration, and innovation in the biofuel sector.
To enhance stakeholders’ awareness of carbon-negative biofuels, active engagement occurs through Communities of Practices (CoPs), ensuring key stakeholders participate in CRONUS technology development. Over 120 stakeholders across Functional Prototypes (FP), from industry, academia, civil society, and business, form the basis for each FP's CoP. Social values and tensions surrounding CRONUS technologies are identified through literature review and stakeholder interviews, while over 30 barriers, including cultural/social, technological, logistical, and regulatory aspects, have been identified hindering CRONUS technology deployment.
Regarding CRONUS technological solutions, ongoing experimental trials aim to optimize conditions for validation at lab scale and reach TRL4.