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.
